Abu Dhabi Global Market
ADGM Special Purpose Vehicles
An ADGM SPV is a private company used to isolate financial and legal risk by ring-fencing assets and liabilities. Because the SPV has its own separate legal personality, claims by its creditors cannot be attached to the assets of its shareholders or related companies. We help you decide whether an ADGM SPV fits your holding, joint venture or succession structure, and coordinate the registration end to end.
Bizzone UAE
Business Setup Consultants in Dubai, UAE
What an ADGM SPV is used for
SPVs are corporate vehicles established for narrow, specific or temporary corporate objectives — as subsidiaries, holding companies, project entities or joint venture vehicles — so that only the assets linked to a transaction are exposed to that transaction's liabilities. ADGM SPVs are incorporated under the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020 and receive a commercial licence specifying Special Purpose Vehicle activities.
- Separate legal personality that ring-fences assets and liabilities
- Holding company for shares, real estate, IP or investments
- Joint venture and project finance structures
- Family office, succession and wealth structuring
- Securitisation and asset-backed transactions
- Fully digital registration with no attestation of corporate documents
Who uses ADGM SPVs
Corporates & groups
Subsidiary undertakings and holding entities used to segregate business lines, assets or risk within a group.
Sovereign & institutional
Sovereign wealth funds and entities incorporated by federal or Emirate-level law using SPVs for defined mandates.
Family offices
ADGM single family offices and their subsidiaries holding assets, shares and property across generations.
Trustees & investors
Trustees and individual investors holding investments through a clean, ring-fenced corporate vehicle.
A regime built to be simple, robust and efficient
The ADGM SPV regime was designed around a quick, easy-to-use and fully digital registration process, straightforward ongoing reporting and a transparent fee structure. Due diligence is thorough but efficient, and a discreet Restricted Scope Company option is available where public disclosure needs to be limited, subject to qualifying criteria and the Registrar's approval.
Common law jurisdiction with independent ADGM Courts
Fast turnaround on incorporation and amendments
Registered office address required on Al Maryah Island
Non-exempt applicants must appoint an ADGM licensed Company Service Provider
How we support your ADGM SPV
Structure review
We map your assets, shareholders and objectives and confirm whether an ADGM SPV — and which type — is the right vehicle.
Exempt assessment
We assess whether you qualify as an Exempt applicant or must appoint an ADGM licensed Company Service Provider.
Application pack
We prepare the brief business plan, structure chart, shareholder documents and supporting evidence for the Registrar.
Licence & aftercare
Once the commercial licence is issued electronically, we support filings, registers, banking introductions and ongoing compliance.
Information usually required
Exact requirements depend on the authority, activity and nationality. We confirm your list before submission.
- Brief business plan covering purpose, structure and shareholders
- Group structure chart showing ultimate beneficial ownership
- Passport copies and proof of address for shareholders and directors
- Corporate documents for corporate shareholders (no attestation required)
- Details of the intended registered office address on Al Maryah Island
- Source of funds and source of wealth information for due diligence
ADGM SPV at a glance
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Governing law | ADGM Companies Regulations 2020, common law jurisdiction |
| Structures | Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) or Restricted Scope Company (RSC) |
| Registration | Fully digital via the ADGM online registry, no personal visits |
| Registered office | Must be on Al Maryah Island at all times |
| Company Service Provider | Mandatory for Non-exempt applicants |
| Direct tax | 0% direct tax, no withholding taxes, no restriction on repatriation |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? A consultant can walk you through the detail in a short call.
It is a private company registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market under the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020, licensed to carry out Special Purpose Vehicle activities such as holding assets, shares, property or investments and ring-fencing risk.
No. An SPV is a passive vehicle for holding assets and completing defined transactions. If you need an operating licence, a mainland or free zone commercial licence is the right route and we can advise on both.
The application and fee payment are fully digital through the ADGM online registry. There is no requirement for personal visits during setup or for delivery of original hard copies of documents.
No. ADGM does not require attestation of corporate documents for SPV registration, which shortens the timeline considerably compared with many other jurisdictions.
We advise on the structure, prepare the file and coordinate with an ADGM licensed Company Service Provider where your application requires one. We are transparent about which parts of the process a licensed CSP must handle.
Cost depends on the authority, licence type, number of visas and office option you choose. We prepare a written, itemised quotation for your specific case rather than publishing a headline figure that may not apply to you.
Free consultation
Speak with a Bizzone UAE consultant
Tell us what you plan to do in the UAE and we will map out the licence, visa and compliance path that fits.
- +971 50 121 6915
- info@bizzoneuae.com
- Office No. 105, Alkhayyal Building, Near Karama Medical Fitness Center, Al Karama, Dubai, UAE
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