# 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. - Emirate: Abu Dhabi - Licensing authority: Creative Media Authority (CMA), Abu Dhabi - Official website: https://www.twofour54.com/en/ - Last checked: 2026-10-24 - Page: https://freezoneguide.com/uae/abu-dhabi/twofour54 ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Solo, no visa (year 1): one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity | Not published | | Founder + 1 visa (year 1): one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office | Not published | | Team, 3 visas (year 1): three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office | Not published | | Lowest package of any size, without stated conditions (year 1) | Not published | | Lowest licence fee | AED 15,000 | | Largest visa quota in a package | Not published | | Minimum office | Flexi-desk | | Licence types | Media, Freelancer | | Minimum share capital | None | | Incorporation time (stated) | 14 days | | On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | No | ## Packages | Package | Year 1 | Renewal | Visa quota | Office | Includes | Excludes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | New FZ LLC business Licence Package | — | AED 12,500 | — | — | 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 | Office/premises (mandatory; Co-Lab, Co-Create, Co-Equip or Co-Customize via twofour54); Visa, Emirates ID, health insurance and immigration costs; Additional activities above 5 at AED 1,000 each | | New Branch Business Licence Packages | — | — | — | — | 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 | Office/premises; Visa and immigration costs | | Freelance Package ( 12 months) | — | — | — | No office | 2 years waived Licence fees (list price AED 4,500 for 3 activities); Complete process online; Flexibility to work as an independent contractor | CMA-sponsored residency visa (mandatory except GCC nationals): 1-year visa AED 3,433.50 + Emirates ID AED 189 (normal processing, incl. 5% VAT); Health insurance (from approx. AED 1,200 + AED 315 service charge); Extra activities above 3 at AED 1,000 each | | Freelance Package ( 6 months) | — | AED 1,750 | — | No office | 2 years waived licence fees (list price AED 2,250 for 3 activities); Complete process online; Flexibility to work as an independent contractor | CMA-sponsored residency visa, Emirates ID and health insurance; Extra activities above 3 at AED 1,000 each | ## 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: https://www.twofour54.com/en/ - Online application portal: https://www.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] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.twofour54.com/en/yas-creative-hub/) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) ## Business activities - Official approved activity list: https://www.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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) · [3] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/95af9304-b8bc-4055-9daf-3b1b41860385.pdf?v=1) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/freelance-package) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/freelance-package) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/2ee7a992-aefb-45f3-acb0-1c96e5f5c7b0.pdf?v=1) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.twofour54.com/en/tawasol/) · [4] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/freelance-package) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Calculated from the zone's figures (opened 2026-10-24)](https://communityhub.twofour54.com/?p=197) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://communityhub.twofour54.com/?p=197) · [3] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/95af9304-b8bc-4055-9daf-3b1b41860385.pdf?v=1) ## Legal structure and ownership - Entity types available: FZ-LLC, Branch of a foreign company, Branch of a UAE company, Freelancer permit - Legal system: UAE civil law - Minimum share capital: AED 0 Minimum shareholders: 1. [1] Corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [1] Share capital must be paid in: yes. [2] UAE-resident manager required: yes. [3] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/6fc3a66c-45da-4225-b701-1c2609d354e0.pdf?v=1) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) · [3] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/95af9304-b8bc-4055-9daf-3b1b41860385.pdf?v=1) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.twofour54.com/en/news-and-updates/press-releases/twofour54-onshore-licence-connects-firms-with-government-projects/) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.abudhabi.gov.ae/-/media/sites/adgov/gazettes/2022/en/6-th-edition-english-2022.ashx) ## Tax status - VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list): No ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/8c400775-a14a-434d-a42a-723739ca71e3.pdf?v=1) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/6fc3a66c-45da-4225-b701-1c2609d354e0.pdf?v=1) · [3] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/95af9304-b8bc-4055-9daf-3b1b41860385.pdf?v=1) ## Banking - Zone offers bank-account facilitation: Yes ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/a7bf3740-d900-4d53-9277-bad31b5dd073.pdf?v=1) ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/business-package) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) · [3] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/6fc3a66c-45da-4225-b701-1c2609d354e0.pdf?v=1) ## Freelancer and solo founder - Freelancer permit available: Yes ## 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] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) ## Notes and history - **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](https://www.abudhabi.gov.ae/-/media/sites/adgov/gazettes/2022/en/6-th-edition-english-2022.ashx) - **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](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) [source](https://www.twofour54.com/en/business-setup/) [source](https://www.twofour54.com/en/) - **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](https://www.abudhabi.gov.ae/-/media/sites/adgov/gazettes/2022/en/6-th-edition-english-2022.ashx) [source](https://www.cma.gov.ae/storage/regulationMedias/2ee7a992-aefb-45f3-acb0-1c96e5f5c7b0.pdf?v=1) - **History (2008-10):** According to a twofour54 press release of October 2018, the media zone was founded in October 2008. [source](https://www.twofour54.com/en/news-and-updates/press-releases/twofour54-marks-10-years-of-building-a-thriving-and-sustainable-media-industry-in-abu-dhabi/) - **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](https://www.twofour54.com/en/news-and-updates/press-releases/twofour54-onshore-licence-connects-firms-with-government-projects/) - **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](https://www.cma.gov.ae/regulation-license) ## FAQ ### 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. ## Compare with - [twofour54 vs MCFZ](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=masdar-city&z=twofour54) - [twofour54 vs ADAFZ](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=adafz&z=twofour54) - [twofour54 vs KEZAD](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=kezad&z=twofour54) Rules that apply to every zone: [corporate tax](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/qualifying-free-zone-person-corporate-tax.md), [VAT Designated Zones](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/vat-designated-zones.md), [mainland access](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/free-zone-vs-mainland.md) --- 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. --- Source: FreezoneGuide (https://freezoneguide.com/). AED, as published by each zone on its official channels. 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.