Start a Free Zone Company Formation Anywhere in UAE

Business Setup Services

UAE has become a global trading center where people from around the world converge for the purpose of trading. The free zone company formation is a major factor that has contributed to its rapid economic growth. The flexibility of laws regulating the establishment and running of businesses in Dubai free zones has made it a sought-after market.

The UAE free zones are not regulated by the commercial laws established by the Ministry of Commerce to regulate the trading activities of mainland companies. The free zones offer foreign investors and entrepreneur’s 100% business ownership freedom in addition to a tax-free and free custom duty charges. This list of benefits free zone provides has made it an ideal destination for international companies to operate. To open a company in Dubai free zone, local partners or local service agents are not required.

What is Free Zone

The Free zone meaning or Definition may differ according to the type of Free zone, but in general, it is a geographic area where goods may be landed, stored, handled, manufactured, or reconfigured, and re-exported under specific customs regulation and generally not subject to customs duty.

Free zones are separate entities and not governed by the UAE labor law, the companies under the free zone areas have their own set of rules and regulations, and similar to the offshore companies, no need for a local sponsor to open a free zone company and the company can be 100% owned by non-UAE or GCC nationalities.

Free zones in UAE

UAE boasts of more than 40 free zones with more under construction. The Free Zone company formation in UAE might come as a tricky one as there are several options of free zones to pick from. With our knowledge and experience in business setup, we will assist you in narrowing down to the appropriate free zone suitable for your business and help you set up your free zone company in no time. The major free zones in UAE are:

Dubai Free Zones

Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)

Setting up your business at DAFZA means joining one of the fastest growing Free Zones in the UAE. Strategically located adjacent to the Dubai International Airport, businesses in DAFZA leverage unique benefits in market access, tax exemptions, and world-class facilities. Three simple steps are required to begin business activities in the free zone.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

JAFZA, the trade catalyst, has evolved into a unique trade ecosystem that reduces cost, while enabling new opportunities for growth, Today, JAFZA is a dynamic base for thousands of businesses, from over 100 countries, sustaining over 135,000 jobs and attracting more than 20% of the UAE’s foreign direct investment; all the while exceeding 50% of Dubai’s total exports, with a phenomenal value for trade of $69 billion.

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Made for Trade, DMCC has firmly established Dubai as a leading center for trading international commodities and the world’s fastest-growing Free Zone. DMCC regulate, promote and facilitate trade across a range of goods from gold, diamonds and precious metals to tea, food, and industrial materials. Today, as home to major multinationals and start-ups, DMCC connect more than 15,000 businesses with the world-class services, leading infrastructure and a vibrant community they need to thrive and succeed.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

DIFC is a global financial center strategically located between the East and West, providing a stable and secure platform for businesses and financial institutions to tap into the emerging markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, The Centre’s internationally recognized and independent regulation, common law framework, tax-friendly regime, and enabling environment make the ideal hub to access the region’s rapidly growing demand for financial and business services.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

The Dubai World Trade Centre has played a pivotal role in the growth of international trade for the Middle East, ever since the inauguration in 1979. Then, it was through the landmark 39-storey Sheikh Rashid Tower, Today DWTC is the region’s largest purpose-built complex for events and exhibitions, DWTC plays a major role within Dubai’s economy, attracting revenue for the city’s sights, restaurants, and hotels. Each year.

Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)

Established in 2003 as part of TECOM Group, Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) aims to develop the region’s talent pool and establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy. DKP is a unique hub that offers the best selection of programs in Human Resource Management (HRM), Consultancy, Training, and Personal Development. Students receive diplomas and certificates of the highest caliber from DKP’s top-class Business Partners.

Dubai Knowledge Park provides flexible solutions with support from its innovative customer service team. With their assistance, DKP business partners have set up training centers, institutes, and HR agencies to sustain and secure their market share in this booming sector.

