UAE Free Zone Guide

2017-2018
Company Formation in Dubai and UAE

Our Offices: Abu Dhabi | Bahrain | Doha | Dubai | London | Luxembourg | Moscow | Sharjah
 Jebel Ali Free Dubai Airport Dubai Media Dubai Dubai Gold & Dubai Health Dubai Multi Com- Sharjah Airport Hamriya Free Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Particulars Zone- Dubai Free Zone City Internet City Diamond Park Care City modities Centre Intern'l Free Zone Zone -sharjah Free Zone Free Zone
Location Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai Sharjah Sharjah Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Contact 800-JAFZA +971 4 299 5555 +971 4 391 4555 +971 4 391 1111 +971 4 362 7777 +971 4 324 5555 +971 4 424 9600 +971 6 5178231 +971 6 5263333 +971 6 7011555 800 7111

Infrastructure and
Service Rating (1 - 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.5 4.7 4.5 4 4.3 4 4
5)

Nature of
Media & Commercial
licences- investor Trading Trading Software, Internet Trading and Commercial Trading Commercial
Manufacturing Health care (limited to 3
can obtain 1 or Marketing and Multimedia repairing
products)
more licence

Telecommunic Construction, Real

Event Service/ Consultancy
Service Service ations and Office Education Estate and Business Service Service
Management Professional and Service
Network Services

Service Providers Service

(includes freelance Hotels and Industrial
Industrial Industrial Providers Retail Service Providers Restaurants Industrial Industrial Industrial
permits)

Mining,
National Industrial
Hotels & Hotels & Hotels & Transportation,
National (Application to be
National Industrial Property Property Property Financial
industrial made to Ministry of
Management Management Management intermediation and
Economy)
several others
investors can
import, distribute Dubai Airport Free
and store all items Zone's Internal As per regulations As per regulations
General trading rules and Allowed Not Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
as per Jafza rules of DMC of DIC
and regulations regulations apply

Branch of a foreign
Types of FZCO-LLC, FZE, Limitied Liability
FZE FZE or UAE based FZE FZCO-LLC FZE FZE FZE FZE
ownership Freelancer Company
company
Incorporation of a FZCO - multiple
Free Zone Limited shareholding. Max
FZCO - multiple Branch of a foreign 5 shareholders. In
FZCO - multiple Liability Company Branch of a Branch company of FZCO - 2 to 5 FZCO - multiple FZCO - multiple
shareholding or UAE based FZCO certain cases may
shareholding (FZCO-LLC) with foreign Company foreign as well as shareholders. shareholders shareholding
maximum of 50. company extend to 7
individuals as local
shareholders shareholders

Incorporation of a Incorporation of a
Free Zone Limited Free Zone Limited
Branch of a Branch of a Liability Company Liability Company Branch of a Subsidary company
Branch of a Branch of a Branch of a Branch of a Branch of a
foreign foreign (FZCO-LLC) with (FZCO-LLC) with foreign of foreign as well as
UAE Company foreign company foreign company foreign company foreign company
company company corporate corporate Company local
entity/entities as entity/entities as
shareholders shareholders

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 Jebel Ali Free Dubai Airport Dubai Media Dubai Dubai Gold & Dubai Health Dubai Multi Com- Sharjah Airport Hamriya Free Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Particulars Zone- Dubai Free Zone City Internet City Diamond Park Care City Modities Centre Intern'l Free Zone Zone -sharjah Free Zone Free Zone
Incorporation of a
Free Zone Limited
Branch of a local Branch of a local Liability Company Branch of a local Branch of a local Branch of a local Branch of a local
Branch entity Branch entity Branch entity Branch entity Branch entity
UAE company UAE company (FZCO-LLC) with UAE Company UAE Company UAE Company UAE Company
individuals as
shareholders

"For LLC minimum

Capital required for
paid up capital is FZCO-LLCs
Free Zone
AED 50,000 or USD incorporated in
New Incorporation Establishment /
13,606 except Dubai Healthcare "Minimum share
of a FZ - LLC Company AED
An FZE registration Capital for Broadcasting TV City are required capital of a FZE requires min
requires to show a 100,000 (US$ FZE requires AED FZE requires AED
Minimum capital requires AED incorporating an segment and to have minimum company is AED capital of AED FZE requires AED
proof of minimum 27,397) for a sole 150,000(min ) or 150,000 or USD
required 1,000,000 or USD FZE is AED 1,000 or Broadcasting Radio Proprietorship and
paid up capital of 50,000 or USD USD 40,817 185,000 or USD 100,000 or USD
capital of AED 40,817. 27,247
272,109. USD 273 Segment where AED 50,000 for 13,606 per 50,000.
50,000 or USD AED 50,000 (US$
minimum paid up Commercial and shareholder. "
13,606. 13,698) for each
capital is AED AED 300,000 for
partner in a
2,500,000 orUSD Clinical
partnership.
680,273"

