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Abu DhabiMedia✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Creative Zone (twofour54)

twofour54 publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000 but no full package price, states incorporation in 14 days and requires at least a flexi-desk (checked 2026-10-24).

Creative Zone (twofour54) is a media free zone in Abu Dhabi, licensed by Creative Media Authority (CMA), Abu Dhabi, established in 2008.

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity.
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office.
Team, 3 visas · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. Three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.
Lowest package, any size
—
Licence fee from
AED 15,000
Largest visa quota
Not published
No package states a quota
Minimum office
Flexi-desk
Incorporation
14 days
As stated by the zone
Min. share capital
None
General trading
No
VAT Designated Zone
No
FTA list
Annual audit
Yes

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae, twofour54.com, tax.gov.ae.

Figures as published by the zone. “Not published” means no official source states it. Scenario prices are the published package closest to each set-up: solo, no visa = one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity; founder + 1 visa = one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office; team, 3 visas = three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.

Published packages

Conditions apply

New FZ LLC business Licence Package

—year 1

5 activities

  • Fully Waived Licence and Registration Fees for first 2 years (list price AED 15,000 licence for 5 activities + AED 3,500 registration)
  • 100% ownership
  • Access to rebate and incentives programs
  • Exclusive Media Activities
  • Not included: Office/premises (mandatory; Co-Lab, Co-Create, Co-Equip or Co-Customize via twofour54)
  • Not included: Visa, Emirates ID, health insurance and immigration costs
  • Not included: Additional activities above 5 at AED 1,000 each
Renews AED 12,500Source ↗

New Branch Business Licence Packages

—year 1

  • Access to Expert Business Setup Guidance
  • Fully Waived Licence and Registration Fees for first 2 years (branch establishment list price AED 3,500)
  • Access to rebate and incentives programs
  • Not included: Office/premises
  • Not included: Visa and immigration costs
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Freelance permitConditions apply

Freelance Package ( 12 months)

—year 1

No office · 3 activities

  • 2 years waived Licence fees (list price AED 4,500 for 3 activities)
  • Complete process online
  • Flexibility to work as an independent contractor
  • Not included: CMA-sponsored residency visa (mandatory except GCC nationals): 1-year visa AED 3,433.50 + Emirates ID AED 189 (normal processing, incl. 5% VAT)
  • Not included: Health insurance (from approx. AED 1,200 + AED 315 service charge)
  • Not included: Extra activities above 3 at AED 1,000 each
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Freelance permit

Freelance Package ( 6 months)

—year 1

No office · 3 activities

  • 2 years waived licence fees (list price AED 2,250 for 3 activities)
  • Complete process online
  • Flexibility to work as an independent contractor
  • Not included: CMA-sponsored residency visa, Emirates ID and health insurance
  • Not included: Extra activities above 3 at AED 1,000 each
Renews AED 1,750Source ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Packages differ in what they include; compare visas, office and fees before choosing.

Identity and legal basis

Licensing / regulating authority
Creative Media Authority (CMA), Abu Dhabi ↗
Parent group / government body
ADNEC Group (operator of twofour54); zone regulated by the Creative Media Authority (Abu Dhabi Government) ↗
Zone type
Media ↗
Year established
2008 ↗
Official website
twofour54.com/en ↗
Online application portal
cma.gov.ae/apply-for-business ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Physical locations / campuses: Yas Creative Hub, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. [1]
  • Public contact phone: +971 2 412 1111. [2]
  • Number of registered companies: 700. [1]
  1. [1] twofour54.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from twofour54.com, abudhabi.gov.ae, cma.gov.ae and 1 more official source.

Business activities

Official approved activity list
cma.gov.ae/business-package ↗
Licence types offered
Media, Freelancer ↗
General trading licence available
No ↗
  • Total number of approved activities: 84. [1]
  • Activity categories offered: General Media; Gaming & E-Sports; Broadcast & Publishing. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 5. [2]
  • Fee per additional activity: AED 1,000. [2]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Dissemination Activities (broadcasting a TV or radio channel, print and online publishing) need a separate CMA Dissemination Licence in addition to the business licence; Any activity needing permits under UAE or Abu Dhabi law (e.g. federal media licences/permits under Federal Decree-Law 55/2023); Individuals posting paid or unpaid promotional content: UAE Media Council 'Advertiser Permit'. [3]
  • Restricted activities: Online estate agent (only aggregation of listings by multiple estate agents is acceptable); Online comparison tools for higher-risk products (e.g. medical products, insurance, car loans, mortgages) generally not acceptable; Bringing into the zone goods that infringe IP, goods boycotted by the State, or goods prohibited by UAE/Abu Dhabi law. [1]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Cost - year one

