You apply for an economic licence through TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government services platform. The standard licence covers every legal form and follows the full procedure: trade name, activity approvals, premises inspection, preliminary and final approval, then registration with the chamber, labour and immigration authorities.
For some commercial activities there is a lighter option, the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence, which needs no physical premises. NXTSTAR tells you which one your activity allows and handles the application.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who Abu Dhabi mainland suits
Abu Dhabi mainland suits companies that serve Abu Dhabi clients, particularly government and energy-sector buyers, and businesses that need premises in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Dhafra.
The steps
- Reserve the trade name.
- Obtain approval for the investor's visa.
- Specify the activity and get approval from the entity that regulates it.
- Have the business premises inspected.
- Receive preliminary approval, then final approval.
- Pay the fees.
- Register as a member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Open the establishment files with the labour ministry and the immigration authority.
The choice between a standard licence and Tajer Abu Dhabi comes first, because it decides whether you need premises at all. Not every activity is available under Tajer.
Documents
- Passport and Emirates ID copies for the owners, with UAE PASS access
- Trade name reservation
- Tenancy contract for the premises, for a standard licence
- Approval from the regulator of the activity, where one applies
- Memorandum of association, for a company
The Tajer Abu Dhabi licence
- It covers specific commercial activities only.
- It does not require an official establishment site.
- It is valid for three years.
- TAMM lists it as needing no documents, with the application made through UAE PASS.
- TAMM gives a processing time of 10 working days.
After the licence
- Establishment card and labour file, before any visa.
- Residence visas for owners and staff.
- A corporate bank account, which the bank decides.
- Corporate tax registration, and VAT registration where it applies.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We confirm the activity, legal form and ownership structure with you.
- We handle the trade name, approvals, lease registration and licence application.
- We continue with visas and the bank account file.
- We do not decide approvals. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the other regulators do.
Common questions
Where do I apply for an Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
Through TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government services platform, using UAE PASS.
Can I get an Abu Dhabi licence without an office?
For specific commercial activities, yes. The Tajer Abu Dhabi licence does not require an official establishment site.
How long is the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence valid?
Three years, according to TAMM.
How much does a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates government fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about a company in Abu Dhabi
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.