The A to Z of Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ)
Business Setup in Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ)
Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). ADAC established ADAFZ under the Emirates government’s Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 to make Abu Dhabi a progressive economy.
The aim of establishing ADAFZ was to manage the free zones established at the airports – Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport, and Al Bateen Executive Airport. It intends to provide free zone services such as registration, licensing, and visa processing to the mentioned airports and businesses establishing their base there.
Businesses operating in sectors such as aviation, defense, logistics, freight, trading, marketing, aerospace, airport services, cargo, pharmaceuticals, IT, telecommunication, consultancy, and other related industries benefit from ADAFZ’s services. It has business centers, business parks, and other related features and benefits for the local and international firms in the mentioned sectors.
The jurisdiction of ADAFZ covers these districts:
- Airport City
- Al Falah Free Zone
- Logistics Park
- Destination Village
- Business Park
With its good networking with government companies and public welfare organizations in Abu Dhabi, businesses establishing their base in these free zones can benefit immensely. Specifically, facilities such as warehousing units, commercial offices, office spaces in a fully-serviced business center, land plots, and other relevant amenities keep your business operations running in full force. If you intend to establish your company or open a branch office in ADAFZ, read further to get all the details so that you are ahead of your competitors while benefitting from ADAFZ’s range of services.
Incentives at ADAFZ
The key incentives that attract businesses to ADAFZ are:
- 100% exemption from tax
- No custom duties
- 100% foreign ownership
- Strategic location
- Full capital and profit repatriation
- No currency restrictions
- Faster import and export process due to proximity to airports
- Convenient and faster process of registration and licensing
- Access to world-class facilities
- Independent regulations
ADAFZ Benefits
You should establish your company in ADAFZ because you can enjoy the following benefits:
- You have various options to choose from to establish your firm with additional facilities of establishing commercial offices, land plots, retail licenses, executive offices or desks, and warehousing units
- You get to establish your company in a business center that provides a range of services from different types of offices to various support services that enable you to run your business smoothly
- You also get access to logistics park and business park with state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and proximity to international markets and companies
- The strong partnership with the Customs department of Abu Dhabi enables ADAFZ to facilitate faster clearance of goods that can expedite your business operations
- Due to a strong partnership with the Department of Economic Development (DED), you can get a strong push to drive your company’s business growth, and hence, economic growth of the free zone
- The partnership with the Chamber of Commerce creates new opportunities for your business to explore and contribute
- A close association with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs ensures a smooth and secured registration process for your company’s foreign employees
ADAFZ - Services
ADAFZ provides the following services to businesses establishing their offices there:
- Licensing, including trade licenses, service licenses, light industrial licenses
- Support in obtaining residence permits, health cards, medical reports, visas for families and dependents, etc.
- Company registration
- Visa processing for employees
- Free zone Employee ID cards
- Company/Employee Service letters
- IT and Telecommunication services
- Facility Leasing Management
- Facility Management
Business Setup HQ – a booster to your business establishment and growth. Get in touch for more details.
Facilities available at ADAFZ Business Park
- World Class, congestion-free serviced facilities
- Located within Airport premises
- Fast and efficient cargo clearance services
- On-site customs inspection
- Online customer service
- 24 hours access to all facilities
- Easy access to the airport apron
- Smart business facilitation with advanced ICT solutions
- Accessibility to international freight forwarders & logistics services
- A one-stop-shop solution for all investor-related services
Types of business entities you can form at ADAFZ
A company can easily register itself as any one of the following businesses under ADAFZ:
1. Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) – Corporate
It is a separate legal entity having corporate entities as its shareholders. The authorities demand a minimum capital that varies according to the size of the business and its field of operation.
It is a separate legal entity having corporate entities as its shareholders. The authorities demand a minimum capital that varies according to the size of the business and its field of operation.
2. Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) – Natural
It is a separate legal entity having natural persons as its shareholders. The ADAFZ authorities allow the establishment of a separate limited liability company with a single shareholder called a Free Zone Establishment (FZE).