Different minimum
FZCO requires issued share capital
AED 1,000 or USD Over 140 different requirement can be
273 per types of licenses Branch Capital changed for General
Capital for FZCO Branch establish- FZCO requires
shareholder. available to establishments requirement for Trading, Business FZCO requires AED FZCO requires FZCO requires
license is AED ments have no min capital of
(Maximum limit is investors and have no formal each partner in Centre leases, 150,000 ( min ) or AED 150,000 or AED 100,000 or
500,000 or USD minimum capital AED 500,000 or
50. Each share minimum capital capital case of partnership Insurance Compa- USD 40,817 USD 40,817. USD 27,247
136,055 requirements. USD 136,055
should be in the requirement varies requirements is AED 50,000 nies, Hotel Licenses
denomination of accordingly. or any other activity
AED 1,000. which authority may
deem fit.
A company can
sponsor one
Investors have the employee per 80
Annual rent cost
option to lease sq. ft. of space
USD 14,629 for
Investors have the Investors have the office units on a leased. Land sales
26.88 sqm in 1 Minimum space of
option to lease option to lease flexible lease and leasing Commercial "Annual Rent of
story building. The 25 sqm is
commercial offices, commercial offices, option ranging options are properties available old building is
annual rent cost necesssary to "1. from 21 sqm -
executive office, executive office, between 1 and 5 available in or for freehold USD 6,806 or AED
from USD 517 - 681 obtain a license AED 34,500 or USD Offices - USD
executive desk, executive desk, years. Spaces next to the purchase or lease. Size from 15 sqm 25,000. Area is 16
Offices per sqm in multi and four employee 9,3882. from 24 sqm 4,087 - 8,719 from
furnished office, furnished office, range from 310 current developed Minimum office to 42 sqm sqm. The rent is
storey building. visas are granted - AED 39,600 or USD 17 sqm to 45sqm
and retail units. and retail units. square feet upto zones. Lease and requirement for new building is
Insurance for single with every 50 sqm 10,776 "
Details made Details made 14,000 square feet. sale price vary obtaining a trade AED 1,500 per sq
floor building is of rented office
available upon available upon Units are provided based on size of license is 540 sq ft. m"
USD 28 while for space.
application. application. on shell and core office units/land
others it is 1.10 per
or fully fitted parcels and these
sqm.
offices options. details are made
available upon
application.

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 Jebel Ali Free Dubai Airport Dubai Media Dubai Dubai Gold & Dubai Health Dubai Multi Com- Sharjah Airport Hamriya Free Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Particulars Zone- Dubai Free Zone City Internet City Diamond Park Care City Modities Centre Intern'l Free Zone Zone -sharjah Free Zone Free Zone

Prebuild
"Land admeasuring
Investors have the warehouses
DMCC Tradeflow is 2500 sqm
option to lease admeasuring 276
a dedicated online (minimum
Land space manufacturing sq m, 416 sq m
Land space platform for area)From AED 35
available for units on a flexible Does not apply. and 276 sq m Warehouse rent Different sizes
available for hotels, registering per sqm, USD
Warehouse Units Light Industrial hotels, property lease option Investors have available on a for 100 sqm between 1600 sq
property possession and 9.35/sqm (rent)AED
available in Units admeasuring management and ranging between 1 the option to twenty five year warehouse is ft and 4500 sq ft.
management and ownership of 5 per sqm, USD
different sizes 350 sqm and land facilities and 5 years. Spaces own and/or lease lease term AED 350 per sq Standard size of
Warehouses facilities commodities 1.36/sqm building
varying between sites admeasuring management range from 310 lands for renewable for m and 500 sqm 2200 sq ft with
management stored in permit. Warehouse
313 Sqm to 1,110 2500 sq m companies. square feet upto development of further term of 25 warehouse is storage space,
companies. Details UAE-based storage admeasuring 125
sq m available Details made 14,000 square feet. healthcare years. Lease rates available at AED office, toilet and
made available facilities. Please visit sq m for AED
available upon Units are provided facilities. can be fixed for 300 per sq m pantry
upon application. http://www.dmcc.a 63,000; 250 sq m at
application. on shell and core the first five years
e/tradeflow to read AED 100,000 and
or fully fitted with a rent review
more 400 sqm at AED
offices options. at the end of this
120,000"
period.

