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Abu Dhabi Company Setup

Company Formation in Abu Dhabi

A structured document workflow for Abu Dhabi company formation and licensing.

Company Formation in Abu Dhabi — UAE service illustration

Overview

What this service is

Abu Dhabi company formation is the licensing of a new legal entity in the emirate, either on the mainland or inside an Abu Dhabi free zone. It is not the same application as a Dubai licence.

Who it is for

Founders who will actually operate, invoice, or hold premises in Abu Dhabi, and groups opening an Abu Dhabi entity beside an existing Dubai company.

Relevant authority

Mainland activities are licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Free-zone activities are licensed by that zone’s own authority. Regulated activities can also need a sector regulator before the economy department will issue the licence.

Typical documents

Passports of the owners, a clear activity description, the proposed legal form, and proof of an office or facility if that activity requires premises. Existing corporate shareholders usually need their constitutional documents.

How Tellus handles Company Formation

  • Business activity and trade name checklist
  • Shareholder passport, visa and Emirates ID document review
  • License application typing and file preparation
  • Office, tenancy or approval note guidance where applicable
  • PRO follow-up and renewal reminders

What We Need to Start

Share your company or personal details, intended activity, preferred emirate, visa needs and any existing approvals. If you already have documents, send them by WhatsApp or email.

Estimated charges depend on the business activity, jurisdiction, legal structure, visa requirements and government approvals. We confirm a clear checklist before work starts.

How the work proceeds

01

Confirm the pathway

Tell us the emirate, the applicant or company, and the transaction. Tellus compares the activity with the Abu Dhabi mainland list and with relevant free zones, then prepares the licence file for the authority the founders choose. Name reservation, tenancy, and external approvals stay subject to those authorities.

02

Match documents to the authority

Passports of the owners, a clear activity description, the proposed legal form, and proof of an office or facility if that activity requires premises. Existing corporate shareholders usually need their constitutional documents.

03

File and follow the authority’s response

Tellus tracks corrections, payments, and appointments the authority raises. Approval remains that authority’s decision.

Estimated Timeline

Timelines vary by document completeness, authority appointments and case type. After reviewing your file, we share realistic next-step stages.

Pricing Disclaimer

Government fees and service charges are confirmed before work starts. Website estimates are not a binding quote until your case is reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which authority handles this?
Mainland activities are licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Free-zone activities are licensed by that zone’s own authority. Regulated activities can also need a sector regulator before the economy department will issue the licence.
Which documents are usually required?
Passports of the owners, a clear activity description, the proposed legal form, and proof of an office or facility if that activity requires premises. Existing corporate shareholders usually need their constitutional documents.
What affects the government fees?
Licence fees depend on the legal form, the activity, and whether an external approval or a facility is required. Office rent and visa allocation are separate. No package price on this page is a government fee.
What affects the timeline?
A standard professional activity with a ready office moves faster than an industrial, health, or education activity that needs an outside approval. Initial approval is not the same as a licence in hand.
What are the main restrictions?
Foreign ownership is widely permitted for many activities, but not a reason to skip a sector approval. A free-zone licence does not automatically authorise mainland retail. Tellus does not reserve a trade name until the authority accepts it.
Do you guarantee approval?
No. The government authority decides. Tellus prepares the file and follows up. Website text is guidance, not a promise of approval or a fixed fee.
How does Tellus assist?
Tellus compares the activity with the Abu Dhabi mainland list and with relevant free zones, then prepares the licence file for the authority the founders choose. Name reservation, tenancy, and external approvals stay subject to those authorities.
How do I start?
Contact Tellus by WhatsApp, phone, or the website form with the emirate and the transaction. Abu Dhabi files are handled by TELLUS TYPING LLC SPC. Dubai business-setup files are handled by TELLUS BUSINESS SET UP SERVICE.

Related Guides

Ready to discuss your requirement?

Tellus supports business setup, corporate PRO, visas and government documentation across the UAE. Authorities decide approvals — we focus on correct files and organised follow-up.

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