Lowest licence fee (zero-visa)
AED 15,000 ↗
  • Visa fees: CMA freelancer visa cost table, 'Additional Cost (TF54)', AED incl. 5% VAT. Normal: 1-year residency visa 3,433.50; 1-year Emirates ID 189; 2-year residency visa 3,538.50; 2-year Emirates ID 315. Urgent column: 4,641 (1-year visa row) and 4,746 (2-year Emirates ID row). Health insurance from approx. AED 1,200 + AED 315 service charge. [1]
  • Extras included: Access to rebate and incentives programs; Licence and registration fees waived for first 2 years. [2]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Cost - ongoing

  • Renewal costs more than the first-year price: yes. [1]
  • Visa validity: 2 years. [2]
  • Current promotions and expiry: Licence and registration fees waived in full for the first two years for new companies, branches and freelancers (in place since 1 December 2018; no end date published); Freelancer licence: first three activities free as an introductory offer. [1]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: Visa entitlement depends on office type: Co-Lab 1 residency visa; Co-Create 2 residency visas; 'More than 2' visas need Co-Equip (fitted-out office) or Co-Customize (core and shell). No per-sqm rule published. The General Manager must be CMA-sponsored unless a GCC national. [1]
  • How to increase quota and cost: Move to a larger office type: Co-Lab (1 visa) to Co-Create (2 visas) to Co-Equip / Co-Customize (more than 2). Each non-GCC employee needs CMA sponsorship; CMA may require a bank guarantee per non-UAE employee. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [2]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [3]
  • Golden Visa support: tawasol (twofour54) offers assistance with UAE Golden Visa applications for creative professionals. twofour54 has an 'Apply for Golden Visa' form. [3]
  • Typical visa processing time: 10 days. [4]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] twofour54.com · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae, twofour54.com.

Office and facilities

Minimum facility requirement
Flexi-desk ↗
Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office ↗
  • Flexi-desk annual cost: AED 6,000. [1]
  • Flexi-desk access terms: 24/7 access; dedicated desk among 10 workstations, printers, personal lockers, meeting room access, video conferencing, reception, free parking, prayer room. [2]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [3]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Community Hub: Town Hall (up to 120), Screening Room (up to 40), Majlis (up to 20), Media Break Room, 7 Breakout Lounge meeting rooms; Podcast facility (Pod24); Advanced production suites; The Park and The Amphitheatre (outdoor event space); Online booking 24/7. [2]
  1. [1] communityhub.twofour54.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] communityhub.twofour54.com · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae, communityhub.twofour54.com.

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Can open mainland branch: yes. [1]
  • Customs duty in the zone: Imports into the zone are exempt from customs duties; exports from the zone into the Emirate are subject to applicable customs duties. [2]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Zone imports exempt from customs duty (Law 8/2022 Art. 9); exports into Abu Dhabi subject to duty. tawasol provides 'Duty Exemption Letter' and 'Customs Clearance' services. [2]
  1. [1] twofour54.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] abudhabi.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae, twofour54.com, abudhabi.gov.ae.

Tax status

VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list)
No ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from tax.gov.ae.

Compliance and reporting

Annual audited financial statements required by the zone
Yes ↗
Beneficial-owner register filing required
Yes ↗
  • Audit exemption threshold or conditions: Audit exemption if 'small' for the financial year: annual net turnover no more than AED 20 million, balance sheet total no more than AED 10 million, average employees no more than 15, and not part of a group with a public listed company; shareholders holding 20% or more can still require an audit. Dormant companies also exempt. [1]
  • Audit submission deadline: Accounts (and auditor's report where applicable) approved and filed with the Registrar within six months of the financial year end. [2]
  • Substance requirements enforced by zone: Company and branch licensees must keep appropriate premises in the zone (unless waived) and a CMA-sponsored General Manager (unless GCC national). Companies need at least two individual directors and a secretary. [3]
  • Annual return and renewal documents: Annual return to the Registrar by the anniversary of incorporation, in the prescribed form with required documents and fee; Accounts (and auditor's report unless exempt) filed within 6 months of financial year end; Licence renewal application two months before licence expiry; Notify the Registrar of listed changes (directors, secretary, shares, auditor, etc.) within 10 business days. [2]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Banking

Zone offers bank-account facilitation
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Setup process and speed

