Article: 4967
Advertisements Designing and Production
Company setup in ADDED (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi
This company can engage in the preparing the preliminary sketches or the plans for different objects, including Interior design, such works shall then be executed by specialized companies.
About the company's activities
The following business activity has been selected for the local company setup in Abu Dhabi:
- Advertisements Designing and Production (7310006). Includes the design and production of advertising on television or radio tapes cinematic or produced in the form of paintings and photos of newspapers and magazines or on the posters to install on the walls
The company can engage in up to 6 types of business activities from the activity group under one license without additional fees.
There is no minimum share capital requirement for local companies in Abu Dhabi.
No additional approvals are required to register a company conducting this business activity.
- May contain the name of a shareholder
- Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
- Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
- Must not begin with words, such as "International", "Middle East", "Global", "Universal", or their equivalents in other languages
- Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
- Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
- Must not contain the names of local/international religious, political or governmental organizations
- Must correspond to the company’s business activities
Entrepreneurs can open corporate accounts in traditional banks with physical branches, as well as in digital banks and payment systems.
When choosing a bank to open a corporate account, consider the following: service level, fees, available currencies, online banking performance, bank reputation, as well as other conditions that may be important for your business.
Successfully opening a corporate bank account requires a well-prepared documentation package, which may vary depending on the specific requirements of each bank. Documents submitted incorrectly or incompletely may negatively affect the bank's final decision in processing the application.
About Jurisdiction
- Title: Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
- Description:
Mainland in the UAE refers to the main land territory of the country, encompassing all seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. All business activities in this territory are governed by federal and local laws, ensuring transparent and stable conditions for conducting business. A company registered on the Mainland in any of the emirates gains local company status, enabling it to operate both within the UAE and internationally, collaborate with local and foreign partners, and participate in government tenders and projects.
In Abu Dhabi, Mainland companies are registered through the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which oversees the registration and licensing processes. The developed infrastructure, favorable geographical location, and political stability make Abu Dhabi an ideal place for businesses seeking to enter the markets of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
ADDED issues the following types of business licenses:
- Commercial (wholesale and retail trade, professional services)
- Instant
- Technology (IT)
- Industrial (manufacturing)
- Freelance
- Virtual
- Dual (for operating in both a free zone and Mainland)
- Tajer Abu Dhabi (for specific types of commercial activities)
- Mobdea (for Emirati businesswomen)
The combination of transparent legal regulations, a strategically advantageous location, and advanced infrastructure makes the Mainland an ideal environment for businesses striving for long-term success and a strong market presence. These advantages allow companies to collaborate effectively with partners, expand their client base, and leverage access to key economic centers in the region, fostering sustainable growth and enhancing competitiveness on the international stage.
As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi has strategic importance for business, providing companies with access to major government projects and economic initiatives. Due to its central location and role in shaping state policies, Abu Dhabi is an important financial and business hub, attracting international investments and providing access to leading economic initiatives in the region.
The UAE has several taxes and fees that regulate the financial activities of both legal entities and individuals. Below are the main ones.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
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Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
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A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:
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The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
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Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
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The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.
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For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.
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Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
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Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
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Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
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Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.
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Corporate Tax
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As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
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A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
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Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.
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Excise Tax
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Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:
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50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
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100% on tobacco products
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100% on energy drinks
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100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
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50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.
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Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.
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Customs Duties
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Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
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Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.
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Personal Income Tax
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In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
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UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.
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Local Taxes and Fees
- Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.
In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, there are taxes and fees associated with the purchase and ownership of Real Estate.
Information verified with the provider on November 9, 2026
Download the company formation guide
- Step-by-step action plan
- Document checklist
- Direct submission of documents to ADDED (Abu Dhabi)
- You pay only the government fee separately
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Guide
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Self-service company registration with no extra fees
- Step-by-step guide
- Direct document submission
- Submitting documents directly
- Government fees are paid separately
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Assistance with document review and submission
- Dedicated manager in chat
- Step-by-step guide
- Full document review
- Support until license issuance
- Government fees are paid separately
Expert
16 880 AED
An UPPERSETUP expert manages the entire process
- Dedicated expert
- Choosing the jurisdiction for you
- Document submission and full process control
- Government fees included
*Pricing plans may be unavailable in certain registration locations