100% foreign ownership
Guaranteed by the free zone regulations themselves, with no local shareholder or service agent on the register.
- Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 GST
- Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
SERVICE · COMPANY FORMATION
Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE
100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation and licensing in as little as 3–5 working days. We match you to the right zone from more than forty, not the one paying the highest commission.
Free zone licensing in numbers
- 3–15 working daysTypical timeline
- 30 free zonesWe work with directly
- 100% foreign ownershipGuaranteed by regulation
- Workspace includedIn the licence package
Overview
What free zone company setup involves
A free zone company is licensed by an individual free zone authority rather than the emirate’s Department of Economy, over 40 zones operate across the UAE, each with its own rules, pricing and activity list.
Every free zone has its own pricing, visa quotas, office requirements and activity lists. The cheapest licence is rarely the cheapest structure once visas and renewals are counted. Our zone recommendation compares two or three concrete options against your actual plans, activity, headcount, banking needs and budget, with honest numbers for each.
Zone comparison and activity mapping (JAFZA, DMCC, DAFZA, DIFC, IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS, RAKEZ and more)
Trade name, initial approval and licence issuance
Flexi-desk or office arrangement per zone rules
Establishment card, visa quota setup, investor visa and Emirates ID
Bank account introduction with zone-appropriate documentation
Benefits
Why businesses choose a free zone licence
Fast incorporation
Many zones issue a licence within three to ten working days, and several accept fully remote applications.
Built for international trade
Customs treatment inside designated zones suits import, storage and re-export without duty on goods that never enter the mainland.
Predictable packaged cost
Free zone authorities sell the licence, the workspace and your visa allocation as one package, which is why free zone costs are easier to plan than mainland ones. The catch is that the headline package price is rarely the whole number. Medical, Emirates ID, establishment card and insurance sit outside it, and different zones draw that line in different places. We quote you the total, itemised, including the parts the zone does not advertise, so the figure you budget is the figure you pay.
Who this is for
Consultants and agencies billing international clients, import/re-export traders, foreign investors wanting a wholly-owned UAE entity, startups and solo founders, e-commerce sellers, and holding structures, anywhere mainland trading rights add nothing and the cost saving is real.
When this is not for you
A free zone licence is the wrong choice if you sell directly to customers inside the UAE mainland, or if you plan to bid for government tenders. Free zone companies cannot trade in the mainland market without a distributor or a mainland branch, and most government contracts are closed to them. If that is your business you need mainland, and we will tell you so before you pay.
Requirements & Process
The formats free zone registrars insist on
Documents & eligibility
Free zone registrars run lighter documentation than DET, but they are strict on format. A scan that is cropped, low-resolution or missing a page will be rejected outright.
Passport copies for every shareholder and director, valid at least six months
Passport-size photographs on a white background, to the zone’s stated dimensions
Emirates ID and visa copy for shareholders already resident in the UAE
Completed application and shareholder specimen signature forms
Three proposed trade names in order of preference
A short business plan or activity description, required by some zones, useful for banking at all of them
Proof of address and a recent utility bill or bank statement for KYC
Board resolution appointing the UAE entity, where the shareholder is a company
Attested and legally translated parent-company certificate of incorporation and MOA for corporate shareholders
No Objection Certificate from a current UAE employer, where applicable
Curriculum vitae for the appointed manager, requested by several zones
Professional qualification certificates, attested, for regulated professional activities
Additional documents may be required depending on the licensing authority, your chosen jurisdiction and the specific business activity. We confirm the exact list for your case before any fee is paid.
How it works
The 6 stages of a free zone licence
Timelines vary by zone. The fastest issue a licence in three working days on a complete file; zones requiring external approval or physical attendance take longer.
01
Zone comparison and shortlist
We compare candidate zones on permitted activities, total cost, visa allocation and current bank acceptance, then give you a written shortlist of three with the trade-offs stated plainly.
1 working day02
Name reservation and application
Your trade name is reserved with the registrar and the incorporation application is filed with shareholder documentation.
1–2 working days03
Initial approval
The registrar confirms it has no objection to the shareholders or the proposed activity. Some zones run a compliance screening at this stage.
1–3 working days04
Lease and establishment documents
The workspace agreement, flexi desk, office or warehouse, is signed, and incorporation documents are issued for signature.
1–2 working days05
Licence issuance
Fees are settled and the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and share certificates are released.
1–2 working days06
Establishment card and visa processing
The immigration establishment card is opened, then entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping run for each visa in your allocation.
7–15 working daysGet your exact quote in writing
Tell us your activity and visa needs, a senior consultant replies with an itemized quotation, usually within 15 minutes during working hours.
No follow up calls unless you ask
Exact cost in writing
Response within 15 minutes during working hours
Related services
- Offshore Company Formation
- Freelance Permit
- UAE Residence Visa Services
- Corporate Bank Account Opening in the UAE
Want the numbers first? UAE Free Zone Cost Calculator
