The Capital's Creative Community
more than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals — broadcasters, production houses, studios and agencies clustered together in Abu Dhabi.
Twofour54 Abu Dhabi
Company Formation
Set up in the capital's media and creative free zone. Launched in 2008 and regulated by Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority, twofour54 is home to more than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals across broadcast, production, gaming and digital content.
- 100% Ownership
- Launched 2008
- Creative Media Authority
- Media & Creative
- Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's Media & Creative Hub
twofour54, named after Abu Dhabi's geographic coordinates (24°N, 54°E), is the capital's media and creative free zone, launched in 2008. Regulated by the Creative Media Authority of Abu Dhabi (formerly the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi), it is home to more than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals across broadcast, production, gaming and digital content.
twofour54 — named after Abu Dhabi's geographic coordinates, 24°N and 54°E — is the capital's media and creative free zone, launched in 2008. It is regulated by the Creative Media Authority of Abu Dhabi, the authority previously known as the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, which sets the policy and licensing framework for the zone.
twofour54 was built to be an ecosystem, not just a licence. It is home to more than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals — regional broadcasters, film and TV production houses, gaming studios, digital-content creators, advertising and PR agencies — supported by production facilities, studios and talent. For a media or creative business, that concentration of peers, infrastructure and talent in the UAE capital, alongside 100% foreign ownership, is what sets twofour54 apart from a general commercial zone.
The capital's media ecosystem — peers, studios and talent in one place
Why Twofour54
twofour54's value is the creative ecosystem around the licence. For a media or content business, the community, production facilities and talent pool are the deciding factors.
Production Facilities & Studios
Access to studios, production facilities and post-production infrastructure built for media and content businesses.
Regulated by the Creative Media Authority
A dedicated media regulator (formerly the Media Zone Authority) sets a clear, sector-specific licensing framework for the zone.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the media or creative company, with profit and capital repatriation — no local partner required.
Talent & Development Programmes
A focus on creative talent, training and development that helps content businesses hire and grow in the capital.
UAE Free-Zone Tax Status
Free-zone status with eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Broadcasters and TV / radio networks
- Film, TV and video production houses
- Gaming and interactive studios
- Digital content, social and influencer businesses
- Advertising, PR and creative agencies
- Publishing, music and post-production
Twofour54 Licence Types
twofour54 licences are built around media, content and the creative services that support them.
Media / Production Licence
For broadcast, film, TV, gaming and content production — the core creative activities of the zone.
- Broadcast & TV / radio
- Film & video production
- Gaming & interactive
- Digital & social content
- Music & post-production
Creative Services Licence
For advertising, PR, design and the marketing services that sit around content production.
- Advertising & marketing
- Public relations & comms
- Design & branding
- Events & experiential
- Creative consultancy
Support / Professional Licence
For the management, technology and professional services that support a media business.
- Media management
- Technology & platforms
- Talent & representation
- Publishing services
- Professional services
Legal Structures Under Twofour54
twofour54 recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone LLC (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — common for founder-led creative businesses.
Free Zone LLC (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, for production partnerships and joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign media company operating under the parent's identity — used by networks and studios.
How a Twofour54 Company Is Formed
A straightforward media free-zone process from activity to licence.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the media, creative-services or support activities and the matching licence.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and obtain the Creative Media Authority's initial approval for the chosen activities.
- 03
Choose Space / Facilities
Select the office, desk or production-facility solution that matches the licence and the visa requirement.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents.
- 05
Licence & Establishment Card
The media / trade licence and establishment card are issued, unlocking the visa allocation.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for Twofour54 Setup
The standard set, with a portfolio or plan for content activities.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and a description of the media / creative activities
- Business plan or portfolio for production and content activities
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose Twofour54
twofour54 pairs the capital's creative ecosystem with free-zone ownership.
100% foreign ownership of the media or creative company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
More than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals
Production facilities, studios and post-production infrastructure
Regulation by a dedicated media authority
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Talent, training and development programmes
A base in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi
Tax & Compliance Position — Twofour54
twofour54 entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate, on the same framework as other UAE free zones.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
twofour54 entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityQFZP status requires Qualifying Income, adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials. Media and content income is assessed against the qualifying-activity rules.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate
twofour54 entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Most media services from the zone are standard-rated, with export and certain cross-border services potentially zero-rated.
Not a Designated Zonetwofour54 is a media and services free zone, not a Designated Zone for goods under Cabinet 59/2017 — Designated-Zone VAT treatment is not the relevant lens for its creative tenant base.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- Quarterly / periodic VAT returns per FTA assignment
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Media / trade-licence renewal with the Creative Media Authority
- Content and media regulatory compliance per the zone's framework
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register maintained and updated
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Creative Media Authority (Abu Dhabi) regulations
Sectors Active in Twofour54
twofour54's tenant base is media, content and creative services.
Broadcast & Production
Gaming & Interactive
Digital & Social Content
Advertising & PR
Creative Agencies
Publishing & Music
Media Management
Media Technology
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs twofour54 setups end-to-end — selecting the right media licence and handling banking, visas and tax.
Right Media Licence
We match your activity to the correct twofour54 licence — production, creative services or support — and structure it correctly from the start.
Space & Facility Fit
Help selecting the office, desk or production-facility solution that fits the licence and the visa allocation.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard media businesses, with the compliance file prepared.
Visas & Emirates ID
Founder, crew and staff visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Tax & QFZP Assessment
Corporate Tax, QFZP eligibility and VAT registration handled for the way media income arises.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, ESR, UBO and media-regulatory obligations handled so the business stays in good standing.
Why Creative Founders Choose Avyanco for Twofour54
Three things that come up in every twofour54 engagement once the licence is issued.
Media-Sector Fluency
We set up media and content businesses and understand the creative-licensing framework twofour54 runs on.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, space, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team, with one point of contact.
Tax Done Right
QFZP and VAT assessed correctly for media and content income, so the entity starts compliant and stays that way.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
twofour54 suits media, content and creative businesses. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE entities through Avyanco.
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
Twofour54 — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in twofour54 Abu Dhabi.
What is twofour54?
twofour54 is Abu Dhabi's media and creative free zone, launched in 2008 and named after the emirate's geographic coordinates (24°N, 54°E). It is regulated by the Creative Media Authority of Abu Dhabi (formerly the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi) and is home to more than 800 companies and a community of freelancers and creative professionals across broadcast, production, gaming, digital content and advertising.
Who regulates twofour54?
twofour54 is regulated by the Creative Media Authority of Abu Dhabi, the authority previously known as the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi. It sets the licensing, content and media-regulatory framework for the zone.
What kind of business is twofour54 best for?
It is built for media and creative businesses — broadcasters, film and TV production, gaming studios, digital and social content creators, advertising and PR agencies, publishing and music. The deciding factor is the ecosystem: peers, production facilities and creative talent concentrated in the capital.
Does twofour54 offer production facilities?
Yes. Beyond licensing, twofour54 provides access to studios, production facilities and post-production infrastructure, along with talent and development programmes — which is why it functions as a creative ecosystem rather than just a licensing authority.
Does a twofour54 company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
twofour54 is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess QFZP eligibility against the media activity at the planning stage.
Can a foreign media company open a branch in twofour54?
Yes. A foreign or UAE media company can establish a branch in twofour54 operating under the parent's identity, alongside the option of a new free-zone LLC. We advise on the right structure for networks, studios and agencies.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the official twofour54 (twofour54.com), the Creative Media Authority of Abu Dhabi and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of twofour54, the Creative Media Authority and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone regulations, media-licensing categories, the regulator's name and remit, VAT treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the Creative Media Authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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