MCP

Abu Dhabi · Masdar City Free Zone (MCFZ) · all zones

Masdar City Free Zone

A sustainable urban development and free zone focused on renewable energy, clean technology, and innovation, offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% import tariffs, and a business-friendly ecosystem with over 1,000 approved activities.

remote setup official price list 0% tax possible as QFZP tier 2 since 2009 FZ-LLCBranch (Foreign)Branch (UAE)
Compare package prices masdarcityfreezone.com
Licence-only total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
One-visa total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
Minimum share capital
not yet confirmed
No
Typical days to licence
not yet confirmed
unproven or unpublished

Packages, as published

Official rows come from the authority's own list. A row marked agent comes from a reseller because the authority does not publish that package, and it can contain a margin.

PackageLicenceVisasWorkspaceSetupRenewalKindSource
Start-LiteAnnual Licensing Fee, no registration fee Start-Lite n/a none not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official masdarcity.ae
Business PackageLowest license fee (14,000) + one-time registration (3,000); lease from 10,000 extra Business n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Start-up PackageLowest license fee (10,000) + registration (3,000); lease from 6,000 extra Start-up n/a virtual not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Women Entrepreneurship PackageLowest license fee (6,000) + registration (3,000); lease from 6,000 extra Women Entrepreneurship n/a virtual not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Space Zone PackageLowest license fee (6,000) + registration (3,000); lease from 10,000 extra; visa quota depends on lease Space Zone n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
StartupLicence and registration only, agent quoted price Startup n/a none not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent dxbstart.com
InnovationYear one includes one-time fee 4,200; annual fee 12,000 Innovation n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent dxbstart.com
Business OneAll-inclusive package (licence, 1 visa, flexi desk lite, establishment card, eChannels, medical, Emirates ID) Business One n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent dxbstart.com
EnterpriseYear one includes one-time fee 4,200; annual fee 27,000 Enterprise n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent dxbstart.com
Zero-Visa Startup PackageStarts from amount not yet confirmed, 1-year license Zero-Visa Startup n/a none not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent masdarcityinnovationzone.com
Business One 1 YearStarts from amount not yet confirmed, 1-year license, 1 visa Business One n/a not stated not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent masdarcityinnovationzone.com
Business One 2 Years2-year license package, 1 visa, total amount not yet confirmed Business One n/a not stated not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent masdarcityinnovationzone.com
Promotions the authority advertises
  • Start Lite package from amount not yet confirmed (zero-visa) reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM) on 2026-10-20 wam.ae
  • Multi-year discount up to 30% off for a 4-year license masdarcityinnovationzone.com

Fees, line by line

The figures our sum is built from. Only a proven fee is shown; the rest read not yet confirmed, and a reseller-only figure says so on its line.

Registrationnot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Licencenot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Establishment cardnot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Immigration cardnot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Residence visa, per personnot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Medical and Emirates ID, per personnot yet confirmedmasdarcity.ae
Minimum share capitalnot yet confirmednot paid upmasdarcity.ae
eChannels Registration (one-time)not yet confirmedmasdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
eChannels Annual Renewalnot yet confirmedmasdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Employment Visa Deposit (refundable)not yet confirmedmasdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Entry Permit (in-country)not yet confirmedmasdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Change of Status / Residency Stamping (inside UAE)not yet confirmedmasdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
Medical Insurance (basic, per person/year)not yet confirmedmasdarcityinnovationzone.com
VIP Medical Service (per person)not yet confirmedmasdarcityinnovationzone.com
Additional visa cost (agent quoted)not yet confirmedsijil.ae
Flexi Desk Lite (agent quoted, 1 visa allocation)not yet confirmedmsmetools.com
Workspace
Virtual Desknot yet confirmedMasdar City · counts for the visa quota · source
Flexi Desknot yet confirmedMasdar City · counts for the visa quota · source
What a missing number means

The line stays visible and reads not yet confirmed. A figure the research records but the verification pass has not proven is never shown, and never becomes a zero.

Company and licence types

Company types
  • Free Zone Limited Liability Company
    Not specified in provided sources
  • Branch of a Foreign Company
    Parent company (foreign)
  • Branch of a UAE Company
    Parent company (UAE)
Licence types
  • Renewable Energy License
    Renewable energy activities
  • Property Development License
    Property development services
  • Regional HQ License
    Regional headquarters operations
  • Trading License
    Trading activities
  • Holding Company License
    Holding company activities

How the authority processes it

Each step names who holds it. Days are the authority's published figure or a gap.

  • step 1 · days gap
    Initial application and name reservationApplicant via e-services portal
  • step 2 · days gap
    Submission of detailed information and documents, review, and issuance of legal documentationApplicant and MCFZ
  • step 3 · days gap
    Signing legal documentation, finalizing lease and payments, license issuanceApplicant (visit or courier) and MCFZ
The authority's portal
Namee-services portal
Who filespublic
Fully onlineYes
E-signaturenot stated
API or integrationNot mentioned
Partner programmenot stated
Selling to the UAE mainland

Not allowed without separate written authorization from MCFZ; free zone license alone does not permit mainland business.

