frequently asked questions

Our business support services are split into the categories of governmental and non-governmental.

Some examples of Tawasol’s support services for businesses are help obtaining licenses, visas and medical insurance, technology & infrastructure provisions, government liaison services, and the support with applying for the golden visa UAE.

You can pay for Tawasol’s business support services and government liaison services by credit/debit card, cash, bank transfer or cheque.

Tawasol is twofour54’s one-stop-shop for business support services. This includes:

• Government liaison services such as NOC letters, permits and vehicle services
• Help with visa applications, including employment visas, visas for dependents, visit visas and the golden visa UAE.
• Travel services such as tourist visas, holiday packages and cargo solutions
• Business support services such as IT, conference bookings and office cleaning

No, Tawasol’s business support services and government liaison services are only for companies, partners and freelancers that have contractual agreements with twofour54. However, the travel and logistics services can be utilized by any company in Abu Dhabi or productions that are filming in Abu Dhabi.

Yes, if you are a twofour54 partner then you will be given online access to all the business support services offered by Tawasol. Tawasol acts as an effective government liaison, and it is one of the region’s finest examples of support services for business entities.

Tawasol’s business support services centre is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, including a prayer break from 12.30pm to 2pm on Fridays.

No, this service is only available for our partners and their dependents.

Yes, those with a valid UAE Residence Visa are able to apply for the Golden Visa UAE. The strength and merits of each Golden Visa application determines whether the outcome is successful.

The Golden Visa Abu Dhabi aims to give exceptional talents and foreign investors the chance to become more deeply rooted in the UAE, whilst also allowing the country to profit from their expertise.

The minimum investment of AED 2 million must not be raised through loans or borrowed money. However, for any additional investment over AED 2 million, loans or borrowed money may be used.

Once you have submitted the required documents and paid your fees, the amount of time the application process takes will depend on whether you paid for a ‘Normal’ or a ‘Fast Track’ service.

The Tawasol team will give you regular updates throughout the process, and let you know when your new Emirates ID is ready to be collected. For more information, please contact the Tawasol Golden Visa team by emailing golden.visa@twofour54.com or by calling 02 401 2454.

No, one of the main benefits of the Golden Visa UAE is that you do not need a sponsor to obtain a Golden Visa. You also don’t need one in order to renew it, provided you still fulfill all the relevant requirements.

A Golden Visa holder is a long-term resident of the UAE for a renewable period of 10 years; they are neither permanent residents nor UAE citizens.

Each category of Abu Dhabi Golden Visa has a different set of supporting documentation. For more details, please contact the Tawasol Golden Visa team by emailing golden.visa@twofour54.com or by calling 02 401 2454.

The Golden Visa is a long-term residency visa. It is not a permanent visa and it must be renewed every 10 years.

The Golden Visa Abu Dhabi is a highly sought-after residency scheme that enables expats to live, work or study in the UAE, all without having a national sponsor, for up to ten years.

While standard residency visas for international workers must be renewed every one, two or three years , the Golden Visa Abu Dhabi can last a whole decade. Plus, as long as the recipient still fulfils all the requirements, it can also be renewed for another 10 years upon expiry.

Both UAE residents and non-UAE residents can apply for their Golden Visa through twofour54’s Tawasol department. After submitting all the required documents, paying the fees and completing the medical screening, successful applicants will receive their visa and Emirates ID via twofour54.

When looking into how to apply for a Golden Visa UAE, you also need to consider the monetary requirements. If you are applying through twofour54, the following processing fees apply for both UAE residents and non-UAE residents.

‘Normal’ processing fees:

All inclusive: AED 5,223*
Without VIP medical screening: AED 4,723*

‘Fast track’ processing fees:

All inclusive: AED 6,223*
Without VIP medical screening: AED 5,723*

Once the payment has been processed, twofour54 will apply for the initial approval of the Golden Visa on your behalf.

Upon submitting your completed application, UAE residents will also need to cancel their current residency. Any dependents on the same residency should also be temporarily placed on hold until the main Golden Visa process is completed. You can manage the hold request through the ICP self-service portal, or ask twofour54 to manage the process on your behalf.

Hold service fees:

Refundable deposit to immigration: AED 5,000*
Service charges: AED 480*

Please note that all prices are exclusive of VAT and are subject to change at any point.

