The Kizad Freezone in Abu Dhabi offers a number of benefits, including tax exemptions, full ownership for foreign investors, and access to world-class infrastructure. Strategically located, the Kizad Freezone, also known as the Khalifa Industrial Zone, provides businesses with easy access to key international markets via air, sea, and land. If you want to establish your business in this free zone, here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up your Kizad Freezone license in Abu Dhabi and utilise the tax services in Abu Dhabi.
Step 1: Select Your Business Activity
The first stage in setting up a Kizad Freezone license is choosing your business activity. Kizad offers various sectors for business operations, including manufacturing, logistics, trading, and service-based industries. It's important to make the right business activity choice by aligning with your goals and the opportunities offered within the free zone.
Step 2: Select the Type of License
Kizad Freezone offers several types of business licenses to cater to different needs. You’ll need to choose the appropriate license for your business. The options include:
Trading License: For those companies that import, export, and distribute goods.
Industrial License: For companies that manufacture, assemble, and process.
Service License: This is for companies that provide consulting, legal, or IT services.
General Trading License: A license that allows businesses to engage in a wide range of activities, including the import and export of various products.
Step 3: Register Your Business Name
Once you have made your decision concerning the business activity and license, you need to register your name. Kizad Freezone has a system of name approvals to ensure the uniqueness of names and conformity to the zone's naming conventions.
Select a name that does not exist for any other business in the free zone. Moreover, avoid the use of words or phrases that could be offensive or inappropriate. A professional and clear business name will start building the reputation of your company from day one.
Step 4: Present All Necessary Documents
The last step in obtaining your Kizad Freezone license is to submit documents. The required documents vary based on the license type and the nature of the business activity; however, there are a few standard ones. These include the following:
An application form is fully filled
Passport copy along with visa details
Proof of address for all the owners and shareholders of the business
A business plan detailing your company's operations and financial projections
A no-objection certificate (if applicable)
A bank reference letter
Step 5: Lease Office Space or Warehouse
Kizad Freezone mandates that a business has a physical presence in the zone. Depending on your business type, you will have to lease office space or a warehouse within the free zone. The size and type of space you need will depend on your business's activities.
Kizad offers flexible office and warehouse solutions ranging from small offices to large-scale manufacturing facilities. Once you've selected the appropriate space, you can go ahead and sign a lease agreement.
Step 6: Application and Payment of Fees
After gathering all the necessary documentation and securing your office or warehouse space, you can submit your application for approval. The Kizad authorities will review your application, verify the information, and ensure that all requirements are met.
Once your application is approved, you will have to pay the applicable fees. Such fees are varied and depend on the type of license, office space, and the scope of your business activities. The general fees include registration fees, license issuance fees, and rent for office or warehouse space.
Step 7: Receive Your Kizad Freezone License
After completing the procedures above and having made all payments, Kizad will then issue your business license. This will enable you to operate legally in the Kizad Freezone and enjoy several incentives, among them a tax exemption, full foreign ownership, and streamlined business operation.
Step 8: Establish Tax Services and Accounting
Once your Kizad Freezone license is issued, it's time to set up your tax services and accounting processes. Dubai and the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, have specific tax regulations that businesses must comply with, including VAT registration, corporate tax, and other relevant tax laws.
It's highly advisable to work with tax services in Abu Dhabi to ensure your business complies with all local regulations and tax requirements.
Conclusion
Setting up a business in the Kizad Freezone in Abu Dhabi provides access to a diverse portfolio of benefits, such as exemption from taxes and strategic positioning before global markets. The guide on obtaining a Kizad Freezone license is provided as follows: Work with professionals for tax services in Abu Dhabi to ensure compliance with local jurisdictions. Once you are set up, your business will be ready to take off in one of the most competitive and dynamic markets in the region.
Free Bird specialises in Kizad Freezone setup and tax services for businesses in Abu Dhabi. Our experts will guide you through the process, ensuring your business is compliant, efficient, and ready for growth.