Abu Dhabi · Free zone
Masdar City Free Zone: what it is good for, and what it is not
The free zone in Abu Dhabi's sustainability district, with a broad activity list and cost-conscious packages.
At a glance
Masdar City Free Zone in summary
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Masdar City Free Zone |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Market access | Free zone and international; mainland sales through a distributor, branch or permit |
| Premises | Flexi-desk, offices and light-industrial units in Masdar City |
| Audit | Confirm the current renewal requirement with the authority |
| Best for | Clean-technology, consulting and technology companies, and SMEs wanting an Abu Dhabi free zone address |
Published fees
Activities: Packages include a set number of activities (1-6 by package); extra activities cost AED 2,500 each (general) or AED 5,000 each (special). Note: Rates inclusive of 5% VAT except lease; licence and lease figures are 'starting from'.
Visas: Per visa: 2-year employment visa package AED 3,050 plus medical AED 350, Emirates ID AED 450, refundable AED 2,500 deposit.
Authority fees, as published
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional fee for general activityper activity; special activity AED 5,000/activity | 2,500 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Business package licence feestarting from; up to 6 activities; lease from AED 10,000 | 14,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Flexi desk (per year)excl 5% VAT; refundable deposit equal to 2 months rent | 10,000 | OnceFlexi | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Name reservation initial online paymentAED 1,000 added for special names | 2,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| One time registration feeapplies to all packages | 3,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Space Zone package licence feestarting from; 1 activity | 6,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Start-up package licence feestarting from; up to 5 activities; lease from AED 6,000; 2 visas | 10,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Startup package (startup.masdarcityfreezone.com)from AED 7,000 with 2 business activities included | 7,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Virtual desk (per year)excluding 5% VAT | 6,000 | OnceFlexi | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Women Entrepreneurship package licence feestarting from; up to 5 activities; 1 visa | 6,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Government fees for residence visas
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| eChannels Registrationone-time; annual renewal figure on page looks like a typo | 2,500 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates IDvalid 2 years | 450 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID renewal for residents, per year of residencePlus AED100 Smart Application Fees; service 377-004-001-009; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID Smart Service Fees (new issuance, residents)Fixed per application; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID urgent service fee (ICP centres only)Optional fast-track, in-person only; ICP Emirates ID | 150 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Employment Visa Deposit (refundable)per employee; released after visa cancellation | 2,500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Employment Visa Package (2-year visa)excludes medical fitness test and Emirates ID | 3,050 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| GDRFA golden residence permit issuance, investors (10-yr)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; Golden Visa route | 1,100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP entry visa for employment to obtain Green ResidencePlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP golden residence issuance (10-yr), per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; Golden Visa route | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit application feeService 377-006-003-000; federal/ICP system (emirates other than Dubai); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit issuance fee, per yearAED100 per year of validity (2-yr visa = AED200); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit renewal fee, per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; service 377-006-003-003; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP smart service feeListed as 'Smart Service Fees' on residence issuance; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP status adjustment (change of status)Listed as 'Status Adjustment - 500 AED'; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Immigration Establishment Cardone-time fee | 1,500 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| In-country entry permitif applicable | 800 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Local amendment / change of statusif applicable | 900 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Medicalone-time fee | 350 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness with vaccination (Category B)AED250 + AED50 Hepatitis B vaccination + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 310 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, female cat. with pregnancy test (C)AED250 + AED50 vaccination + AED50 pregnancy test + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 360 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, workers/employees (Category A)AED250 service + AED10 printing; emirates other than Dubai/Abu Dhabi; medical fitness | 260 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New Emirates ID for residents, per year of residence1yr=100, 2yr=200, 3yr=300; 5/10-yr cards follow same per-year rate; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Every figure above comes from the authority’s own fee page or schedule, with the link beside it and was last checked on 17 October 2026. Fees change, some exclude VAT, and the list is not everything a setup costs: our professional fee, office rent, document attestation and bank requirements are quoted separately. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
What happens after formation
Corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, VAT if you cross the threshold, and — in many zones — audited financial statements at renewal. We set the dates out before you launch rather than after.
Package contents, visa quotas, activity lists and audit requirements are set by each authority and change. Every figure is confirmed against the authority’s current terms at the time we advise you.
Next step
Thinking about Masdar City Free Zone?
A short call, a written comparison, and fixed fees before anything starts.
Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 GST. Messages outside those hours are answered the next working morning. WhatsApp +971 55 786 7621.