Establishing a Freezone company in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai
Freezones

List of Freezones in Dubai

*A selection of some of the most popular freezones in Dubai

Dubai World Central (DWC)

New free zone focused on trading, manufacturing and logistics activities. Adjacent to the new Al Maktoum Airport and named as the region’s first established and second largest free zone. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • General Trading
  • Industrial
Share Capital Requirements

AED 300,000.00, no requirement to pay up the capital (although recommended within 1-2 years)

Office Requirements
  • Smart desks
  • Serviced/Smart offices
  • Wide variety of offices
  • Warehouses
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

04 – 06 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 02 – 03 visas per Smart Desk
  • 1 visa per 8-9 sq.m. leased property/office
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

DMCC is a well-established zone initially focused on commodities sector but currently hosting more than 11,000 companies with various trading and service activities; highly credible zone. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • General Trading
  • Industrial
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 50,000.00, must be paid up within 30 days of licence issuance. For General Trading, minimum share capital is AED 1 million

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks
  • Small offices
  • Warehouses can be leased outside the Free Zone – Dubai Investment Park
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

06 – 08 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 02 – 03 visas per Flexi Desk
  • 1 visa per 8-9 sq.m. leased property/office
Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA)

DCCA (formerly TECOM) was launched in year 2000 to establish Dubai as a worldwide hub for knowledge-based industries such as Media, IT, Healthcare, Fashion, Movie and Production, Science and Technology, etc. The zone comprises 9 clusters catering to the needs of 7 creative and other knowledge-based industries.

License Types
  • Commercial
  • Professional/ Service
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 50,000.00, must be paid up prior to licensing

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks (applicable in Dubai Internet City Cluster only)
  • Smart/Serviced Offices
  • Wide variety of offices in all clusters
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

06 – 08 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 02 – 03 visas per Flexi Desk
  • Visa per 8-9 sq.m. leased property/office
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

DIFC is a global financial centre established in 2002, strategically located between the East and West, providing a stable and secure platform for businesses and financial institutions to tap into the emerging markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service (regulated and non regulated)
  • Non-Profit Incorporated Organisations (NPIO), Single Family Offices (SFO), etc.
  • Retail
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 35,000.00, must be paid up prior to licensing. Not required for Special Purpose Companies (SPC)

Office Requirements
  • Serviced Offices
  • Physical Offices (fitted and shell & cores)
  • Retail Spaces
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline
  • 05 – 07 months for Regulated
  • 06 – 08 weeks for Non-regulated
  • 02 – 03 weeks for SPC
UAE Residence Visa Eligibility

1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property/office

Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC)

DWTC provides a unique and highly desirable proposition for businesses looking for an effective, competitive and well-regulated business ecosystem. (website)

License Types
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • General Trading
  • Professional/ Service
  • Event management
  • Business Operating Permits
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 100,000.00, no requirement to pay up the capital (although recommended within 1-2 years)

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks
  • Executive Offices
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Not required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

04 – 06 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 2 visas per Flexi Desk/ Executive Office
  • 1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)

DAFZA is a well-established zone that deals with import and export trades and services, established in 1996. It offers companies a base within a modern and comprehensive environment to do business from. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • Industrial
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 100,000.00, no requirement to pay up the capital (although recommended within 1-2 years)

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks
  • Smart/Serviced Offices
  • Physical Offices (fitted and shell & cores)
  • Warehouses
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

06 – 08 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 2-3 visas per Flexi Desk
  • 1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property/office
Meydan Freezone

Meydan Free Zone offers international free zone trading status for businesses locating to Dubai, UAE. Meydan Free Zone’s flexible desk spaces cater for all business whatever their scale or size. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 100,000.00, no requirement to pay up the capital (although recommended within 1-2 years)

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks
  • Fitted Offices
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

04 – 06 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 02 – 03 visas per Flexi Desk
  • 1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property/office
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority is a 100% government-owned free zone that promotes modern technology based industries with urban master-planned community, advanced infrastructure and in-house business services. (website)

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • Industrial
  • Entrepreneurial Business Licence
  • Business Operating Permits
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 10,000.00, must be paid up within 30 days of licence issuance

Office Requirements
  • Flexi desks
  • Smart/Serviced Offices
  • Physical Offices (fitted and shell & cores)
  • Warehouses
  • Retail Spaces
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

03 – 04 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility
  • 02 visas per Flexi Desk
  • 1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property/office
Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)

JAFZA is the largest and oldest free zone in the UAE, established in 1985. JAFZA is an engine for Dubai’s economic and industrial growth. It’s product offerings ensure that clients will find the right set-up for their needs including plots of land, warehouses, showrooms, customised development solutions, offices, retail outlets, a business park and even on-site residences.

License Types
  • Professional/ Service
  • Commercial/ Trading
  • Industrial
Share Capital Requirements

Minimum AED 50,000.00, must be paid up prior to licensing

Office Requirements
  • Physical Offices (fitted and shell & cores)
  • Warehouses
Audited Financial Report Requirements

Required

Estimated Incorporation Timeline

06 – 08 weeks

UAE Residence Visa Eligibility

1 visa per 9 sq.m. leased property/office

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