Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre and one of only two common-law jurisdictions in the UAE. Located on Al Maryah Island, it offers an independent regulatory framework modelled on English common law, making it the preferred choice for financial services, fintech, wealth management, and family offices seeking regulatory clarity and international credibility. ADGM has grown rapidly since its 2015 launch, with 11,900+ active entities and an increasingly competitive non-financial licensing offering for tech and consultancy firms. The Hub71 tech ecosystem adds further appeal for startups.
From
AED 5,505
Established
2013
Companies
11,920
Max Visas
10
Banking
Moderate
ADGM Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tech Startup Licence (0 Visa) | AED 5,505 | 0 | None | AED 5,505 | AED 5,505 |
| Non-Financial LTD (0 Visa) | AED 21,286 | 0 | None | AED 21,286 | AED 21,286 |
| 1 Visa Package | AED 21,286 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 38,350 | AED 35,113 |
| 2 Visa Package | AED 21,286 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 42,287 | AED 35,813 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Independent common-law jurisdiction with English-language courts — strong legal certainty for international businesses
- Tech Startup Licence from AED 5,505/year — discounted entry for eligible tech companies
- FSRA-regulated crypto and virtual asset framework with over 30 licensed firms
- No minimum share capital requirement for most non-financial entity types
- Fast-growing ecosystem with 11,900+ entities and strategic location on Al Maryah Island
- Hub71 tech ecosystem and family office / SPV structures available
- Digital onboarding and e-KYC capabilities for streamlined setup
Watch out for
- Higher workspace costs on Al Maryah Island — co-working from AED 12,000/year, offices significantly more
- Non-financial commercial licence (LTD) starts at AED 21,286/year — premium pricing
- Abu Dhabi location may be inconvenient for businesses focused on Dubai clients
- FSRA-regulated activities carry substantial compliance costs beyond licence fees
- Visa quotas tied to desk/office allocation, limiting flexibility for lean startups
- Annual data protection fee of AED 1,101 adds to ongoing costs
Visa Information
Max Quota
10 visas
Visa quota tied to office size and type. Flexi desk supports 2-4 visas. Larger offices support more.
Processing Time
14 days
Renewal Cost
AED 2,310
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 2,607
AED 2,607 per dependent visa. Processing through ADGM Government Services.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,237
Investor Visa
AED 3,237
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
Approximately 2 weeks end-to-end including medical, Emirates ID, and stamping.
Banking
Partner Banks
Abu Dhabi-based banks (FAB, ADCB) are the primary partners. Account opening typically takes 2-6 weeks depending on activity risk and shareholder profile. Full UBO and source-of-funds documentation required. FSRA-regulated entities may face stricter KYC requirements.
Features
Mainland Trading
ADGM is a financial free zone — mainland operations require separate licensing.
Physical Office Required
Workspace required for visa eligibility. Co-working and flexi desk options available.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
FSRA regulates virtual asset activities with a comprehensive framework. Over 30 licensed virtual asset firms.
Shared Ownership
100% foreign ownership allowed.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Digital registration portal with e-KYC capabilities.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Annual accounts filing required. Requirements depend on entity type and activity. FSRA-regulated firms face stricter obligations.
Share Capital Requirement
No universal minimum published — varies by entity type
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- Q3 2025: Surpassed 11,900 active registered entities
- 2025: Expanded virtual asset regulatory framework with 30+ licensed firms
- 2025: January fee restructure — non-financial LTD reduced to USD 5,500 initial registration + USD 300 data protection
- 2024: Strategic partnerships with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) for FDI attraction
- 2024: ADGM Courts expanded arbitration and mediation services
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ADGM commercial licence cost in 2026?
ADGM's non-financial commercial licence (LTD) costs AED 21,286/year (USD 5,500 registration + USD 300 data protection). The Tech Startup Licence costs AED 5,505/year for eligible technology companies. Workspace and visa costs are additional.
What is the ADGM Tech Startup Licence?
A discounted licence at AED 5,505/year (USD 1,500) for eligible technology-focused companies. It offers a lower entry point than the standard LTD but is limited to tech activities and requires separate workspace for visa eligibility.
How much does a visa cost through ADGM?
Employment and investor visas cost approximately AED 3,237 each, including visa fee, medical, and Emirates ID. Processing takes about 2 weeks. Each visa also requires health insurance (from AED 700/year).
Is ADGM crypto-friendly?
Yes. ADGM's FSRA regulates virtual asset activities under a comprehensive framework. Over 30 firms are licensed for crypto-related financial services, making it one of the UAE's two main regulated crypto hubs alongside DIFC.
How does ADGM compare to DIFC?
Both are independent common-law jurisdictions with their own courts and financial regulators. ADGM has grown to 11,900+ entities and is Abu Dhabi-based, while DIFC is Dubai-based with 8,800+ entities. ADGM's LTD costs AED 21,286/year vs DIFC's Innovation Licence at AED 5,505/year, but ADGM's Tech Startup Licence matches at AED 5,505.
Does ADGM require a physical office?
A workspace is required for visa eligibility. Co-working starts from approximately AED 12,000/year at approved providers on Al Maryah Island. Dedicated offices start from AED 30,000+/year.
What legal system does ADGM use?
ADGM operates under an independent common-law framework modelled on English law, with its own courts, arbitration centre, and financial regulator (FSRA). This provides strong legal certainty for international businesses.
Ready to set up with ADGM?
Get a personalised quote for your ADGM business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 5,505 /yr