Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone - (Media Zone Authority)

The Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi is one of the fastest growing media markets in the world, and the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (the Authority) is committed to the continued development of the media industry in Abu Dhabi:

The Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (the Authority) is responsible for overseeing all regulatory and licencing aspects of the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi, which includes developing and ensuring compliance with the Authority’s regulations, codes and policies and procedures; registering and licencing companies, branches and sole proprietors (freelancers); and providing content-related guidance to its licensees. The Authority offers the following services in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi:

• Developing and maintaining the Media Zone’s regulations, codes and policies;
• Incorporating and registering companies and branches;
• Licencing companies, branches and freelancers;
• Maintaining records of all registered companies, 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;
• Dissolving companies and closing branches;
• Providing content-related guidance; and
• Implementing mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Media Zone regulations and codes.

Licencing

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

• 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.

Setting Up

There are 3 ways to set up in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi, each with a simple and clear process for setting up:

1) Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC): incorporation of a legal entity in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi;

2) Branch: establishment of a branch in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi that is a legally dependent part of its principal company, a company which is incorporated in another jurisdiction (UAE or foreign); or

3) Sole Proprietor (Freelancer): licencing of an individual to work in his/her personal capacity from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi as a media professional.

How to Apply

FREE ZONE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (FZ-LLC)

1. Fill in Form CR 4: Application to Incorporate a Company

• Form CR 4:  In the Form CR 4, you will need to provide information such as the proposed name of the company, the share capital, names and shareholding of each shareholder, two directors and company secretary.
• Supporting Documentation:  You will need to submit all required supporting documentation detailed in the checklist at the end of the Form CR 4.
• Registration Fee:  You must pay the registration fee and any bank transfer charges (if any).

2. Fill in Form LR 5: Application for a Business License

• Form LR 5:  In the Form LR 5, you will need to provide information such as the name of the proposed general manager, the business activities your company intends on carrying out from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi and indicate whether you intend on disseminating (publishing or broadcasting) information from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi.
  • If you intend on conducting a dissemination activity, you will need to fill in Form DL 2: Application for a Dissemination License and supply all required supporting documentation.

• Supporting Documentation:  You will need to submit all required supporting documentation detailed in the checklist at the end of the Form LR 5.
• Licencing Fee:  You must pay the business licencing fee.

BRANCH

1. Fill in Form CR 6: Application to Establish a Branch

• Form CR 6:  In the Form CR 6, you will need to provide information such as the details of the principal company, including the shareholders and directors of the principal company and the authorized signatory of the principal company.
• Supporting Documentation:  You will need to submit all required supporting documentation detailed in the checklist at the end of the Form CR 6.
• Registration Fee:  You must pay the registration fee and any bank transfer charges (if any).

2. Fill in Form LR 5: Application for a Business License

• Form LR 5:  In the Form LR 5, you will need to provide information such as the name of the proposed general manager, the business activities your branch intends on carrying out from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi and indicate whether you intend on disseminating (publishing or broadcasting) information from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi.
  • If you intend on conducting a dissemination activity, you will need to fill in Form DL 2: Application for a Dissemination License and supply all required supporting documentation.

• Supporting Documentation:  You will need to submit all required supporting documentation detailed in the checklist at the end of the Form LR 5.
• Licencing Fee:  You must pay the business licencing fee.

SOLE PROPRIETORS (FREELANCERS)

1. Fill in Form LR 5A: Application for a Sole Proprietor Business Trade License

• Form LR 5A: In the Form LR 5A, you will need to provide your personal information, the requested duration (three (3), six (6) or twelve (12) months) of your business license, your CV, the business activities you intend on carrying out from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi, job references for those business activities and either a business plan or letter(s) of intent from entities in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi.
• Supporting Documentation:  You will need to submit all required supporting documentation detailed in the checklist at the end of the Form LR 5A.
• Licencing Fee: You must pay the business licencing fee.

SERVICES FOR EXISTING ENTITIES

For all of our existing entities, the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi (the Authority) provides ongoing support and services, which include:

•  Processing business license renewals and variations to business licenses;
•  Facilitating the filing of annual returns and corporate accounts;
•  Facilitating changes to the issue or transfer of shares and alterations to the articles of association;
•  Facilitating changes to shareholders, directors, general manager, company secretary and an entity’s name;
•  Reviewing content for compliance with the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi Content Code;
•  Issuing certified copies, extracts of the Authority’s register and certificates of good standing; and
•  Facilitating the liquidation of a FZ-LLC and closure of a branch.

For more details, get in touch with us.