UAE Freezone Companies

There are around 40 Freezones in the United Arab Emirates, most of them located in the Emirate of Dubai.

We work with all UAE Freezones

UAE Freezone Companies

There around 40 Freezones in the United Arab Emirates, most of them located in the Emirate of Dubai. The Freezones have different main purposes and different conditions in respect of minimum capital requirements, maximum numbers of UAE Resident Visas, substance requirements, allowed activities and other details.

Do not miss our special supportive promotions during October 2022:
Annual General Trade Licence Fee waived, fee for one Dubai Residence Visa and its renewals waived, substantial discounts on multi-year business licences. 

 

UAE Freezone Companies may engage in commercial activities with Freezone Companies of their own Freezone and any other UAE Freezone, and of course with any company or individual outside the United Arab Emirates.

UAE Freezones are often dedicated to a specific range of business activities, other activities may or may not be permitted within a specific Free Zone. UAE Freezones generally allow for the establishment of Freezone Companies (FZC), Freezone Establishments (FZE) and Branch Offices.

Each UAE Freezone has its own offerings and conditions regarding the eligibility of UAE Residence Visas.

As a first step, you would have to study the different UAE Freezones, its conditions, types of licences, office space options offered, and of course its costs for company setup and maintenance.

Shanda Consult works with all UAE Freezones. Based on our experience during long years of service for UAE Freezone Companies, we focus on – but are not limited to – the following Freezones:

  • Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC);
  • Dubai South (DWC);
  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC):
  • Dubai Airport Freezone;
  • Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA);
  • Sharjah Media City (SHAMs);
  • Umm Al Quwain Free Zone (UAQ); and
  • Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)

Through years of UAE Freezone Company incorporation Shanda Consult has developed excellent professional relationships with the authorities of many Freezones, ensuring smooth procedures without hurdles and unnecessary delays.

Dubai South (DWC)

The Dubai South Freezone was originally set up under the name of Dubai World Central in 2006 and later rebranded to Dubai South in 2015. Dubai South is a wide area including warehousing sections, business districts, residential complexes, recreational areas and more. It also comprises Jebel Ali Logistic Centre and the Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai South will host the World Expo 2020. With its Business Park, Dubai South offers competitive office solutions of any size.

The minimum capital requirement for Dubai South Freezone Companies is AED 300.000. The capital does not need to be deposited with a bank.

Banking business and financial or investment management activities on behalf of third parties are not allowed in Dubai South.

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

DMMC was founded in 2002. It is probably the most sophisticated UAE Freezone. It provides an innovative infrastructure and world-class services, reducing the time of company licencing and registration remarkably.

Located in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers area next to Dubai Marina, it provides for nearby residence opportunities of a vast range in type, size and price.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre focuses on seven commodity areas, for which it manages exchanges or special services: gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, spices, agro and base metals.

The DMCC is home to high-security gold storage facilities.

Despite its above focuses, DMCC allows almost all types of trading and services, of which some may require additional licences from the respective local authorities.

The minimum share capital required is AED 50.000 and must be deposited to a bank account in the UAE.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

The Jebel Ali Free Zone is the first Freezone of the UAE, and still its largest by area covered. 100 of the Global Fortune 500 companies have subsidiaries and premises in this Freezone. JAFZA accounts for almost 32% of the total foreign direct investment into the UAE. Many companies in the Jebel Ali Free Zone are export-oriented and serve Middle Eastern and African markets.  JAFZA has a strong presence of industrial production.

JAFZA also provides for the registration of Offshore Companies.

There is no minimum share capital requirement for Freezone and Offshore Companies.

Sharjah Media City (SHAMs)

Sharjah Media City opened in January 2017 and is the youngest Freezone of the UAE. It focuses on media business but allows licencing for a wide range of trade and service activities. Sharjah Media City is only 30 minutes-drive from Dubai International Airport.

Sharjah Media City does not require one to rent office space nor accounting and audited reports.

Please note that banks may scrutinize incoming and outgoing transfers to and from the accounts of SHAMs Companies, due to the relaxed compliance requirements of this Freezone.

The minimum capital requirement is AED 100.000, which does not need to be funded.

Umm Al Quwain Free Zone (UAQ)

The Umm Al Quwain Free Zone is one of the UAE’s older Freezones, having opened its doors in 1987.

This Freezone provides licences for any type of legal business, including free-lancer licences.

There are no accounting and auditing requirements for Freezone Companies in the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone.

Please note that banks may scrutinize incoming and outgoing transfers to and from the accounts of UAQ Companies, due to the relaxed compliance requirements of this Freezone.

The minimum capital requirement is AED 300.000, which does not need to be funded.

Please feel free to contact us through below contact form for a first complementary personal consultation via phone or, preferably, via zoom video conference it’s free!