ADGM Family Office: $80M Multi-Generational Wealth Structure
A second-generation Indian family relocating $80M of assets needed a Single Family Office structure with foundation, holding companies and Golden Visas for 3 generations. Built at ADGM (English common law) in 45 days.
Second-Generation Indian Family, 3 Generations, $80M AUM
Founder-patriarch (age 68) built an Indian industrial business (machinery components), sold majority in 2022 for ~$50M post-tax. Two adult children (35, 32) managing investment activities + new ventures. Three grandchildren (8-15). Total family assets: $80M across equity holdings, listed stocks, Dubai property and offshore trusts.
Goal: relocate the family wealth management from India / Singapore to UAE for: estate planning (Sharia-neutral foundations), inter-generational wealth transfer, banking diversification, Golden Visa for 3 generations. India's new wealth tax debates were the trigger.
Foundation + Holding + Banking + 3-Gen Visas
Family offices require multi-entity structure: a foundation (for inter-generational governance and succession), holding companies (for operational assets), investment vehicles (for liquid portfolio), and individual visa structures for each family member. ADGM Foundations are the standard premium UAE structure.
Additional complexity: India source-of-funds attestation (post-sale documentation), foundation council appointments, beneficiary clauses for minor grandchildren, and ADGM's regulatory review (FSRA-adjacent for non-regulated family offices).
- Foundation structure (not standard LLC) needed for succession
- 7 family members across 3 generations to sponsor
- India source-of-funds documentation (post-2022 sale)
- Banking for $80M AUM — private banking tier
- Foundation council appointments + beneficiary clauses
What We Recommended — and Why
Jurisdiction: ADGM (English Common Law)
ADGM chosen over DIFC: lower setup fees, English common law equivalent, established Foundation Law framework, premium banking access, growing family office cluster, and FSRA backing for credibility.
ADGM — full detailsStructure: ADGM Foundation + Holding LLCs
Single ADGM Foundation (with council, guardian, beneficiaries). Two holding LLCs under the Foundation: one for liquid portfolio, one for operational/real-estate assets. Drafted with succession clauses for minor beneficiaries.
FZ Company FormationVisas: 7 × Golden Visa (10-year)
Patriarch on Investor track ($2M+ property). Children on Specialist/Executive tracks. Grandchildren as dependents. All 7 family members on 10-year Golden Visas. Family-wide UAE residency.
UAE Golden VisaBanking: HSBC Private + ENBD Private
HSBC Private (dollar-base, AUM tier $5M+) plus Emirates NBD Private (AED-base for property income). Compliance review took 5 weeks — India source attestation, foundation deed registration, and council member KYC.
Corporate Bank AccountFrom First Call to Fully Operational
- Day 0 Discovery + Mumbai visit
- Day 1-10 ADGM Foundation deed drafted
- Day 12 Foundation registered + holding LLCs incorporated
- Day 15-30 HSBC Private compliance + India source-of-funds
- Day 25-35 Family Golden Visa applications + medicals
- Day 40 All 7 Emirates IDs issued
- Day 45 HSBC Private active — initial $15M transfer
What the Client Received
Deliverables
- ADGM Foundation with council & beneficiaries
- 2 × ADGM Holding LLCs (liquid + operational)
- 7 × 10-year UAE Golden Visas
- HSBC Private Banking account
- ENBD Private Banking account
- Tax Residency Certificate (family)
- Succession & inheritance documentation
We had been looking at family offices in Singapore, Geneva and Dubai for 18 months. Dubai won because of three things — Sharia-neutral Foundation law, 10-year Golden Visas for the grandchildren, and HSBC Private's willingness to bank $80M with proper India documentation. Insight knew exactly what HSBC needed.
— R. M. — Patriarch & Foundation Settlor (NDA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the process — license application, MOA signing, bank initial review — runs remotely via POA. Physical UAE presence is needed only for Emirates ID biometrics and visa medical fitness (typically 2-4 days total). Most clients fly in once, mid-process.
All-in Year-1 cost for this case landed at AED 350,000. This includes Free Zone or Mainland license, investor visa(s), Emirates ID, basic flexi-desk, bank account opening assistance, and Insight's service fees. Government fees vary year-to-year (typically ±5%).
Yes. We offer ongoing license renewal, VAT registration & filing, Corporate Tax registration & returns, payroll, and bookkeeping. Many clients move to a retainer relationship after initial setup. Pricing depends on volume.
This case ran 45 days from first consultation to active bank account. Standard Free Zone setups take 14-30 days. Industrial / financial-regulated setups (KIZAD, DIFC, ADGM) take 30-60 days.
Want a Similar Setup?