The Golden Visa requirements in the UAE differ according to which category you are applying for. To find out more, please contact the Tawasol Golden Visa team on golden.visa@twofour54.com, or by calling 02 401 2454.

Yes. UAE Golden Visa holders can sponsor their family members, including their partners and children.

Those who fall under the following categories will be considered for this much sought-after visa:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Scientists
• Specialists in engineering and science
• Humanitarian pioneers
• Outstanding students and graduates
• Doctors and frontline heroes
• Athletes
• Creative specialists in culture and art
• Executive directors

Aside from the obvious major benefit of having no visa renewal fees for up to ten years, there are a number of additional Golden Visa UAE benefits. Golden Visa holders are not required to gain local employment or have a national sponsor, and they are free to work for themselves, international companies, or set up their own businesses with 100 percent ownership.

Other benefits include being able to sponsor family, and having the freedom to spend more than six months out of the country at a time without facing any penalties.

If you are wondering how to apply for the Golden Visa UAE, twofour54’s Tawasol department will be able to answer any questions you may have and guide you through every step of the process. In fact, endorsed applicants who already have a UAE residency can apply for their Golden Visa directly through Tawasol.

After you have submitted the required documents and paid the fees, the Tawasol team will apply for the initial approval of your Golden Visa on your behalf. They will also tell you when and where you should go for your medical screening, and notify you when your residency status has been changed, and your Emirates ID is ready for collection.

Tawasol will help you apply for your business license and establishment card and officially launch your company. You can also enlist the help of Tawasol when they need to be renewed. Application for your registration channel at the immigration authority must be made through Tawasol as well. This can be done as soon as your business is officially launched, and the Tawasol team will also help you renew it upon expiry.

No, in fact it is very simple.
If you are wondering how to open a business in the UAE, just get in touch with the team at twofour54 and they will guide you through the process.

How do I register a company in Abu Dhabi? To set up a business on Yas Island with twofour54, just follow the process below:

1. Submit your business form and all the required documents
   
2. Complete the process of obtaining your General Manager’s visa
   
3. Wait for your business license and establishment card to be issued
   
4. Access the self-service portal
   
5. Finalize the visa application through the ICA portal
   
6. Start the process of obtaining visas for your employees

You can complete your company registration for your new business online via the twofour54 website.

If your company is a registered partner of the twofour54 free zone, you can renew your Abu Dhabi trade license online by using our self-service portal.

How can I check my trade license online in Abu Dhabi? You can verify business licenses in Abu Dhabi by searching the database of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi for trade names or trade license details.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi issues a fine of AED 300 per month for individuals who are not subscribed to a valid health insurance scheme.

Once your Emirates ID has expired, you have a 30-day grace period in which you can renew it without incurring any fines. After that, an AED 20 daily fine will be applied, up to a maximum of AED 1,000. You will also need to pay twofour54 service charges to renew it.

The Creative Media Authority has waived license and registration fees for new companies for the first two years. The first year alone would normally cost new businesses AED 15,000 in licence fees and AED 3,500 for registration, but currently there are no license fees to pay.

As long as you have a trade license, an establishment card and a valid registration channel at the immigration authority, you can sponsor your employees and secure visas for them. twofour54 will support you and guide you through this process.

You can set up a company and start the process of obtaining your trade license by registering your interest on the twofour54 website. One of our team members will then be in touch to guide you through the process.

Creative freelancers and media, entertainment and gaming companies who are wondering how to start a business in Abu Dhabi can register for their license through twofour54.

A commercial license is the same as a trade license. twofour54 is based on Yas Island in the UAE capital and you can obtain a commerical license through them by visiting the twofour54 website.

Tourist visa overstaying fees have been standardized at AED 50 per day from the first day after expiry. These fees should be settled before starting the residency process or leaving the country.

You can apply for renewal of your residency up to 30 days before its expiry date. Or, if you want to renew it earlier, you must first take special permission and approval from ICP. Failure to renew in time will result in fines. The ICP has standardized overstaying fines in the UAE. According to the new rules, visit, tourist and residence visa overstaying fees are now fixed at AED 50 per day.

Your company will be fined according to the immigration authority’s rules and procedures. Fines are AED 1,155 for the first month and AED 100 for each consecutive month, and you will also need to pay service charges to twofour54.