Corporate tax

As a UAE free zone, entities may be eligible for 0% corporate tax on qualifying income if they meet the conditions of a Qualifying Free Zone Person under UAE corporate tax law.

Documents the authority asks for

Individual shareholder
  • Passport copies
  • Application forms
  • Business activity details
Corporate shareholder
  • Legal incorporation documents
  • Passport copies of managers/directors
  • Application forms
  • Business activity details

After the licence

Financial year, audit, corporate tax, VAT, UBO and renewal, as the authority states them.

Financial year
RuleFirst financial year can be between 6 and 18 months from incorporation date. Company can choose its financial year end. Subsequent years are 12 months.source
First period, maximum monthsnot yet confirmedsource
Can choose the year endYessource
Audit and financial statements
Audited accounts requiredYessource
Who mustAll companies licensed in Masdar City Free Zonesource
Submission deadlineWithin 90 to 120 days after the financial year end, and before licence renewalWithin 90 to 120 days after the financial year end, and before licence renewalsource
Approved auditor listYessource
Fee or penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
NotesPenalty of amount not yet confirmed per month for late submission. Auditor must be accepted by the free zone authority.source
VAT
Mandatory threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Voluntary threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Designated zoneNosource
NotesMasdar City Free Zone is not a designated zone for VAT. Normal UAE VAT rules apply, 5% standard rate.source
Corporate tax
Registration deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
QFZP conditionsTo be a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) and benefit from 0% CT on qualifying income, the company must: be a Free Zone Person, maintain audited financial statements, derive qualifying income from core activities in the free zone, meet de minimis requirements, and not elect to be subject to regular CT. Non-qualifying income taxed at 9%.source
Return deadlineWithin 9 months of the end of the tax periodWithin 9 months of the end of the tax periodsource
Late registration penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
UBO, ESR and AML
UBO register requirednot yet confirmedsource
Where the UBO register is filednot yet confirmedsource
ESR statusNot specified in sources; ESR likely applies if conducting relevant activities.source
AML / goAML registrationnot yet confirmedsource
Licence renewal
WhenAnnually. Application must be made no later than 3 months prior to the end of the current term.Annually. Application must be made no later than 3 months prior to the end of the current term.source
RequirementsPayment of renewal fees; Submission of audited financial statements; No outstanding fines or feessource
Late penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Banking
Banks commonly usednot yet confirmedsource
Typical account opening daysnot yet confirmedsource
Minimum balance (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Pain pointsnot yet confirmedsource
Accounting records
RequiredYessource
Retention yearsnot yet confirmedsource
StandardIFRSsource
Annual obligations
File annual return with RegistrarAnnualBefore end of March each yearsource
Submit audited financial statementsAnnualWithin 90-120 days after financial year end, before licence renewalsource
File corporate tax return and pay taxAnnualWithin 9 months of financial year endsource
File VAT returnsAnnualQuarterly (or as required), within 28 days of period endsource
Renew trade licenceAnnualAnnually, apply at least 3 months before expirysource
Maintain accounting recordsAnnualOngoingsource
Closing the company
ProcessNot specified in sourcessource
Cost (AED)not yet confirmedsource

How we file it

Internal view of the authority's channels and screens. It is what a filing integration has to work against, not a promise that the filing is live. integration source

Application channels
Online e-services portalhttps://masdarcityfreezone.comwho can use: Applicants (business owners or their representatives)login: Requires account creation on the portalInitial name reservation payment of amount not yet confirmed is made online. Portal also used for document submission and status tracking. masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.netsource
Channel Partner Portalhttps://masdarcity.my.site.com/ChannelPartner/s/RegistrationFormwho can use: Registered channel partnerslogin: Partner registration requiredRegistration form for partners; details limited due to page error. masdarcity.my.site.comsource
Agent or partner programme
Existsyes
NameChannel Partner
Feesnot yet confirmed
Commission or discountnot stated
How to applyFill registration form at https://masdarcity.my.site.com/ChannelPartner/s/RegistrationForm
Contactnot stated
Requirementsnot stated
Screens inside the portal
  • step 1
    Initial application and name reservationApplicantinputs: Company name, Basic information
  • step 2
    Detailed submission of information and documentsApplicantinputs: Detailed company and shareholder informationuploads: Passport copies, Residence proof, CV, Business plan, MOA/AOA if corporate shareholder, NOC if UAE resident, UBO declaration, KYC forms, Specimen signatures, Board resolution if applicable, Certificate of incorporation if corporate
  • step 3
    Signing and lease finalizationApplicant (in person at One Stop Shop or via courier)inputs: Signed legal documents, Lease agreement
Formats, signatures, payment
Document formatsnot stated
Signatures and identityLegal documents must be signed physically at the One Stop Shop or via courier; no mention of digital signatures. Identity verification through passport copies, KYC, and UBO declaration. masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net corpbiz.io
PaymentInitial name reservation fee of amount not yet confirmed paid online. Subsequent fees (license, lease, visa) payable via portal or at One Stop Shop. Payment methods: card, online transfer. Payer verification may be required. masdar.ae masdarcityinnovationzone.com
Status trackingEmail notifications sent at each step. Final license and certificate accessible on e-services platform. masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net
API or bulk filingnot stated
After the licence, onlineAccess to license and certificate of registration; Visa application processing (implied by e-services portal)

