Business setup consultant for Dubai free zone
Business Setup in Dubai Freezone
Business Setup in Dubai Freezone : The free zone is a place in the United Arab Emirates where a set of activities or trading activities that have already been decided on can be done. Setting up business in a Dubai free zone needs a free zone license from the UAE and Dubai, issued based on the business activity of the company.
Licenses of Dubai Free zones are issued based on the specific business activity of a company. New free zone regions are being constructed; hence, the total number of free zones can rise in the upcoming years. Free Zone Authority has been the governing body to take charge of activities of a Free Zone company related to license issuance and operations.
Business setup in the Dubai Free Zone: There are commercial laws to govern mainland UAE companies that are not applicable to free zone companies. The greatest benefit of setting up businesses in the Dubai Free Zone is that foreign investors can have 100% ownership. Besides their complete ownership benefits, monetary benefits such as 100% repatriation benefits, complete tax exemptions, and no foreign exchange restrictions can be the benefits of free zone company formation in Dubai.
At a glance
Dubai free zones in numbers
28
Free zones in Dubai
3 – 6 weeks
Typical setup time
3 years
Usual licence validity
100%
Foreign ownership
Key advantages
Free Zone company benefits
Foreign investors can seek 100% foreign ownership of free zone companies.
Tax exemption benefits are implemented in the free zone regions. It is devoid of income tax, corporate tax, and personal tax.
There are no foreign exchange restrictions in free zone jurisdictions.
No hassle in employee recruitment formalities.
Investors enjoy repatriation benefits from profit and capital.
Devoid of import and export charges in free zone entities has the logistic advantage.
Suitable for medium-sized and small business establishments and start-up ventures.
Free zone regions have full-fledged work spaces and offices, and well-equipped communication facilities.
Company structures
Business entities of free zone jurisdiction
Entrepreneurs and investors rely on three different business entities to form a company in Dubai Free zone jurisdiction.
Free Zone Company
The Free Zone company has a business entity of two or more shareholders.
Free Zone Establishment
The Free Zone establishment has a single shareholder as a business entity.
Dubai Branch Office
In Branch Office, the investors form a business entity serving the branch office of parent-concern.
The directory
Popular free zones in Dubai
Forty free zone jurisdictions are operating in the United Arab Emirates. Also, 28 Free zones operate in the Emirates of Dubai. However, Dubai is the preferred Emirate of Free Zone company formation in the United Arab Emirates. Here are major Free zone jurisdictions listed below:
DMCC
The #1 Dubai Free Zone for company setup, DMCC, provides the physical, market, and financial infrastructure for a commodity marketplace in Dubai.
Dubai Design District
Dubai Design District, also called D3, is right in the middle of the city. D3 is one of the more recent Dubai free zones that investors and businesses can use.
Dubai World Central
Dubai South free zone is another name for Dubai World Central. The government of Dubai has a big plan to make this free zone the largest business and aviation hub in the area.
Dubai Industrial City
The free zone of Dubai Industrial City (DIC) is also called Dubai Industrial Park. DIC is one of the biggest industrial hubs in Dubai. It is a designated district of Dubai wholesale.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of more than 30 Dubai Free Zones that is strategically placed between the East and West.
Dubai Silicon Oasis
The DSO is a free zone in Dubai that is owned by the government. DSO supports modern industries based on technology with a master-planned urban community.
DAFZA
One of the most advanced free zones in Dubai is the Dubai Airport Free Zone. DAFZA is the governing body that is in charge of all business registrations and licences.
Gold & Diamond Park
Gold & Diamond Park presents an advantageous proposition to jewelers and business people in search of premium commercial leasing opportunities.
A few more Dubai free zones
- International Media Production Zone
- Jebel Ali Free Zone
- Dubai Production City
- Dubai Studio City
- Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone
- Dubai Commerce City
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Dubai International Academic City
- Dubai Internet City
- Dubai Knowledge Village
- Dubai Media City
Licensing
Dubai free zone business licenses
Business establishments have legal size and structure that need a trade licence for conducting the operations in any UAE Free Zones. The Free Zone Authority grants Dubai Freezone licenses such as an industrial license, a trade license, a national industrial license, or a service license upon approval of your company for free zone business. You have to select the desired free zone jurisdiction based on your business, and the business activity must match the preferred free zone category.
Professional License
Professional License for consultancies and service-oriented firms. The manufacturing firms have export and import companies.
General Trading
General Trading Licenses are used by investors to trade goods and commodities.
Warehousing License
Warehousing licenses are used by investors to meet the warehousing needs like storage and distribution.
Business transactions are conducted by Free Zone companies that limit the Free Zone and abroad. Some restrictions in business transactions happen at the Dubai mainland. The commercial license is held by Free zone companies to seek the service of distributors to conduct local or mainland operations.
The process
Step by step business setup process
01
Trade Name Registration
02
Finalize Business Activity
03
Document Submission
04
Apply for a Business Licence
Cost of a Dubai free zone licence
The total cost of setting up a business in Dubai Free Zone includes a fee for registration, a fee for a licence, a fee for a visa, and sometimes other fees. Every free zone has its own regulations and policies. The validity of a business licence and its stipulations purely depend on the free zone — generally, the Dubai free zone licence is valid for only 3 years.
Black Swan guides you through the complete Dubai Free zone Company Formation process. Black Swan has been a registered business consultant of Dubai to serve clients for over a decade. Contact us to know the latest cost of the Dubai free zone licence.
Wider picture
Benefits of setting up business in the UAE
- 100% foreign ownership
- Tax benefits
- Duty free
- Low operational cost
- Low freight charge
- Abundant & inexpensive energy
- Exemption from all import and export duties
- Freedom to recruit expatriates
- Freehold offices available on sale or lease
- Readymade offices, factories & warehouses
- Free transfer of funds
- No foreign exchange control
