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Incorporation • ADGM

ADGM Operating Company

Businesses can establish an operational company in ADGM quickly and easily and benefit from the selection of a wide range of permitted business activities.

Why an
ADGM Operating Company?

Grow and scale in Abu Dhabi’s award-winning international financial centre, providing an international and supportive business environment. Companies benefit from the low cost, speed, and simplicity that ADGM’s fully digitized incorporation process achieves, while investors are attracted by the investment flexibility and legal protections that ADGM’s regulatory environment provides. Clara can also assist with work permits and visas, securing office space and other government services.

Please get in touch with us to get an instant quote on your email in under one minute.

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Journey

Process of forming an ADGM Operating Company

01

/07

Proposal

Sign proposal with pricing.

02

/07

KYC

Client completes KYC form to provide identification details.Client is the individual or corporate entity who will sign our engagement and pay our invoice.

03

/07

Engagement

Engagement letter signed and invoice paid.

04

/07

Complete form

Client completes the business application form.

05

/07

Sign Lease

Client signs the office or desk lease.

06

/07

Incorporation documents

Clara prepares the documents and client signs.

07

/07

Submission

Incorporation documents submitted to ADGM

From SPVs to Tech Startup licenses and foundations, Clara’s got you covered in ADGM.

ADGM Operating Company

Requirements to setup an operating company in ADGM 

   

Business activities

ADGM offers a wide range of permitted business activities. There are no additional fees for selecting multiple activities, but the business plan submitted with the application must demonstrate the use of all selected activities. Additional approvals from external agencies may be required.

Authorised signatory

A GCC National or UAE resident must be appointed as the authorised signatory. Clara can provide Nominee services for this role at an additional annual fee

Lease

Operating companies must have a minimum of one allocated desk space on Al Maryah or Al Reem Island. A lease, in the name of the ADGM company being formed, will need to be signed before ADGM will issue the commercial license. The number of desks or size of the office leased will limit the number of visas available to the company. You will find a number of office space providers here

Employment visas

An ADGM operational company can obtain employment visas following incorporation. The number of visas permitted is up to 2 visas per dedicated desk or 1 visa per 8 sqm of office space leased by the company . Clara can assist with employment and golden visas.

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From company formation to maintaining the cap-table, by using Clara founders can digitally form their companies in a range of jurisdictions, create and manage their cap-tables and generate legal documents. Clara is quickly becoming an integral part of the startup software stack.

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Our customers operate from more than 45 different countries.

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Savings on fees

Our customers on average save more than 80% on their annual legal and admin fees.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

We have put together some commonly asked questions 

Are there any minimum capital requirements?

Operational companies that are set up as private companies limited by shares do not have any minimal capital requirements.
Public Companies have minimum share capital requirements.

Will my ADGM company need to lease an office?

Operating companies must have a minimum of one allocated desk space on Al Maryah or Al Reem Island. A lease, in the name of the ADGM company being formed, will need to be signed before ADGM will issue the commercial license. The number of desks or size of the office leased will limit the number of visas available to the company. You will find a number of office space providers  here.

Can I incorporate the ADGM company with multiple classes of shares and / or customized Articles of Association?

Yes, you can. You will need to provide Clara with the customized Articles of Association for filing at the time of incorporation. A declaration will need to be signed by the incorporating shareholders that these have been prepared in accordance with the ADGM Regulations.

Can I open a bank account for an ADGM company?

Get a USD bank account in under 24 hours when your company is managed by Clara Formations. Learn More

Are there ongoing obligations for an ADGM company?

Yes. With the introduction of corporate tax in the UAE, all entities must register with the FTA within 3 months of incorporation and complete regular filings with the FTA. Clara does not provide accounting or tax advisory services and will not be providing notifications for due dates for any filings due with the FTA.

Most changes to a company (e.g. director and shareholder changes) trigger an obligation to file the change within 14 days. Notify Clara in advance or immediately following changes. Annually, the company must file its commercial licence and data protection renewal, an annual confirmation statement and financial accounts.

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