Types of Licenses Available in the UAE Free Zones
General Trading License
Allows investors to trade in all kinds of products
Trading/Commercial License
Grants a time-limited authorization to perform industrial, commercial, or consulting activities
Service License
Allows law firms, accounting firms, and business consultancy firms to operate
Industrial License
Permits importing raw materials, manufacturing goods, and exporting finished products, across global boundaries
Warehousing License
Investors can avail this license to avail warehousing facilities on lease for distribution, packaging, and storage of goods
Manufacturing License
Permits applicants to manufacture products
Benefits/advantages of Setting Up a Business in the UAE Free Zones
UAE setting up a business is relatively easier in Free zones. Duration and Paperwork easy and minimum requirement in free zone.
Here are few steps for start up
- Decide the type of legal entity
- Select a trade name
- Apply for a business licence
- Choose and find best office space as per your requirements.
- Get pre-approvals,
- Register your business and get your licence
- Determine the type of legal entity
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC) or Free Zone Company (FZ Co.)
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
- The differences lie in the number of shareholders and whether the shareholder is a natural person or a legal person. All free zones might not register both types of companies. You need to check with individual free zone authorities about the type of company they can register. Refer to the list of free zones and their authorities.
- Holding company License
- Consultancy and Service Licenses
- Trading and Industrial Licenses
- Licenses with Visa Eligibility
UAE free zone has many benefits of opening a business and avail some extra advantages once investor start business in one of the free zones, find some benefits below.
- 100% foreign ownership
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- 100% free transfer of funds, and no foreign exchange controls
- 100% exemption from corporate, personal and income taxes
- Low freight charges
- Inexpensive workforce, and easy recruitment procedures
- Liberal government policies and legal framework
- Exemption from all import and export duties
- Abundant and inexpensive energy
- Efficient communication procedures and single-window administration
- Easy start-up and licensing procedures
- Sponsorship and visas for an affordable skilled workforce
- Freehold offices available for sale or lease
- The timely and streamlined immigration process
- Ready-made offices, factories, and warehouses
- Unique industry clustering and purpose-built infrastructure
- No restrictions on hiring expatriates
- Flexibility to operate 24/7
- 3-year UAE residence visa
UAE FREE ZONES LIST 2020
Dubai Free Zone
- Dubai Studio City
- Dubai Techno Park
- Dubai Industrial City (DIC)
- Dubai International Academic
- Dubai Academic City
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
- Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
- Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC)
- Dubai South Free Zone
- Dubai Knowledge Village
- Dubai Logistics City
- Dubai Media City (DMC)
- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
- Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park (DuBiotech)
- Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone (DUCAMZ)
- Dubai Design District
- Dubai Gold and Diamond Park City
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre or Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone
- Dubai Outsource Zone
- Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone
- International Media Production Zone
- Economic Zones World
- Dubai Flower Centre
- International Humanitarian City
- Meydan Free Zone
- Dubai Internet City (DIC)
Abu Dhabi Free Zones
- Twofour54
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)
- Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM)
- Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD)
- Masdar City Free Zone
- Industrial City of Abu Dhabi
- Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp)
- Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) – Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ)
Sharjah Free Zones
- Hamriyah Free Zone
- Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
- Sharjah Media City Free Zone (Shams)
- Sharjah Airport International Free (SAIF) Zone
- U.S.A. Regional Trade Center (USARTC)Free Zone
Ajman Free Zones
Fujairah Free Zones
- Fujairah Free zone
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones
- RAK Maritime City
- Ras Al Khaimah Media Free Zone
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
- Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA)
Umm Al Quwain Free Zones
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQFTZ)
Ajman Business Setup services Covering business registration, visa and residency permits, office set up, documents approvals and banking assistance, UAE Freezones offers an exhaustive experience in strategy consulting and a vast knowledge in setting up SMEs or larger companies helping your business to get off to a flying start, in a straight-forward, efficient manner, hassle-free.
