ADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market
Abu Dhabi’s common-law financial centre on Al Maryah Island. Common-law jurisdiction regulated by the FSRA, with a widely used foundations regime.
- Funds
- Family offices
- Fintech
- Foundations
At a glance
Smartgic jurisdiction brief
- Emirate
- Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Free Zone
- Relative cost
- Premium
- Best suited to
- Funds, Family offices
Is ADGM the right fit for you?
ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, operating under a common-law framework with its own courts and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority as regulator. It directly applies English common law, which is unusual and commercially significant.
It has become a favoured jurisdiction for funds, family offices, foundations and special purpose vehicles. Like DIFC, it is specialised — appropriate when the legal framework is the point, and over-specified when it is not.
Ideal for
- Fund managers and fund structures
- Family offices and succession planning structures
- Fintech businesses seeking a defined regulatory route
- Holding companies and SPVs requiring common law
What ADGM actually gives you
The advantages that matter commercially — not a feature list. If none of these apply to your business, we will point you somewhere cheaper.
Direct application of English common law
A legal framework that international investors and counterparties already understand.
FSRA regulation
A recognised financial regulator with defined categories for fintech and asset management.
Foundations and SPVs
Widely used structures for wealth planning, succession and asset holding.
Al Maryah Island location
A dedicated financial district within Abu Dhabi.
Licence types & workspace options
Your licence category follows your activity, and your workspace drives your visa allocation. We match both to what you actually need.
Regulated financial activities
Activities requiring FSRA authorisation, including asset management and advisory.
Non-regulated / professional
Consultancies, law firms, corporate service providers and family offices.
Foundations & SPVs
Holding and wealth-structuring vehicles under the ADGM regime.
Workspace options
- Co-working and business centre desks
- Serviced offices
- Fitted offices
Visa allocation is tied to your workspace selection. We size it to your hiring plan so you do not pay for unused quota.
From first call to licence in hand
The same six steps apply across jurisdictions. What changes is the authority, the approvals and the documentation — which is the part we handle.
- 01
Activity & structure review
We confirm the business activities you need, the legal form that fits them and whether this jurisdiction is genuinely the best match for your plan.
- 02
Trade name reservation
We check your preferred names against authority naming rules and reserve the one that clears.
- 03
Office or flexi-desk selection
We select the workspace package that satisfies the licence requirement and unlocks the visa quota you need.
- 04
Application & initial approval
We compile the application, submit it to the authority and manage every clarification until initial approval is granted.
- 05
Documentation & signing
Incorporation documents are prepared, signed and — where the jurisdiction requires it — notarised.
- 06
Licence issuance & next steps
Your licence is issued and we move straight on to establishment card, visas and your corporate bank account.
What you need to get started
This is the standard document set. Regulated activities and corporate shareholders carry additional requirements — we confirm the exact list for your case before you start gathering anything.
Get my document checklist- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Two to three proposed trade names
- Chosen business activities
- Shareholding split between partners
- UAE entry stamp or residence visa page, if already in the country
- For corporate shareholders: attested certificate of incorporation, MoA and board resolution
Services you will need alongside the licence
A licence on its own does not make you operational. These are the pieces that usually follow.
Founders worldwide trust Smartgic
From first-time entrepreneurs to established groups relocating to the UAE — here's what our clients say about working with us.
“Smartgic set up my DMCC company and processed my investor visa in under two weeks. The most seamless experience I have had in Dubai.”
“Their team handled my Golden Visa and corporate bank account end-to-end. Professional, responsive and genuinely transparent on fees.”
“I relocated my e-commerce business from Europe to an IFZA free zone with zero stress. My relationship manager replied within minutes.”
ADGM questions answered
The questions founders actually ask us about this jurisdiction — answered straight.
Both are common-law financial centres with independent courts and regulators. ADGM applies English common law directly; DIFC has its own codified common-law-based framework. Choice usually comes down to regulator fit, emirate preference and the specific structure. We will set out the trade-offs for your case.
Special purpose vehicles are commonly used to hold shares, real estate or other assets within a group structure. The right design depends on your wider structure and needs proper advice.
No — only those carrying on regulated financial activities. Consultancies, holding vehicles and professional firms operate without it.
Yes, with allocation tied to your office arrangement and licence type.
Other jurisdictions worth considering
Most founders shortlist two or three before deciding. These are the closest alternatives to this one.
Independence & accuracy notice
Smartgic Immigration Business Set Up Services EST. is a privately owned business setup and immigration consultancy licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) under licence 1394564. We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with, endorsed by or acting on behalf of any UAE government authority, free zone authority or their agencies. Information on this website is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice. Government fees, processing times, visa eligibility and approvals are determined solely by the relevant authorities, vary case by case and are not guaranteed. Always confirm current requirements for your specific circumstances with us or with the relevant authority before acting. All third-party names, free zone names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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