Mainland business or LLC (Limited Liability Company) formation in Abu Dhabi, UAE is not as simple as a free zone or offshore company formation in the country. Unlike a free zone company, an LLC set up in UAE lets investors conduct business activities all over the UAE without any restriction, and it is why the UAE government takes more control over how a mainland company operates for a supportive business environment.

You need to be very accurate and well-prepared before your Abu Dhabi mainland business setup to legally operate your trading activities as per government regulations. The mainland company formation process consists of several steps such as finding local sponsorship, business address verification, DED registration, MOA notarization, and more to successfully register your company and get the trade license. Here is the step-by-step process that you need to follow while incorporating a mainland company in Abu Dhabi:

Find a local sponsor

It is the basic requirement of LLC or mainland business setup in Abu Dhabi that you usually don’t need during free zone or offshore company formation. To set up a mainland company in UAE, you will need a UAE national sponsor as per the ownership regulations in the country. The local sponsor will possess 51% of the ownership of the company shares while investors will take 49% shares.

Register with DED

The Department of Economic Development is the body that regulates and administrates mainland businesses in Abu Dhabi. You need to register your business with the DED regulatory body for the issuance of a trade license to set up your business activities. It is the place where you submit your business registration application to initiate the company formation process.

Business address verification

You will also need the Ejari and tenancy contract before applying for the trade license with DED. You are required to register with Abu Dhabi Municipality to verify your business/office address and office type depending upon the trade license you are applying for. You have to be clear about office setup and business incorporation procedures to get an appropriate business address.

Get Initial Approval

You would need to get initial approval for all the business activities you are going to operate within the country. Your business activities will be considered illegal if you don’t have prior approval for your trade name and activities. Your trade name should be unique and as per the country’s law to choose an appropriate business name to avoid any legal trouble. Your business name should also reflect in your business activities and operations. 

Get the MOA/Agreement Notarized

Getting the Memorandum of Association (MOA) notarized is an important step in mainland business formation. MOA notarization is essential to make investors and other parties accountable and responsible for their business activities. You can hire notary services in the country to get the MOA notarized for business registration with DED. Make sure that your memorandum of association is well-drafted by a lawyer with subject matter expertise.

Select your business premise

Every mainland business is required to choose a proper office space in Abu Dhabi for the company formation. Your office location should suit the business type, plan and must meet the compliance defined by the concerned department to operate business activities in the country.

Final submission and payment of license fee

It is the last step for mainland business registration in Abu Dhabi after completing all the above-written steps. Your business is ready to submit the final application and acquire the trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). You also need to make payments for the license fee and other procedures to appropriate authorities for successful business registration.

Investors need to carry out all the above steps in order to register an LLP or mainland company in UAE. At Socialite Consultancy Services, we provide a complete range of services to help investors with Abu Dhabi mainland business setup at affordable charges. Contact us to know more about our services and how we can help you establish your mainland business easily and quickly.