ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) on Al Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, built on English common law. Licences start from about AED 12,000 with 100% ownership. It's the top UAE base for financial services, funds, fintech and crypto (regulated by the FSRA), plus professional, holding and family-office companies.
ADGM on Al Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi’s financial centre and a strong choice for professional and consulting firms. Below are realistic costs, visa options, timelines and a simple setup checklist.
Why choose ADGM?
- International reputation and banking familiarity.
- Robust framework for professional/consulting activities.
- Digital onboarding and clear compliance processes.
Typical setup costs
Process
- Name reservation & initial approval.
- License issuance & company docs.
- Immigration setup; visas as required.
Starting from: AED 12,000+
How much does a ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) licence cost?
A licence here typically runs AED 60,000 - 250,000 for year one. The licence is normally issued in 3 - 6 months once documents are ready, and entry package tiers carry 2 - 10 visas. The low end is a single-activity licence with no staff visas; the high end reflects extra activities, a dedicated office or a higher visa quota.
Financial free zone with its own regulator, common-law courts and capital requirements.
Estimate. Indicative market range for planning, not confirmed with the authority. Check current figures before you apply.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (year one) | AED 60,000 - 250,000 | Varies with activity count and facility |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company, required before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative ranges for planning, not a quote. Zone packages and government fees change — confirm current figures with the authority before you apply.
How many visas do you get?
Quota follows the facility you take, not the licence itself.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa) | 0 | Trade licence with no residency for anyone |
| Flexi desk / smart desk | 1 - 6 | Set by the package tier you buy, not by the activity |
| Dedicated office (15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | First step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota |
| Larger office or warehouse | about 1 per 9 sqm | Subject to the zone approving the allocation |
Full detail, including how to increase your allocation: free zone visa quota explained.
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Last updated: October 2026
General information, not advice. Fees, packages and visa quotas are set by the free zone authority and change without notice — confirm current terms before applying.