There are around 40 Free Zones operating in the UAE, with more under construction. Each Free Zone is designed around one or more commercial categories and only offers licences to companies within those categories.

The main attractions of establishing an entity in one of the UAE’s Free Zones is that there are no foreign ownership restrictions and companies are governfored by an independent Free Zone Authority (FZA), which is responsible for issuing operating licences and regulating the activities of companies within the Free Zone.

The UAE is now a major business hub and ideal for setting up a business or a representative office, there are now over 40 different “Free Trade Zones” in the UAE so identifying the best Free Zone through which to conduct business in the region can be a tedious task. It is also a common misconception that a Free Zone Company is an offshore company, however, in spite of their similarities; they do also have very differing characteristics.

In addition to enabling shareholders, directors and employees to obtain residency visas in the UAE, the benefits of a Free Zone include:

• 100% foreign ownership (no requirement for a local partner/sponsor);
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits;
• 100% corporate and personal income tax exemption;
• Absence of currency restrictions;
• Wide variety of licensable activities;
• Abundant and inexpensive energy;
• Modern, efficient communications;
• Logistic efficiencies due to business cluster effect;
• Serviced desks and offices for SMEs and start-ups;
• Excellent support services.

Requirements:

Investors can either register a new company in the form of a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or a Free Zone Company (FZC) – an FZE has one shareholder and an FZC has two or more – or simply establish a branch or representative office of their existing or parent company based within the UAE or abroad. An FZE or FZC is a limited liability company governed by the rules and regulations of the Free Zone in which it is established. The provisions of the UAE Commercial Companies Law (CCL) do not apply.

In order to begin the process of setting up a Free Zone Company, we will require the following documentation and due diligence from all shareholders/directors of the proposed new company:

• Certified Passport Copy and UAE Visa/UAE entry stamp (if non-resident)
• 2 x Proofs of Address (dated within 3 months)
• Bank or Professional Reference Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (summary of professional history)
• Company Application Form (which we will provide)

Please note that some Free Zones may request a detailed business plan, depending on the business activity of the proposed new company. Sovereign has a variety of templates in order to assist you.

Once a legal presence has been established in a Free Zone, the business will need to lease premises or land and acquire an operating licence from the FZA. Different types of licences apply in the different types of free zone. Companies with trade and industrial licences can only conduct business within the Free Zone or abroad. To sell products in the UAE, a UAE official agent is required, and a joint venture needs to be formed.

FAQs

The following Q&A will provide you with some additional information on the statutory requirements and additional benefits of setting up a UAE Free Zone Company.

• Why set up a Free Zone Company? Would an Offshore Company be easier to set up and serve the same purpose?

A Free Zone Company is more expensive than an Offshore Company and it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to establish. However, it is an onshore company (with some offshore characteristics). This type of company is ideal for market entry because it will give you the physical presence in the UAE through office space and visas without the need for a local sponsor. A Free Zone Company has offshore characteristics in the sense that all business needs to be carried out offshore/internationally or within the Free Zone itself. 

• As it is an onshore company, will I receive a licence once the company is incorporated?

Yes, all Free Zone companies have a trade licence reflective of their business activity. It is possible to obtain licences for Trading, Manufacturing, Industrial, Consultancy and Services activities and, as mentioned above, most Free Zones specialise in a particular sector.

• Can I carry out business anywhere with a Free Zone Company?

No, you can only carry out business internationally (outside the UAE) or within the Free Zone itself. You are not allowed to carry out any business on the mainland of the UAE. If your target market is mainland UAE you will need to establish a UAE Onshore Company with a local sponsor. Sovereign can also assist with this.

• Are there any restrictions on business activities?

Yes. Depending on the nature of business, some external approvals may be required from certain Ministries or regulatory authorities for particular activities. For example, an investor looking to set up an educational or training practice may be required to seek approvals from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). If there are no external approvals required, the Free Zone Authority will carry out its own review of proposed business activity during the incorporation process.

• What are the statutory requirements of a Free Zone Company?

Each Free Zone has its own governing authority so requirements vary from Free Zone to Free Zone. However, the majority follow a similar framework. There are two types of companies you can establish in the Free Zone and they are a Sole Establishment (FZE) with one shareholder and a Free Zone Company (FZC) where there are two or more shareholders. Both individual and corporate shareholders are allowed.

A manager must be appointed for the company and this person will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the company and is generally responsible for the operation of the bank account and the signing of any contracts on behalf of the company. For any changes that are made to the company structure, the manager will be required to sign off. The manager must be a UAE resident or have the intention of taking up residency.

• How many residency visas will I be allocated?

That will generally depend on the type of office/premises selected. Between 2 to 3 visas will generally be allocated for a Virtual Office/Flexi-Desk option, while the size of a physical office space will dictate how many visas are allocated (generally 1 visa per 10sq. /m).

• Is it possible to obtain a Tax Residency Certificate for the Company?

It is possible to apply for a Tax Residency Certificate for a Free Zone Company and this can be extremely beneficial if the intention is to utilise the UAE’s network of double tax treaties.

Sovereign can assist with the incorporation of any Free Zone Company in the UAE. For more information on such structures, please contact us.

Free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates are areas that have a special tax, customs and imports regime and are governed by their own framework of regulations (with the exception of UAE criminal law).

The UAE has a number of free zones across Dubai,^[1] Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain. Free zones may be broadly categorized as seaport free zones, airport free zones, and mainland free zones. Free-trade zone exemptions are:^[2]

• 100% foreign ownership of the enterprise
• 100% import and export tax exemptions
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits
• Corporate tax exemptions for up to 50 years
• No personal income taxes
• Assistance with labor recruitment, and additional support services, such as sponsorship and housing.

Each Free Zone is designed around one or more business industry categories and only offers licenses to companies within those categories.^{[citation needed]} An independent Free Zone Authority (FZA) governs each free zone, and is the agency responsible for issuing FTZ operating licenses and assisting companies with establishing their business in the FTZ.

Investors can either register a new company in the form of a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or simply establish a branch or representative office of their existing or parent company based within the UAE or abroad.^{[citation needed]} An FZE is a limited liability company governed by the rules and regulations of the Free Zone in which it is established. Except for acquiring nationality in the UAE, the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law (CCL) do not apply to FZEs, provided that the Free Zones have special provisions regulating such companies.

here are more than 40 Free Zones operating^[3] in UAE.