How to get a business license in Abu Dhabi

How to get a Business License in Abu Dhabi

Getting a business license in Abu Dhabi and starting your business are becoming easier and more feasible day by day, and it is one of the most favourable locations to start your business in UAE.

Abu Dhabi is one of the most nourishing and versatile business grounds that is still growing, and by the end of this decade, it will be a sustaining and rich economy. This is due to two factors: first, it is the UAE’s capital, and second, the UAE is constantly improving its business-friendly policies to encourage investment and healthy competition among businesses. The trade license fees have also been decreased by the UAE government to promote more businesses and the number of trade licenses issued in the past years have seen a steady increase, meaning the economy is rapidly evolving flourishing with new business opportunities and bigger markets to access.
There are many more benefits to starting a business in Abu Dhabi. To get a trade license in Abu Dhabi, you will have to follow through these steps

Decide On Your Company Name

To apply for a trade license in Abu Dhabi, you must first decide on a company name. The company name should comply with the rules and regulations for naming businesses in UAE. It should clearly give an image of the business activity of the company, avoid any offensive terms, and not be similar to any existing establishment.

Apply For The Business License

While applying for a business license in Abu Dhabi, we will have two options: Mainland Abu Dhabi license or Freezone license. Freezone license comes with benefits like 0% corporate tax, easy setup, and 100% foreign ownership, while mainland license, provides direct access to local markets and other amenities.

Both of these licenses have their pros and cons, with careful guidance, you can choose the correct type of license for your business.

Submit Your Documents

How to get a business license Abu Dhabi

Gathering all the documents necessary to set up your business can be a daunting task. Be sure to have the following items on hand

  • an application form, along with your registration, from the Department of Economic Development or the free zone authority.
  • A copy of your passport
  • Your business plan’s copy
  • Your business name’s approval certificate’s copy
  • Your local sponsor’s passport copy (if required)
  • an Emirates ID copy
  • Your memorandum of association
  • Your tenancy contract for an office lease
  • Copies of employee visas

Issuing Of Business License

After submitting the documents, they are reviewed by the concerned authorities. Given that all the paperwork has been filled out properly and the documents are valid, the license will be issued in a few days. When it comes to free zones, the process can be daunting as many documents concerning different institutions have to be produced. With the help of an expert, you can find all the correct documents required, making it much easier.

Get Your Visas In Order

The next and final step will be securing employee visas, which should be done along with the application for the business license and submitted during the application for the business license. Experts can help you apply for the employee visas parallel to the application and formalities of applying business license in Abu Dhabi. 

Now that we have gone through the steps it takes to get your business license, we will go through the expenses and costs for getting the different types of licenses in Abu Dhabi. A typical business license in Abu Dhabi costs anywhere between 10,000 AED and 30,000 AED, the price is determined by many factors, including the nature of the business, the location, the number of visas associated with the license, etc.

Different Types Of Business Licenses In Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has a significant number of categories of business licenses, and each type of license has its own set of procedures and costs. They are 

  • Commercial license: one of the most common business licenses in Abu Dhabi, it allows a wide selection of commercial activities like general trading, healthcare, real estate, etc.
  • Professional license – It is the license for people who provide services in crafts and services of artistic value, like carpentry or steel working.
  • Occupational license – This is for people who are providing professional services like management, education, etc.
  • Tourism license – For tourism related businesses
  • Industrial license – This is for any business that wishes to do manufacturing in Abu Dhabi.
  • Agricultural license – For businesses related to the agricultural industry, like farming, livestock, etc.

Starting a business on your own appears to be an unattainable mountain, but with the correct guidance and assistance, it is as easy as crossing over a rock. Alchemist Corporate Services is ready to take your hand on your business journey and help you start that business without wasting resources or time. We have a team of experts who are well acquainted with Freezone and mainland economic laws, ensuring that your business is getting the best locations and benefits that the UAE is providing.

So don’t let your business dreams gather dust. Contact Alchemist corporate services at +971556205750, and our experts will reach out to help you start setting up your business in Abu Dhabi.

How to start a business in Abu Dhabi