CREATIVE ZONE
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Applicable To All New Businesses And Freelancers In Abu Dhabi
REGISTRATION AND LICENSE FEES WAIVED
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
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.
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.
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.
The regulatory framework also provides the following guidance and criteria:
Guidance Notes: Content Code 2016:
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
Declaration - Ultimate Beneficial Ownership form can be accessed from here
You can download PDF copies of the Creative Zone – Abu Dhabi forms:
- CR 11.1 (A): Amendment of Articles
- CR 11.1 (B): Change of Registered Address
- CR 11.1 (C): Change of Name
- CR 11.1 (D): Change of Director
- CR 11.1 (E): Change of Secretary
- CR 11.1 (F): Proposed Issue or Transfer of Shares to a New Shareholder
- CR 11.1 (G): Notification of Issue of Shares
- CR 11.1 (H): Notification of Transfer of Shares
- CR 57: Filing of Accounts
- CR 61: Commencement of a Shareholders’ Voluntary Liquidation
- CR 58: Application For Extension Of Time For Filing Accounts
- CR 63: Completion of a Shareholders Voluntary Liquidation
- CR 75.1: Application to Enter Dormancy
- CR 77: Closing a Branch
- LR 7C: Business License Renewal
- LR 7A: Sole Proprietor Business License Renewal
- LR 8: Variation of Business License
- LR 7B: Business License Renewal Form – Branch
- LR 5A: Application for a Sole Proprietor Business License
- LR 8A: Variation of Sole Proprietor Business License
- LR 9A: Proposed Change of General Manager
- LR 9B: Notification of Change of General Manager
- DL 2: Application For A Dissemination License
- DL 4: Dissemination License Renewal
- DL 5: Variation Of Dissemination License
- LR 5B Application For A Sole Proprietor Business License (Reactivation)
- LR 15: Application To Terminate Sole Proprietor Business License
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) |
(waived in full) |
- |
| Establishment (Branch) |
(waived in full) |
- |
| Business License |
(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 |
(waived in full) |
3,500 for 3 activities (first renewal waived in full)* |
| Sole Proprietor License (freelancer) Six months |
(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) | ||