Dubai Internet City (DIC)

DIC is a creative collective engineered for innovation. DIC community of entrepreneurs, startups, facilitators and Fortune 500 companies is busy creating the future of regional ICT and disrupting the status quo. DIC is the MENA region’s largest ICT hub, with liberal regulations that facilitate business success. DIC fosters entrepreneurs, empowers SMEs, and attracts global ICT leaders to Dubai. Here is where your business accesses a rich ecosystem of knowledge workers, nimble service providers, and expertise from the world over.

Dubai Media City (DMC)

DMC is a stimulating environment can inspire the next creative masterpiece. Dubai Media City (DMC), was launched in January 2001 to establish Dubai as the region’s leading media hub. DMC encompasses a media community of over 20,000 people working in over 2,000 regional and international media companies that are pushing the limits of creativity every day.

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSOA)

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% government-owned free zone, was established following Law no 16 of 2005 of the Government of Dubai, with the Mission to “facilitate and promote modern technology-based industries” thus supporting the region’s demand for business expansion. A full package of incentives and benefits are provided to companies operating within the free zone. Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a technology park and provides both a living and working integrated community.

Dubai Healthcare City – Regulatory (DHCR)

Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory (DHCR) is an independent regulatory arm of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). The DHCA is the governing body of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) – a health and wellness destination in the world’s largest healthcare free zone.

DHCR regulates the free zone and reports directly to the DHCA Board. It is responsible for ensuring compliance and enforcement of international quality standards for clinical and non-clinical facilities. It also oversees the licensing of all healthcare professionals, educators and operators, and the setting and maintenance of international best healthcare practices within DHCC.

International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)

IFZA is set to quickly become a leading investment hub within the thriving UAE economy, offering a highly customized approach, coupled with efficient international service standards and cost-effective solutions. With IFZA, it is truly all about the customer and their journey to business success.

Dubai South

Dubai South is an economic zone that supports several activities including logistics, aviation, commercial, exhibition, humanitarian, residential and other related businesses. The Business Centre at Dubai South is expertly designed to facilitate the growth of every business from start-ups to SMEs. Offering complete turnkey business services and cost-effective office solutions it is perfectly aligned to suit global business needs.

Abu Dhabi Free Zones

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)

KIZAD delivers unique advantages – extensive size, world-class infrastructure, free zone, and non-free zone solutions, dedicated investor support, tax-free environment with competitive operating costs and strategic location with access to regional and international markets. These contribute to making KIZAD one of the world’s foremost port-integrated industrial zones and a leading hub for manufacturing, logistics, and trade across diverse sectors.

Masdar City Free Zone (MASDAR)

Centrally located at the crossroads of the Middle East and Asian markets, with a strong global logistics and transport network, Masdar City also offers businesses a one-stop platform for opening a business. The services include company registration, office leasing and fast-track visa processing in a safe and friendly working environment.

Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)

Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone is the new global business address for the world, providing its customers with numerous products within a Free Zone environment. Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone offers its customers the full spectrum of Free Zone services, including company registration, licensing, leasing, rapid visa processing for employees, and many other high-quality services within a One Stop Shop environment.

Media Zone Authority (Twofour54)

twofour54 is a media free zone located at the heart of one of the fastest growing media markets in the world with attractive economic benefits for companies such as an easy licensing and business set-up services, 100% company ownership in a stable environment. A place where some of the biggest names in the industry call home and the perfect location for your business, big or small, to thrive and prosper.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

Abu Dhabi Global Market is a broad-based international financial center for local, regional and international institutions, established in accordance with the Federal Law No (8) of 2004, Federal Decree No (15) of 2013, Cabinet Resolution No (4) of 2013, and Abu Dhabi Law No (4) of 2013.
ADGM’s three independent authorities – the Registration Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ADGM Courts – ensure that our business-friendly environment operates in line with international best practices that are recognized by major financial centers across the world.

