Off-hours — we reply first thing at 9:00 local. Vy is always on.
Abu Dhabi Global Market is a common-law jurisdiction with its own courts, regulator (FSRA) and register of companies. We file the licence, run KYC and handle the visa, with a written scope up front.
ADGM is the UAE's English Common Law financial free zone, with an independent regulator (FSRA) and its own courts. Founders choose it when regulatory credibility, banking access and international recognisability matter.
Independent jurisdiction with its own courts and arbitration centre. Contracts, IP, and dispute resolution look familiar to international counterparties.
A dedicated financial services regulator. Banking, funds, asset management and fintech run under FSRA — separate from mainland UAE licensing.
ADGM licence-holders open onshore UAE accounts and international correspondents. Banks recognise the framework immediately.
Common law, English-language filings, and cross-border enforceability — the framework global partners already understand.
Regulatory sandboxes for fintech, digital assets and virtual assets. Structured licensing for regulated tech models.
Qualifying Free Zone Person status keeps corporate tax at 0% on qualifying income when structured correctly.
ADGM issues category-restricted commercial licences for non-regulated activities, including holding, family office and professional services. Regulated financial activity requires a separate FSRA licence and a longer, structured process.
ADGM attracts a specific profile of business. It suits companies that need regulatory credibility, capital-markets access, and a common-law foundation that international partners recognise.
Banking, asset management, brokerage, custody, fintech (regulated by FSRA).
SPVs, holding companies, family offices — non-regulated, fast.
Consulting, legal, accounting, corporate services.
Software, digital assets, fintech sandbox participants.
Day 1–5
Diagnostic, KYC, activity scoping, ADGM name reservation.
Week 2–4
Filing, MOA, initial approval.
Week 5–6
Licence issuance, establishment card, eSignature.
Week 7–9
Investor visa: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID.
Week 8–12
Corporate bank account (varies by bank).
Final cost depends on the zone, activity and visa count.
| Feature | Abu Dhabi Global Market |   Dubai International Financial Centre |   Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | English Common Law | English Common Law | UAE Civil Law |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 0% on qualifying income | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100% profit repatriation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Financial services licensing | FSRA | DFSA | No |
| Dedicated financial regulator | FSRA | DFSA | No |
| Independent courts | ADGM Courts | DIFC Courts | No |
| Arbitration centre | ADGM Arbitration | DIFC-LCIA | DIAC |
| SPV & foundation structures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operational entities (2025) | 3,495+ | 8,844+ | ~26,000 |
| Location | Al Maryah & Al Reem Islands, Abu Dhabi | Financial District, Dubai | JLT, Dubai |
| Best for | Fintech, financial services, AI, family offices | Major financial institutions, MNC regional HQs | Commodities, SMEs, general trading |
Bank suitability depends on your activity, ownership, documents and transaction profile.
Tell us the activity and headcount. We shortlist the zones that actually accept it.
No obligation. We tell you if it is not the right route.
Sonsoto quoted us a line-item budget for the licence, visas and the bank pack up front. Nothing crept in later. That alone was worth the fee.
I’d already been rejected by two banks. Sonsoto told me why, changed the pack, and we opened with WIO in three weeks. Straight answers, no theatre.
They caught a corporate-tax filing we were about to miss and re-scoped the renewals so we stopped paying twice for the same work. Now they run everything.
We’d spoken to four firms and got four different price sheets. Sonsoto was the only one that showed us where the extras came from — and we didn’t need them.
Golden Visa done, family visas done, licence renewed. Same team, same WhatsApp thread. I don’t chase PRO agents anymore.
They told me RAK was a better fit than Dubai for our margin. I’d already paid a deposit somewhere else. They still refunded my Sonsoto retainer and helped me exit.
More clients onboarded, higher payout.
Straight to the account.
More referrals unlocks higher payouts.
