Free Zone Comparison
KIZAD vs HFZA
Among industrial free zones, KIZAD is hard to beat — AED 9,450 for newer Abu Dhabi port infrastructure. Hamriyah counters at AED 12,000 with Sharjah's deep-water port and 25+ years of heavy-industry tenants.
KIZAD
Abu Dhabi
AED 9,450
Year 1 from
CheaperHFZA
Sharjah
AED 12,000
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose KIZAD if cost is your priority — AED 2,550 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose HFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose KIZAD for overall quality — rated 4.6/5
- ● Choose HFZA for faster setup — 10 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
KIZAD at AED 9,450 saves AED 2,550 against Hamriyah's AED 12,000 for a zero-visa license. Both target manufacturers and industrial operators with port access — KIZAD connects to Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port, while Hamriyah links to Sharjah's deep-water seaport. KIZAD bundles workspace into every package; Hamriyah includes a business centre address.
Scale favours Hamriyah for heavy industry. Its 6,500-company ecosystem with dedicated Food Park, Oil & Gas Zone, and Maritime Industry clusters has 30 years of industrial tenancy. KIZAD's 2,000 companies and newer Metal Park are growing but less established. Hamriyah scales to 50 visas; KIZAD's incubation hub caps at 4, requiring industrial facility leases for more. Both require annual audits. KIZAD's share capital minimum of AED 150,000 exceeds Hamriyah's stated AED 150,000 — similar requirements. Both offer dual licensing. For Abu Dhabi port operations and newer industrial infrastructure, KIZAD wins. For Sharjah-based heavy manufacturing with a deeper tenant community, Hamriyah's 30-year ecosystem earns its premium.
KIZAD vs HFZA at a Glance
| Metric | KIZAD | HFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Sharjah |
| Year 1 From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 12,000 |
| Renewal From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 12,000 |
| Rating | ★ 4.6/5 🏆 | ★ 4.0/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 50 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 14 days | 10 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2012 | 1995 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 6,500+ |
Year 1 From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
HFZA
AED 12,000
Renewal From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
HFZA
AED 12,000
Rating
KIZAD
4.6/5
HFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
KIZAD
4
HFZA
50
Processing
KIZAD
14 days
HFZA
10 days
Banking
KIZAD
Moderate
HFZA
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
KIZAD Packages
Abu Dhabi · 4 packages
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 9,450
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,088
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 19,426
Year 1
Renewal: AED 11,150/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 30,102
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,550/yr
HFZA Packages
Sharjah · 4 packages
Business Center Package 1 (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
Business Center Package 1 (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 15,785
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
4-Visa Office Package (2 Visas Processed)
Up to 2 visas · Private Office
AED 23,870
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,300/yr
General Trading 7-Visa Package
Up to 7 visas · Private Office
AED 58,995
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | KIZAD | HFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose KIZAD if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing & light industrial
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export & trading
- ✓ Want smes & startups (incubation hub)
- ✓ Want industrial service providers
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 2,550 less)
Choose HFZA if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial & heavy industry
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Pros & Cons
KIZAD
Pros
- ✓ Published SME startup packages from AED 9,450 (1 visa) to AED 14,550 (4 visas) — among the most competitive in Abu Dhabi.
- ✓ Packages bundle the license and workspace (shared workstation or dedicated office) into one price — no separate desk fee.
- ✓ License issued in under 24 hours after approvals, per the official brochure.
- ✓ Optional dual licence from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development enables a mainland activity pathway.
Cons
- ✗ Location is industrial and car-dependent — not ideal for consumer-facing or retail businesses seeking central-city footfall.
- ✗ Activity scope is strongest for industrial, logistics, and trade-aligned sectors; general consultancy firms may find more flexibility in Dubai or Sharjah free zones.
- ✗ Some tariff line items show zero zone service fees but exclude federal immigration, medical, and Emirates ID costs — budget the real government charges separately.
- ✗ Abu Dhabi health insurance (Daman Basic Plan) can be materially higher than Dubai's EBP, with significant age-band pricing.
HFZA
Pros
- ✓ Entry package from AED 11,000/year with 1-visa provision — competitive for industrial zones
- ✓ Scalable visa tiers: e-office packages from AED 20,000–35,000/year with up to 7 visas
- ✓ Industrial facilities: warehouses from AED 85,000–150,000 with office space included
- ✓ Industrial land plots starting from 2,500 sq m for manufacturing and assembly
Cons
- ✗ Published package prices exclude visa-related costs and P.O. box (~AED 1,000/year) — budget accordingly
- ✗ Package pricing can differ across brokers; always confirm directly with HFZA
- ✗ Sharjah location lacks the prestige of a Dubai address for client-facing businesses
- ✗ Industrial/regulated sectors may require additional approvals and inspections
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KIZAD or HFZA?
KIZAD is cheaper by AED 2,550 in Year 1. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while HFZA starts from AED 12,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between KIZAD and HFZA?
KIZAD is based in Abu Dhabi and is best for Manufacturing & Light Industrial, Logistics & Warehousing, Import/Export & Trading. HFZA is based in Sharjah and is best for Manufacturing, Industrial & Heavy Industry, Logistics. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while HFZA starts from AED 12,000.
Which has easier banking, KIZAD or HFZA?
Both KIZAD and HFZA are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with KIZAD vs HFZA?
KIZAD supports up to 4 visas, while HFZA supports up to 50 visas. HFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is KIZAD or HFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose KIZAD if you want manufacturing & light industrial focus and lower costs. Choose HFZA if you need manufacturing support and a Sharjah address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.