Abu Dhabi Free Zones
Abu Dhabi hosts finance, media and large-scale industrial free zones. This guide covers license types, realistic setup costs, visa options, timelines, and which zone fits your activity.
Why choose Abu Dhabi free zones
- Stable regulatory environment and strong government support
- Banking familiarity for corporate accounts
- Industrial capacity with warehouse/land options
- Media and financial hubs for specialized activities
- Modern infrastructure and logistics connectivity
Typical setup costs
Setup process & timeline
- Name reservation & initial approval (1–3 working days)
- License issuance & company documents (2–5 working days)
- Establishment card / immigration setup (1–2 working days)
- E-visa, medical test, Emirates ID (about 1–2 weeks after entry)
Required documents
- Passport copy and recent photo
- UAE entry stamp or e-visa (if applicable)
- Proposed activities list and company name options
- CV/degree for regulated activities (if required by zone)
- Lease/desk agreement if higher visa allocation is needed
Zones in Abu Dhabi
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)
Financial center for regulated and professional services.
Starting from: AED 12,500+
Popular: consultancy license (soon) financial advisory (soon) professional services license (soon)
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones)
Industrial, logistics and warehousing with scale.
Starting from: AED 9,500+
Popular: import export license (soon) logistics services (soon) general trading license (soon)
twofour54
Media and creative ecosystem for production companies.
Starting from: AED 8,500+
Popular: media production license (soon) marketing management (soon) it consultancy license
Masdar City
Clean-tech and R&D friendly environment.
Starting from: AED 10,500+
Popular: engineering services (soon) professional services license (soon) research and development (soon)
FAQs
Which Abu Dhabi zone suits industrial activities?
KEZAD is designed for industrial, logistics and warehousing with scalable facilities.
Is a physical office mandatory?
For 1–3 visas, a desk/co-working is often accepted. Higher visa counts or specific activities may require dedicated space.
How fast is setup?
Typically 3–7 working days after KYC approval for the license; immigration/visa adds ~1–2 weeks.
Related guides
- General Trading License (soon)
- E-Commerce License (soon)
- IT Consultancy License
📅 Last updated: September 2025