UAE Free Zone Company Formation

Occasionally, we receive questions, as to what is a freezone in Dubai, which Dubai free zones and UAE free trade zones exist and last but not least, we are asked to recommend the best free zone in UAE.  Free zones in Dubai and UAE are geographical areas, which give certain benefits to businessmen, if they wish to set up a business there. To name a few, these are 0% corporate and personal tax for 50 years, 100% foreign ownership, simple set up process, assistance with sponsorship of employees and many other business and government related services. There are more than twenty (20) Dubai free zones. There are also one (1), two (2) or more free zones in UAE in each other emirate. To set up a company in one of UAE freezones, foreign business owner does not require a local business partner or a local service agent. UAE and Dubai free trade zone companies are allowed to conduct business activity only within the free zone, where they are registered (with a few exceptions). Each free trade zone in UAE caters to specific business needs of entrepreneurs and enterprises. While certain free zones in Dubai, for example, have very strong logistic base and that is why such free zone areas in Dubai are preferred by trading and logistic companies, other areas are more oriented towards specific industry, such as IT, education, healthcare and others. We understand how difficult it is to navigate through the abundance of UAE free zones. This is exactly why we prepared an easy-to-use comparison list of free zones in Dubai and other emirates.

LIST OF FREE ZONES

Dubai BUSINESS SETUP IN Dubai
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) trading 15-25 days no minimum share capital requirement Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Dubai South Free Zone trading, service, industrial 15 – 20 days min USD 82,190 (AED 300,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) trading, service, industrial 10-20 days min USD 274 (AED 1,000) uae consultants
Dubai Internet City (DIC) service 20 – 25 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) trading, service 20 – 25 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) service 28 – 42 days min USD 50,000 (AED 185,000) uae consultants
Dubai Media City (DMC) service 20 – 25 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) service 20 – 25 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) service 20 – 35 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) service 15 – 20 days min USD 27,397 (AED 100,000) uae consultants
Fujairah BUSINESS SETUP IN Fujairah
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Fujairah Creative City (FCC) service 6-7 days min USD 41,096 (AED 150,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) trading, service, industrial 6-7 days min USD 41,096 (AED 150,000) uae consultants
Sharjah BUSINESS SETUP IN Sharjah
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Sharjah Airport Free Zone (SAIF) trading, service, industrial 6-7 days min USD 41 096 (AED 150,000) uae consultants
Hamriyah Free Zone (HAFZA) trading, service, industrial 7-10 days min USD 41,096 (AED 150,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Ajman BUSINESS SETUP IN Ajman
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) trading, service, industrial 10-12 days min USD 50,000 (AED 185,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Abu dhabi BUSINESS SETUP IN Abu dhabi
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Masdar City Free Zone trading, service, industrial 14-20 days min USD 13,698 (AED 50,000) uae consultants
Ras-al-khaimah BUSINESS SETUP IN Ras-al-khaimah
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
RAK Free Zone (RAK FTZ) trading, service, industrial 10 days no minimum share capital requirement Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA) trading, service, industrial 7-10 days min USD 27,397 (AED 100,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants
Umm-al-quwain BUSINESS SETUP IN Umm-al-quwain
FREE ZONE LICENSES
ISSUED
TIME FOR
REGISTRATION
SHARE CAPITAL AUDIT
REQUIREMENTS
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) trading, service 6-7 days min USD 82,192 (AED 300,000) Depositing into bank account not required uae consultants