Abu Dhabi · Mainland
Abu Dhabi mainland license cost, and whether it suits you
A licence from the capital's economic department: direct access to Abu Dhabi's government, energy and industrial buyers.
At a glance
Abu Dhabi mainland in summary
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most commercial and professional activities; a few activities still carry local participation requirements |
| Market access | Sell directly anywhere in the UAE; government and semi-government tenders in Abu Dhabi generally require a mainland or specific registration |
| Premises | Physical premises usually required; some activities qualify for the emirate's lighter licence types, confirm the current options |
| Audit | Activity dependent; confirm with ADDED and your bank |
| Best for | Contractors, suppliers to government and energy clients, retail and professional firms based in the capital |
Published fees
Activities: Base licence fee includes 6 investor-selected activities (2 for Mobdea); each additional activity is AED 100, and fees vary with activities and legal form. Note: ADRA pages state 'Fees depend on the economic activities and legal form selected'; the ADDED AED 790/890 news item is undated; no validity periods stated.
Visas: ADRA/ADDED do not publish visa fees on these pages (visas are federal/ICP charges).
Authority fees, as published
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional economic activity feeper activity beyond the 6 included | 100 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Dual Licence basic cost for free zone companies (includes 6 activities)for companies already registered in a free zone | 1,200 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Freelancer Licence basic cost (includes 6 investor-selected activities)sole proprietorship only | 1,200 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Instant Licence (includes 6 investor-selected activities)range AED 790-5,500 | 790 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Mobdea Licence basic cost (includes 2 investor-selected activities)home-based creatives; no employees allowed | 860 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Standard Economic Licence basic cost (includes 6 investor-selected activities)includes 6 activities; fees depend on activities and legal form | 1,200 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Tajer Abu Dhabi (Trader) Licence basic cost (includes 6 activities)range AED 790-5,500 by activity; no physical office required | 790 | OnceEcommerce licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Virtual Licence (includes 6 investor-selected activities)range AED 790-5,500; run business from home | 790 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Government fees for residence visas
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adding an industrial product on the licence | 500 | OnceIndustrial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Business centre commission cap per MOHRE serviceMax commission for Tawteen/business centres; free via MOHRE app; mainland companies only | 72 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID renewal for residents, per year of residencePlus AED100 Smart Application Fees; service 377-004-001-009; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID Smart Service Fees (new issuance, residents)Fixed per application; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID urgent service fee (ICP centres only)Optional fast-track, in-person only; ICP Emirates ID | 150 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| GDRFA golden residence permit issuance, investors (10-yr)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; Golden Visa route | 1,100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP entry visa for employment to obtain Green ResidencePlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP golden residence issuance (10-yr), per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; Golden Visa route | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit application feeService 377-006-003-000; federal/ICP system (emirates other than Dubai); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit issuance fee, per yearAED100 per year of validity (2-yr visa = AED200); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit renewal fee, per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; service 377-006-003-003; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP smart service feeListed as 'Smart Service Fees' on residence issuance; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP status adjustment (change of status)Listed as 'Status Adjustment - 500 AED'; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Issuing an economic activity licence (all local authority fees)ADDED news item; renewal AED 890; licensing procedures AED 10 | 790renewal 890 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness with vaccination (Category B)AED250 + AED50 Hepatitis B vaccination + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 310 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, female cat. with pregnancy test (C)AED250 + AED50 vaccination + AED50 pregnancy test + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 360 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, workers/employees (Category A)AED250 service + AED10 printing; emirates other than Dubai/Abu Dhabi; medical fitness | 260 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHRE work permit issuance, 2 years, Category 1 companyFederal fee; excludes tax and collection charges; mainland companies only | 250 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHRE work permit issuance, 2 years, Category 2 companyFederal fee; excludes tax and collection charges; mainland companies only | 1,200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHRE work permit issuance, 2 years, Category 3 companyFederal fee; excludes tax and collection charges; mainland companies only | 3,450 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New Emirates ID for residents, per year of residence1yr=100, 2yr=200, 3yr=300; 5/10-yr cards follow same per-year rate; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Trade name issuance fee | 50 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Every figure above comes from the authority’s own fee page or schedule, with the link beside it and was last checked on 17 October 2026. Fees change, some exclude VAT, and the list is not everything a setup costs: our professional fee, office rent, document attestation and bank requirements are quoted separately. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
What happens after formation
Corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, VAT if you cross the threshold, and — in many zones — audited financial statements at renewal. We set the dates out before you launch rather than after.
Package contents, visa quotas, activity lists and audit requirements are set by each authority and change. Every figure is confirmed against the authority’s current terms at the time we advise you.
Next step
Thinking about Abu Dhabi mainland?
A short call, a written comparison, and fixed fees before anything starts.
Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 GST. Messages outside those hours are answered the next working morning. WhatsApp +971 55 786 7621.