Industrial Licence
The core ICAD licence for manufacturing, processing and assembly. Tied to a land plot in your cluster.
ManufacturingProduction
ICAD Abu Dhabi Company Formation
The Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, five clusters in MusaffahICAD is Abu Dhabi's flagship industrial free zone in Musaffah, now under KEZAD. Its five clusters group industries by type, from heavy metals to high-tech, with 100% ownership.
Excellent
Abu Dhabi's flagship industrial zone
Five clusters across 40 km²
In Musaffah, now under KEZAD
355+ companies, 30,000+ workers
100% ownership, tax and duty free
Excellent
ICAD Abu Dhabi
What is ICAD Abu Dhabi?
ICAD is the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, the emirate's largest purpose-built industrial free zone. It sits in Musaffah, about 20 km from Abu Dhabi city on the E11. It spans 40 square kilometres and hosts 355+ companies.
ICAD was built by ZonesCorp, founded in 2004. Since the 2022 merger that formed KEZAD Group, ICAD now sits under the KEZAD umbrella, run under AD Ports Group. It remains an official Abu Dhabi free zone under ADDED.
What makes ICAD different is its structure. It is split into five clusters, ICAD I to V, each built for a type of industry. Choosing the right cluster is the first real decision, and it shapes your plot, neighbours and utilities.
Business Benefits
Why set up your business in ICAD?
ICAD earns its place for one type of founder: the manufacturer who needs an industry-matched plot, utilities and neighbours. Here is what you get.
- Five clusters matched to your industry
- Industrial land plots for your own facility
- Customs exemption on production inputs
- A Dual Licence to sell on the mainland
- Etihad Rail and multi-port connectivity
- Worker communities near the clusters
- 100% foreign ownership with no local partner
- No corporate tax on qualifying income
An honest fit check
Is ICAD right for your business?
ICAD is built for industrial production, not services or trade alone. Its value is the five clusters that match your plot to your industry. That fits manufacturers well and suits few others. We tell you which cluster before you commit.
Choose ICAD if you
- Manufacture, process or assemble goods
- Need a land plot to build a facility
- Run heavy, light or high-tech industry
- Want an industry-matched cluster
- Import raw materials or export goods
- Plan a long-term production base
Look at another zone if you
- Run a pure service or trading firm
- Need no factory or land plot
- Want a cheap desk licence only
- Need a clean-tech ecosystem instead
ICAD issues activity-specific licences, so your cluster and plot follow what you make. Riz & Mona confirms the right cluster and the full facility cost before you apply.
Licence Benefits
What comes with your ICAD setup?
Every ICAD company formation gives you the licence, plot and access you need to build, manufacture, hire and ship from day one.
Industrial licence
Your ICAD licence covering the specific manufacturing or industrial activity you select. Renewable each year.
Company registration
Legal proof your company exists inside ICAD. Banks, clients and immigration all ask for it.
Industry-matched plot
A land plot in the cluster built for your sector, sized to your operation and agreed with the authority.
Registered ICAD address
A Musaffah industrial address used for banking, contracts and official filings.
Establishment card
Your company's registration with UAE immigration. Needed before any visa.
Visa eligibility
Sponsor UAE residence visas, with quotas linked to your plot and facility.
Customs exemption
No duty on machinery, raw materials and semi-finished production inputs.
Dual Licence option
Sell on the Abu Dhabi mainland without a separate company, through ADDED.
Corporate banking access
Introductions to UAE banks that work with industrial firms.
Licence Types
Which ICAD licence do you need?
ICAD is built around industrial licences across seven sectors, with a staged path from a preliminary to a permanent licence as you build.
Preliminary Licence
The first-stage licence that lets you start building your facility and connect utilities during construction.
ConstructionStage 1
Permanent Licence
The full licence to trade and manufacture, issued once your facility is built and ready to run.
OperationsStage 2
Dual Licence
An ADDED add-on that lets your free zone company also operate on the Abu Dhabi mainland.
MainlandADDED
Not sure which one you need?
ICAD licences are activity-specific and staged as you build. Riz & Mona confirms the exact activity, cluster and licence path before you apply.
Legal Structures
Company structure options in ICAD
Free Zone Establishment
- A single shareholder company
- A separate legal entity from you
- Limited liability on personal assets
- Full control in one owner's hands
- Best for solo industrial founders
Free Zone Company
- Two or more shareholders
- A separate legal entity from owners
- Limited liability on personal assets
- Scales as you add partners or capital
- Best for joint ventures and larger firms
Branch Company
- Extends a company from outside ICAD
- Runs the parent's activities
- No separate share capital needed
- Parent carries full liability
- Best for manufacturers expanding here
Pricing
How much does an ICAD setup cost?
ICAD runs on land, not packages. The main cost is the annual lease on your plot, plus a service charge and a licence fee. Land rates are published, but licence fees are quote-only. Treat every figure as indicative.
Land lease
About AED 20 to 25 per m² per year
The core cost, set by ZonesCorp by cluster and plot. A service charge of AED 3 per m² is added on top.
Licence and registration
Quoted by the authority
Licence and one-time registration fees are not published and vary by activity and structure.
