Abu Dhabi Global Market (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.

Broadly, ADGM offers three categories of licenses for a company setup, namely: (a) non-financial license, (2) retail license (3) financial license. Several business activities can be conducted under each license type.

Depending on the license type, two authorities register ADGM companies. In ADGM, retail and non- financial license are registered with the Registration Authority. Financial license is registered with the Financial Services and Regulatory Authority. ADGM companies are regulated by the English common law. ADGM Courts have been setup to ensure legal certainty by ensuring streamlined compliance.

An ADGM company has the following benefits:

• ADGM allows 100 % foreign ownership.
• ADGM offers a full ecosystem comprising of legal, accounting and servicing.
• No limit on the number of activities per license (if the activities fall within the same scope).
• ADGM aligns itself with the best international practices recognised by major financial centres of the world.
• Zero (0) direct tax.
• 100 % repatriation of profits.
• Multiple and flexible office set up options.
• Flexible options for investor and employee visas.
• Get one visa for every eight (8) square meter of office space.
• Streamlined and time-oriented application process.
• Simple and convenient business procedures.
• Zero restrictions on foreign employees.
• English speaking and common law judicial system.
• Ease of doing business. In 2019, UAE was ranked 11th on the Doing Business Index.
• Presence in the heart of the UAE allows ease of doing business with various multinational companies.
• Easy access to the rest of the UAE and globally. Abu Dhabi’s strategic locations grants easy access to major financial hubs of the world