Free Zones (also known as Free Trade Zones) are designed to boost international business through 100% ownership provision for foreign investors, and single window administration convenience. Once your business is up and running in the UAE, you, as the business owner, may apply for a UAE residence visa and hire staff. You may also apply for UAE residence visas for your dependents such as family members. UAE has over 50 free zones covering all main business sectors. Whether your business is industrial, commercial, consultancy, retail, education, health or technology, the UAE free zones are ideal locations to establish your business.
Dubai is the business capital of UAE with specific established free zones for a wide variety of business fields. However, other Emirates now follow Dubai’s business vision and have developed their own Free Zones offering competitive and flexible rates competing within the UAE market.
Free zones offer a limited company with flexible structure for corporations and individuals, and a very easy process with only few days’ work required to establish and get your business up and running. The process can be done remotely, and foreign investors are not required to be physically present in the UAE to establish a new company.
Company registration in the UAE is a relatively simple process and does not require complicated documentation, especially when it comes to comparing the process to other countries.
However, the documentation required would vary and depend on different factors, namely: the business activity, the shareholder type (individual or company) and the selected location. The exact requirements will be communicated to you upon submission of our proposal, or you may inquire about this aspect by reaching our contact numbers or thru email.
Here are the typical documents requested for forming your company in the UAE:
• Clear color copy of the passport
• Clear color photograph with white background
• Clear color copy of Latest UAE entry stamp or latest UAE residency visa
In some cases, additional documents might be requested from the authorities such as (birth certificate, bank reference letter, business plan, educational degree … etc)
Documents required to start the license application for companies (branch or subsidiary of foreign entity)
• Attested and notarized copy of the mother company license
• Attested and notarized copy of the mother company MOA
• Attested and notarized copy of the mother company board resolution • Clear color copy of the director’s passport
• Clear color photograph of the director with white background
• Clear color copy of the director’s Latest UAE entry stamp or latest UAE residency visa
In some cases, additional documents might be requested from the authorities such as (birth certificate, bank reference letter, business plan, educational degree … etc)
In 2016, UAE established the Federal Tax Authority under H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (the president of the UAE) via Emirati decree no 13 of 2016 for the following reasons:
• Achieving economic variety
• To enhance the UAE’s economic stability
• To increase UAE’s non-oil income
• Reducing dependency on oil resources
VAT is the newly-implemented tax law, introduced in January 2018 in the UAE. All companies located in UAE either in free zone or mainland operating inside the UAE market, are considered subject to VAT regulation. However, only offshore companies operating outside the UAE are exempt from the VAT regulation.
Income tax
UAE is one of the few countries which offer zero percentage on individual and corporate income tax.
Excise Tax
Excise Tax is a form of indirect tax on specific goods. These goods are harmful to health or the environment. The intention of the tax is to reduce consumption of these goods such as (Tobacco products, Energy and carbonated drinks), while also raising revenues for the government that can be spent on beneficial public and health sectors.
Value Added Tax
Value-Added Tax or VAT is a tax on the consumption or use of goods and services raised at the point of sale. VAT is a form of indirect tax and is applicable in more than 150 countries around the world. All countries have VAT (or similar regulation). While it feels similar to Sales Tax generally imposed on end-consumers, VAT is a more advanced tax system and overcomes many challenges that affect the general sales tax. VAT is charged at each step of the supply chain where end consumers bear the VAT cost while professional entities collect and act in a way as a tax collector on behalf of the Federal Tax Authority.
UAE is one of the region’s leading business centers which makes a safe, secure, advanced banking system vital. The UAE has a stable and strong banking sector regulated by the Central Bank. Established in 1980, The Central Bank supervises monetary, credit and banking policies and its implementation in accordance with UAE rules and regulations. It reinforces the national economy and boost the reliability and stability of the local currency. It also maintains the UAE government’s reserves of precious metals and foreign currencies and regulates banks operating inside the UAE.
Opening a bank account in the UAE is easy, safe and regulated by the Central Bank. SFM’s expert team will make a pre-evaluation of your profile and provide a list of potential banks suitable for your requirements. Once the bank is selected, RAZ will contact the chosen bank and organize a meeting in Dubai which you are required to attend personally.
After meeting the bank, providing the documents required and signing all the bank forms, the bank will need around 15 days to process the account opening. Finally, once the account is opened, the bank will provide your banking details and access for you to fund your account and start your business activity.
Dubai Airport Free zone
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Media City
Dubai Auto Zone
Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park
Dubai Flower Centre
Dubai Gold And Diamond Park
Dubai Healthcare Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai Knowledge Village
Dubai International Academic city
Dubai Logistic City
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai Studio City
International Media Production Zone
International Humanitarian City
Techno Park
Rak Free Trade Zone
Ras Al-Khaima Investment Authority (RAKIA)
Abu Dhabi Ports Company
Abu Dhabi Airport Free zone
Zonescorp
Hamriyah Free Zone
Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
Shams Media City Free zone
Ajman was founded in 1988 and free zone authority was founded in the year 1996, this has created a massive development in the region by attracting great number of companies to benefit from investment privileges.
AFZ is strategically placed at the entrance of Arabian Gulf to serve eastern and western markets. Ajman's proximity to Sharjah & Dubai provides accessibility to two airports and four sea ports. A multi million dirhams development plan on over a million square metro area is under progress at free zone, which on completion will be able to accommodate nine thousands companies.
Advantages of Ajman Free Zone
RAK, Dubai & Sharjah easily accessible
No Import or Export duty
Contemporary infrastructure
Stimulated business ambience
Low price of rent, living and plot
Cheap Energy cost
No service charges or hidden fees
Low lease prices
Most economical wage structure
Easy access to vast work force
UAQ FTZ is stable economy with low cost of living and labor and has easy access to MENA region, sub-continent and European Markets. The modern infra-structure and a unique desert landscape just 45 kms away from Dubai makes it remarkable tourist destination as well.
Being adjacent to Dubai and Sharjah airports gives easy access to the outside world and the road network never hampers the supply chain management. This is the main cause for the businesses flourishing without any obstacles in safe and secure prosperous environment.
Flexibility and ease of doing business
Customer-friendly approach
Investor favored ambience
Chances of growth
Low cost leasing for ware house and offices
Commercial/Trading license
General trading License
Industrial License
Consultancy License
Free Lance Permit
Service License
This free zone has its importance due to the Port of Fujairah which gives easy access to all Arabian Gulf ports, the red sea, Iran, India and Pakistan and also the mainline arrives from northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Far East and North America.
Geographically FFZ is connected through the important sea routes and by air through Fujairah International Airport. This brings spontaneous access to the investors to the global market.
Policies to attract investors
Varieties of business for investment
Full Investment cover
Cost Efficient and Effective facilities
Land, Sea & Air routes to access global markets
Virtual Offices
Trading Offices
Warehouse
Open Land
Custom Built Unit
The license will be issued within a maximum 48 hours upon final agreement on the terms and condition of the contract and the fulfilling of the first years financial commitment.