Dubai is situated alongside the Arabian Gulf in the UAE. It is one of the most famous cities in the world. Earlier it was recognized for its oil industries. Still, after almost two decades, it has become a global business hub with almost 30 Dubai Free Zones attracting foreign investors to start their businesses here and get great rewards and incentives in return for helping them grow their businesses in the meantime for the UAE economy.
Do you intend to start your business in Dubai Free Zone? If yes, then Dubai is the best choice for you. As mentioned earlier, Dubai has almost 30 free zones and is developing more free zones that are under construction. It is an investment hub for all foreign investors that want to grow their businesses around the globe.
The most essential and efficient free zones in Dubai that we, Emirates Business Setup, work with and provide services for your Dubai Free Zone company formation are
- Jabel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
- Meydan Free Zone (MFZ)
- DUQE
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
- Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)
Jabel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)
Jabel Ali Free Zone is the oldest and best location to start your business in Dubai Free Zone. It is the flagship free zone of Dubai Ports. It is integral to DP world UAE’s regional integrated business hub. It spreads over 48 square kilometres and has a customer-centric location that attracts foreign investors to build their business in Dubai Free Zone.
JAFZA includes over 150 shipping lines that provide almost 90 weekly services. Jabel Ali Free Zone is located near the 6th largest port, JAP (Jabel Ali Port), adjacent to PCA (Prime Cargo Airport). The strategic location of this free zone is known as a business hub for shipping, trading, and imports and exports, as it is just 30 minutes away from DIA (Dubai International Airport). So, if you are interested in starting your business here in this zone, then you will get enormous benefits that are mentioned below:
Benefits of business setup in JAFZA
JAFZA is the oldest hub for business development. It is very lucrative and cost-efficient in terms of business development and establishment.
The most prominent benefits of JAFZA include
- No restrictions on foreign employees hiring in your business
- 100% ownership
- Exemption from all imports and export duties
- 0% corporate tax within 50 years
- No currency restrictions
- Cost-effective warehouses, office spaces and on-site residential units are available
- Excellent infrastructure
Types of licenses available in JAFZA
Jabel Ali Free Zone Authority, offers the following licenses for company or business setup:
- Trading license
- Service license
- Industrial license
- E-commerce license
How to set up a business in Jabel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)
JAFZA offers lucrative opportunities to help investors grow and set their businesses at the lowest costs.
Procedure
The process for company registration in Dubai Free Zone is straightforward as you have to fill up an application form and then wait for approval from authorities. When you get the initial approval for your company formation, then you must choose and select office space in JAFZA (Jabel Ali Free Zone Authority) along with other lease documents preparation will be required. After that, the legal documentation process will start. The legal documentation will include business registration. After submitting, you will get issuance approval in two to four weeks. Then the last step is to apply for a bank account.
Documents required
- An application form
- Passport copy of shareholders, if any / manager
- Business plan copy
- Registration application
- Non-refundable fee
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
IFZA has now become the highest-ranked free zone in terms of investment in the UAE. It is also recognized as the investment hub and one of the most cost-efficient free zones with a strategic location just 20 minutes from DIA (Dubai International Airport). IFZA is regulated by the DSOA (Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority) and offers great incentives and benefits to entrepreneurs to start their businesses in this free zone. IFZA is fastly growing and expanding by offering the most economical packages for investors and entrepreneurs. The best point about IFZA is its location, which gives access to all the Arabian Gulf ports, including Indian, Pakistani, and Iran marketplaces.
Benefits of business setup in IFZA
IFZA is one of the most economical and strategic locations to start your business. IFZA provides benefits that are as follows:
- 100 per cent exemption from all types of taxes, including corporate and personal income tax
- Multi-access to all the marketplaces in the neighbouring regions
- No paid-up share capital is required
- Top class infrastructure
- Access to global connectivity
- No physical presence is required
- No, as such, currency restrictions applied
Types of licenses
There is a wide range of licenses that the IFZA provides are:
- Service license
- Industrial license
- Freelance license
- Consultancy license
- General license
How to set up a business in the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
In recent times, IFZA has gained more popularity and reputation in terms of being the best economic free zone in the UAE. We can assure you that the possibility of growth and development in this free zone will be unremitting in the future.
Procedure:
It is a straightforward process and is quite easy to apply as you will apply with all your documents at once and will submit them. After submitting, approval might take 1-2 weeks or even less sometimes. You must get initial approval from the Municipality of Dubai. After obtaining the approval, you must submit the application, the Memorandum of Association, and other required documents to the Municipality. After final approval, you will be registered and can apply for a bank account.
Documents required
- Application form
- Passport copies of owner
- Visa copy
- Emirates ID copy
- Two coloured white background passport size photos
Meydan Freezone
Meydan Free Zone was established in February 2009 under the supervision of His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The MFZ (Meydan Free Zone) is developed around the Prestigious Racecourse. MFZ also remains in the news for hosting top-class horse racing and is known for its world-class infrastructure. It is well connected with the DIA (Dubai International Airport). Due to its world-class infrastructure, investors are attracted here to open a company in Dubai Free Zone, especially in MFZ. So, if you are looking for a perfect setup, then EBS will help you with company registration in Meydan Free Zone, and you will reach your business goals and lead you towards success.
Benefits of business setup in MFZ
- 100% ownership guaranteed
- Fifty years of the tax holiday on personal income tax and corporate tax
- Allowance of hiring foreign labourers and employees.
- No as such currency restriction.
- 100% capital repatriation
Types of licenses
MFZ offers you three types of licenses:
- Commercial license
- Consultancy license
- Media license (advertising license, marketing license and communications license
How to set up a business in Meydan Free Zone (MFZ)
Meydan Free Zone offers straightforward steps to start your business. The following are the documents and procedures required to apply for business in MFZ.
