Freezones Intro

Freezones Intro

U.A.E is a diverse eco system of businesses & to provide incentives to such businesses the U.A.E government has created many free zones. These free zones are special economic zones where a number of conditions required to be fulfilled in order to start a company on the mainland do not apply.

The main benefits of starting a business in free zones is as follows

  • 100 % expatriate ownership.
  • Tax benefits.
  • Capital repatriation.
  • Minimal paperwork & duration to complete.
  • Freedom to register a bank account, hold properties & engage in multiple activities in Dubai.
  • Facilitates easier access to International Business.

The main steps involved in obtaining a trade license & starting a business in U.A.E Free zones is as follows

Determining the type of legal entity

Before starting any company an individual or corporate needs to decide what type of a legal entity does it want to set up – F.Z L.L.C or FZE (Free Zone Establishment)

Determination of Trade name

Before starting any company an individual or corporate needs to decide what type of a legal entity does it want to set up – F.Z L.L.C or FZE (Free Zone Establishment

Selection of trade activity & applying for a business license

Free Zones in U.A.E offer more than 600 activities to choose from. The desired activity should be chosen by the investor.

Leasing or buying an office space

In free zones, you can either purchase or rent office space. Office needs vary depending on your company's size, industry, and type of operation.

Initial approval, registering the business & getting the license

The regulations of each individual free zone apply to businesses that have been formed there. You must apply with the required paperwork in order to receive the required approvals. Depending on the nature of commercial activity, the type of firm, and the regulations of the free zone authorities, a different set of documents may be required

U.A.E offers more than 35 free zones to choose for those investors or individuals who are willing to start their business in U.A.E. The list of major free zones in the U.A.E (categorized as per every emirate) are as enlisted below:

  • DIFC – Dubai International Financial Center
  • DMCC – Dubai Multi Commodities Center
  • JAFZA – Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
  • DAFZA – Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority
  • IFZA - International Free Zone Authority
  • DWTC - Dubai World Trade Center
  • DWC - Dubai World Central (Dubai South)
  • DSO - Dubai Silicon Oasis
  • Dubai Media City
  • Dubai Healthcare City
  • Dubai Internet City
  • Dubai Studio City
  • Dubai International Academic City
  • SAIF ZONE – Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
  • Hamriyah Free Zone
  • SHAMS – Sharjah Media City
  • KIZAD - Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Business City
  • Abu Dhabi Media Free Zone
  • Masdar City
  • Ajman Free Zone
  • RAKEZ – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
  • UAQ FZ – Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone
  • Fujairah Free Zone Authority
  • Fujairah Creative City

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