Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)
KIZAD is a Abu Dhabi-based free zone with packages starting from AED 9,450, supporting up to 4 visa allocations, and moderate banking access. KIZAD (now under KEZAD Group) is Abu Dhabi's flagship industrial and logistics free zone next to Khalifa Port, optimized for trade, warehousing, manufacturing, and scale-up operations. Official incubation packages start at AED 9,450 with a flexi desk bundled in — one of the strongest value-for-money options in Abu Dhabi for SMEs.
From
AED 9,450
Established
2012
Companies
2,000
Max Visas
4
Banking
Moderate
KIZAD Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa) Up to ~20% off for 3-year packages | AED 9,450 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 9,450 | AED 9,450 Conservative: assumes renewal at the same package price. Official tariffs list license renewal after 2 years at AED 5,000 (license-only); package renewal may differ. |
| KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (1 Visa) Up to ~20% off for 3-year packages | AED 9,450 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 14,088 | AED 9,450 Conservative: assumes renewal at the same package price. Official tariffs list license renewal after 2 years at AED 5,000 (license-only). |
| KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (2 Visas) Multi-year packages available at discounted rates | AED 11,150 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 19,426 | AED 11,150 Conservative: assumes renewal at the same package price. Official tariffs show license renewal after 2 years at AED 5,000 (license-only); workspace renewal may differ. |
| KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas) Multi-year packages available at discounted rates | AED 14,550 | 4 | Flexi Desk | AED 30,102 | AED 14,550 Conservative: assumes renewal at the same package price. Official tariffs show license renewal after 2 years at AED 5,000 (license-only). |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 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.
- Transparent published tariff schedule: establishment card AED 1,000, employment residence AED 1,500, ID card AED 300, license renewal after 2 years AED 5,000.
- Strong industrial ecosystem with frequent large-scale investment announcements and ongoing infrastructure expansion.
- Good scalability from the incubation hub to permanent facilities, warehouses, and land plots for growing businesses.
Watch out for
- 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.
- Banking for industrial and trading profiles can take 3–8 weeks due to supply chain and transaction monitoring.
- Renewal pricing can be confusing: official tariffs list license renewal at AED 5,000, but package renewal through agents may quote closer to the original package amount including facilities.
Visa Information
Max Quota
4 visas
Reflects the Incubation Hub package table (up to 4 visas). Larger facilities and land plots support substantially higher quotas.
Processing Time
14 days
Renewal Cost
AED 2,640
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 2,640
KEZAD tariffs list dependent-related zone service fees at AED 0, but this excludes federal immigration and medical fees. Budget similar to an employee visa unless you have a confirmed quote.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 2,640
Investor Visa
AED 2,640
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical VIP
AED 850
Emirates ID Typing
AED 390
KIZAD issues the licence in under 24 hours after approvals. A realistic end-to-end timeline for SMEs (license + establishment card + first visas) is 1–3 weeks depending on immigration, medical fitness, and biometrics.
Banking
Partner Banks
Well-prepared KIZAD SME profiles can open accounts in ~2–6 weeks, but trading/logistics/industrial models with high transaction volumes or complex supply chains may face enhanced due diligence (3–8+ weeks). Prepare UBO/ownership charts, source-of-funds, customer/supplier contracts, and expected shipping/invoice flows to reduce delays.
Features
Mainland Trading
KIZAD's brochure states an optional dual licence from Abu Dhabi DED is available, which can support mainland operations depending on activity and compliance.
Physical Office Required
Startup packages bundle a shared workstation or dedicated office, implying at least a workspace is part of the compliant setup footprint.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
KIZAD is positioned for industrial, logistics, and trade sectors. Crypto-specific licensing is not a standard feature.
Shared Ownership
100% foreign ownership with full repatriation of capital and profits for free zone setups.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
KEZAD Group operates digital client service channels and a Free Zone Licence Search tool on its website.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
A financial audit is required for renewal. Renewal can be processed without the owner's physical presence.
Share Capital Requirement
AED 150,000 minimum for FZ-LLC. Higher for regulated activities. Branches have no share capital requirement.
Special Ecosystems
Location
Recent Developments
- Jan 2026: Metal Park launched as a pay-as-you-grow metals ecosystem in KEZAD with AED 430 million value.
- Jan 2026: AD Ports Group signed AED 840 million land sale agreement with Danube Properties in KEZAD.
- Jan 2026: KEZAD Group signed a 50-year land lease with Jotun Abu Dhabi for an AED 450M manufacturing facility.
- Jun 2025: Development of KEZAD Business District announced.
- Mar 2025: Metal Park launched AED 110M Storage Hub in KEZAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a KIZAD license cost in 2026?
KIZAD's official startup packages start at AED 9,450 (1 visa provision) and scale to AED 14,550 (4 visas). The official tariff page shows the licence issuance service fee as AED 0 — the practical cost is driven by the package and facility offering.
What is the cheapest KIZAD package with 0 visas?
KIZAD is commonly sold via visa-provisioned startup packages. For conservative budgeting, treat AED 9,450 as the practical entry price — it's the official advertised starting point. Some consultancies state zero-visa packages exist, but confirm the exact quote with the authority.
Does KIZAD include office space in the package price?
Yes. The official brochure states packages include 'Free Zone business licence and facilities' and 'Shared workstations or dedicated offices.' You don't pay a separate desk fee on the Incubation Hub packages.
What are KIZAD's visa processing fees?
The published tariff shows Establishment Card (new) AED 1,000, Employment Residence Fee AED 1,500, and ID Card Fee AED 300. Add medical fitness (~AED 450) and Emirates ID typing (~AED 390) for a total per-person budget of roughly AED 2,640.
How long does KIZAD setup take?
KIZAD states the licence is issued in under 24 hours after necessary approvals. A realistic end-to-end timeline for SMEs — including license, establishment card, and first visas — is 1 to 3 weeks depending on immigration processing and medical fitness timing.
What is the KIZAD license renewal cost?
The official tariff lists license renewal after 2 years at AED 5,000 for industrial, trading, and service categories. However, package renewal through agents may quote closer to the original package amount if it includes workspace and facilities.
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Starting From
AED 9,450 /yr