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Mainland Sector

Business Setup in ADGM

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is the capital’s international financial centre, located on Al Maryah Island. Operating under its own common-law framework, ADGM is a leading base for banks, asset and wealth managers, funds, insurers, fintech firms, family offices and holding structures and is recognised for one of the region’s most progressive regimes for fintech and virtual assets.

We manage your ADGM setup end to end entity selection, regulatory pathway, registration, office, visas and corporate bank account introduction working with the ADGM Registration Authority and, for financial firms, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

About ADGM

Established in Abu Dhabi, ADGM is a financial free zone that directly applies English Common Law, giving it an internationally familiar legal foundation. It operates its own courts, the ADGM Courts, and an independent financial regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Companies are registered through the ADGM Registration Authority. ADGM is well known for its RegLab fintech sandbox and its comprehensive framework for virtual assets, making it a natural home for innovative finance.

Why Choose ADGM

Direct English common law
ADGM applies English Common Law directly, alongside the dedicated ADGM Courts.
Respected financial regulator
the FSRA provides credible, internationally recognised oversight protocols.
Fintech and virtual assets
the RegLab sandbox and a leading virtual-asset framework support innovation.
100% foreign ownership
full enterprise control with no local partner required across segments.
Wealth and holding structures
foundations and special purpose vehicles for structuring and succession.
Tax efficiency
0% corporate tax on qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and full repatriation.

Corporate Entity Structures

ADGM provides an extensive selection of robust corporate vehicles engineered for modern asset management, protection, and operational infrastructure. ADGM companies enjoy 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital and profits. A company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, while non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard rate. We help structure your activities to remain compliant and tax-efficient.

Operating Formations

Private Company Limited by Shares (the primary operational setup) or direct Branch offices.

Specialised Vehicles

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for holding assets, corporate structuring, and specialized investments.

Foundations & Firms

Corporate foundations for succession, along with limited/LLP partnerships for professional teams and funds.

Who ADGM Is For & Activity Streams

ADGM activities dictate your target compliance pathway and are structured into two distinct regulatory channels.

Financial Activities (FSRA Regulated) requires formal pre-operating authorization; covers banks, asset/wealth managers, funds, brokers, insurers, and virtual-asset service providers.
Non-Financial Activities registered directly via the Registration Authority without FSRA oversight; covers law firms, consultancies, accountancies, and holdings.
Holding & Wealth Blueprints specialized legal vehicles including dedicated family offices, corporate foundations, holding companies, and asset-specific SPVs.
Tech Startups accessible, cost-effective Tech Startup licensing pathways configured specifically for early-stage technology companies.

Office and Workspace

ADGM companies operate from offices on Al Maryah Island and the centre’s expanding footprint, ranging from co-working and serviced space to fitted offices. Your office space selection directly establishes your legal workforce visa limits.

Visa Allocation Framework

Corporate facility scales dictate employee immigration quotas within the financial free zone.

  • Operating Formations Private Company Limited by Shares (the primary operational setup) or direct Branch offices.
  • Specialised Vehicles Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for holding assets, corporate structuring, and specialized investments.
  • Foundations & Firms Corporate foundations for succession, along with limited/LLP partnerships for professional teams and funds.

ADGM Business Setup Process

We manage each stage with the Registration Authority and the FSRA on your behalf.

  • 1
    Structure Selection

    we confirm your activities, entity type and regulatory pathway.

  • 2
    Name & Initial Filing

    we reserve your name and submit the application to the Registration Authority.

  • 3
    Regulatory Authorisation

    for financial firms, we support the FSRA authorisation and regulatory business plan.

  • 4
    Office Selection

    we secure suitable workspace or serviced corporate space within ADGM boundaries.

  • 5
    Incorporation

    ADGM issues your official commercial license and certificate of incorporation.

  • 6
    Identity Protocols

    we process the establishment card, investor/staff visas, Emirates ID and medical.

  • 7
    Corporate Bank Account Introduction

    we introduce you to our banking partners and assist with the application.

Setup Your Business Now

Need expert help? Contact our agents today.

Documents Required for ADGM Setup

Requirements depend on entity type and whether the activity is regulated. We issue a tailored checklist post-consultation.

  • Passport copy of each shareholder, director, and authorised signatory.
  • UAE visa and Emirates ID copy for residents, or entry-stamp page.
  • Recent passport-size photograph.
  • Proof of address and a curriculum vitae for key individuals.
  • Standard business plan (regulatory plan for financial firms).
  • Certificate of incorporation of the parent company.
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association.
  • Board resolution approving the ADGM incorporation.
  • Register of directors, shareholders, and ultimate beneficial owners.
  • Audited financial statements, where required.
  • Corporate documents fully attested and legalised for UAE use.
  • Parent company license and core incorporation files.
  • Board resolution to open an ADGM branch and name the manager.
  • Power of attorney for the designated branch manager.
  • Audited financial statements of the parent company.
  • Attested and legalised corporate documents.
Estimated Timeline

1 to 3 Weeks

A non-financial ADGM company is typically incorporated within 1 to 3 weeks once documents are in order. Financial firms requiring FSRA authorisation take longer commonly several months reflecting the depth of the regulatory review. Visa and Emirates ID processing runs alongside incorporation.

Premium Corporate Cost Structure

As a premium financial centre, ADGM sits at the higher end of UAE setup costs, though its Tech Startup license offers a more accessible entry point. Costs depend on the entity type, regulated status, workspace, and visa needs; financial firms also incur FSRA application and supervision fees. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Why Choose Legacy Partners for ADGM Setup

Direct operational configurations aligned to your corporate rollout workflows.

✔
Financial-centre expertise

we navigate ADGM Registration Authority and FSRA requirements daily.

✔
End-to-End Service

structuring, regulatory support, office, visas, and bank-account introductions under one roof.

✔
Transparent Pricing

clear, all-inclusive packages with no surprise invoices.

✔
Multilingual Advisors

a single dedicated point of contact throughout your formal setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

ADGM is the Abu Dhabi Global Market, the capital’s international financial centre on Al Maryah Island, operating under its own framework that directly applies English Common Law.

Financial firms are regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), an independent regulator that authorises and supervises financial activity within ADGM.

Both are common-law financial centres. ADGM is in Abu Dhabi and applies English Common Law directly, while DIFC is in Dubai with its own common-law-based laws. They have separate regulators FSRA for ADGM and DFSA for DIFC.

Yes. ADGM is recognised for its RegLab fintech sandbox and a comprehensive virtual-asset framework, making it a leading base for fintech and digital-asset businesses.

It is a cost-accessible license designed for early-stage technology companies, lowering the barrier to establishing in a premium financial centre.

Yes. ADGM companies allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner, plus full repatriation of capital and profits.

An ADGM company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, while non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard rate.

A non-financial company is typically incorporated within 1 to 3 weeks. Financial firms requiring FSRA authorisation take longer, often several months, due to the regulatory review.

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