FreezoneMatch

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi โ€” Manufacturing & Industrial Free Zone in Abu Dhabi, Established 2004

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

What is Industrial City of Abu Dhabi?

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

Pricing

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi โ€” Year 1 Fees

License Packages โ“˜

Workstation Package (1 visa)

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

๐Ÿ’ก Multi-year licenses (2โ€“3 years) are eligible for a 15โ€“20% discount when paid upfront.

Government Immigration Fees โ“˜

Visa Costs every 2 years, per person
Establishment Card
Establishment Cardโ“˜Government immigration file, renewed annually AED 1,000

Renewal Fees โ“˜

Yearly
License Renewalโ“˜ AED 0 โ€“ 0
Establishment Card Renewalโ“˜ AED 1,000
Every 2 Years
Visa Renewalโ“˜Every 2 years (per person) AED 1,500 โ€“ 2,750

All prices are in AED and exclude 5% VAT where applicable. Prices may change โ€” contact the FreezoneMatch team directly to confirm latest rates. (Prices last updated: 12 February 2026)

Setup & Documents

5-14 days

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

Setup Roadmap

Your journey from application to fully operational business.

5โ€“14 working days 100% Remote No Visit Required
๐Ÿ“‹
Step 1 1 day

Choose Business Activity

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

๐Ÿ“„
Step 2 1-2 days

Reserve Trade Name

Submit trade name application for approval

๐Ÿ’ณ
Step 3 1-2 days

Submit Documents

Upload passport copies, application form, and supporting documents

โœ…
Step 4 1 day

Pay License & Registration Fees

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

๐Ÿ›‚
Step 5 5-14 days

Receive Trade License

License issued after document verification and payment confirmation

๐Ÿฆ
Step 6 2-4 weeks

Apply for Visa & Open Bank Account

Submit visa application and business bank account opening

๐ŸŽ‰

You're Open for Business!

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 โ€” minimum 300 DPI
  • Corporate documents should be certified as true copies

Banking & Payments

3/5 ease ยท 3 partner banks

Bank account opening, partner banks, and payment setup

Banking

Corporate bank account opening with guaranteed IBAN.

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… โ˜…โ˜… Moderate
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 2โ€“3 banks simultaneously to maximise approval chances
  • Prepare a clear business plan explaining your revenue model
  • Have 3โ€“5 sample contracts or invoices ready โ€” 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 best fit โ€” completely free.

โœ“ 100% free โœ“ No obligation โœ“ Independent

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.

โšก

5-14 Day Setup

Standard company formation timeline. Fully remote setup available โ€” no office visit required.

๐Ÿฆ

3 Partner Banks

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

๐Ÿ‘ฅ

Up to 50 Visas

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

๐Ÿ’ฐ

0% Corporate Tax

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

๐ŸŒ

Mainland Trading Access

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

๐Ÿ“

Abu Dhabi Location

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

๐Ÿข

License fees waived first 2 years

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

๐Ÿ”ง

Industrial plots available

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

Best 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

7 common questions

Customer reviews and alternatives

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 โ€“ 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 โ€“ 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.
Independent Advice

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

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

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

Or contact Industrial City of Abu Dhabi directly