KEZAD Business Setup in Abu Dhabi
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, formerly KIZAD) business setup: free zone vs non-free-zone areas, trading, logistics and industrial licences, process and packages.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-27
Quick answer
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) is a group of economic zones in Abu Dhabi, part of AD Ports Group, located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai near Khalifa Port. It licenses trading, logistics, industrial and manufacturing businesses and offers offices, warehouses and industrial land. KIZAD is its former name.
- Authority / zone
- KEZAD
- Emirate
- Abu Dhabi
- Ownership
- 100% foreign ownership available in free zones
- Price evidence
- Source-linked provider packages only
KEZAD is usually shortlisted by businesses that need physical capacity — warehouses, industrial plots or port-linked logistics — rather than a desk-only licence.
Figures shown come only from source-linked provider packages. Confirm activities, facility rules and fees with KEZAD before paying.
Current verified packages
These are provider package prices, not universal government fees. Each row preserves the published price basis, renewal disclosure and source date.
| Provider and package | Activity | Visas | Workspace | Published price | Renewal | Last verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Visa — 1 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 1 | Flexi desk | AED 9,450Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 2 Visa — 1 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 2 | Flexi desk | AED 11,150Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 3 Visa — 1 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 3 | Flexi desk | AED 12,850Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 4 Visa — 1 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 4 | Flexi desk | AED 14,550Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 1 Visa — 2 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 1 | Flexi desk | AED 17,800Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 2 Visa — 2 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 2 | Flexi desk | AED 21,000Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 1 Visa — 3 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 1 | Flexi desk | AED 22,575Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 3 Visa — 2 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 3 | Flexi desk | AED 24,200Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 2 Visa — 3 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 2 | Flexi desk | AED 26,625Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 4 Visa — 2 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 4 | Flexi desk | AED 27,400Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 3 Visa — 3 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 3 | Flexi desk | AED 28,988Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
| 4 Visa — 3 Year Free Zone Business PackageKEZAD Group | Startup / SME | 4 | Flexi desk | AED 32,813Published package price (VAT included) | Not stated | 2026-09-13 | Provider source |
What is KEZAD?
KEZAD stands for Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, a group of economic zones in Abu Dhabi, UAE, operated within AD Ports Group. The zones sit near Khalifa Port and serve trading, logistics, industrial and manufacturing companies.
KEZAD vs KIZAD — what's the difference?
They refer to the same organisation. KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi) was the earlier name; it was rebranded as KEZAD as the zones broadened beyond industry. Older documents, quotes and search results may still use KIZAD.
Free zone vs non-free-zone areas
KEZAD includes free-zone areas and non-free-zone (domestic) areas. The choice affects whether the company can trade directly in the UAE market and how customs applies, so confirm with KEZAD which area your activity and customers fit before choosing a facility.
Suitable activities
- Trading, import and re-export
- Logistics and freight forwarding
- Manufacturing and light industrial
- Warehousing and distribution
- Industrial services
Office and facility options
Options range from offices and business-centre space to warehouses, light-industrial units and land plots. Larger facilities increase visa capacity but also renewal costs; get the facility renewal amount in writing.
KEZAD company setup cost
There is no single all-in KEZAD price. The total depends on the licence type, number of activities, legal structure, workspace, visa count and any external approval. Figures below come only from current provider packages with a source link and verification date; packages whose prices are under review or conditional are not used as a starting price.
- Authority registration and licence fees
- Workspace or facility charge (flexi desk, office, warehouse or land)
- Establishment card and immigration file where visas are required
- Per-person visa, medical and Emirates ID processing
- External approvals for regulated activities
- Provider professional fee and VAT where applicable
- Year-two renewal of licence, facility and visas
KEZAD vs Masdar vs ADGM
| Zone | Best known for | Consider when |
|---|---|---|
| KEZAD | Industrial, logistics, port access | You need warehouses, land or port-linked logistics |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Technology, cleantech, R&D | You build technology or sustainability products |
| ADGM | Financial centre, common law | You need a financial-services, holding or SPV entity |
Who this option suits best
- Trading and re-export companies
- Logistics and warehousing businesses
- Manufacturers needing industrial space
Step-by-step process
- 1
Confirm activities
Check the intended activities against the authority's current list and identify any external approval.
- 2
Choose licence, legal structure and space
Select the licence type, company form and workspace that support the activities and planned visa quota.
- 3
Submit the application and KYC
Provide proposed trade names, shareholder and manager passports and the authority's application forms.
- 4
Review an itemised quotation
Separate authority, workspace, immigration and professional fees and get the renewal amount in writing.
- 5
Sign and receive the licence
Complete signing, pay the invoice and receive the licence and incorporation documents.
- 6
Visas, bank and tax
Open the immigration file, process visas, apply to a bank and complete corporate tax registration.
Documents required
- Passport copies (valid 6+ months) for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with white background for each applicant
- Proof of address or a recent utility bill / bank statement
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business activity list and a short business description
- Emirates ID and visa copy or entry stamp if you are already in the UAE
- Authority application forms and any activity-specific approvals
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Activity and KYC review | Authority dependent |
| Licence and incorporation | After approval and payment |
| Immigration and visas | Separate process, if selected |
| Bank account | Bank decision; not guaranteed |
Prices change. Use the source link and verification date shown for each package, then obtain a final itemised quotation before paying.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Comparing headline prices only
Fix: Compare like-for-like activities, workspace, visas, exclusions and price basis.
Assuming visas are included
Fix: Confirm the quota and every immigration charge in writing.
Ignoring year-two costs
Fix: Ask for the renewal components before paying for year one.
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance notifications and reports applied only to financial years ending on or before 31 December 2022 — no new ESR filings are due for later years (Ministry of Finance).
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
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7 min read · Published Read guideFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between KIZAD and KEZAD?
Can a KEZAD company trade in mainland UAE?
How much does KEZAD setup cost?
Does KEZAD offer warehouses?
People also ask
Does Business Setup AE issue the licence?
No. Business Setup AE is a comparison marketplace. KEZAD issues the licence; a provider handles only the services stated in its quotation.
What should I confirm before paying a provider?
Confirm the issuing authority, activity codes, price basis, exclusions, visa quota, workspace, refund terms and full renewal cost in writing.
Founder checklist
- Confirm the exact activity codes you need before paying any fee
- Compare at least three providers on total year-one cost, not licence cost alone
- Check the visa quota attached to your chosen facility (flexi-desk vs office)
- Ask what is excluded: establishment card, e-channel deposit, medical, Emirates ID, PRO fees
- Confirm bank-account support and which banks the provider actually opens with
- Register for corporate tax within the deadline after licence issuance
- Diarise your licence renewal date and UBO register updates
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Package prices are read from each provider's own published page or PDF and stored with that source URL and check date
- Government fee figures are cited to the published schedule of the relevant authority; where an authority does not publish a figure we say so instead of estimating
- We do not audit provider operations, licence standing or adviser credentials — see how we verify for exactly what a verification covers
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- KEZAD — official siteOfficial zones, facilities and licensing
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
- Federal Tax Authority — corporate tax and VATSource for the 9% corporate tax threshold and VAT registration limits
Topics covered
Get fixed quotes from providers with source-checked packages
Tell us what you need once. Verified UAE formation firms reply with fixed, itemised pricing — they reply to you directly.
