Dubai Free Zones are not under the Department of Economic Development (DED). They are owned by certain zone authorities, such as the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) or the Free Zones Authority (FZA). Free zone can do trade in certain area of free zone, but they can trade internationally without ay restriction. Free zone sectors has best benefits of tax exemptions, ownership with no mandatory partner need. Free zone has some specific restriction according free zone emirate. In some strict conditions, no permission allowed to do business in mainland, if you have free zone license. Dubai has fastest growing economy and great infrastructure of business and successful companies. Dubai has corporate tax exemptions and strictly no tax on personal income. Free zone sector can be also known as strict sectors, as they work with regulations and limited access over areas. For companies whose coming from offshore can also use free zone as sister company, second branch, or new Head quarter in UAE free zone.
Top 10 Free Zone Of UAE
We have pick few top 10 free zone of UAE, as per specialty and our service sector.
1. Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)One of best known free zone of UAE, known as affordable free zone ever. At shams the you get wide connectivity of business and chance to connect with Sharjah business people as well. Shams has some reputed achievements that makes them special for ranking at number one. All the businesses comes to Dubai and try to relocate or want to grow their business in UAE sector, SHAMS is the best in all the ways. SHAMS earned 2023 International Business Awards (IBA) Bronze Stevie Award, also has some more awards Shams eSports Championship, Short Film Writing Challenge at Xposure. Business in Dubai will lead to find solutions from SHAMS, as its cost effective and budget friendly. Specially when you relocate your business in UAE, for cost friendliness.
2. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)Greatest of all time, lets call it largest free zone of UAE and its the best choice for Business relocation in Dubai. Similar to the name of Rakez, they have large number of business activities and almost in all the sectors of ecommerce, media, consulting and more. Rakez is one of best option for those who want relocate in the UAE for building empire in ecommerce, media and consulting sectors. by performing best in the UAE market, rakez have achieved some great awards: Enterprise Agility Awards 2023, Future Data Summit 2023, RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards, RAKEZ HS&E Appreciation Awards. One of most recent award of its support to Indian companies and its role in improving India-GCC relations "Annual India GCC Achievers Awards 2024".
3. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)DMCC has one of fastest self grown free zone of UAE, which outstanding role in the free zone industry and remarkable work in the sector. Setting up a company in dubai and specially in DMCC, give you more power to open the portal of world business. It remarkable top free zone of the world by service and availability of business activities. very common but very important part that every every free zone missed in the beginning is customer support and services. Dubai's almost every free zone work is like to appreciate, none of them lack to work. Words are not enough to explain DMCC, as its always top 1 in the world.
Here are some achievements to share: Awards
1) fDi Global Free Zones of the Year, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and
2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
2) Global Islamic Finance Award for Best Supporting Institution,
2014.
3) Facilitating Most Innovative Structured Transaction Award in
2007, Deal of the Year Award.
4) Dubai Shariah Asset Management awarded as Best Shariah
Compliant product provider, and DSAM Kauthar Commodity Fund
received Best Funds of Funds Award, at the Hedge Funds World
Middle East Conference 2010.
5) Best Fund-of-Funds, Failaka Islamic Fund Award, April 21,
2010.
When there is no one knows about business setup in Dubai, nor mainland neither free zone license. There was a strong pillar standing in the middle of the gulf desert in 1985 that is Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). One of first and oldest free zone of UAE has just 19 companies to start with, and 10 years of efforts take JAFZA to new level. Within 10yrs of era, in 1995 JAFZA cross 500+ companies. 2024 JAFZA has passed record breaking performance and crossing over 10,000+ including international brands. Till now JAFZA got many awards but to keep in memory, there are some special awards JAFZA wins specially by Financial Times' fDi magazine, The Industrial Zone of the Year award, Excellence Award, Free zone of the year 2023, Free zone of the year 2024 are most recent one.
5. Ajman Free Zone (AFZA)Ajman known as smallest city in all 7 states of United Arab Emirates, has population around 500k in 2017/18. Setup business in UAE and specially in Ajman free zone are the good choice if your plan is to settle in silent and piece. Ajman is cheapest to trade and has less scope in terms of international business, as its known as cheapest free zone of UAE. Surrounded with Hajjar mountain line, make them special and attractive to nature lovers. Considering AFZA as business is to be choice of individual and business needs. AFZA ranked one of smallest free zone in the UAE, and has some very awesome awards Global Free Zone of the Year Awards 2021, Regional Free Zone Award, Regional Small and Medium Enterprises Tenant Award, Regional Large Tenants Award, Sustainability Reporting. Since 2021 AFZA recognized as worlds 7th best free zone sector, as per FDi Intelligence Magazine.
6. Meydan Free Zone (MFZ)When the topic is digital world, how can UAE sitting behind and wait for the turn!!! Here at Meydan free zone, they found problem and solution too. In the digital world, we all required everything at door step and online. Dubai has rich standards of customer services and ultra luxury experience of living standard. Similarly Dubai has Meydan free zone with such super awesome business standards. Meydan free zone made easy steps for setting up a company in Dubai online. Meydan free zone made online fully digital platform for preforming all task digitally for best services experience to worldwide clients. The effort of making everything digital pays off and "Meydan Free Zone" got awarded for "Best Digital Free Zone in the UAE". Several awards won by Meydan free zone but we found the best as per our knowledge.
7. Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC)DIFC is the unique and appreciable transformation of global change in the industry of finance and setting up a company in Dubai. Its also known as most advanced and sustainable business financial hub for the GCC nations. The biggest impact is yet to declare, that DIFC plays major role in establishing business license and business setup in Dubai. For the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Asia DIFC is the financial hub and growing roots for rest 72 countries. The best achievement of DIFC is greatly appreciated by industry leaders and hosts for International Finance Awards held at 18 January 2024 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai and MENAA Impact Awards 2023 held at Palazzo Versace in Dubai.
8. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)The transformational era changing innovation of UAE finance, open the door to international finance and reputed business. Abu Dhabi global market operational from Al Maryah Island an Island in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Global Market is reputed and trusted by financial centers from United Arab Emirates and worldwide international market too. ADGM teaches business lifestyle and business strategic decision in financial market and always on top for to setup a company in Dubai. In the back of 2013 ADGM established, but on functional operations started by 2015. This 2years ADGM working hard on strategies of world market and understanding scope of business. Finally ADGM opens a the world door for to make Abu Dhabi's business health stronger. Very accurate and smart work by ADGM reserved the top spot in financial sector and got several awards. Highlighting the top 3 awards of ADGM: 1) Most Trusted Financial Centre Brand, Middle East 2024 2) Best International Financial Centre (EMEA) 2022 3) Best International Financial Centre EMEA 2020
9. Dubai Media City (DMC)A multipurpose open business activity free zone sector of UAE. Also a leading hub business setup in Dubai and the futuristic change in the sector of art and media. Dubai media city is known as first media and marketing free zone of UAE. The best benefit you can get, 100% ownership on your free zone business registration with tax exemptions. Dubai media city has open environment for business entrepreneurs, influencers and freelancers. Dubai media city know for its name and similarly you can acquire same business like; Media management, Events of corporate, Advertising and publishing, Social news, Broadcasts, and more. Dubai media city and its professionals made world class reputation of UAE in front of all world. UAE deserve to be on the top always. More over local and international brands now started acquiring Dubai media city license for the media, advertising or management related work. A quality of work since 2001, in media industry of UAE, nominated for award of "UAE Young Lions Digital Competition In 2019". All UAE believe in Dubai media city for their endless efforts and establishment of media lifestyle in UAE. Setup business in UAE and setup a company in Dubai media city is the best choice for all media industry.
10. Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)There are 40 free zones in the UAE, but Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) is selected one. As they think of global revolution in logistics, import and export. A world leading chain of supply cant be stop, and the DAFZA proved it. There are many company formation companies in Dubai, and you can acquire the best license from Kinjal Patel only. As DAZFA understands the business environment and created the company registration platform of UAE. DAFZA also known as first logistics specially related free zone with good number of benefits. DAZFA open to business globally and now world wide famous for business setup in Dubai. DAZFA has over 2300+ businesses worldwide, and the team of experts. DAZFA identify as Dubai Airport Free Zone Since 1996, a roots of DAFZA in now international to almost all countries. Here is why DAFZA has awards and recognition of golden certification from the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design and Emirates Energy Award. DAZFA has more awards and recognition, we added our selected one.
United Arab Emirates have 40 Versatile free zones for investors, influencers and for entrepreneurs. To see the detailed list about free zone sector in United Arab Emirates go to Wikipedia. Free zone consist of freedom in certain area and 100% ownership but with some regulations to follow. This free zone has great infrastructure and smooth, reliable business opportunities. It has great business structure and business corporates around you all the time, and an open opportunity to have mentor from one of it. You can collab with any good mentor and have free conversation that can be good deal for your business. Best thing about free zone is 100% ownership access, with great corporate bank account. You can choose from thousand of business activities for you business, also can find best location for you office in free zone. The other best benefit is Repatriation of Capital and Profits with no objection by 3rd party companies. Setting up a company in Dubai free zone allows you to work with professionals, with no time limit of work, No boundaries on income and capital. You can acquire business license in Dubai in few quick steps, as it fast and reliable process of getting free zone license. By building your business in free zone, you can start making your business communities or trending WhatsApp communities. As people love to follow successful businesses and specially and want learn UAE business setup consultancy. As they aren't aware of Kinjal Patel an business setup consultant is here for business setup in Dubai.
How To Start A Establishment For Free Zone?
There are systematic process of incorporating business in UAE, and had some step to follow. Here is the step by step guide:
Step 1: Let's Set The Paperwork
All the steps you need to do is paperwork and documentation, with passport copy and photo (if required). Basically before submitting the paperwork all we need to go through Quality check of documentation, and measuring missing paperwork In case there is any.
Step 2: Endorsement For Trade Name
After submitting the paperwork with suggested trade name/entity name, wait for endorsement from Free Zone. This process is to make sure that you don't use any business name, that is already in the UAE, to avoid the copyright and protection of other business.
Step 3: Immigration Planning
Process is understanding and smooth for every person, does not has any complications of understanding. making decision on immigration to sponsor a visa for family, labor and some other conditions. Need to consult with Kinjal Patel.
Step 4: Let's Submit Visa Application
Making decision on self visa, family visa and labor, will proceed for getting visa approval from relevant authorities, under some conditions to apply and eligibility. We will process the visa application, so you won't be walking on windows to get stamp on your papers.
Step 5: Medical Submission & Verification
All about your biometric and validation of foreign business owner in United Arab Emirates. We been finalize your appointment with relevant department for medical and biometric verification, all you have visit and follow the rule full information.
Step 6: Apply An Banking Establishment
Basic procedure to get bank account in UAE, is to register your information with our banking partner. Check about your finance operations and limits of transaction. As each bank has their own rules of process. Select the best you want, will give you good options.
Step 7: VAT & Tax Filing
UAE does not impose any taxation from individual income & profits. When you turn to be liable business entity in term of tax in certain income limitations. You are eligible for tax, so make sure to prepare you as soon all procedure is done for legal and licensing.