Two Packages
Retail outlets available for
(approximately investors. Package
300 square feet) - 1 priced at AED
USD 70 to USD 80 25,000 covers Pakcages range
(AED 255 to AED office rent for 10 from AED 21,950.
290); Pre-built sq m office, 1 year Package includes
manufacturing license one license.
Executive Suite -
units available (commercial or General Trading
AED 12,000 per
(1000 square feet service license) fee, License priced at
month includes Virtual office
and above) for service charges, P AED 27,150.
manager desk, 4 (e-Package)
Other Packages - - - USD 360 (AED - - O Box, telephone E-commerce
workstations, 1 available for AED
1300), Showrooms line charge and license priced at
meeting table, 13,000 per month.
(6500 square feet allottment of 4 AED 28,050.
furnitures and
and above) for resident visas (visa Capital
cabinets, 5 car pass
USD 55 (AED 200 charges not requirement for
and above); and excluded). Package above packages
office units (750 2 priced at AED is set at AED
square feet and 35,000 covers all of 185,000
above) for USD 50 Package 1 but
(AED 185) and allows investors to
above carry out general
trading activity.

"Depends on the
Office, warehouse activity. Entity
operating in Media 15% of yearly unit
Refundable and showroom - Depends on the Subject to USD 953 or AED USD 953 or AED USD 1361 or
Security Deposit Business centre rent is refundable Visa Deposit Visa Deposit
deposit 10% of annual rent activity application. 3500 3500 AED 5000
Executive office - security deposit.
payable once
USD 2,722 or AED
10,000"

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 Jebel Ali Free Dubai Airport Dubai Media Dubai Dubai Gold & Dubai Health Dubai Multi Com- Sharjah Airport Hamriya Free Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Particulars Zone- Dubai Free Zone City Internet City Diamond Park Care City Modities Centre Intern'l Free Zone Zone -sharjah Free Zone Free Zone

- -
Freelancer using
15% of yearly rent
"Hot Desk" facility
for fit out deposit
of media business - - - - - -
which is also
centre - USD 1,361
refundable.
or AED 5,000

Clinical - Inpatient
Trading license (7 Trading license Commercial General trading
Trade - USD - Upto 5 General Trading = General Trading -
Licence fees per Products) - USD As per the As per the AED 5,500 or fee is approxi- license (5 items) = licence - AED
2,722 or AED specialities - AED USD 4,082 or AED USD 4,082 or AED
annum 1,497 or AED activity activity USD 1,497 mately USD 4,090 AED 2,750 or USD 9,100 or USD
10,000 15,000 or USD 15,000 15,000
5,500 or AED 15,000 749 2,477
4,090
"trading - 1
License Fee for activity - AED
Clinical - General Trading
Upto 5 activities Free Zone 3,900 or USD
Trading license (12 Services - USD Freelancer (upto 3 Outpatient - Upto Commercial = License (more
within the segment Establishment / 1,0622 activity - Commercial - USD
Products) -USD 2,722 or AED activity) - USD 5 Specialities - - USD 2,041 or AED than 5 items) =
- USD 4,082 or AED Company costs AED 5,200 or USD 994 or AED 3,650
2,449 or AED 9,000 10,000 2,041 or AED 7,500 AED 15,000 or 7,500 AED 12,000 or
15,000 AED 5,500 (US$ 1,4153 activity -
USD 4,090 USD 3,266
1,506) AED 6,500 or USD
1,769"

Industrial License Additional

Healthcare
between USD 1497 segments within Industrial license - Service License -
Industrial - USD Support - AED Industrial = USD Industrial - USD
(7 poducts) and - Business Unit - - - AED 2750 or USD AED 6500 or USD
2722 or AED 10000 15,000 or USD 2041 or AED 7500 1361 or AED 5000
USD 2449 (12 USD 2722 or AED 749 1769
4,090
products) 10000

Service License fee Additional Healthcare

is USD 2,177 segments from consultancy,
(Branch of UAE other Business Healthcare
Consultancy/
based company). Unit(s) except Education, R&D, Service license - Industrial License
Service = USD Service - USD
Logistics license - - Broadcasting, - Academic/educati - 2,041 or AED 7,500 AED 2,750 or USD - AED 9,100 or
2,041 or AED
(Branch of UAE Publishing and on service, 749 USD 2,477
7,500
based company)is Manufacturing - Outsourcing -
USD 8,164 per USD 2,722 or AED AED 15,000 or
year. 10,000 USD 4,090

"Others types of
licenses offered-
General Trading Aviation - USD 4,082 National
License - USD or AED 15,000Real Industrial License
- - - - - - -
8,164 or AED Estate - USD 4,082 or - AED 9,100 or
30,000 AED 15,000Freight USD 2,477
Forwarding - USD
2,313 or AED 8,500"