Build and utilities
Your capital project
Construction, power and water for your facility, on top of the land lease. Priced by your build.
What moves your total cost?
Plot size
This is the big one. Your land lease runs on square metres, so plot size drives the largest recurring cost.
The cluster
Rates vary by cluster and plot within the AED 20 to 25 band, based on location and characteristics.
Licence and activity
An industrial licence with approvals costs more than a simple one. Fees are set by the authority per activity.
Incentive eligibility
Priority mainland manufacturers may access reduced ILRP land rates. Free zone entities are not eligible for that programme.
Build and visas
Construction, utilities and visa packages are on top of the lease and scale with your operation.
A note on these figures
All costs shown are indicative. Land rates come from published ZonesCorp data and move by cluster and plot, while licence and registration fees are quoted by the authority per activity, so the only accurate number is a tailored quote. Note the reduced ILRP land rates apply to eligible mainland manufacturers, not free zone entities. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote at no charge before you commit.
The Process
How to set up a company in ICAD
Plot access comes in about two weeks after approval, but building your facility takes longer. Here is the journey.
Day 1
Clarify your activity
Be specific about what you will make. ICAD licences are activity-specific and set your cluster and plot.
Day 1
Choose a structure
Select an FZE, an FZC or a branch, based on owners and your plans.
Day 1–2
Reserve your trade name
Submit your company name for approval against UAE naming rules.
Week 1
Get initial approval
The authority approves your activity and allocates a land plot in the right cluster.
Week 1–3
Clear external approvals
Oil, gas, chemicals and food activities need ministry approvals before you proceed.
Week 2–3
Sign the pre-lease
Access your plot and sign the pre-lease, then apply for the preliminary licence to build.
Ongoing
Build and go permanent
Construct your facility, then upgrade to the permanent licence to start operations.
Requirements
Documents needed for ICAD company formation
Having your file ready before you apply is what keeps your approval and plot allocation on track.
The list is heavier than a standard free zone because ICAD assesses your industrial project. Alongside the individual documents, expect a business plan, a CV showing sector experience, and a bank reference.
Documents issued outside the UAE need attestation and translation before submission. Requirements shift by structure, activity and cluster. Riz & Mona confirms your exact checklist before you prepare anything.
For corporate shareholders
Attested certificate of incorporation, MOA of the parent, a board resolution approving the setup, power of attorney for the signatory, and passport copies of all directors.
Full process
15–25
Working days
From entry permit to Emirates ID in hand, a standard visa runs about three to five weeks once your establishment card is live.
Visa notice Visa approvals and conditions are set by UAE immigration authorities and can change without notice. Riz & Mona Consultancy handles the full process on your behalf, from establishment card to Emirates ID collection. Only the medical test and biometrics need your presence in the UAE.
Visa & Immigration
Your ICAD licence lets your company sponsor UAE residence visas. The quota is linked to your plot size and facility. Because ICAD plots are large, manufacturing operations can sponsor a substantial factory workforce.
- Investor or partner visa, renewable term
- Employee visas for staff and management
- Labour visas for your factory workforce
- Dependent visas for spouse and children
- Golden and Green Visa routes via ADDED
- Emirates ID for every visa holder
Corporate Banking
Banking for ICAD companies
UAE banks run close checks before opening any account. Industrial firms with import and export flows get questions on suppliers, buyers and cash flow. A clear ICAD activity and plot give your file a solid base. Each bank decides on its own.
Banks, timelines and what to expect
Banks that work with industrial firms
First Abu Dhabi BankAbu Dhabi-based
Abu Dhabi Islamic BankAbu Dhabi-based
ADCBGrowing SMEs
Mashreq NeoBizSME-friendly
Emirates NBDWidely used
Wio BankDigital-first
Realistic account opening times
UAE resident applicant4 to 8 weeks
Non-resident applicant6 to 12 weeks
Industrial or manufacturing firm5 to 10 weeks
Digital bank3 to 7 days
- Manufacturers should open a digital bank account first to keep moving while the main account is reviewed.
- Import and export firms face deeper review. Come with a clear picture of your suppliers and buyers.
- Account approval and timelines are decided by each bank and are never guaranteed. Riz & Mona positions your file well but cannot promise a decision.
Inside ICAD
Inside the five ICAD clusters
ICAD groups industries into five clusters so your plot sits among compatible neighbours, shared utilities and the right infrastructure.
Zone Comparison
How does ICAD compare in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has several official free zones, each built for a sector. The real question is ICAD versus the zones a manufacturer would actually weigh. Here is that comparison.
Not sure which Abu Dhabi zone fits?
Every operation weighs sector, facility and cost differently. Riz & Mona compares zones against your activity, your markets and your budget, then recommends one.
Start Today
Start your ICAD Abu Dhabi setup
From cluster selection to land plot to bank account, Riz & Mona sets up your ICAD company end to end, so you get an Abu Dhabi manufacturing base built on the right numbers.
Free consultation•Right-cluster matching•Licence, plot and visas•Approvals handled for you
All costs are indicative and vary by plot, cluster, licence and visa count. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote before you commit.