Sharjah Free Zones

Sharjah International Airport Free Zone (Saif Zone)

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone provides some of the most enticing business incentives in the region, including speed of service and simplicity of the process. The perception of lengthy and highly bureaucratic procedures to set up in the Middle East can be a serious barrier to potential investors but SAIF-ZONE has a 24- hour licensing service which enables businesses to be up and running sooner than has ever been possible before. The customer base is among the largest in the world from one central hub, with access to more than 2 billion people within a four-hour flight and as one of the most dynamic Emirates in the UAE.

Sharjah Media City (Shams)

Sharjah Media City (Shams) was launched in January 2017 to act as a catalyst for creative and media businesses to grow and thrive. Aiming to be a world-class media hub for innovative facilities and services, Shams covers a wide range of business activities available for those wishing to embark on their entrepreneurial journey in the UAE.

Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA)

Hamriyah Free Zone, UAE’s second largest industrial free zone is spread across approx. 26 million square meters. Established on November 12, 1995, by Emiri Decree No. 6 of 1995, it is home to over 6,500 businesses from 163 countries. In addition to world-class facilities including offices, warehouses, factories, and executive office suites, Hamriyah Free Zone also has over 15 on-site key business services, like banking and auditing firms, currency exchanges, conference rooms, staff accommodation, and more.

Ajman Free Zones

Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)

Established in 1988, Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) offers outstanding investment opportunities to both local and foreign businessmen and investors. We provide progressive infrastructure and top-of-the-line facilities to foster competitive privileges allowing companies to realize their full potentials.
Ajman Free Zone has revolutionized the business sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through its immense initiative in Ajman industrial expansions.

RAK Free Zones

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)

Based in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah, we were established in 2017 to oversee and consolidate the specialized zones and clients of the two fast-growing free zones in the UAE: RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority. We are one of the leading investment hubs in the UAE that offers customizable solutions to free zone and non-free zone businesses. From freelancers and startups to SMEs and industrialists, our multinational community is flourishing in over 50 industries.

Fujairah Free Zones

Creative City Fujairah

Creative City provides licenses to individuals within a Free Zone economic environment. It regulates and processes all government formalities, work permits, and visas and simplifies the process of a business startup. Providing a complete one-stop solution, Creative City offers customized services and business packages and ensures professional assistance to its clients during every step of a company formation process.

Umm Al Quwain Free Zones

Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority (UAQ FTZ)

UAQ FTZ is situated close to the UAE’s primary seaports and within one hour’s drive of Dubai International Airport and Sharjah International Airport, ensuring easy access to the rest of the world. Thanks to UAQ FTZ’s investor-friendly environment, establishing a commercial base in the UAE has never been simpler. Forward-thinking SMEs and micro-businesses in particular, will benefit from advantageous set-up costs, 100% company ownership and zero currency restrictions.

Set up your Free Zone Company Today

How to Start a Business in a Free Zone?

Free zone company setup in Dubai isn’t quite as daunting as the mainland company setup. Companies can be registered as Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Free Zone Company (FZC) and representative or branch office in Dubai free zone. The representative or branch office may have their main company outside or within UAE. The FZE and FZC are limited liability companies and their activities in the free zone are regulated by the independent Free Zone Authority (FZA) which are also responsible for issuing licenses. Depending on the free zone location and the category of commercial business carried out, the type of licenses issued varies from one to another. Free zone company formation in Dubai requires following due laid down processes by the FZA.

The following processes are the stages involved in the setup of a free zone company:

Selection of legal entity of choice
Selection of trade name
Business license application
Leasing of office space or land
Acquisition of pre-approval
Business registration
Acquirement of business license

Advantages of A Free Zone Company Formation

100% foreign ownership
No UAE partner or service agent required
100% repatriation of capital and profits
Total exemption of corporate and income tax
Additionally, no duties required to be paid for imports and re-exports
No restrictions on the use of currency
Access to open a bank account in Dubai
Entitled to request for UAE residency Visas
Allowed to hold shares in other UAE and worldwide companies

Paso is your trusted free zone business consultant in Dubai. We assist you through your Free Zone business setup. Let us take the hassle out of your business set up with our industry experience and expertise. contact us to start your Free Zone company.