About Free Zone Company Setup
Free Zones are economic areas where one can carry out trade at preferential tax and customs rates. Free Zones were originally formed to boost international business in the region by offering benefits such as 100% foreign company ownership.
The UAE has over 50 free zones with some offering generic activities for all industries, whereas others are industry-specific.
Advantages:
- 100% ownership
- No NOC (No Objection Certificate) is required from the current employer
- No paid-up share capital required
- Option to incorporate a company under common law
- Physical office space not mandatory
- 0% corporate and income tax
- Option to incorporate remotely
- Flexibility to incorporate in jurisdictions where employee health insurance is not mandatory
UAE Free Zones
The UAE consists of seven emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah with free zones specific to each emirate. Check the advantages and location of each and pick the one best suited to your business needs:
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
- Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC)
- Dubai Airport Free Zone(DAFZA)
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
- Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA)
- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
- Meydan Free Zone (MFZ)
- Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA)
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
- RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC)
- Sharjah Publishing City (SPC)
- Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)
- Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)
Calculate your business setup cost
Get an estimate for your desired business in your desired currency in under a minute with this cost calculator.
License types and activities:
There are more than 3000 business activities listed by the free zones in the UAE. For more details on business activities, reach out to our company setup consultants.
A Commercial License is required in the UAE for businesses involved in trading and supplying goods such as:
- Computer software trading
- Food & beverages, plastic bags & containers trading
- Medical gas, acids & alkaline trading
- Agricultural pesticides, perfumes & cosmetics trading
- Wooden products, pipes & fittings trading
- Audio-visual, recording equipment & accessories trading
An Industrial license is required in the UAE for manufacturing or other types of industrial activities such as:
- Garments, carpets, uniforms manufacturing
- Pastry & sweets manufacturing
- Fabrics & textiles embroidery
- Mineral water bottling
- Plastic bottles & containers manufacturing
A Professional License is required in the UAE for individuals or business groups that deliver expertise as a service to the public such as:
- Electronic, mechanical engineering consultancies
- Science & technology consultancy
- Immigration, educational consultancies
- Health awareness, project management consultancies
- Marketing research, media consultancies, corporate services provider
Process for mainland license
- Choose business activity
- Finalize company name
- Complete incorporation paperwork
- License issuance
- Get external approval (if required)
- License issuance
- Open company bank account
- Receive immigration card
- Process residence visa
