Major Free Zones in the UAE The UAE is a leading destination for international investments thanks to its advanced infrastructure and flexible commercial laws, and free zones play a pivotal role in strengthening its position as a preferred investment destination. These areas provide an ideal environment for investors and businessmen from all over the world, offering many advantages and incentives that facilitate the establishment and operation of businesses. The most important of these advantages include full foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and customs facilities, in addition to world-class infrastructure and a strategic geographical location linking the markets of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UAE is developing a group of free zones that specialize in diverse sectors such as technology, media, industry, logistics, and energy, making it an attractive environment for projects in various fields.

Among the most famous and largest free zones in the UAE is the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, which is considered one of the largest free zones in the world, hosting thousands of global and regional companies, and providing an integrated infrastructure including ports, airports and industrial zones. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City also play a major role in attracting global technology and media companies by providing advanced facilities and support services for this type of industry. As for the capital, Abu Dhabi, there is the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone and Khalifa Industrial City (KIZAD), which focus on heavy industries and logistics services, making it a major center for trade and industry in the region.

Establishing a company in one of these free zones provides many opportunities for investors to benefit from economic incentives and advanced infrastructure. In cooperation with Itqan, the largest free zones in the UAE, investors can benefit from specialized consultations and services that facilitate the registration and establishment procedures in these free zones in line with market requirements and investment areas that suit them.

The importance of establishing a company in the free zone

The UAE is one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world, and much of this attraction is due to the free zone system that provides an ideal environment for establishing and operating businesses. Setting up a company in one of the free zones is a strategic move for many investors, thanks to the economic and legislative advantages these zones offer. Free zones in the UAE are specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses in various sectors such as trade, industry, technology, media, logistics, and more. These zones not only provide advanced infrastructure, but also give companies complete freedom of ownership and management, with extensive tax exemptions that contribute to enhancing profitability.

Establishing a company in a free zone offers investors the opportunity to benefit from a series of exclusive advantages that are not usually available in traditional systems. Firstly, one of the biggest benefits is 100% foreign ownership of companies, which allows investors to run their business without the need for a local partner. Secondly, free zones provide comprehensive tax exemptions, both on corporate profits and on personal income, which contributes to enhancing profit growth and investments. This is in addition to customs exemptions on the import of equipment and raw materials, which significantly reduces operating costs.

In addition to these benefits, the advanced infrastructure in the free zones is one of the most important attractions. These areas provide easy access to regional and international markets thanks to their proximity to ports and airports, which contributes to facilitating the movement of goods and services. In addition, the free zones offer flexible and fast legal procedures for establishing companies, with strong government support and encouraging legislation that ensures a stable investment environment.

In collaboration with Itqan, investors can get full support to establish their companies in the free zones in the UAE. The company provides specialized consulting services that include registration procedures, choosing the right location and the type of licenses required, ensuring that the business is established quickly and efficiently, while fully exploiting the advantages offered by these zones.

Basic steps to establish a company in the free zone

The UAE is one of the most prominent investment destinations in the world, and its free zones provide an encouraging and advanced environment for establishing businesses. Establishing a company in one of these zones provides many advantages such as full foreign ownership, tax exemptions, customs facilities, in addition to advanced infrastructure. Thanks to these factors, many investors choose to establish their companies in the free zones to achieve growth and benefit from the legal and economic facilities available. However, there are basic steps that must be followed to ensure that the company is established correctly and effectively. The basic steps for establishing a company in a free zone :

• Choosing the right free zone: Investors must determine which free zone is right for their business. Each free zone in the UAE specializes in specific sectors such as trade, industry, technology, or media.
• Determine the type of business activity: Based on the specialization of the free zone, the business activity that the company will practice must be determined. Each zone has specific categories of activities that can be licensed.
• Choosing the legal entity of the company: Several legal entities can be chosen, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or a branch of a foreign company. The choice depends on the size of the company and the nature of its activity.
• Submitting the registration application: After determining the free zone, legal entity and activity, an application must be submitted to the relevant free zone authority including the required information about the business activity and partners.
• Obtaining the necessary approvals: Sometimes, a particular activity requires obtaining additional approvals from the relevant government authorities.
• Preparing legal documents: Typically required documents include partners’ passports, a business plan, and the company’s articles of association. Requirements vary depending on the free zone and legal entity.
• Obtaining a commercial license: After fulfilling all conditions and submitting the required documents, the Free Zone Authority issues the commercial license to the company.
• Renting an office or facility: Most free zones require the company to have an address in the free zone. An office or warehouse can be rented depending on the company’s needs.
• Opening a bank account: Once the business license is received, the company must open a business bank account to manage financial transactions.
• Obtaining work visas: After establishing the company, it is possible to apply for work visas for employees and persons concerned with the company.

These steps represent the general framework for establishing a company in the UAE free zone, and it is important to follow them carefully to ensure that the process runs smoothly. In cooperation with Itqan Company, investors can obtain full support in all stages of establishing a company to ensure compliance with legal and administrative requirements.

Learn about the major free zones in the UAE

The UAE ’s major free zones are a gateway to investment opportunities for both global and local companies. With full foreign ownership, tax and customs exemptions, and advanced infrastructure, these zones help attract capital and expand businesses. Each free zone specializes in a specific sector, allowing investors to focus on their core areas and enjoy full support from the relevant authorities in those zones. Whether companies are operating in technology and media in Dubai Internet City or Dubai Media City, or heavy industries and logistics in Jebel Ali Free Zone or Khalifa Industrial City, the opportunities for success and growth in these free zones are limitless.

In collaboration with Itqan, investors can benefit from the deep expertise and accurate knowledge of everything related to the procedures for establishing companies in free zones. Itqan provides specialized consulting services that include choosing the appropriate free zone, completing the legal procedures, and obtaining the required licenses quickly and easily. Not only that, Itqan also helps in providing innovative solutions that suit the needs and aspirations of investors, which enhances the chances of success of their businesses in the UAE and international markets.

By partnering with Itqan, establishing a company in one of the major free zones in the UAE becomes a smooth and efficient process, where the challenges that investors may face during the establishment stages are overcome, and the focus is on exploiting the many investment opportunities available. Ultimately, the UAE remains an exceptional investment destination, combining technological advancement, economic stability, and flexible legislation that supports business and growth, making it an ideal choice for any investor seeking success and prosperity in a global business environment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Major Free Zones in the UAE