Free zones in UAE are much popular among investors as they offer a whole lot of business support and infrastructure to the investors. UAE comprises around 40 free zones.

Freezones in UAE are widely categorized on the business activities they are specialized in. For example, media companies should get themselves registered in Media City free zones like Dubai Media City, Sharjah Media City, and Fujairah Creative Zone, etc.

You will be interested on: Free Zone Company Formation

What makes Freezones a popular choice for investors?

Freezones provide benefits to the investors, the most striking one being 100% ownership of the business entity. The other benefits like tax-free environment, secure banking system, fast and easy business set up, world-class infrastructure also attract investors.

Various factors determine the popularity of free zones. Freezones in Dubai are most preferred for general trading, service industry, consulting, etc. as Dubai is the centre for most business activities in the UAE.

The location of Dubai International Airport is another attraction for services and consultancy businesses to set their base in Dubai. Few direct benefits by setting up a business in Dubai include flying in and out of Dubai hassle-free for business meetings.

Freezones in UAE are mostly cost-effective and offer infrastructure and business setup to run your business profitably.

Cheapest free zones in the UAE

There are some free zones in the UAE, which are cheaper and offer the same infrastructure and business benefits more like free zones in Dubai.

International Freezone Authority (IFZA)

IFZA (International Freezone Authority), Fujairah is one of the most cost-effective centres providing profitable solutions to set up your business in the UAE.

IFZA has a wide range of office solutions matching international standards, and also warehouse facility built on highest international logistics standard. Flexible rental solutions are available for investors to keep their operational costs to a minimum.

Investor benefits

• Easy and fast incorporation along with company management
• A wide range of business activities (Services, Consultancy, Trading, etc.)
• 100% ownership of your company
• Facility to set up a Limited Liability Company and get the suffix LLC after your company name.
• 100% Corporate and income tax exemption
• No restrictions on foreign currency
• No need for a physical office
• Nil share capital requirement
• The ability to incorporate holding companies

IFZA license types

• Consultancy license (for professional services like HR consultants, management consultants, etc.)
• Service license (this best suites production, transformation, and distribution services)
• Trading license (for companies that trade specific goods)
• General trading license (for companies trading a wide range of items)
• Industrial license (for companies involved in raw materials import, production, manufacture, package, and export)
• Holding license (for the holding of standalone assets/shares of other companies)

General trading license with one visa package costs around 17,500 AED yearly (actual amount may vary slightly)

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Freezone (RAKEZ)

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Freezone) is a cost-effective business hub with setup packages, modern facilities, along with the first-class service. RAKEZ provides state of the art infrastructure and hi-tech facilities for industrial growth and developments.

With a fast and easy setup, and customer friendly environment for investors, RAKEZ is one of the business friendly options. There are around 14000 companies from 100+ countries registered with RAKEZ. There are five free zone parks, which are made such that it suits investor requirements.

RAKEZ includes three industrial parks, a business park, and an academic zone.

With RAKEZ you have provisions for both Freezone and non-free zone company formation, alongside a wide range of business and industrial facilities. Moreover, easy access to seaports and airports in UAE is an added advantage for investors.

Commercial License amounts to 14,800 AED yearly with the facility to conduct five similar activities in the chosen category.

Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)

UAQFTZ (Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone) is a better option for SMEs, business groups, and startups. Features like proximity to Dubai, accessibility to international ports, and high notch infrastructure makes it an investor’s choice.

UAQFTZ operates as an autonomous free zone from 2014 and is expected to have a rapid adoption in the years to come.

• Licenses issued by the UAQFTZ
• Commercial
• Consultancy
• Industrial
• Services
• Freelance permits
• General Trading

Commercial License consisting of two visa packages amounts to 20,500 AED yearly (Actual amount may vary)

Ajman Media City Freezone

Ajman Media City free zone is one of the most competitive and fastest-growing free zones in the UAE. It contains significant business setups along with top-notch infrastructure.

Ajman Media City is the perfect place for media and entertainment companies to set up offices with a cost-effective platform best suited for profitable business establishments.

Types of companies that can be formed in Ajman Media City free zone

• Freezone Company (FZCO)
• Freezone Establishment (FZE)
• Branch of a UAE company
• Foreign Company branch
• A subsidiary of a foreign company

Benefits

• 100% foreign ownership
• No corporate or income tax
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits
• Fast license issue (Within two days)
• One license, multiple business activities
• The easy and fast registration process

Commercial license with one visa package amounts 11,952 AED yearly (Actual amounts may vary)

UAE is one of the dream destinations to allow your business to flourish with the perfect location and business license types. Choosing UAE as your business destination is inevitable as there are many perks like world-class infrastructure, proximity to air and seaports, strategic location, banking facilities, support from the government for entrepreneurs, etc.

You can always call us to know more about low-cost business set up options in the UAE to start your new business.

Setup your Business Today!