Abu Dhabi boasts first-class infrastructure and unparalleled global connectivity, making it a premier international destination. Its exceptional qualities make it an ideal location to live, work, and conduct business.
A financial centre that provides transparency, efficiency, and integrity, through its progressive frameworks, future focused infrastructure, all within a familiar independent legal jurisdiction – ADGM is the perfect platform for success.
Our community of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors can depend on ADGM to provide timely news and reliable insights.
At ADGM, we offer various support options, including contact details, FAQs, enquiry forms, and a whistleblowing form.
With a geographic location at the heart of the MENA region and the East/West corridor, ADGM is the ideal gateway to serve the markets of GCC, South Asia and Africa.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of capital that is home to some of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, is perfectly placed to take advantage of local and regional investment and asset management opportunities. With a geographic location at the heart of the MENA region and the East/West corridor, ADGM is the ideal gateway to serve the markets of GCC, South Asia and Africa. This greater regional representation in Emerging Markets Indices and Abu Dhabi’s rise in prominence as a hub for financial technological innovation, ESG finance, and government debt issuance, have led to international, regional and local asset managers increasing their focus on the region.
Whether you are in the business of Investment Management or Asset Servicing, enhance your client offerings in ADGM recognised for its progressive well-regulated environment, to offer a comprehensive selection of investment strategies.
Financial services entities that wish to carry on financial services activities in ADGM must apply for a Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) under the applicable financial services regulations
Entities will find a wide range of Grade A office space on Al Maryah & Al Reem Island to choose from. The ADGM team will advise regarding office requirements on a case-by-case basis.
The ADGM funds framework balances a business-friendly environment for industry practitioners whilst retaining appropriate levels of investor protection, allowing investment managers to establish a comprehensive selection of funds, including Sharia-compliant and green / climate transition products.
Managers and investors can benefit from a wide range of investment structures including fund vehicles, asset holding vehicles (SPVs) and trust vehicles, that allow for the management of sophisticated portfolios. ADGM funds may be distributed across the UAE, which has led to a thriving environment for established local and international firms.
ADGM’s beneficial tax environment and the UAE's strong network of Double Taxation Treaties has made ADGM an ideal location for management of both regional and international portfolios.
ADGM also recognises that the ease for new players to enter the market is key to developing a robust and diversified funds industry. As such, ADGM has tailored frameworks that cater to start-up and boutique fund managers, as well as venture capital fund managers.
ADGM is home to a vibrant ecosystem supporting the growth of its funds management, institutional asset management and private wealth management industries. The English common law environment and sophisticated regulatory regime has provided the ideal platform for the growth of Asset Servicing Providers (ASPs), providing a home at ADGM for the full lifecycle of asset servicing. Increasingly clients require, and entities are providing:
With the increasingly sophisticated needs of institutional and private asset managers across traditional asset classes, alternatives and digital assets, the demand for effective and efficient asset services continues to grow. ADGM provides an effective platform for these services in a tax efficient location and with access to skilled resources and technology innovators.
Financial Services entities looking to set up in ADGM are required to secure approval from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority before proceeding with registration.
Applicants are required to fill out the requisite forms and provide all the necessary information required when making an application.
With the information provided, the FSRA Authorisation Team will assess whether the applicants meet the admission requirements, including the following aspects:
A thoroughly and accurately completed application as specified in the forms, will expedite this process.
To download all Application Forms click here.
For information on applicable fees click here.
Call or meet with one of our FSRA Authorisation Team for an initial discussion on your requirements. In preparation for the meeting, Applicant will need to have a regulatory plan, setting out the planned regulated activities, internal controls and resources to address the related risks.
Submit the completed application form, and any documentation required, along with the application fee.
Authorisation Team team will review your application, follow up on any clarifications, conduct interviews with the Approved Person and fill in any information gaps.
Applicant will be notified if the application has been approved in principle, subject to conditions.
If Applicant accepts the in principle approval conditions, the Applicant must prepare to satisfy these conditions and proceed with capitalisation and hiring and contacting the ADGM Registration Authority to start the process of Commercial Licence application.
Once these conditions are met, ADGM will issue the Applicant's Financial Services Permission.
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