Ajman Media City is the cheapest free zone in UAE. This freezone offers investors a range of business activities and business license types at the lowest cost.
List of best free zones in the UAE:
- Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
- Fujairah Creative City Free Zone.
- Sharjah Media City Free Zone (Shams)
- Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ)
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Essentially, free zones or free trade zones in Dubai are business zones where companies operating in them are exempt from all types taxation such as Value Added Tax (VAT), Income Tax, Corporate Tax and Customs. Business owners in the free zone areas in Dubai have 100% ownership of the business.
There are 45 Free Zones operating in UAE.
There are currently 24 free zones operating in Dubai, with the popular ones being Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) which is also one of the oldest free trade zones in Dubai.
A free zone, also known as a free trade zone, is a defined geographical area within each emirate. The fact that no duties or taxes are levied in the free zone helps to promote trade, especially the import and export of all kinds of goods.
Even though DIP is not a free zone, it offers many advantages. If you want to incorporate a company in the complex, you can avail the following benefits: Ownership, taxation, repatriation benefits.
Masdar Free Zone is a thriving business community located in Masdar City, one of the world's most sustainable urban developments, and the perfect place to start, nurture or expand a business. It is home to a diverse, innovative and ambitious collection of companies, ranging from start-ups, to SME's and multinationals.
Financial free zones (FFZs) are free zones engaged in financial activities. In the UAE, there are currently two FFZs: the Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi (under construction) the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Zone FaresDubai map is divided into 7 zones. Each zone contains Metro stations, Bus stations, Tram stations, and Water bus stations. Your journey can be made using different modes of transport which are located in different zones.
There are around 40 Free Zones operating in the UAE, with more under construction. Each Free Zone is designed around one or more commercial categories and only offers licences to companies within those categories.
This type of visas provide temporary residence for three years to foreign entrepreneurs either having a business or wanting to start a business in any free zone across the UAE.
A designated zone in the UAE is an area which is considered to be outside the UAE territory for VAT purposes. Supplies made from inside or outside a designated zone are free of VAT (with some exceptions).
Free Zone Establishment (FZE) is a single share holder limited liability company which can be incorporated in all UAE Free Zone. However Free Zone Company (FZC) will be a similar incorporation with multiple shareholding (maximum 5 shareholders).
Here are the key steps to set up a business in a free zone.
- Determine the type of legal entity.
- Choose a trade name.
- Apply for a business licence.
- Choose an office space.
- Get pre-approvals, register your business and get your licence.
Key features of the UAE's free zones:
- 100% ownership. Only recently have foreign nationals been able to own 100% of a company on the mainland.
- Favourable business conditions.
- Exemption from tax, duties, customs.
- Hassle-free procedure.
- No trading in mainland.
Dubai Development Authority regulates a diverse Free Zone comprising 9 clusters dedicated to creative and other knowledge-based industries. These clusters are owned and operated by TECOM Group, Dubai's pioneering master developer of industry focused clusters.
TECOM Group, formerly known as TECOM Investments, is the primary developer and operator behind the industry-focused business clusters in Dubai, operating 11 sector-focused communities in Dubai. It is a unit of the sovereign investment vehicle, Dubai Holding.
Barsha Heights is a free zone area in Dubai. It includes the business parks of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, Enpark, DuBiotech, and Dubai Industrial City.
About TECOM Free ZoneAs of 2019, the 11 business communities are arranged under the following names: Dubai Internet City (DIC) Dubai Outsource City (DOC) Dubai Media City (DMC)
The Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM) is the primary training command of the United States Marine Corps.
The freelance permit in Dubai is a licence issued under the TECOM Group that allows you to work as an independent contractor and is renewable each year. The freelancer permit is ideal for those who are on their spouse's or parent's visa and only require a licence to operate as a freelancer.