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twofour54 is Abu Dhabi’s media and gaming free zone. Its company and freelance licences are issued by the Creative Media Authority (CMA), which currently waives the licence and registration fees for the first two years. That makes twofour54 look free, but a company still pays for an office and visas. This page sets out what CMA and twofour54 publish, as checked on 4 October 2026.
Company licence
CMA advertises zero licensing and registration fees for two years, 100% foreign ownership and no minimum capital, with company and branch packages across three activity groups: general media, gaming and e-sports, and broadcast and publishing. It estimates 14 working days for the process: apply online, get portal access, upload documents, pay, and receive the licence.
What a licence costs after the two waived years is not on CMA’s current pages. A twofour54 article from March 2023 put the normal cost at AED 15,000 in licence fees and AED 3,500 in registration fees; treat that only as an older reference and ask CMA for the current renewal fee.
Office options
| Option | What it is | Price in CMA’s calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Lab | Digital start-up: 1 digital activity, 1 individual owner, 1 residency visa | AED 10,000 + VAT |
| Co-Create | Plug and play: 2 activities, 2 individual owners, 2 residency visas | AED 20,000 + VAT |
| Co-Equip | Fitted-out office, 5 activities | Depends on size and location |
| Co-Customize | Core and shell space, 5 activities | Depends on size and location |
The calculator does not say whether these prices are per year. Extra activities on the larger offices cost AED 1,000 each.
Freelance licence
Freelancers in media also get the licence and registration fees waived for the first two years. CMA’s calculator shows AED 3,500 for a one-year freelance licence or AED 1,750 for six months, plus AED 1,000 for each activity above three, all including 5% VAT; the page does not say whether that figure applies in the waived years or after them. A freelancer’s residency visa must be sponsored by CMA, except for GCC nationals.
Visa costs
CMA’s calculator lists, including 5% VAT, on the normal service: a one-year residency visa AED 3,433.50 with a one-year Emirates ID AED 189, or a two-year residency visa AED 3,538.50 with a two-year Emirates ID AED 315. Health insurance starts at about AED 1,200 plus a AED 315 service charge. The urgent column of that table appears misaligned on the site, so it is not quoted here.
twofour54 against other Abu Dhabi free zones
With the licence waived, twofour54’s real first-year cost is the office and the visas. Compare that with the package prices of KEZAD and Masdar City Free Zone, or all Abu Dhabi zones side by side in Abu Dhabi free zone licence cost. For media businesses in the northern emirates, see SHAMS and Ajman Media City.
What twofour54 and CMA do not publish
- The company licence and registration fees after the two waived years.
- Whether the Co-Lab and Co-Create prices are per year.
- Prices for the Co-Equip and Co-Customize offices.
- When the AED 3,500 freelance licence fee is charged.
Other Abu Dhabi free zones we cover: ADGM.
Frequently asked questions
Is a twofour54 licence free?
The Creative Media Authority waives licence and registration fees for the first two years from the date of issue for new companies and freelancers, with terms and conditions. A company still pays for its office and visas.
What does a twofour54 office cost?
In CMA’s calculator, Co-Lab (one digital activity, one owner, one visa) is AED 10,000 plus VAT and Co-Create (two activities, two owners, two visas) AED 20,000 plus VAT. Fitted and core and shell offices depend on size and location.
How much does twofour54 cost after the two free years?
CMA’s current pages do not say. A twofour54 article from March 2023 put the normal cost at AED 15,000 in licence fees and AED 3,500 in registration fees; ask CMA for the current figure.
How much is a twofour54 visa?
CMA’s calculator lists a one-year residency visa at AED 3,433.50 with a AED 189 Emirates ID, or a two-year visa at AED 3,538.50 with a AED 315 Emirates ID, on the normal service including VAT.
How long does twofour54 licensing take?
CMA estimates 14 working days from the online application to the licence.
Official references used for context in this article.
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