UAE zones attract international businesses and enhance economic growth. Tax advantages, 100% foreign ownership, and upscale infrastructure make these free zones ideal for aviation, logistics, manufacturing, and technology. To facilitate regional and worldwide market access, the position of each zone is ideal. This blog reveals the list of designated zones in UAE, their unique traits, business-friendly environments, and considerable innovation and development assistance.
SPC
The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) guides the complete process of registering a corporation in the United Arab Emirates. The Free Zone permits a broad range of business activities, including starting a trade corporation and conducting e-commerce.
- Zero paid-up share capital
- Office facilities are open 24 hours
- Easy to set up a corporate bank account.
IFZA Free Zone
IFZA dubbed the lowest cost-free zone for setting up a business, provides cost-effective solutions, a highly customized approach, and effective international service standards. Dubai Silicon Oasis oversees IFZA, a new hub for business establishment in Dubai.
- 100% foreign ownership.
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits.
- 100% free transfer of funds
- No foreign exchange controls.
- Flexibility to operate 24/7.
SHAMS
The closest Emirate to Dubai is Sharjah, which is home to Sharjah Media City, also known as SHAMS free zone.
In the United Arab Emirates, setting up a SHAMS firm is a relatively new practice. Shams has one of the lowest establishment costs for companies in the United Arab Emirates and is a highly competitive free zone. It is, in fact, one of the rare free zones that is well-known and reasonably priced at the same time.
- Strategic Location
- Business-Friendly Environment
- 100% Foreign Ownership
MEYDAN Free Zone
The Meydan Free Zone is aware that every company has different needs. As a result, the Free Zone provides the flexibility to customize licenses to each company’s unique needs and make necessary adjustments. Meydan Free Zone provides relatively competitive licensing alternatives, making it the perfect choice for small start-ups or independent contractors.
- Full foreign ownership
- Complete repatriation of earnings and capital
- No personal or corporate.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
RAKEZ attracts investors with customized business solutions and incentives. Ras Al Khaimah’s modern infrastructure, tax incentives, and 100% foreign ownership attract businesses. Free zone offices, warehouses, and industrial property provide flexibility for manufacturing, logistics, commerce, and services.
RAKEZ’s location improves regional and global market links by accessing essential transportation networks. The zone’s modern facilities and extensive support services—company formation, licensing, and administrative—make investment straightforward. Startups and businesses get custom solutions from RAKEZ. Business-friendly, strategic, and well-equipped, the free zone is ideal for Middle Eastern and worldwide growth. RAKEZ’s commitment to innovation and growth attracts a diverse corporate community.
A few further advantages of establishing at RAKEZ are:
- Creation of entities in both free and non-free zones
- One-stop shop for all government services
- MENA, Europe, and Asian markets are easily accessible.
- Major logistical hubs are connected
- Foreign ownership is 100%.
- A wide range of business and industrial facilities are available.
- Business set-up procedures are quick and efficient.
Ajman Free Zone
Located in Ajman, Ajman Free Zone offers good marine and land transportation links. Free zone businesses benefit from tax benefits, 100% foreign ownership, and minimal startup costs. In the Ajman Free Zone, industry, commerce, and services are supported by modern infrastructure and flexible office and warehouse leases. Strategically, the free zone is accessible to key transportation networks, boosting regional and global market links.
With modern facilities and full support services, including business creation, licensing, and administrative assistance, Ajman Free Zone offers a hassle-free investment. With its business-friendly culture, strategic location, and excellent infrastructure, the free zone is ideal for companies entering the UAE. Development and innovation-focused companies thrive in the Ajman Free Zone.
Advantages of Establishing an Ajman Free Zone Business
- You are totally exempt from import and export taxes on anything you bring into or take out of the nation when you work with an Ajman-free zone company.
- There are no corporation taxes that need to be paid. Both long-term and short-term capital gains taxes are completely absent.
- A corporation can have 100% foreign ownership, having a local partner is not necessary.
- Any partners you may have will be the sole owners.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
DMCC is a large commodity trading and commercial free zone in downtown Dubai and the business climate, contemporary infrastructure, tax incentives, and 100% foreign ownership make it enticing. Free zones serve rare metals, energy, agri-commodities, and finance. The geographical location of DMCC allows it to easily access major transportation networks, boosting regional and global market links. Commercial spaces, offices, and commodities trading systems for many industries are offered in the zone.
Advantages of DMCC free zone:
- Business-friendly environment, strategic location, and excellent infrastructure aid Middle Eastern and international businesses
- Startups and worldwide companies have joined its active technical improvement business community.
- Entities can benefit greatly from the DMCC registration, as it permits complete foreign ownership.
- Members receive a 50-year exemption from corporate tax and personal income tax for the duration of the company’s establishment within DMCC.
DWC Free zone
Al Maktoum International Airport will be the largest airport in the world, and the DWC Free Zone is a purpose-built master-planned metropolis that is growing up around it. The Al Maktoum International Airport, Logistics, Aviation, Exhibition, Residential, Commercial, Humanitarian, and Golf districts are among the eight integrated districts that make up DWC.
- 100% foreign ownership.
- Flexible leasing terms.
- On-site licensing and visa authority.
DWTC Free Zone
Businesses seeking a competitive and well-regulated ecosystem to compete even more effectively regionally and worldwide will find DWTC Authority to be a unique and highly desirable offering. Corporations can operate with ease as an onshore registered business, under an independent free zone license, or as a dual license entity from the same zone with the extremely competitive single-point-of-contact service offered by DWTC.
- 100% foreign ownership
- 100% repatriation of all capital and profits
- Zero corporate tax
- Zero personal income tax
Conclusion
It is difficult to open a bank account in the United Arab Emirates due to stringent anti-money laundering laws. If you have the correct business setup consultant by your side, it might go more smoothly and only take a few hours rather than a full day. Obtaining visas for both yourself and your employees might be facilitated by a company setup specialist.
The UAE economy diversifies and grows via overseas trade and investment. Strategic locations, modern infrastructure, and strong economic incentives create thriving business communities in these Designated Zones in the UAE across several industries. You can hire professionals like BizVirtue to get comprehensive support services and innovation to improve corporate efficiency and global competitiveness in these zones. We are here to help you set up your business in UAE-designated zones. Contact us now to get guidance for the end-to-end process. For more details, reach out to us www.bizvirtue.ae | info@bizvirtue.ae | +971 45 70 9205 | +971 54 793 5540.
