ZONE · UAE
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Mainland): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) accounts for 423 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 47 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is Software Development & IT with 38 packages, followed by Equipment Rental & Leasing (37 packages).
Every tracked combination sits at a single price point, AED 5,880*. Filed setup timelines sit at 11 days across the catalog, driven by the activity mix and office option.
ADDED is the Abu Dhabi mainland licensing authority under the Department of Economic Development. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
- Activity combinations
- 423 47 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 5,880* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 5,880 – 5,880* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 11–11 days fastest → slowest filed
Activities
Top activity clusters at ADDED
| Activity cluster | Packages at ADDED | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Software Development & IT | 38 | from AED 5,880* |
| Equipment Rental & Leasing | 37 | from AED 5,880* |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading | 29 | from AED 5,880* |
| General Trading | 23 | from AED 5,880* |
| Cleaning & Facility Management | 23 | from AED 5,880* |
| Logistics & Transport | 20 | from AED 5,880* |
| Gaming & Esports | 20 | from AED 5,880* |
| Marketing & Advertising | 19 | from AED 5,880* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at ADDED
- Establishment card
- 423 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 5,880*
- Corporate bank account
- 423 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 5,880*
- Employment visa
- 423 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 5,880*
- Investor visa
- 44% of the catalog 2,047 packages platform-wide include the step
The typical ADDED sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Abu Dhabi jurisdictions.
FAQ
ADDED: questions
How much does an ADDED license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, all 423 tracked combinations sit at AED 5,880*. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at ADDED take?
Filed packages at ADDED complete in 11 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can an ADDED license cover?
The catalog maps 423 ADDED combinations onto 47 activity clusters. The strongest are Software Development & IT; Equipment Rental & Leasing; Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is ADDED located and who is it for?
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development is based in Abu Dhabi — the Abu Dhabi mainland licensing authority under the Department of Economic Development. As a mainland jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in ADDED?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.