Procedure
The first step is to fill out the form and then attach the documents for the first submission online. After that, you must make the payment to the MFZ (Meydan Free Zone) authorities. After getting approval, now register your company name. It will take only 1 or 2 weeks for completion. After that, sign and attest AoA (Article of Association), MoA (Memorandum of Association), and all the agreements. Now, wait for these external approvals, and after that, apply for a bank account.
Documents required
- Registration form
- Passport copy and visa copy of owner
- Business plan
- CV of the owner
- Leasing agreement
- Existing UAE trade license
- Coloured passport copy
- Non-refundable fee
- Name reservations of your company
DUQE
DUQE is another free zone in Dubai and is famous for its cruise ships. It is located inside the premium QE2 and is 20 minutes away from DIA (Dubai international airport). DUQE Free Zone is acknowledged for providing a hotspot for entrepreneurs to achieve their goals successfully. It is a new home for hustlers, disruptors, and innovators willing to start their businesses with cost-effective packages.
Benefits of starting a business in DUQE
DUQE Free Zone offers benefits that attract entrepreneurs worldwide. All the innovators and entrepreneurs choose this zone, start their businesses, and get the following benefits:
- Fully ownership of your business/company
- Fully repatriation of profits
- Freedom to trade at an international level
- 0% taxes, including corporate tax, personal tax, income tax
- Cost-efficient, especially in terms of business incorporating solutions
- Warehousing facilities
- Remote incorporation
Types of licenses offered by DUQE
Following are the licenses offered by DUQE free zones:
- Trading license
- Commercial license
- Professional license
- Industrial license
How to set up a business in DUQE
DUQE Free Zone is based on a ship and is only 18 minutes away from Dubai International Airport. That is why entrepreneurs and investors looking for business opportunities in Dubai wanted to start their businesses in this zone at low costs.
Procedure
Firstly, fill out the application form, and after getting initial approval, you will apply for business registration. The relevant approvals from relevant authorities will be needed. Now submit all the required documents and pay the fees of the respective license that you are applying for.
Documents required
For individual:
- Copy of passport
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Cancellation paper or UID
- Personal details of the owner
For branch/ company/ corporate entity:
- License
- Business plan overview
- Passport copy of the owner or shareholders
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum of Association (MoA)
- Certificate or share registry
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Free Zone
DMCC, or Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Free Zone, is the world’s number 1 free zone for retail, trading, and commerce. It is in the centre of Jumeirah Lakes Towers District and is 8 times been crowned as “global free zone of the year” by Financial Times fDi Magazine.
DMCC was established in 2009 to run the thriving commodities market. Now it is home to almost 21,000 companies, with almost 170 joining every month in this free zone. DMCC is ideal for entrepreneurs that want to grow their businesses in trade development and commerce in Dubai.
Benefits of starting a business in DMCC
DMCC Free Zone is the most famous free zone and offers lucrative benefits such as
- 100% ownership
- 100% repatriation of capital
- 0% personal income taxes
- 0% corporate income tax
- Strategic location
- One-stop shop
- Convenient in terms of getting approvals
- 7 days process
Types of licenses offered by DMCC FZ
DMCC offers the following licenses:
- Trading license
- Service license
- Commercial license
- Professional license
- Industrial license
- Branch company license
How to set up a business in DMCC FZ
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre is the most promising contributor to Dubai’s commerce & trade development. It is the best option to choose as an entrepreneur to start your business with, as the process only takes 7 working days and is easy to follow.
Procedure
The process is quite straightforward. You choose your company type and the activities accordingly. After that, you can send your application form, which asks you for further leasing agreement approvals upon first approval. After that, you can choose your business office and start your business.
Documents required
- Application form
- Copy of business plan
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Residential address proof (utility bills)
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)
DAFZ, or Dubai Airport Free Zone, was established in 1996 and is now known as one of the fastest-growing free zones in business development, trading and many other operations carried out in this free zone in the UAE. DAFZA is located near the DIA, which makes it a more convenient and attractive location for trading purposes. All the investors around the globe are working in this free zone. As of now, more than 1600 companies are operating in this free zone.
Benefits of starting a business in DMCC
Dubai Airport Free Zone offers
- Complete exemption of corporate tax
- World-class infrastructure
- 24 hours operation
- The process of cargo clearance is rapid
- Strategic location proximity to Dubai International Airport
- 100% income tax exemption
- Single-stop shop
Types of licenses
- Service license
- General trading license
- Freelancing permit license
- Airport Free Zone license
- E-commerce license
How to set up a business in DAFZA
DAFZA is a predominant free zone in Dubai for entrepreneurs to start their businesses here. DAFZA provides a very straightforward and systematic application process.
Procedure
It is hassle-free and, at first, asks you to select the type of business license and entity you are going to apply for and then, after choosing your type with the documents, asks you to submit it online. After that, you will get approval after 2-4 weeks. Then after getting it done, you can start signing the lease agreement and fees payment required for a business license.
Documents required
- Application form
- Letter of intent
- Passport copy of owner/shareholders or managers
- Original bank reference letter of shareholders
- NOC (No Objection Certificate)
- Immigration card
- Passport size photograph
- Company brochure existing (if there is any)
Open a company in Dubai Free Zone with EBS
If you want to open a company in Dubai free zone, then do not hesitate to get help from us. We are here to help you with all from Dubai Free Zone company registration to opening a business bank account in Dubai. Our professional advisors will give you proper assistance that will lead you to grow and reach maximum heights.
