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Abu Dhabi · Free Zone

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi

Manufacturing & Industrial Free Zone in Abu Dhabi, Established 2004

AED 11,000 /year 5-14 working days setup 50 visas 0

What is Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?

Industrial zone under KEZAD providing manufacturing and industrial plots across multiple specialized zones in Abu Dhabi.

Key Features & Benefits

  • 100% foreign ownership
  • 0% corporate/income tax
  • License fees waived first 2 years
  • Industrial plots available
  • Part of KEZAD ecosystem

Pricing & Costs

From AED 11,000/yr

Year 1 costs, renewals, and multi-year discounts

Year 1 cost range

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Year 1 cost range: AED 15K to AED 50K, median AED 33K.AED 15K – AED 50K (median AED 33K)AED 15K – AED 50K (median AED 33K)
as of May 2026

Pricing

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi — Year 1 Fees

Last verified: May 2026

License Packages

Workstation Package (1 visa)

AED 11,000/year
  • License
  • 1 visa quota
  • Workstation
  • (via KEZAD)

Note. Multi-year licenses (2–3 years) are typically eligible for a 15–20% discount when paid upfront.

Government Immigration Fees

Visa Costs every 2 years, per person
Establishment Card
Establishment CardGovernment immigration file, renewed annually AED 1,000

Renewal Fees

Yearly
License Renewal AED 0 – 0
Establishment Card Renewal AED 1,000
Every 2 Years
Visa RenewalEvery 2 years (per person) AED 1,500 – 2,750

All prices are in AED and exclude 5% VAT where applicable. Prices may change — verify directly with the freezone authority before making decisions. Last verified: May 2026

Setup & Documents

5-14 days

Step-by-step process, timeline, and required documents

Setup Roadmap

Your journey from application to fully operational business.

5–14 working days 100% Remote No Visit Required
Step 1 1 day

Choose Business Activity

Select your business activity and license type from Industrial City of Abu Dhabi's approved list

Step 2 1-2 days

Reserve Trade Name

Submit trade name application for approval

Step 3 1-2 days

Submit Documents

Upload passport copies, application form, and supporting documents

Step 4 1 day

Pay License & Registration Fees

Complete payment for license and registration fees to Industrial City of Abu Dhabi

Step 5 5-14 days

Receive Trade License

License issued after document verification and payment confirmation

Step 6 2-4 weeks

Apply for Visa & Open Bank Account

Submit visa application and business bank account opening

Open for business.

License to Ready: typical timeline

From licence issuance through visa processing, bank account opening, and operational readiness. Estimates based on published rates and typical UAE freezone reported timelines as of May 2026.

Typically 47 days (range 27 days–66 days)License5–14 daysVisa7–21 daysBank14–28 daysReady1–3 days
as of May 2026

Document Checklist

Everything you need to register your company with Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

Individual Shareholders

5 documents

  • Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
  • Proof of address (utility bill <3 months)
  • NOC from current sponsor (if applicable)

Corporate Shareholders

7 documents

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Board resolution authorizing UAE setup
  • Valid passport of authorized signatory
  • Share certificate
  • Good standing certificate
  • Apostilled/attested documents (if outside GCC)
Good to Know
  • Passport copies must show at least 6 months validity from application date
  • Documents from outside the GCC may require apostille or attestation
  • Upload high-quality colour scans — minimum 300 DPI
  • Corporate documents should be certified as true copies

Banking & Payments

3/5 ease · 3 partner banks

Bank account opening, partner banks, and payment setup

Banking

Corporate bank account opening, IBAN issued at setup where supported.

Moderate Banking ease — methodology ★★★★★ Major banks actively onboard new entities; average opening <2 weeks ★★★★ Most major banks accept; 2–4 weeks ★★★ Some banks accept; 4–6 weeks ★★ Challenging to open; 6–10 weeks Typically requires special structuring
3 Partner Banks
2-4 weeks Account Opening

Partner Banks

Emirates NBD

Major UAE bank with comprehensive business banking

Mashreq Bank

Digital-first banking with StartUp packages

RAKBANK

SME-friendly banking solutions

Documents Needed

Trade License
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Passport copy of all shareholders
Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
Brief company profile
Proof of business activity (contracts, invoices)
3 months personal bank statement
Tips for Faster Approval
  • Apply to 2–3 banks simultaneously to maximise approval chances
  • Prepare a clear business plan explaining your revenue model
  • Have 3–5 sample contracts or invoices ready — even drafts work
  • Consider digital banks like Wio for faster approval and zero minimum balance
Independent Advice

Not sure if Industrial City of Abu Dhabi is right for you?

