Do I need a physical office in ADGM for a holding company?

Yes, holding companies must maintain a physical office presence in ADGM. You can choose between a business center/flexi-desk or a fitted office. This is mandatory for holding companies, unlike SPVs which can use a Company Service Provider without physical office.

Can I get 100% foreign ownership in an ADGM holding company?

Yes, ADGM allows 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a local sponsor or UAE national partner. Foreign investors have complete control over the entity, full ownership rights, and unrestricted profit repatriation. This is a key advantage over UAE mainland structures .

Do I need to pay tax on my ADGM holding company?

ADGM holding companies that qualify as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) benefit from 0% corporate tax on eligible income, 0% withholding tax on dividends/interest/royalties, and 0% capital gains tax. However, you must register with UAE Federal Tax Authority and file annual tax returns even when no tax is payable. Maintaining QFZP status requires meeting financial substance requirements.

Can I sponsor employee visas through an ADGM holding company?

Yes, holding companies can sponsor employee and director visas. The number of visas depends on your office size (number of desks) and business activities.

Can I use my ADGM holding company for family wealth succession planning?

Yes, ADGM holding companies are widely used for family wealth management and succession planning. Benefits include: centralized ownership of family assets across jurisdictions, tax-efficient intergenerational wealth transfer (0% capital gains, no inheritance tax in UAE ), clear governance framework for family decision-making, asset protection through legal separation, professional management structure, and access to ADGM's family office ecosystem. Many families combine holding companies with ADGM Foundations for comprehensive succession planning..

ADGM Holding Companies Built
for Control and Clarity

ADGM holding companies are used to own and control subsidiaries,
investments, and assets within a single, regulated structure. They provide
clarity at the ownership level while separating strategic control from
operational risk. KPI advises on the formation and structuring of ADGM
holding companies with a focus on governance integrity, regulatory
acceptance, and long-term usability.

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What a Holding Company Is Designed to Do

Holding companies sit above operating entities, acting
as the legal and governance anchor for a group.

They are used to →

This is an active ownership structure, not a passive
asset-holding vehicle. ADGM holding companies can be
operational.

01.

Centralise ownership of
subsidiaries and
investments

02.

Create a clean separation
between owners and
operations

03.

Establish group-level
governance, brand
management and reporting

04.

Support capital raises, inter-
company financing ,exits, or
restructuring

05.

Present clear ownership structures to banks, investors and
regulators

Holding companies sit above operating entities, acting
as the legal and governance anchor for a group.

They are used to

Why ADGM For Holding Companies

ADGM offers distinct advantages for structured ownership:

100% foreign ownership - no local partner or sponsor required
0% corporate tax for Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) on eligible income
0% withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties
0% capital gains tax on sale of shares or assets
English common law jurisdiction with independent ADGM Courts
Access to 68+ double taxation treaties for cross-border efficiency
No restrictions on profit repatriation or capital movement
Strategic MENA gateway with global connectivity

Why ADGM For Holding Companies

How KPI Structures Holding Companies

We start with structure appropriateness, not incorporation speed. The objective is a structure that works commercially and holds up under scrutiny.

KPI advises on:

Whether a holding company is the right structure
Shareholding and control mechanics
Governance design aligned with real decision-making
Regulatory positioning within ADGM
Practical considerations around audit, reporting, and banking

How We Support Your ADGM Setup

Our role goes beyond registering an entity. We focus on whether the holding structure is appropriate, defensible, and scalable. The scope is calibrated to complexity, ensuring clarity without unnecessary structuring or over-engineering.

Our support typically covers:

Structuring and suitability assessment aligned to ownership and control objectives
ADGM holding company incorporation and authority coordination
Shareholder, board, and governance framework design
Alignment with SPVs, foundations, and operating entities
Ongoing advisory support as group structures evolve

Common Use Cases For ADGM
Holding Companies

A holding company is typically used when:

Multiple businesses or assets sit under common ownership
Owners want consolidated control without operational involvement
Group restructuring or future investment is anticipated
Tax optimization through 0% corporate tax & treaty access is a
strategic priority
Risk needs to be isolated at the operating level
Banking and regulatory transparency are critical
Regional headquarters for MENA market access is needed