Yes. Although license and registration fees have been waived for the first two years, you will still have to pay the following fees:

Depending on the type of business you launch, you may decide to lease an office for yourself and your employees.
twofour54 offers various different types of office spaces at Yas Creative Hub.
Subject to availability, this includes the following:

• Hot desk (1 activity + 1 visa)

• Serviced desk (2 activities + 2 visas)

• Fitted offices (up to 5 activities, number of visas depends on the office area)

No, if you obtain an Abu Dhabi trade license then you must be based inside the Abu Dhabi free zone. The twofour54 team can help you find the right office space that is perfect for you and the new Yas Creative Hub campus on Yas Island offers an array of flexible working spaces that are available for rent. This includes fully-furnished offices for companies of all sizes and vibrant co-working spaces. Yas Creative Hub also boasts an array of production facilities, sound studies and event spaces, and its found just a short walk away from Yas Island’s vast array of restaurants, bars and leisure faciltiies and a 15 minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Yes they do. If you are sponsoring your staff, then it’s your responsibility to secure visas for them from the Creative Media Authority. The criteria that your employees have to meet for each visa is dependent upon their home country. The Tawasol team at twofour54 can help you obtain residents visas, Emirates IDs and health insurance for yourself and all your staff. Tawasol offers end-to-end business support services for all twofour54 partners.

Yes, the PO Box fee is AED 1,312.5 per year and this fee must be paid during the business set up process.

Yes, as long as you can provide all the required documents and information, you can setup a company in Abu Dhabi from anywhere in the world. However, in order to obtain a visa for your General Manager, the General Manager must be inside the country to complete his medical screening appointment.

Within 14 days of their visa activation, or within 14 days from when their status was changed from tourist or visitor to resident of the UAE.

Setting up a company comes with a lot of different tasks. For instance, before you apply for your license, you will need to create a business plan, and start thinking about your unique selling point, business strategy, logo and brand guidelines.

However, the twofour54 team make the process of applying for your business license quick and easy. First we will ask you for a number of documents and your business form and business plan, and then, once you have paid all the required fees, the set up process can be completed.

There is no minimum amount needed to open a company in Abu Dhabi.

Yes, you can. The bank may ask to see your Establishment Card and business license when you open a bank account.

Yes, subject to approval.

No, you can choose any UAE bank.

Yes they do. You can obtain visas for your employees through our Tawasol business support department.

Created to offer end-to-end business services for all twofour54 partners, Tawasol makes it easy to apply for visas, permits and residencies.

Offering a fully digitalised, seamless experience, Tawasol is an efficient way of receiving business support, government liaison and travel agency services.

The e-portal allows you to submit all your visa requests online, track the status of your requests, and pay any required fees within minutes. The Tawasol team will also be there to offer help and support throughout every step of the visa application process.

Yes, subject to availability and approval.

No, only the General Manager and employees must reside in UAE.

Yes, if you have the correct DED license. Please get in touch for more information and for help with obtaining this license.

Yes, once you have officially set up and registered your company.

Provided we have received all the required documents, forms and references from referees, it should take no more than five business days to get the business license pre-approved.

Yes. In order to get a residency visa, you will need to purchase a health insurance policy that is approved by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Immigration. twofour54 can help you obtain your health insurance through Daman, or you can buy coverage from any of the approved providers that are listed here.

The total cost of a freelance work permit is AED 3,538.5 including VAT. However, this doesn’t include the mandatory health insurance fees. As mentioned above, health insurance packages start from around AED 3,000 and vary according to the customer’s age and existing health conditions.

A “Sole Proprietor License” is a license from the Creative Media Authority, which allows you as an individual to work in your personal capacity from the Creative Zone as a media professional. The Sole Proprietor License will specify the activities the freelancer may carry out from the Creative Zone. As a twofour54 freelancer, you are required to obtain a Sole Proprietor License and residency visa.

To fulfil our licensing requirements and become a freelancer, your residency visa must be sponsored by the twofour54 free zone. Please note that this does not apply to GCC citizens.

At twofour54, we provide freelance licenses in more than 60 media-related categories, spanning everything from pre-production, production and post-production, to PR, marketing, gaming and creative design. You can apply for up to three categories at no additional cost, provided that you have sufficient references for them all.

It is a letter from a twofour54 partner company that demonstrates their intention to work with you on future projects. it is intended to support your freelance application but it does not have to be a formal employment commitment.

twofour54’s dedicated freelance relations team can connect you with other partner companies who may need your services in the future, and therefore will be able to provide a letter of intent. Alternatively, you can submit a detailed business plan that outlines how you intend to operate within twofour54, who you will be approaching for work., and why your skillsets will add value to the free zone. Please see more details about our application process here.

