GCC · Jurisdiction profile
🇦🇪 Doing business in UAE (ADGM)
Foreign founders most often use a ADGM Private Company Ltd. UAE (ADGM) follows direct application of english law, with corporate tax of 9% (0% for qualifying income) and personal income tax of 0%.
Entity at a glance
| Typical vehicle | ADGM Private Company Ltd |
|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% |
| Minimum capital | No statutory minimum |
| Time to incorporate | 7–20 days |
| Corporate tax | 9% (0% for qualifying income) |
| VAT / GST | 5% |
| Dividend withholding | 0% |
| Resident director | Not required |
| Physical office | Required |
| Annual running cost | USD 10,000–25,000 |
| Audit | Mandatory |
| Legal system | Direct application of English law |
| Currency controls | None |
Regulatory profile
- Data transfers: ADGM DP Regs 2021 — adequacy + safeguards (residency approach: conditional).
- Employment termination: notice-based regime.
- Beneficial ownership register: regulator-only.
- Economic substance test: applies.
- Information exchange: CRS + FATCA IGA Model 1.
Compare UAE (ADGM) with
UAE (ADGM) vs Qatar (QFC)UAE (ADGM) vs Qatar (Mainland)UAE (ADGM) vs UAE (DIFC)UAE (ADGM) vs Saudi ArabiaUAE (ADGM) vs BahrainUAE (ADGM) vs United KingdomUAE (ADGM) vs SingaporeUAE (ADGM) vs United States (Delaware)UAE (ADGM) vs India
Figures are indicative and change often. Verify with qualified local counsel. Xc.legal is not a law firm.