All about free zones in UAE
- BY VR1 Global
All about free zones in UAE
Freezones are areas in UAE that have special tax, customs, and import regimes, These zones work under their regulations. There are nearly 45 free zones across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, ras al Khaimah (RAK), and Umm Al Quwain.
Each free zone has its specific category for businesses. Business owners who are looking to have full ownership of their company can choose any of the free zones based on the facility that Freezone offers.
Benefits of choosing Freezones for Company Formation
- 100% Foreign ownership
- 100% import & export tax exemptions
- 100% share of capital or profits to the government or local authorities
- Corporate tax exemptions for 50 years
- No personal taxes
- Assistance with labor recruitment, and additional support services such as sponsorship and housing.
As mentioned earlier, each free zone is governed by an independent Freezone Authority. These are responsible for issuing operating licenses and assisting companies in the establishment of their business in the selected Freezones.
List of free zones in UAE:
There are a total of 45 free zones in UAE, each specializing in a different industry.
Here is the list of Freezone in the UAE.
| CITY | FREEZONE | INDUSTRY |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) | Aviation, engineering, electronics, logistics & cargo, and pharmaceutical firms. |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) | Financial, non-financial, and retail activities |
| Abu Dhabi | Khalifa and Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) | Transport, distribution, manufacturing, trade, and storage. |
| Abu Dhabi | Twofour54 | Branding Agency · Events/Festivals Exhibitions/Conferences · Information Services (e.g. media related market research) |
| Abu Dhabi | Industrial City of Abu Dhabi | Heavy and light industries such as steel, metal, construction material, logistics, food, and oil & gas. |
| Abu Dhabi | Masdar City Free Zone | R&D Partnerships, Start-Ups, and Large Companies. |
| Dubai | Dubai Airport Free Zone | international transport and trade. |
| Dubai | Dubai Auto Zone | exporting cars to the Asian and African markets. |
| Dubai | Dubai Cars and Automotive Zone | automotive trading, sales, and related services. |
| Dubai | Dubai Design District | fashion, luxury, and design |
| Dubai | Dubai Flower Centre | floriculture industry in Dubai handling the imports and exports of flowers. |
| Dubai | Dubai Gold and Diamond Park | largest free zone devoted to gold and diamond businesses and is considered a major hub for jewelry buyers and investors |
| Dubai | Dubai Healthcare City | high-quality, multi-use healthcare and wellness centers |
| Dubai | Dubai Industrial City | Resident industries & world’s largest IT telephonic network |
| Dubai | Dubai International Academic City | digital and creative advancement, prime location |
| Dubai | Dubai International Financial Centre | Finance, Legal & Law firms |
| Dubai | Dubai Internet City | IT consultancy, Ecommerce, IT services |
| Dubai | Dubai Knowledge Park | housing human resource management, recruitment, consultancy, executive search, vocational training, and professional development companies. |
| Dubai | Dubai Logistics City | multi-modal transportation needs, professional logistics & value-added logistic services |
| Dubai | Dubai Maritime City Authority | the maritime industry and boost its infrastructure, operations, and logistics services |
| Dubai | Dubai Media City | Media, Marketing, Publishing, Event management, Web design, Acting, Communications, Writing, Advertising |
| Dubai | Dubai Multi Commodities Centre | precious metals such as gold, silver, diamonds, platinum, precious stones, FMCG goods such as tea, coffee, spices, and many others base metals, such as iron and steel, but also cotton and other types of commodities |
| Dubai | Dubai Outsource Zone | Recruitment services, social media outsourcing, Call centers, Data services, Market research & Data analysis. |
| Dubai | Dubai Science Park | Manufacturing, production, Imports, exports, re-exports, Laboratory, R&D, Customer care, Sales & marketing |
| Dubai | Dubai Silicon Oasis | electronics-related businesses |
| Dubai | Dubai Studio City | broadcasting, film production, TV, music, and entertainment sectors |
| Dubai | Dubai Techno Park (New name: National Industries Complex) | accommodates very high-profile companies in the manufacturing, petrochemical industry, oil and gas, and technology are the industries |
| Dubai | Dubai Textile City | Manufacturing and distributing textile-related products |
| Dubai | Energy and Environment Park | Transportation, energy, Renewable energy, Air, environment, Recycling, Solid Waste, and Green building. |
| Dubai | International Humanitarian City | relief and charity agencies |
| Dubai | Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority | logistics, e-commerce, petrochemicals (one of the world’s largest free zones specialized in industry, trade, and logistics) |
| Dubai | Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone | Diamond, Gold, Gems, Metals, Steel, Oil, Hospitality, Healthcare, Education |
| Dubai | Dubai Production City | Printing machinery, packaging, Graphic Services, and Storage. |
| Sharjah | Hamriyah Free Zone | petrochemicals, steel, construction, and food processing. |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Airport International Free Zone | all types of businesses related to trading, services, and industrial sectors. |
| Sharjah | The U.S.A. Regional Trade Center (USC) Free Zone | US SMEs exporting |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) | start-ups and developing businesses. |
| Ajman | Ajman Free Zone | Trading, General trading, E-commerce, Services & Industries |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Investment Authority Free Zone | trading, warehousing, assembling, packaging, and light manufacturing activities |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone | Import of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging, and exporting finished goods |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah Media Free Zone | Consulting, management, finance, Investment, Legal, Labour |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Maritime City | Best international port facilities, so best for import or exports & another kind of trade with a foreign country |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Free Zone | freelancers and international consultants, such as business consultants, management consultants, and lifestyle consultants. |
| Fujairah | Creative City Fujairah | Media, Events, Consulting, Education, Communication and Marketing, Music and Entertainment, Design and Technology |
| Umm Al Quwain | Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQFTZ) | startups, SMEs, and Conglomerates |
Note All the free zones specified above offer company formation services to almost all industries. But they are specialized in the mentioned industry due to the availability of resources and surrounding places.
If you are planning to start your company in any of the above-mentioned Freezone, feel free to reach us at +971508045640 or write us your query at info@vr1global.com