Automation risks

  • Terms prohibit scraping and unauthorized access
  • Automated submissions may be blocked
  • Payment verification may require manual intervention
  • Portal may have CAPTCHA or rate limiting (not confirmed)

Terms: Prohibited actions include: 'scrape or reproduce portal content', 'attempt unauthorised access', 'share credentials with unauthorised persons', 'use the system for fraudulent or unlawful purposes'. masdarcityinnovationzone.com

Open integration gaps

  • Document file formats not specified
  • API or bulk submission not mentioned
  • Channel Partner program details (requirements, fees, commission) not available
  • Digital signature capability not confirmed
  • Specific login/registration process for portal not detailed
  • Post-licence services beyond license access and visa not explicitly listed

What we still do not know about Masdar City Free Zone

The research names its own holes. They stay on the page until a source fills them.

Prices

  • Official Start-Lite package (masdarcity.ae) shows 1 visa eligibility and amount not yet confirmed, while WAM article mentions Start Lite from amount not yet confirmed with zero-visa quota, possible promotion or outdated info.
  • Official PDF (2023) lists different packages (Business, Start-up, Women Entrepreneurship, Space Zone) with registration fees and higher license fees, conflicting with the simpler Start-Lite on the website.
  • Start-Lite package details: 'Number of Business Activities * 1 | 2' ambiguous, could be 1 or 2 activities.
  • Renewal fee for Start-Lite not explicitly stated; assumed same as annual licensing fee (amount not yet confirmed).
  • Official eChannels renewal fee is amount not yet confirmed in PDF, but some agents quote amount not yet confirmed (possible typo).
  • Flexi Desk Lite pricing not found in official sources; only agent quotes (amount not yet confirmed/year).
  • Share capital requirement not mentioned in official sources; agent claims no paid-up capital required.
  • Visa eligibility for Start-Lite without lease is stated but not confirmed if any hidden workspace requirement exists for visa processing.
  • Medical insurance and VIP medical service prices are from agent site, not official tariff.

Structure and process

  • Bank account opening process not mentioned
  • Renewal fees and compliance requirements not detailed
  • Specific license fees beyond name reservation not provided
  • Activity mixing rules not specified
  • Exact number of shareholders for FZ-LLC not given
  • Corporate tax qualifying conditions not detailed
  • Portal URL not provided
  • Agent/partner program details not available
  • Activities per license not specified (package offers up to 5, but general rule unknown)

Compliance

  • Licence renewal fees not specified
  • Annual return filing fee not specified
  • Corporate tax registration deadline not explicitly stated
  • Late registration penalty for corporate tax not found
  • UBO register requirement and filing location not mentioned
  • ESR applicability details not provided
  • AML/GoAML registration not mentioned
  • Visa and labour obligations not covered
  • Banking information not available
  • Deregistration process and cost not specified
  • Exact audit submission deadline (90 vs 120 days) not clarified; depends on free zone
  • Approved auditor list not provided, only mentioned as required

Sources

Everything above was read from these pages. The read date is on each line.

MASDAR CITYhttps://masdar.ae/-/media/corporate/downloads/media/2022/masdar_city_factsheet_en-2022_v3.pdfread 2026-10-20
BUSINESS LICENSING REGULATIONShttps://masdarcity.ae/docs/default-source/regulations/businesslicensingregulations.pdf?sfvrsn=37336f8d_7read 2026-10-20
JOIN THE MASDAR CITY FREE ZONEhttps://masdarcity.ae/free-zone-and-leasing/start-lite-packageread 2026-10-20
Business Licensing Regulations_2026 (exc. revision history)https://masdarcityfreezone.com/docs/default-source/regulatory-framework/business-licensing-regulations_2026-(exc.-revision-history)/business-licensing-regulations_2026-(exc-revision-history).pdf?sfvrsn=b175ef7a_7read 2026-10-20
MASDAR CITYhttps://masdarcityhtml.azurewebsites.net/assets/documents/MASDAR-CITY-FACTSHEET-EN-2023.pdfread 2026-10-20
Masdar Free Zone Abu Dhabi 2026: Costs, Licences & Visas | MSMETOOLShttps://msmetools.com/ae/business/masdar-free-zoneread 2026-10-20
Masdar City License Cost, From amount not yet confirmed (2026) | Sijilhttps://sijil.ae/en/zones/masdar-cityread 2026-10-20
Masdar City Free Zone Licence Cost 2026: From amount not yet confirmed | DXBStarthttps://www.dxbstart.com/licensing/masdar-cityread 2026-10-20
Free Zone Business Setup Packages | Masdar City Innovation Zonehttps://www.masdarcityinnovationzone.com/pricingread 2026-10-20