Dubai

1. JEBEL ALI FREE ZONE AUTHORITY (JAFZA) – DUBAI

Jebel Ali Free Zone was established in 1985 is the pioneer in the region. JAFZA is home thousands of companies including many from Fortune 500 list. AS JAFZA is attached to the Jebel Ali Port which is one of the largest seaport in the region it has the unique advantage of offering easy transshipment facilities to its investors. The location has its own advantage.

Types of license available in JAFZA:

• Trading License
• Service License
• E-commerce
• Industrial License
• National Industrial License
• Innovation License
• Offshore Registration

Types of company formation in JAFZA:

• Free Zone Company (FZC)
• Public Listed Company (PLC)
• Free Zone Establishment (FZC)
• Branch of an Existing Company

2. DUBAI AIRPORT FREE ZONE (DAFZA) – DUBAI

DAFZA was established in 1996 and it has progressed leaps and bounds since then. Located next to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Airport Freezone provides unrivalled access to 24-hour logistics services, world-class facilities and infrastructure. The free zone also provides direct access to a number of government services, including Immigration, Customs and the Chamber of Commerce – helping to streamline red-tape procedures and provide clear processes and guidelines. DAFZA specializes in aviation related companies and hence is highly suitable for logistics, air transport and other related activities.

Types of license available in Dubai Airport Free zone:

• Trade License
• Service License
• Industrial License
• General Trading License

Types of company formation in Dubai Airport free zone:

• Free Zone Establishment
• Free Zone Company
• Branch office of an existing company

List of documents to be submitted:

Following are the list of documents that need to be submitted in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

• A Business Plan
• Duly filled application form
• Company profile and brochure
• Annual audited financial report of organization or a 6-month statement of the stockholder (in case of corporate)
• Bank reference letter (original document)
• CV and passport copy of shareholder
• CV and passport copy of manager
• If it’s a UAE-based company, A No-Objection Letter from the sponsor

3. DUBAI MULTI COMMODITIES CENTER (DMCC) – DUBAI

DMCC is located in the heart of the new Dubai and hence has the advantage of easy access. Established in 2002 by AN Emiri Decree, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) is a strategic initiative of the Government of Dubai, with a mandate to enhance commodity trade flows through the Emirate by providing the appropriate physical, market, financial infrastructure and services required.

By offering a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework, modern infrastructure, freehold property, innovative products and cost efficient, value-added services, DMCC successfully attracts key participants throughout the entire value chain of a wide range of commodities sectors. However, although DMCC is the region’s only commodities hub, its business activities include free zone, financial and property services.

Types of company formation in DMCC:

• Branch of a company
• Free zone establishment
• Free zone company

Types of license available in DMCC:

• Trade License
• Service License
• Industrial License

List of documents to be submitted:

• Application Form
• Business plan for the proposed business
• Colored passport-sized photographs and passport copy of all shareholders
• If the applicant is an expat resident of the UAE, No objection letter from the existing sponsor
• Address Proof of permanent residency of the shareholders.

4. DUBAI SOUTH (DWC) – DUBAI

This free zone is adjacent to the new Dubai airport Al Maktoum International Airport and is also adjacent to the Expo 2020 site. DWC has become very popular in last few years in view of its easy processes and economic packages. DWC is divided into several districts such as Business Park, Commercial District, Logistics District, Aviation District, Residential District, Golf District, Humanitarian and Exhibition District which together serve as a stage for the growth of aviation, logistics, ancillary service businesses and light industry.

For business setup in Dubai South, one must register as a Free Zone Enterprise and hold a Dubai south business license.

Types of license available in Dubai South:

• Trading License
• Service License
• General Trading License
• Logistics License
• Industrial License
• Educational License

5. DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER (DIFC) – DUBAI

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore financial center which has been established as connecting point for financial institutions of the west and the east. As DIFC is a free zone offering 100% ownership with no corporate tax, it has become an attractive option for businesses and financial institutions around the world.

The DIFC is an independent jurisdiction under the UAE Constitution, and has its own independent civil and commercial laws, which are written in English and which default to English law. It also has its own English-speaking courts, with judges taken from the common law world including England, Singapore and Hong Kong. The DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre is an independent center of international arbitration that uses rules modeled on the London Centre of International Arbitration.

DIFC has attracted investors in diverse sectors ranging from Banks, Wealth and fund managers, Insurance, Investment banks, Financial Intermediaries, Commercial entities to Family offices.

DIFC is home to large financial institutes and small companies alike, many Fortune 500 companies have their presence in DIFC. DIFC entities are broadly classified into two categories viz. Regulated entities and Non-regulated entities.

DIFC boasts of world class infrastructure and is among the best regulated jurisdictions in the world. DIFC entities can take up office space in the DIFC designated areas.

6. DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTER FREE ZONE (DWTC)

DWTC is located right in the center of Dubai city and hence is very convenient to the investors. Apart from the location advantage, DWTC offers several leasing options for its investors and has a good regulatory framework.