Talk to an unbiased FreezoneMatch advisor. We'll help you compare options, avoid hidden costs, and find the right fit — completely free.

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Why Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?

8 key advantages

Key advantages that set this free zone apart

Why Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?

What makes this free zone stand out.

5-14 Day Setup

Standard company formation timeline. Fully remote setup available — no office visit required.

3 Partner Banks

Banking rated 3/5 (Moderate). Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Up to 50 Visas

2 years validity. Dependents allowed. Flexible allocation based on package.

0% Corporate Tax

On qualifying free zone income (QFZP status). 100% foreign ownership with full capital repatriation.

Mainland Trading Access

Multiple pathways to the mainland market including ADDED Permit and branch licensing.

Abu Dhabi Location

Part of KEZAD Group, industrial area between Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain

License fees waived first 2 years

A key advantage of setting up your business in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

Industrial plots available

A key advantage of setting up your business in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

Recommended For
  • Manufacturing companies and businesses
  • Industrial companies and businesses
  • Metals companies and businesses
  • Chemicals companies and businesses
  • Food Processing companies and businesses
Consider Alternatives If
  • Solo freelancers or consultants (more affordable options exist)
  • Businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone

Reviews

0★ (0 reviews)

Customer reviews and alternatives

Top Rated Service 2026 0.0 based on 0 reviews

Review data as of 29 March 2026. For the latest reviews, visit Google Maps.

Find Industrial City of Abu Dhabi on Google Maps

View location, hours, photos, and real-time reviews from Google Maps.

Reviews shown on Google Maps are from verified visitors and updated in real-time by Google.

Is Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Right for You?

Choose Industrial City of Abu Dhabi if you...

  • manufacturing companies and businesses
  • industrial companies and businesses
  • metals companies and businesses
  • chemicals companies and businesses

🔄 Consider alternatives if you...

  • solo freelancers or consultants (more affordable options exist)
  • businesses requiring specialized regulatory oversight not offered by this zone

Compare with Similar Freezones

FAQ

7 common questions

Common questions about setting up in this free zone

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about setting up in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

How much does it cost to set up in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?
First-year costs typically range from AED 15,000 – 50,000, depending on license type, office choice, and number of visas. This includes the trade license, registration, and basic setup but excludes visa processing costs.
How long does it take to set up a company in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?
The standard setup process typically takes 5-14 working days, depending on document completeness and license type. Some zones offer expedited processing for an additional fee.
How many visas can I get with Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?
Visa allocation depends on your office space and package. Based on facility size. Each visa costs approximately AED 1,500 – 2,750 for processing.
Can I sell to mainland UAE customers with a Industrial City of Abu Dhabi license?
Free zone companies cannot directly sell to mainland customers without additional permits. You can obtain a DET permit, mainland branch license, or service agent agreement to access the mainland market. E-commerce sales are generally permitted with appropriate approvals.
Do I pay corporate tax in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?
Companies classified as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is subject to the standard 9% UAE corporate tax rate. Personal income tax remains 0%.
Do I need a physical office in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?
Industrial City of Abu Dhabi requires a physical office lease. Flexi-desk or virtual office options are not available. Contact the free zone directly for available office spaces and pricing.
How do I open a bank account with a Industrial City of Abu Dhabi license?
After receiving your trade license, you can apply for a business bank account with any UAE bank. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Required documents include your trade license, certificate of incorporation, passport copies, and proof of business activity.

Related guides

Deeper reading on topics relevant to Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

Official source

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi official website and published tariffs

Last verified: March 2026

FreezoneMatch provides comparison tools based on publicly available data. We are not affiliated with Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. Costs and regulations change — always confirm directly with the freezone authority before making decisions.

Sources: Industrial City of Abu Dhabi official siteADDED (Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development)Google Maps reviews Last verified March 2026

Independent Advice

Not sure if Industrial City of Abu Dhabi is right for you?

Talk to a FreezoneMatch advisor — we don't work for any freezone, so you'll get honest, unbiased guidance to find the right fit for your business.

100% free No obligation We don't work for any freezone

Or contact Industrial City of Abu Dhabi directly