Business Setup in UAE
100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and a fast, single-window licence — across 40+ free zones nationwide. We help you pick the right zone for your activity and handle setup and post-incorporation end to end, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
What it means
A free zone company is a business licensed by one of the UAE's designated free-zone authorities rather than by an emirate's economic department. Each free zone is a self-contained jurisdiction with its own regulator, registry and rules — created to attract foreign investment into a particular sector or location.
The appeal is ownership and simplicity: 100% foreign ownership has always been standard in free zones, with full repatriation of capital and profits, no customs duty on goods inside the zone, and a fast, single-window setup process. Most zones also bundle flexible office options — from a flexi-desk to a full warehouse — with visa allocations.
The trade-off is market access. A free zone company is designed to operate within its zone and internationally; to sell directly into the UAE mainland it generally works through a distributor or a mainland branch. For many founders — holding companies, e-commerce, consultancy, tech, media, logistics and trading — that's no constraint at all.
Choosing well matters: the right free zone depends on your activity, budget, office needs and visa count. We match you to the zone that fits rather than the one that markets hardest.
Where to set up
The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each with its own focus, costs and office options. Here are the most established, grouped by emirate. Select any zone to see full details, activities and pricing on its dedicated page.
The world's most-awarded free zone — commodities, trading, crypto and a prestige business address.
The UAE's largest industrial and logistics hub, beside Jebel Ali Port. Built for trade and warehousing.
Premium zone beside DXB airport — ideal for aviation, electronics and time-sensitive logistics.
Cost-effective and fast, with flexible packages — a favourite for consultancies and SMEs.
Central Dubai address with quick digital setup — popular for e-commerce and trading.
Integrated tech park for IT, electronics and innovation-led businesses.
International financial centre on Al Maryah Island, with its own English common-law framework.
Vast industrial, manufacturing and logistics ecosystem linked to Khalifa Port.
Abu Dhabi's media and creative-industries free zone — film, gaming, content and broadcasting.
Established, cost-friendly zone beside Sharjah airport — strong for trading and light industry.
Deep-water port zone built for heavy industry, manufacturing and oil & gas.
Budget-friendly zone popular with freelancers, media and creative startups.
Low-cost setup close to Dubai — a long-standing choice for SMEs and trading.
One of the most competitive zones for industrial, trading and professional licences.
East-coast media and services zone with simple, affordable packages.
Small, low-cost jurisdiction suited to niche trading and service businesses.
Don't see your sector here? There are 40+ zones in total — tell us your activity and we'll shortlist the best fit.
By nature
Beyond their sector focus, UAE free zones fall into three regulatory categories. The distinction matters for VAT, customs and the kind of business you can run — here's how they differ.
The standard category. A free-zone authority licenses your company, gives 100% ownership and a business address, and lets you trade within the zone and internationally. Most commercial, service and trading licences sit here.
Typical for: consultancy, e-commerce, trading, media, tech, holding companies.
A special category recognised for VAT purposes and treated, for certain goods, as outside the UAE. These are fenced, customs-controlled areas — valuable for businesses moving physical goods, as qualifying transfers can be outside VAT scope.
Typical for: import/export, warehousing, manufacturing, logistics.
Two independent financial centres — DIFC (Dubai) and ADGM (Abu Dhabi) — with their own English common-law courts and regulators. They sit outside the UAE's civil-law system for financial and commercial matters.
Typical for: banks, funds, asset managers, fintech, professional firms.
Requirements
Free zones run a streamlined, single-window process. The exact list varies by zone and activity — you'll find the specifics on each zone's dedicated page — but these are the common essentials.
Pick your activity from the zone's approved list — this sets your licence (commercial, service, industrial, e-commerce, media, etc.).
A compliant company name, reserved and approved with the free-zone registry.
A flexi-desk, dedicated office or warehouse from the zone — the package you pick also sets your visa allocation.
Decide your shareholders and legal form — typically an FZ-LLC or FZE — with 100% foreign ownership and no local agent required.
Passport copies, photos, proof of address and, where applicable, a No-Objection Certificate for residents.
The zone's application form, and — for regulated or financial activities — a short business plan.
Some zones set a minimum share capital; many require no proof of deposit. We confirm your zone's rule up front.
Certain activities (financial, media, healthcare) need the zone regulator's sign-off before the licence issues.
How we help
One team handles your free zone setup and everything that comes after — visas, bank account and ongoing compliance. You always know which step you're on, with a fixed fee agreed before we start.
We match your activity, budget and visa needs to the right free zone and licence — then quote a fixed, all-inclusive fee.
We reserve your company name and submit the application and KYC documents to the zone registry.
We finalise your office or flexi-desk package, clear any approvals, and the zone issues your trade licence.
We process your establishment card, entry permits, medical, Emirates ID and residence visas for you and your team.
We support your corporate bank account, then handle accounting, VAT, corporate tax and annual renewals.
Get started
Tell us your activity and which free zone you're considering — or let us recommend one. We'll reply within one business day with the right zone and an all-inclusive price.