Licences in Abu Dhabi

The licences available in for Abu Dhabi business set up are similar or the same as Dubai and the wider UAE. The most common type of licenses for Abu Dhabi includes

• Trade License
• Commercial License
• Industrial License
• Professional License
• Branch License

Benefits

The benefits range from license to license but it will depend on your business structure and the activities your company will engage in as what license you will require.

For example, a general trade license is relevant only to businesses who intend to import and export goods outside of the UAE.

Below outlined a few benefits of each of some of the above-named licenses:

Trade License

• More credibility
• Better exposure to financial aid
• Ease of goods trading including import and export of goods

Commercial License

• Allows you to trade
• Import and export goods in, out and within the UAE
• Tax exemptions and double taxation treaties
• Selling of several goods
• Prospects for foreign trade

Commercial licenses are the umbrella for more specific activity licenses such as the service license, which is specifically aimed at activities including flooring, tiling, carpentry, installation, cleaning, etc.

Industrial License

• Government will help provide land at a reduced rate to establish manufacturing unit
• Bills including water and electricity will be available at a reduced rate
• Innovative products can receive loans easier and at reduced interest rates

What is the process to obtain a license in Abu Dhabi?

The documentation required may vary slightly per license and there are a few key steps to setting up your business license in Abu Dhabi.

To simplify, the key steps include:

1. Trade name reservation
2. Selecting legal form of license for your company
3. Select your business activities and define what you company will do/provide
4. Confirm license information is correct based on your selections
5. Obtaining approvals of authorities
6. Issuance of License

How can we help?

It can a difficult space to navigate which license is appropriate for your business. Sovereign PPG can assist you with defining the activities of your company and based on this assessment, recommend the appropriate license for your business.