The 8 Best Free Zones in Dubai
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A vital reason why Dubai, UAE is increasingly appreciated as a focal point for entrepreneurship may be the active development of FEZs. When choosing the best free zone in Dubai, UAE, it is necessary to reflect on specific issues.
Most of the designated areas do not permit all types of commercial operations. Some zones do not have industrial licenses, and some, like DMCC, do not have warehouses, which limits your choice. Many Free Zones - FEZs significantly narrow the scope of operations you can carry out under a specific license. Each area has an independent governing body (FZA) that proposes different licensed activities and regulatory policies.
When creating an enterprise within a state, the company's financial assets are a common prerequisite. However, many free areas do not require any capital to be deposited into an account. The requirements for minimum capital vary among registration authorities. Some free zones may require as little as AED 1,000 to incorporate a firm. However, in some zones, more than 185,000 or 300,000 dirhams are needed for an enterprise to be established. At the same time, in some zones, the capital of commercial enterprises must be AED 1,000,000.
The requirements for premises leased by businesses established in the free zones of the Emirates can vary significantly depending on the chosen FEZ and the nature of the enterprise. Some zones allow the rental of a virtual room for operations provided by the FEZ administration. Others include the mandatory demand for the rental of physical spaces and other facilities of appropriate sizes for the respective operation. The basic parameters for renting an office or other facilities in the best free zone of Dubai or other Emirates are:
FEZs may not cover the desired class of building. By setting up an organization and renting an office in such an area, one may soon face the problem of finding a warehouse or production facility, as such properties may not be available or may all be occupied in the said zone.
The nature of the enterprise will determine your visa quota. Overseas nationals who want to set up a business or launch a venture in Dubai, UAE need to obtain a residence visa from an authorized state body. Similarly, you will need to obtain visas for your non-resident employees.
Additionally, each free zone comes with its own permitted amount of visas. In the absence of an actual office setup, most zones will grant you 2 to 3 visas, and any further entry permits will require you to set up a physical office. Furthermore, the size of the premises, in a significant percentage of cases, directly affects the maximum amount of visas a business can obtain for its shareholders and employees.
Companies in these zones can be established as:
A domestic UAE Dubai shareholder is not considered necessary for a foreign investor to establish a company in the country's Free Economic Zone, as foreign ownership is possible regardless of the investor's nationality.
The choice of a suitable location will be influenced by many factors, primarily your financial situation and the nature of your chosen activities. Give some thought to whether your UAE Dubai business should be closer to a port or an airport. The nearest strategic transport routes and transport hubs should be located near the firm to keep costs down. For example, if your company plans to primarily engage in import and export, it is preferable to be located near major ports.
Understanding the entrepreneurial, cultural, financial, and psychological aspects is crucial if you plan to launch a successful venture in a foreign country. The price parameters of the products and services you offer, for example, depend on which social groups prevail in the community where you plan to establish your presence. Such surveys reveal whether your product or service is in high demand in the current situation and who your customer base might be.
The data you collect from these studies is useful in exploring your brand's competitiveness. This type of market research helps you learn from companies that are competing for your potential customers. Identifying competitive benefits that provide a sustainable revenue stream is essential.
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The zone provides direct access to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport. Having an independent customs area helps to reduce the time and fee for cargo customs clearance. Transport, logistics, and trading companies are often located here. The scope of possible activities is quite broad. The proposed license categories are as follows:
There are two metro stations and a convenient entrance to Dubai's main highway. The choice of activities can range from traditional trading or professional services to crypto trading.
Your license can include up to 6 types of enterprises belonging to the same group. This is twice the average number commonly granted in the Emirates. Alternatively, you may choose to set up a retail store, health center, restaurant, or other types of commercial businesses in Jumeirah Lake Towers. Consequently, this makes setting up a firm in DMCC an excellent alternative to a company on the mainland, where a national citizen is required as a sponsor.
IFZA stands as one of Dubai's highly competitive and most profitable areas. It serves investors with affordable fees and a transparent method of launching a venture. A wide range of advanced office and warehouse options for your specific business purposes are available here. IFZA allows a wide variety of ventures. Up to 6 related activities are permitted per license. The types of licenses enabled are:
The zone focuses on providing high-end professional services. It does not offer any commercial activities. But instead, the zone offers an impressive list of professional endeavors that include a wide variety of services and consultancy. The activities include the following:
The location stands out as the newest FEZ in the country. It was established in January 2017 to accelerate the growth of media organizations and innovative businesses. Sharjah wants to keep up with Dubai when it comes to the latest technologies, so authorities plan to transform it into a state-of-the-art hub that is home to innovative services and media. The zone is often referred to as a free media zone, but its commercial activities are not limited to the mass communication industry.
The scope of activities is extremely broad and covers the following:
In total, there are more than 120 types of activities. You can combine multiple types of activities in your license.
As the world's leading printing and publishing hub, SPCFZ is accelerating its efforts to develop an attractive and supportive environment for a wide range of printing, publishing, and allied fields, with the aim of creating, nurturing, and expanding new markets and contributing to the world's thriving publishing industry.
It is possible to rent furnished and unfurnished offices, retail spaces, and warehouses in the free zone. When renting an office, a visa quota of five per company is granted.
This area is a unique location dedicated to publishing, making it the first zone of its kind. SPCFZ is under the supervision of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
The zone is the fastest-developing group of Free Zones in the United Arab Emirates.
RAKEZ's advantageous geographical location, wide choice of authorized ventures, capacity for instant visa acquisition, and the relatively quick and uncomplicated way of renting an office. All of the above factors encourage foreign entrepreneurs to do business in Ras Al Khaimah.
Commercial, service, and professional activities are permitted in RAKEZ. Additionally, a single enterprise has the right to be licensed to operate in multiple lines of business.
The zone is located close to the major ports of UAE Dubai and is a forty-minute journey from the International Airports. UAQ represents the ultimate destination for any entrepreneur to operate conveniently worldwide. A firm established here is permitted to conduct the activities specified in its license documents throughout the free zone and/or anywhere outside of UAE Dubai.
UAQ FTZ allows for almost any kind of legal commercial activity, from freelancing to consultancy, E-Commerce, general trading, and manufacturing. The zone's infrastructure is beneficial to tech companies such as IT, research, and development-oriented companies. Moreover, the strong economic assistance to startups by the Emirate's governing bodies, the regional accessibility of the free zone, and minimal operating costs promise a highly fruitful potential for new ventures, thus enhancing overall growth prospects.
To select the best free zone in Dubai, you should carefully consider many factors, focusing primarily on the nature of your business and the infrastructure required to run a prosperous business. Don't forget to consider residence visas for yourself and your employees.