ADGM Tech Startup License: Self-Filed UAE Entity, $1,000, No Agent

#startup #uae #incorporation #abudhabi

In 2022, I set up an ADGM Tech Startup License by myself — no CSP, no agent. The registration fee was $1,000. It is now $1,500.

Most guides assume you will use a CSP (Corporate Service Provider), which adds $3,000–5,000 on top. I skipped it. It worked.

I also set up a UAE mainland company separately — different purpose, different process. That comparison is worth knowing. (I had a Dubai Virtual Working Program visa at the time and was planning to transfer sponsorship before it expired.)

Where ADGM fits among UAE options

Option	Cost (approx.)	Legal framework	Notes
ADGM Tech Startup	$1,500 + misc	English common law	Self-filing possible; Hub71 accepted companies must incorporate here
DIFC	$10,000+	English common law	Finance-focused, expensive
Dubai free zones (DMCC, IFZA etc.)	$3,000–8,000	UAE civil law	Wide variety, Dubai address
RAKEZ	$1,500–5,500	UAE civil law	Cheapest, less prestige
Mainland	Varies	UAE civil law	CSP typically required

My reason for ADGM over Dubai free zones: cheapest English common law entity, and it keeps the Hub71 path open. You can apply to Hub71 before incorporating — no entity required to apply. If accepted, you incorporate in ADGM as part of joining, and the voucher covers CSP and other costs.

On RAKEZ: I have no personal experience. Based on research: mostly online incorporation with one UAE visit required for visa biometrics (doable in Dubai, not necessarily in RAK itself), banking accessible but may face more scrutiny at international banks, disputes go through RAK Commercial Court. Worth considering for cost-focused operational startups with no complex legal needs.

On mainland: I set one up to transfer my visa sponsorship before my nomad visa expired. Did not end up needing it, so I closed it. CSP was involved, banking through ADCB. The 2021 reform allowing 100% foreign ownership removed the local sponsor requirement — mainland is now a real option for foreign founders in most sectors.

What it costs

Item	Cost
Registration fee	$1,500 (was $1,000 in 2022)
Administrative / misc fees	~a few hundred USD
CSP fee (optional)	$3,000–5,000
Registered office (required)	Varies

If you come through Hub71, the voucher covers the CSP fee and other costs — see the Hub71 section below.

Before You File

1. Contact ADGM first. Before filing, reach out to confirm the Tech Startup License fits your business activities. The review is not strict, but getting confirmation upfront means you can proceed without uncertainty.

2. Registered office address. I needed a physical address before I could incorporate. (This was 2022 — current requirements may differ.) ADGM's own co-working space had a wait, WeWork on Al Maryah had a wait. Other options existed — CloudSpace (as of 2022) and similar providers. More choices now that Al Reem Island is under ADGM jurisdiction (since December 2024).

Banking

I used Mashreq. Direct bank contact, dedicated officer assigned, documents submitted.

Wio Bank is the easiest option now — fully online, built for SMEs. A founder I know used it for a recent incorporation with no issues.

Hub71 route: FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) is a natural starting point — Hub71 has partnerships with FAB, ADCB, and ADNIC (insurance), among others.

Visa options

Main visa options for UAE residency as a founder:

Dubai Virtual Working Program visa (Virtual Working Visa): a few hundred dollars, proof of overseas income needed. Good for establishing residency before or during incorporation.
Company-sponsored visa: once the ADGM entity is set up, it can sponsor your visa.
Golden Visa (10-year): several pathways — Hub71 participation, qualifying profession/salary threshold, or real estate investment above AED 2M.

Hub71: Apply Before or After Incorporating?

Hub71 (hub71.com) is Abu Dhabi's startup program backed by Mubadala and G42 — office space, funding access, and corporate partnerships for accepted companies. If accepted, the voucher covers incorporation, legal, accounting, and other operational costs.

You do not need to incorporate before applying — Hub71 accepts applications before you have an entity. But admission takes months, so waiting on a decision can delay operations by half a year or more.

If you incorporate first, the $1,500 registration fee is self-funded. But the Hub71 voucher still applies to accounting, legal, office costs, and other operational expenses — not just incorporation. Incorporating first does not make Hub71 pointless.

The practical split:

Early stage, time to spare: apply first (free). If accepted, the voucher covers incorporation plus operational costs. If not, self-file for $1,500.
Already moving: incorporate now and apply in parallel. If accepted, use the voucher for accounting, legal, and office expenses.

If your startup fits their focus areas (AI, deep tech, fintech, climate), applying is worth doing regardless of where you are in the process.

One additional angle for 2026: the security situation around Abu Dhabi has reduced inbound interest from some international founders. If that continues, Hub71's applicant pool may thin — which could improve odds for those applying now.