UAE
ADGM (Private Company)
Common-law private company for operational activities with robust governance framework.
2-3 weeks
0-9% tax
Operational CompaniesConsultingInternational TradeIP HoldingInvestment Funds
Key Benefits
Why form in UAE?
Common-law certainty
A familiar legal framework supports international contracts, corporate actions, and investor diligence.
Credible operating base
Often selected where counterparties value robust governance and high-quality documentation standards.
Investor-ready
Suitable for fundraising and structured ownership where clean registers and corporate actions matter.
Flexible business models
Supports a wide range of activities, subject to licensing requirements and approvals.
Group structuring
Works well in multi-entity stacks alongside SPVs and holdcos to separate operating risk.
Professional governance
Good fit for boards, option plans, and ongoing corporate actions that benefit from structured processes.
Tax Overview
UAE taxation at a glance
UAE Corporate Tax
0% may apply to Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) on qualifying income; otherwise 9% may apply. The AED 375,000 0% band generally applies to non-QFZPs; QFZPs instead follow the qualifying/non-qualifying income rules.
0-9%
VAT
Applies where the company registers for VAT and makes taxable supplies in the UAE.
5%
Withholding Tax
The UAE does not currently levy withholding tax on outbound payments under the federal Corporate Tax regime.
0%
Transfer Pricing
May apply to related-party transactions; maintain appropriate documentation and policies where required.
N/A
Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT)
May apply to UAE entities that are part of large multinational groups (Pillar Two threshold) to ensure a 15% minimum effective tax rate in the UAE.
up to 15%
Formation Process
How we incorporate your ADGM (Private Company)
1
Day 1–6
KYC & Activity Scoping
Collect KYC, confirm ownership/directors, and finalise activity/licence category selection.
2
Day 7–8
Name Reservation
Coordinate name reservation/pre-clearance steps.
3
Day 9–13
Incorporation Submission
Submit incorporation documents and required registrations (incl. DP contact person where required).
4
Day 14–18
Review & Approvals
Authority review cycle and responses to queries; complete approvals and fee settlement.
5
Day 19–21
Issuance & Pack
Receive incorporation documents and deliver the digital corporate pack.
Pricing
What's included in your ADGM (Private Company)
Formation Package
$1,000
- Incorporation application preparation and filing (ADGM private company)
- Completion of standard incorporation documents
- Up to 2 shareholders included in the standard CSP package
- Registration of Data Protection Contact Person (as required)
- Lease registration coordination (as applicable to the setup)
- Coordination of name reservation and filing steps
- Digital corporate document pack (formation set)
Annual Maintenance
$11,500/year
- Annual commercial license renewal processing
- Data protection renewal support (if applicable)
- Annual confirmation statement submission
- Annual accounts filing support (as applicable)
- Lease registration renewal/updates coordination (as applicable)
Add-ons
Enhance your ADGM (Private Company)
Participant Management
- Additional Shareholder (UAE)Add an extra shareholder beyond the included allowance.
Bank Accounts & Payments
- International Fiat Bank Account OpeningOpen a secure international fiat bank account to manage global payments, receive client funds, and hold multi-currency balances with reputable banking partners.
Nominee Services
- Nominee Corporate DirectorAppoint a professional third-party director to protect your privacy and meet local residency or compliance requirements.
- Nominee ShareholderNominee shareholding to separate legal title from beneficial ownership
Ready to get started?
Form your ADGM (Private Company) in UAE and have your entity ready in 2-3 weeks.
EntityEngine is a private facilitation platform, not a government agency or law firm. Information is general only (not legal/tax advice). Filings are completed by regulated third-party partners. Terms.