Typical incorporation time stated by the zone
14 days ↗
Direct application without an agent
Yes ↗
  • Trade name rules: Companies must end in 'Free Zone Limited Liability Company' or 'FZ-LLC'; branches must end in 'CREATIVE Media Zone - Abu Dhabi Branch'. Names must not include Allah/God or divine attributes, offend UAE norms, duplicate a UAE-registered or well-known name, imply government or royal connection, include Abu Dhabi, other emirates, UAE or UAE place names (e.g. Yas), or use an Emirati family or individual name without permission. Applicants must check the National Economic Register. [1]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Moving to larger premises: Co-Lab desk (1 visa) to Co-Create plug-and-play (2 visas) to Co-Equip fitted-out office or Co-Customize core-and-shell (more than 2 visas). No warehouse tier. [1]
  • Adding shareholders: Shareholder changes are handled by CMA as an ongoing service; fee not published. [2]
  • Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [3]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Industry-specific regulation

  • Media content licensing / filming permits: The Creative Media Authority licenses all zone entities. The standard business licence covers media, gaming and e-sports, and broadcast/publishing activities. Broadcasting a TV or radio channel or publishing to the public also needs a CMA Dissemination Licence: TV/radio AED 20,000 per channel, capped at AED 100,000; publishing AED 5,000 per channel, capped at AED 50,000; new and renewal fees are the same. Each Dissemination Activity needs an editor or person with full editorial responsibility: an editor-in-chief under Federal Law 15/1980 for print newspapers and magazines, otherwise a CMA-sponsored individual. Content must follow the CMA Content Code 2016 (10 rules) and federal media content standards under Federal Decree-Law 55/2023. CMA also handles federal media services in Abu Dhabi: filming permits, content approvals, journalist permits and print/distribution permits (fees under Cabinet Resolution 41/2025, penalties under 42/2025). Creators posting promotional content need the UAE Media Council Advertiser Permit, free for the first 3 years. [1]
  1. [1] cma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

  • None

Not offered

Our assessment from the zone's published licence types. Always confirm your exact activity on the zone's official activity list. Official activity list ↗ Licence types the zone publishes: Media, Freelancer.

Verified on 2026-10-24 from cma.gov.ae.

Notes and history

  1. History · 2008-10

    According to a twofour54 press release of October 2018, the media zone was founded in October 2008. [source]

  2. History · 2018-02

    In February 2018 twofour54 announced an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) allowing firms licensed in the zone to apply for a DED branch licence in addition to their free zone licence, without needing a second onshore office. [source]

  3. History · 2018-12

    The Creative Media Authority states that, under a government resolution, licence and registration fees have been waived since December 2018 for new companies and freelancers for their first two years. [source]

  4. Names · 2022-06

    Abu Dhabi Law No. 8 of 2022 (Official Gazette of 30 June 2022) dissolved the Media Zone Authority - Abu Dhabi, set up under Law No. 12 of 2007, and made the Creative Media Authority its legal successor. The same law names the free zone the 'Creative Zone'. [source]

  5. Good to know

    Companies and freelancers in the zone are licensed by the Creative Media Authority; twofour54, which is part of the ADNEC Group, markets the zone and describes it as Abu Dhabi's media free zone regulated by the Creative Media Authority. [source 1][source 2][source 3]

  6. Legal basis

    Under Article 11 of Law No. 8 of 2022, the rules and regulations issued by the Media Zone Authority stay in force until the Creative Media Authority issues replacements, so several of the zone's regulations published by the Creative Media Authority date from 2016. [source 1][source 2]

Verified on 2026-10-24 from twofour54.com, cma.gov.ae, abudhabi.gov.ae.

Questions worth asking

How much does a twofour54 licence cost?

twofour54 publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000. Visa, office and registration costs are extra.

Does twofour54 require a physical office?

The minimum facility twofour54 states is: flexi-desk. Facility types offered: flexi-desk, serviced office, private office.

How long does twofour54 company setup take?

twofour54 states about 14 days for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued.

Can I get a general trading licence in twofour54?

twofour54 does not offer a general trading licence.

Is twofour54 a VAT Designated Zone?

twofour54 does not appear on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones.

What is the minimum share capital in twofour54?

twofour54 states no minimum share capital.

About this data

Every fact comes from twofour54's own channels or a UAE government source, linked next to it. Last checked 2026-10-24. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

Rules for every zone

Explained in the guides on corporate tax, VAT Designated Zones and mainland access.

How we check

Prices are re-checked every 90 days and other facts on a schedule. How we verify →