Our dedicated customer care team will advise you on whether you can sponsor your family once you have become a registered freelancer.

No, you are only licensed to work within the Abu Dhabi free zone and with registered twofour54 partner companies.

Our Tawasol team can help you buy health insurance through Daman, our partner company. Policy costs vary according to the plan selected, and other factors like gender and age. Packages generally start from around AED 3,000 for one year.

The twofour54 freelance license permits you to work from within the twofour54 media zone and with twofour54 licensed companies. You can also lease state-of-the-art office spaces at Yas Creative Hub and work remotely from overseas when needed.

Yes, you can open a personal bank account and our dedicated customer care team are on hand to assist you with this if needed. You may be required to submit a contract or proof of upcoming work for a period of at least three months, and other supporting documentation.

Our freelance relations department works to showcase the work of twofour54 freelancers and connect them with as many potential clients as possible. By using our vast network of over 600 international and local companies, and hosting regular networking events, we are able to source plenty of exciting opportunities for our freelancers.

The only costs that you will incur are the health insurance cancellation fee and the visa cancellation fees.

Yes, you may reside anywhere in the UAE.

Production services include:
 

• Location filming in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Liwa
• Production planning
• Location scouting
• Permits*
• Pre-production
• Crewing
• Casting
• Equipment rentals
• Set construction
• Production office rentals
• Catering*
• Accommodation, travel and transport*
• Consultants
• Production
• Accounting and legal
• Insurance*
• Storage and shipping*

*These services are provided through Business Services

• 16-seat 4K screening room
• FCP, Adobe and AVID editing platform
• Online and finishing suites
• Baselight with Truelight colour management colour grading suite
• DaVinci colour grading suite
• Doremi Cine Assets for digital cinema package creation
• Pro-Tools audio suites
• Audio booth
• Provide LTO-6 storage for a long-term digital archive
• Reliable file transfer using Signiant Media Shuttle, with 40Mbps upload/download capability

You can film indoors at Studio B, which has seven TV studios that range in size from 60 sq.m to 650 sq.m.
 
Each studio:
 

• Is 4K and HDR-ready
• Is an HD, tapeless environment
• Is fully soundproofed
• Includes saturation lighting rig
• Includes one green room
• Includes two make-up rooms—male/female, with private restroom and shower

Our studios are also ready-fitted with broadcast connectivity:
 

• International connectivity through du and Etisalat
• Fibre connectivity from Mussafah to Khalifa Campus
• Teleport with access to Arabsat and Yahlive

In Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Liwa, you will need a permit for filming in locations not owned by twofour54. Our Business SupportServices team can help you obtain the necessary permits.

You can film outdoors at KIZAD, our 7,000 sq.m backlot, based in Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi.
 
The backlot includes facilities such as costume, make-up and dressing rooms, a large canteen and purpose-built production offices. It complements Abu Dhabi’s diverse locations that provide quick and easy access to a variety of landscapes.

Ask your production manager/coordinator for more information on costs.
 
You may also be eligible for a 30% cash-back rebate on productions including:
 

• Feature films
• Commercials
• Documentaries
• Telemovies
• Episodic (drama/comedy)

Moreover, on post-production services such as:
 

• Digital content services
• Visual effects (PDV) services for projects shot inside or outside Abu Dhabi

 
Refer to the ADFC website for more information.

You are required to:
 

• Submit the full script in Arabic and English
• Highlight scenes to be shot in Abu Dhabi
• Complete the application form
• Submit the form to your assigned twofour54 production manager

It should then take 15–20 days for your approval application to be processed.

Every project is unique. Some videos require an immediate turnaround on location, so delivery time is a matter of hours. For larger-scale productions, the process can take several weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Every kind of video is made here! The sky is the limit. Here are just a few types of video that are created at twofour54:
 

• Branded content video productions
• Commercials
• Promotional videos
• Feature films
• Dramas
• Documentaries
• Animation
• Event videos
• Music videos

Our goal is to create the best video possible at a budget that is comfortable for you. Every project is unique, and so pricing is unique. Specific videos have minimal needs, while others require more post-production resources, which can result in a higher budget. From the very beginning, our experts will work with you to provide a tailored, itemised quote to help you understand the associated costs of producing your video.