Up until September 2026, to incorporate an ADGM SPV, an applicant would need to be able to establish an appropriate connection with ADGM, known as 'nexus'. This was primarily established by meeting one of the conditions below:
The ADGM entity will be owned or controlled by an individual resident in the UAE or GCC. The minimum ownership threshold is 25% and this can be held by one individual or collectively by multiple GCC residents; or
The ADGM entity will hold an asset in the UAE or GCC within 6 months of incorporation.
The nexus requirement was not legislative based, but a policy requirement. In September 2026, the policy was changed and the requirement to establish nexus when incorporating an ADGM SPV was removed.
An applicant based anywhere in the world can now establish an ADGM SPV to hold international assets. The requirements to appoint a Company Service Provider and maintain a Qualifying ADGM Authorised Signatory remain.