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CREATIVE ZONE

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Applicable To All New Businesses And Freelancers In Abu Dhabi

REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEES WAIVED

Creative Media Authority

In support of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Government resolution aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of business environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Creative Media Authority (CMA) confirms that it will continue to waive the licensing and registration fees to new companies and new freelancers for their first two years from registration.

In addition, free zone registered companies can apply for an additional branch licence from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (‘DED’), without the need to have a second additional onshore office or premises. The licence, often referred to as an ‘onshore’ licence, helps businesses carry out commercial activities more freely and take part in tenders for government and semi-government entities. When you apply for the DED onshore licence, the licensing fees by Abu Dhabi government are also waived for the first two years from the licence date.

These initiatives ensure that creative companies will have access to more business opportunities at a lower cost.

Regulatory Guidance Notes

Creative Media Authority

Important information for Licensees on the Economic Substance Regulations

The Economic Substance Regulations (“ESR”) (Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2020) aim to ensure that businesses which perform so-called geographically mobile activities have economic substance in the jurisdiction where its income is being reported. This means that businesses will need to demonstrate that the income generated (and profits reported) in the UAE adequately correspond with the economic activities actually undertaken in the UAE (“Economic Substance”).

The first year of reporting under the ESR is 2019 and all UAE based companies, branches and other commercial license holders, including those in the Creative Zone, must report under these regulations.

Please download the Guidance for further important information.

Download Guidance

Important Regulatory Guidance Note for Licensees on Anti-Money Laundering – Update (May 2021)

The Federal Laws on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism ( Federal Law 20 of 2018 and Cabinet Decision 10 of 2019, including the new Cabinet Decision No. (58) of 2020 and the new Cabinet Resolution No. (53) of 2021 (the “AML Laws”)) , requires each relevant free zone Regulatory Authority in the UAE to obtain and maintain up-to-date records of the ultimate beneficial owners of entities registered in their free zone. The Creative Zone - Abu Dhabi requires all applicable licensees to disclose information in respect of their ultimate beneficial owners.

Creative Zone - Abu Dhabi has always collected ultimate beneficial ownership (“UBO”) information as part of the onboarding process for new companies. The AML Laws and Decision require MZA to ensure that the UBO information we have on record is up-to-date at all times during the life cycle of the entity. In addition, the AML Laws and Decision require that all entities (FZ LLCs and Branches) registered in the Free Zones maintain their own records of their beneficial owners in their own register.

Download Guidance
Please read the Guidance Note carefully to understand how this applies to your entity.
regulations-image

Regulations

The Creative Media Authority will continue to strive to ensure that a vibrant and successful creative media industry develops in Abu Dhabi and the region. As part of this goal, the Creative Media Authority maintains a legal and regulatory framework of regulations, codes, policies & procedures and guidance notes which apply to all entities and individuals working within the Creative Zone Abu Dhabi. The legal and regulatory framework in the Creative Zone reflects best industry practice both locally and internationally and supports the growth of the Creative Zone.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

The regulatory framework also provides the following guidance and criteria:

Guidance Notes: Content Code 2016:

Creative Media Authority

Licencing

The Creative Media Authority is responsible for managing all entities (FZ-LLC and branches) and sole proprietors (freelancers) in the Creative Zone. The Authority provides the following licencing services to potential and existing companies and individuals in the Creative Zone:

  • Incorporating and registering FZ-LLCs and branches;
  • Licencing and renewal of FZ-LLCs, branches and freelancers;
  • Providing ongoing services such as facilitating changes to shareholders, directors and general managers and issuing certified copies, extracts of the Authority’s register and certificates of good standing; and
  • Dissolving FZ-LLCs and closing branches.

As part of a Government resolution, the Creative Media Authority is waiving the licencing and registration fees, starting December 2018, to new partners and freelancers for their first two years.

There are three ways to set up in the Creative Zone each with a simple and clear process for setting up:

  • Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC): incorporation of a legal entity in the Creative Zone;
  • Branch: establishment of a branch in the Creative Zone that is a legally dependent part of its principal company, a company which is incorporated in another jurisdiction (UAE or foreign); or
  • Sole Proprietor (Freelancer): licencing of an individual to work in his/her personal capacity from the Creative Zone as a Creative professional.

Please contact our regulatory team who can assist you with all of your ongoing requirements by clicking the link CMA Case

Or call us on +971 2 401 2454

A list of business license activities can be found here

A list of freelancer license activities can be found here

Our mission is to provide a fully integrated and supportive ecosystem to enable Abu Dhabi’s media and entertainment industry to grow sustainably.

As part of a recent government resolution, the Creative Zone – Abu Dhabi is waiving the licensing and registration fees to new partners and freelancers for their first two years, effective 1st December 2018.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Regulatory Team by clicking the link CMA Case (formstack.io)

Services Creative Media Authority Fee in AED
Company Incorporation/Branch Establishment New Renewal
Registration (FZ-LLC) 3,500
(waived in full) 		-
Establishment (Branch) 3,500
(waived in full) 		-
Business License 15,000 for 5 activities
(waived in full) 		12,500 for 5 activities
(first renewal waived in full)*
Additional activity to license 1,000 per activity* 1,000 per activity*
*(If more than 5 activities)
Sole Proprietor License New Renewal
Sole Proprietor License (freelancer)
One year		 4,500 for 3 activities
(waived in full) 		3,500 for 3 activities
(first renewal waived in full)*
Sole Proprietor License (freelancer)
Six months		 2,250 for 3 activities
(waived in full) 		1,750 for 3 activities (first renewal waived in full)*
Additional activity to license 1,000 per activity 1,000 per activity
(If more than 3 activities)
Dissemination Licenses New Renewal
Broadcast (TV & Radio) 20,000 20,000
Price per channel (capped at AED 100,000)
Publishing e.g. Books (non – Advertising funded) 5,000 5,000
Price per title (capped at AED 50,000)
Publishing e.g. Magazines/Newspapers (Advertising funded) 5,000 5,000
Price per title (capped at AED 50,000)