ADGM, the international financial center of the UAE’s capital, has updated fee schedule for obtaining and renewing an ADGM commercial license.
The center has reduced commercial license fees by 50 percent or more for non-financial and retail businesses within the ADGM jurisdiction. This initiative seeks to enhance ADGM’s business ecosystem, making it more attractive and accessible for various enterprises.
Under the updated fees schedule:
Non-Financial Category
Initial registration fees are reduced from $10,000 to $5,500.
Annual license renewal fees are reduced from $8,000 to $5,000.
Retail Category
Initial registration fees are reduced from $6,000 to $2,500.
Annual license renewal fees are reduced from $4,000 to $2,000.
These updated fee align with the conclusion of the Al Reem Island transition period, which ended on 31st December 2024, and apply across ADGM’s jurisdiction, encompassing Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands.
The new fee structure follows extensive consultations conducted in 2023 with ADGM’s business community, focusing on jurisdictional expansion and enhancing business environment.
Based on this feedback, the Registration Authority (RA) carried out a thorough review to ensure the new structure caters to the needs of ADGM’s evolving commercial landscape while facilitating a smooth transition for its growing business segments.
Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei CEO – ADGM RA
“The revised fee structure reflects our commitment to supporting businesses within ADGM’s thriving jurisdiction. By significantly reducing fees for non-financial and retail categories, we aim to cultivate a vibrant and efficient business ecosystem, reinforcing ADGM’s position as a leading international financial hub.”
With the conclusion of the Al Reem Island transitional period on 31st December 2024, fee exemptions previously available to qualifying non-financial and retail businesses have now been discontinued. The revised fee schedule also includes adjustments for other categories:
Financial Category: Initial registration fees increased from $15,000 to $16,700, with annual renewals rising from $13,000 to $16,200.
Tech Startups: Fees adjusted from $1,000 to $1,500 for both new registrations and renewals.
Furthermore, a $300 data protection fee will continue to be applied across all categories at the time of new registration and annual renewal in the new fee schedule.