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 Jebel Ali Free Dubai Airport Dubai Media Dubai Dubai Gold & Dubai Health Dubai Multi Com- Sharjah Airport Hamriya Free Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Particulars Zone- Dubai Free Zone City Internet City Diamond Park Care City Modities Centre Intern'l Free Zone Zone -sharjah Free Zone Free Zone
"USD 2,722 or AED
10,0001. Along
with MoA and AoA License Fee
attestation of 3 for Free Zone
copies each - USD Establishment
USD 2,725 or AED 10,000 or Depends on the USD 2,722 or AED AED 9,000 or AED 100 or USD USD 1,905 or
Registration of FZE 55 each copy2. Not Applicable / Company Not Applicable
AED 10,000 USD 2,725 activity 10,000 USD 2,449 28 AED 7,000
Specimen costs AED
signature - USD 14 5,500 (US$
per person3. Board 1,506)
Resolution - USD
55 per person "

"USD 4,082 or AED

15,0001. Along with
MoA and AoA
attestation of 3
copies each - USD FZCO - AED
Registration of USD 4,082 or AED 3,500 or AED 3,500 or FZLLC - AED 3,500 Depends on the USD 2,722 or AED AED 9,000 or USD AED 100 or USD USD 1,905 or AED
55 each copy2. 20,500 or USD
FZCO AED 15,000 USD 953 USD 953 or USD 953 activity 10,000 2,449 28 7,000
Specimen signature 5,600
- USD 14 per
person3. Board
Resolution - USD 55
per person"

Distance from
Dubai airport - by 40 minutes 10 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes 20 minutes 10 minutes 25 minutes 50 minutes 40 minutes 45 minutes 2 hours
car

Type of port Sea port Air port Within Dubai Within Dubai Within Dubai Within Dubai Sea Port Airport and
Within Dubai Sharjah Airport Sea Port Seaport

Dubai Health
Care City offers
licenses for
Free Zone Sales can be
Sales can be Sales can be Dubai Internet City health care Sales can be Sales can be Sales can be
Dubai Media City Company can do carried out
carried out carried out offers licenses for services, carried out through carried out through carried out
offers licenses for business in UAE through an agent
through an agent through an agent Software, Internet Dubai Gold & consultancy, an agent or an agent or through an agent
entties engaged through an LLC or distributor
Sales in UAE or distributor only or distributor only and Multimedia, Diamond Park is a regional head distributor only at distributor only at or distributor only
in services, incorporated in only at 4%
at 4% custom at 4% custom Telecommunica- part of JAFZA. quarters, hotels 4% custom duty. 4% custom duty. at 4% custom
broadcasting, mainland with custom duty.
duty. Free sales in duty. Free sales in tion and Network and leisure Free sales in UAE Free sales in UAE duty. Free sales in
hotels and leisure. import/export Free sales in UAE
UAE not allowed. UAE not allowed. and IT services. services and not allowed. not allowed. UAE not allowed.
license. not allowed.
property
management
services.

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General Documentation required for
Free zone Incorporation.

Individual applicants.
1. Application form of Respective Free Zone & Proof of Trade Name & Reservation.
2. Passport copy and or Emirates Id copy of proposed shareholders [in some cases,
CVs of Shareholders may be requested.
3. Passport copy and or E. ID copy of proposed Manager.
4. Business Plan to include brief summary, financial projections, Background of Shareholders & Manager
5. No objection Certificate from sponsor [if Manager is already sponsored by Employer or Husband.
6. Power of Attorney in favour of Manager or representative who will handle formation process.
7. Specimen signature on Free Zones Authorization Card

Branch of Foreign Companies:

1. Application form of Respective Free Zone & Proof of Trade Name & Reservation.
2. Passport copy and or Emirates Id copy of proposed shareholders [in some cases,
CVs of Shareholders may be requested.
3. Passport copy and or E. ID copy of proposed Manager.
4. Business Plan to include brief summary, financial projections, Background of Shareholders & Manager
5. No objection Certificate from sponsor [if Manager is already sponsored by Employer or Husband.
6. Power of Attorney in favour of Manager or representative who will handle formation process.
7. Certificate of Registration for Parent Company. To be notarized/Legalized before UAE
Embassy in the Country where parent entity is duly constituted.
8. Memorandum / Articles of Association of Parent company [Notarized/Attested]
9. Specimen Signature on form.

Free Zone Companies:

1. Application form of Respective Free Zone & Proof of Trade Name & Reservation.
2. Passport copy and or Emirates Id copy of proposed shareholders [in some cases,
CVs of Shareholders may be requested.
3. Passport copy and or E. ID copy of proposed Manager.
4. Business Plan to include brief summary, financial projections, Background of Shareholders & Manager
5. No objection Certificate from sponsor [if Manager is already sponsored by Employer or Husband.
6. Power of Attorney in favour of Manager or representative who will handle formation process.
7. Board Resolution of Corporate person calling for Establishment of Free Zone Company or Free Zone LLC
8. Proof of Capital from Bank operating within UAE [Does not apply in all Free Zones]
9. Specimen Signature

DIFC Incorporation
Please visit the publications page at our website www.ama.ae and access our DIFC information pack which
provides a detailed overview on operating within the DIFC.

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