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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Costs and visas
  4. ›KEZAD

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD): setup cost, visas and licences

Abu Dhabi · KEZAD Authority · Est. 2012

Manufacturing & Light IndustrialLogistics & WarehousingImport/Export & TradingSMEs & Startups (Incubation Hub)

KEZAD Group is Abu Dhabi’s primary industrial, logistics, and manufacturing economic zone, linked directly to Khalifa Port. Incubation and commercial packages start from AED 9,450 (inclusive of a flexi-desk setup), supporting up to 4 visa allocations with moderate banking access. KEZAD provides large-scale industrial plots, pre-built warehouses, and low utility tariffs for manufacturing and trade enterprises.

Set up in KEZAD: talk to an adviser Visa and renewal costs

Fees last checked June 2026 · Licensing authority: KEZAD Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.

From

AED 9,450

Year 1

Quick facts

Registered companies2,000+
Processing time1–14 days
Banking difficultyModerate
Dependent visasAllowed

Pricing packages

KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa)

AED 9,450

— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas

Renews at AED 9,450

KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (1 Visa)

AED 14,088

— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa

Renews at AED 9,450

KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (2 Visas)

AED 19,426

— · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 11,150

KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas)

AED 30,102

— · Flexi Desk · 4 visas

Renews at AED 14,550

Advisory Estimate

AED 18,600

— · 0 visas

Renews at —

Estimated

KEZAD visa, renewal and office costs

Typical setup costAED 18,000 – AED 32,000
Annual renewalAED 12,000 – AED 24,000
Visas per desk5
Most visas in a published package4 (KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas))
Dependent (family) visaAED 2,640
Minimum share capitalNone for a standard company
Smallest office25 sq m
Office rentabout AED 150/sq ft a year
Warehouse rentabout AED 75/sq ft a year

Incubation Hub packages bundle a shared workstation or flexi desk into the license price. Visa quota caps at 4 on standard Incubation Hub packages; higher counts require larger leased facilities and become facility-driven.

Business activities in KEZAD

KEZAD suits trading, industrial and logistics businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.

General TradingFood & Beverage · extra licence

Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics · Manufacturing · Construction & Contracting · Mining & Quarrying · Utilities & Energy

Features

Mainland trading

No

Dual licence allowed

Yes

Crypto-friendly

No

Shared ownership

Yes

Coworking available

Yes

Online portal

Yes

Audit required

No

Tax and compliance analysis

Substance

High

Audit risk

Moderate

Forensic ease

8/10

The Industrial Backbone; Asset-Heavy Compliance Node.

KEZAD is a massive industrial ecosystem governed by AD Ports. For 2026, the primary forensic challenge is 'Physical Substance Validation.' Unlike service zones, KEZAD entities must prove that their 0% Qualifying Income is derived from genuine manufacturing CIGA. This involves mapping production output to utility consumption and fixed asset registries to ensure that mainland sales are not being improperly 'masked' as free zone exports.

Statutory basis

Operates under the AD Ports regulatory umbrella. Article 18 QFZP status for industrial players is strictly contingent on the 'Nexus Approach'—ensuring that intellectual property and manufacturing processes are physically anchored within the zone.

Compliance roadmap

  1. Sovereign CAPEX Verification: Annual audit of fixed asset registries against production capacity
  2. Utility-to-CIGA Mapping: Correlating DEWA/ADDC consumption with reported Core Income-Generating Activities
  3. Strict Ring-Fencing: Forensic separation of Free Zone 'Qualifying' production from Mainland distribution revenue

Common pitfalls

  • Claiming 0% tax on manufacturing sales delivered directly to mainland Abu Dhabi customers
  • Inadequate documentation for 'Customs-Exempt' raw material processing
  • Failing to meet the 'Small Business Relief' threshold if opting out of QFZP status

Want to explore KEZAD in more depth?

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Tax and compliance

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Want help setting up in KEZAD?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi. There's no charge to ask.

Common questions

How much does it cost to set up in KEZAD?

The cheapest published package for Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi is KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa) at AED 9,450 for Year 1, renewing at AED 9,450. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.

How long does KEZAD setup take?

Typical processing time is 1–14 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.

Is banking easy to set up with a KEZAD licence?

Banking difficulty for KEZAD is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), ADCB, Emirates NBD.

How many visas can I get with a KEZAD licence, and what do they cost?

KEZAD allows 5 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas), AED 30,102 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 2,640.

How much is the KEZAD licence renewal each year?

Annual renewal runs from AED 12,000 to AED 24,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.

What is the minimum share capital in KEZAD?

KEZAD sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.

Do I need a physical office in KEZAD?

Incubation Hub packages bundle a shared workstation or flexi desk into the license price. Visa quota caps at 4 on standard Incubation Hub packages; higher counts require larger leased facilities and become facility-driven. The smallest office we hold for KEZAD is 25 sq m.

Can a KEZAD company trade on the UAE mainland?

Yes, KEZAD offers a route to trade on the mainland, including a dual licence. Check the conditions for your activity before you rely on it.

KEZAD might be right — or your business might need something else entirely

Tell Scout what your business does and how many visas you need. It prices every zone that can license you, this one included, from the fees each publishes. Your shortlist is free.

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