Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Free Zone offers a high-quality regulated environment to those in the financial sector and welcomes non-financial service providers as well. ADGM is a financial centre that offers company set ups in the Al Maryah island in Abu Dhabi. The Al Maryah island is an international financial centre in the capital city of the UAE.

ADGM’s three independent authorities :

• the Registration Authority (RA),
• the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and
• ADGM Courts

Benefits of Setting up an ADGM Company :

An ADGM company has the following benefits:

• 100 % foreign ownership.
• 100 % repatriation of profits.
• 0 % direct tax
• It offers a full ecosystem comprising of legal, accounting and servicing.
• No limit on the number of activities per license
• Simple and convenient business procedures.
• No restrictions on hiring foreign employees
• ADGM is an independent jurisdiction that has its own independent courts and offers legal certainty.

Types of License and Business Activities :

ADGM offers three categories of licenses for a company setup, namely:

1. 1. Non-financial license
   2. Retail license
   3. Financial license

Several business activities can be conducted under each license type.

Types of Companies in ADGM :

• Public Company Limited by Shares

This company can be formed by minimum one shareholder. The shareholder can either be an individual or a corporate. The individual shareholder must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. This company must appoint at least two (2) directors.

• Private Company Limited by Shares / Guarantee

This company can also be formed by minimum one (1) shareholder, who can be an individual or a corporate entity. The individual shareholder must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. A minimum of one director must be appointed in this company. The liability of the shareholder is limited to the shareholder’s investment in the company.

• Unlimited Company

The minimum requirement to form an unlimited company is one (1) shareholder and one (1) director. The shareholder / director can be a corporation or an individual [above eighteen (18) years]. In this company form, the liability of the shareholder is not restricted to its investment.

• Branch of a Foreign Company

The minimum number of shareholder(s) and director(s) depends on the requirements of the home country. This company requires an authorised signatory in the UAE, who should be above the age of eighteen (18) years.

• Investment Company

This company can be formed with the ADGM with at least one (1) shareholder and one (1) director. The shareholder and director must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. However, the director must be an approved investment fund manager by FSRA or any other regulatory authority.

Office Spaces in ADGM :

Requirement of office space differs on a case-to-case basis and largely depends on the type of business license and the nature of the business activity. The options available for office spaces are provided below:

•  WeWork

WeWork offers private offices, dedicated desks and hot desks. The property also gives access to lounges and conference rooms. It is located at the Al Khatem Tower situated within the ADGM square.

• Regus Business Centre

Regus business centre is in Al Maqam Tower situated at the ADGM square. The business centre provides personal office spaces and co-working spaces. The office spaces include window offices, interior offices, office suites, shared offices and hot desks. The business centre gives you flexible options of adding desks as the number of staff in the business grows. Additional services at the Regus Business Centre includes high speed internet, phone lines, receptionist, communal kitchen, office maintenance, business lounges, and access to printers, scanners and photocopiers.

• Commercial Office Spaces

Four (4) high end commercial towers namely the Al Sila, Al Sarab, Al Maqam and Al Khatam towers gives access to 200,000 Sqm of commercial office spaces. These towers adhere to international standards. Interestingly, the US Green Budling Council has awarded the LEED Core and Shell Gold Pre-Certification to all the four (4) towers. The following office space options are available:

− Small office spaces of approximately 182 Sqm.

− Large office spaces of approximately 1,700 – 1,900 Sqm.

− Full floor of approximately 1,900 Sqm.

− One car parking is offered for every 46m2 of office space.

Documents Required :

The following documents are required to form a company with ADGM:

• • Copy of passport.
  • Emirates ID (if the person is a UAE resident).
  • UAE visa (if already granted).
  • Two coloured passport size photos with a white background.
  • Proof of share capital as required.
  • Business plan
  • Sample CV
  • Proof of funds
  • Corporate shareholder’s resolution
  • Certificate of incorporation of home country business (for corporate shareholders).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US :

Phone : +971 52 1952 532 / +971 4 240 1110

Mail-Id : info@yugaaccounting.com

Website : www.yugaaccounting.com

Ready to start a Business in ADGM,