It is a separate legal entity having natural persons as its shareholders. The ADAFZ authorities allow the establishment of a separate limited liability company with a single shareholder called a Free Zone Establishment (FZE).
3. Branch of a Local or Foreign company
A local firm or a foreign firm can establish its branch office in ADAFZ.
A local firm or a foreign firm can establish its branch office in ADAFZ.
Company formation in Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ)
The ADAFZ Authority makes it a simple and quick process for you to launch a business, whether you are a local or an expat. Based on the type of operation and the license required, the processing and approval period for the business setup can take anywhere from two to three weeks. Below we have mentioned the steps involved in company formation:
1. To get the initial approval, the following documents are required:
- Completed application form with information on business and managers
- Business plan
- Existing trade license/registration certificate copy, if any
- Copies of passport of the company’s shareholder(s) and the appointed manager for the new ADAFZ company
- Two years’ audited financial reports for a corporate entity or a certificate of reference from a personal bank of the individual shareholder
2. After the completion of the initial approval process, the next step requires registration of the business with ADAFZ
- Payment of registration fee of AED5,000.0 or AED7,500.0, together with a license fee ranging from AED15,000.0 to AED50,000.0, depending on whether a service, trade, or manufacturing license is required
- Submission of the completed application for registration
- Notarized and attested Board resolution appointing the Manager
- Notarized and attested Power of Attorney given to the Manager
- Notarized and attested Memorandum & Articles of Association (MAA)
- Notarized and attested Specimen signature of the Manager
- Manager’s passport size photo in white background
3. Licensing and visa process
The last and final step of the process of registration is acquiring the license and starting with the visa process
- Signing the lease agreement
- Issuance of the business license after completion of above step
- Visa processing
Start your business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)
You can enjoy all the benefits, services, and incentives mentioned above if you form a company in ADAFZ. Establish your base in ADAFZ to run your business smoothly and take it on the path of growth. To give you the right guidelines and to answer all your questions on starting a business in ADAFZ, you can contact us – Business Setup HQ.
How can Business Setup HQ help you?
We are a business consultancy firm that can help you make the right decisions related to establishing your company in UAE. We provide all the relevant help including but not limited to finding the right location, deciding the business type, completing the registration and licensing process, and obtaining visas and sponsorships. Not only this, but we also set you up for further growth with other ancillary services that can free you from unnecessary stress and let you focus on core business objectives.
We make it happen for you anywhere and everywhere – the right partner for your business
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Testimonials
What’s Saying Our Valued Customers
When we planned to establish our office in ADAFZ, we were confused and had many queries. Therefore, we consulted Business Setup HQ for assistance in clarifying our doubts. Their expert business consultants and advisors answered every query and helped us at every stage of setting up an office in ADAFZ. Thanks to them, we are operating successfully here for the last two years.
Karleen M 
We are impressed with the professional and expert guidance by the employees of Business Setup HQ for our company formation UAE. They have made our journey so much easier and smoother. We would surely recommend their name to our business associates and friends who are looking to establish their base in a free zone. With their professional approach and commitment to quality, we never faced any problems.
Rick I. 
FAQs: ADAFZ
You can form a business in any of the business activities including Aviation, IT & Telecommunications, Pharmaceuticals, Trading, Consultancy Management, Light Industries, Marketing and Event Management, Aerospace, Airport Services, Defense, Cargo, Logistics, and Freight.
ADAFZ provides completely furnished, well-maintained office spaces along with all the necessary support services. Individuals and groups will find it easy to establish in either of the free zones, thanks to the facilities. It may not be difficult to start a company in the ADAFZ but it would be better if you hire an expert business consultant who will help you with the necessary guidance and support to establish a business in ADAFZ.
Any company intending to set up a base in ADAFZ must produce the following documents at the time of registration:
- Passport copy in color
- Business plan
- Copy of residence visa of UAE and Emirates ID
- Resume
- Utility bill copy
- NOC from existing sponsor