Following are the benefits of the DWTC:

• 100% Foreign Ownership
• 100% Repatriation of Capital
• 0% Income Tax
• 0% Corporate Tax
• No restriction on currency and repatriation of funds
• No restriction on hiring foreign employees
• Stable and clear regulation
• One-stop–shop providing company registration, licensing and visa services
• Simplified incorporation process​​​​​​​​

Types of business licenses in DWTC Free Zone:

• Commercial License
• General Trading License
• Professional License
• Event Management License
• Business Operating Permits

Types of company formation in DWTC:

• Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
• Free Zone Company
• Branch of Limited liability company
• A Branch of Foreign Company

7.DUBAI SILICON OASIS (DSO or DSOA)

DSO is yet another free zone in Dubai which is very conveniently located. Established in year 2005 by the Government of Dubai, with the Mission to “facilitate and promote modern technology-based industries” this free zone has been very successful with the investors expansion. A full package of incentives and benefits are provided to companies operating within the free zone. Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a technology park and provides both a living and working integrated community. DSO is one of the few free zones located in the city which also offers industrial licenses to its investors. As DSO is located to a bustling residential community, it has easy access to qualified workforce.

Types of company formation in DSOA:

• Branch Company
• Free Zone Establishment
• Free Zone Company

Types of license available in DSOA:

• Trade License
• Service License
• Industrial License

8. DUBAI MARITIME CITY (DMC) – DUBAI

Dubai Maritime City DMC was built on 2.27 million square meters of reclaimed land, Dubai Maritime City (DMC) is the world’s first purpose-built maritime center. This is one of kind free zone which specializes in maritime related business and has a huge area near port Rashid of Dubai. DMC offers investors the advantage of knowing the business of shipping and related businesses.

DMCA regulates the maritime activity in the emirates of Dubai and licenses and permits are granted by this authority in this sector.

DMCA offers the following types of licenses:

• Maritime Services
• Industrial
• Management
• Education & Research
• Yacht Manufacture & Repair

9. DUBAI HEALTHCARE CITY (DHCA or DHA or DHCC)

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) was launched in 2002 to meet the demand for high-quality, patient-centered healthcare. DHC is in the heart of Dubai and has numerous investors ranging from clinics, hospitals, research labs and other healthcare support sectors. DHCC combines the leading expertise of medical institutions and pre-eminent healthcare providers to deliver the A-Z of medical services.

DHCC includes investors in the activities as under:

• Conventional Medical Services
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Medical Education and Research
• Healthcare Commercial Services
• Hospitals and Clinics
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Support Services

10. DUBAI AUTO CENTER (DUCAMZ or DAZ)

DUCAMZ was established to provide a streamline and one stop business juncture to the automotive sector. The free zone offers facilities to traders of automotives both in the new and used cars segment. All services related to the Government entities associated with the Auto Trade, Import and Export Client are located within the same area.

• Dubai Customs Inspection and related matters
• Dubai Ports Documentation
• RTA Department
• Shipping Agencies
• Bank and Money Exchange
• Workshops
• Insurance

Thus, DUCAMZ offers a one stop shop for the automobiles sector.

The activities permitted in DUCAMZ are those involving automotive trading, sales and related services.

The re-exporting cars markets is the core of DUCAMZ. The vehicles are categorized into the following groups:

1. Right-hand Drive Vehicles.
2. Trading in used car, heavy vehicles, agricultural machinery, bikes jet skies and recreational vehicles.
3. Left-hand Drive Used Vehicles exported into the local markets and are subject to the local regulations prevalent in the UAE.

11. DUBAI INTERNET CITY (DIC) – DUBAI

Dubai Internet City (DIC) is part of TECOM Authority of Dubai and is home major IT companies from around the world.  DIC offers the right eco system to IT and telecom related businesses and the regulations are designed to suit such industries. Major IT companies like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, HP, Dell, Intel, Cisco, etc. are some global IT names which have setup in DIC. DIC offers 100% foreign ownership and ease of doing business apart from other benefits.

12. DUBAI OUTSOURCE ZONE (DOZ) – DUBAI

Established with a view to cater to the outsourcing sector DOZ was formed in year 2007 DOZ is an ideal hub for sectors such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), HR Outsourcing, IT Outsourcing, back office, and call center operations. DOZ provides IT and telecom facilities and other infrastructure for such investors to attract investors from traditional outsource markets like India, Philippines, Pakistan, etc.

DOZ benefits includes 100% business ownership and tax-free income as well as value added services to its investors. Large telecom and IT companies have chosen DSO to be one of their outsource base.

13. DUBIOTEC – DUBAI

DuBiotech is the acronym for the Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park which is a research hub for healthcare and life sciences. Dubiotec provides the necessary infrastructure for medical and related research to healthcare and life science entities to operate in a tax-free environment.

DuBiotech also has a robust regulatory regime to facilitate the growth of the local and international companies operating in the Park. MNC’s and specialized research entities have selected Dubiotec has their base in the middle east.

14. DUBAI MEDIA CITY (DMC) – DUBAI

Dubai Media City was set up in year 2001 and has since than become a big attraction to global and regional media companies and ancillary activities companies. The free zone business park offers excellent facilities media companies and freelancers like journalists individuals to operate in a professional way with 100% business ownership and tax-free income. Dubai Media City is a good fit for activities like  Advertising and Communication, Media and Marketing Services, Media Support Services, Event Management, Event Support Services, Media Consultancy, New Media, Freelancers and Associations (Non Profit).

15. DUBAI STUDIO CITY (DSC) – DUBAI

Media production is normally a combination of multiple talents and multiple technical aspects. The formation of Dubai Studio City (DSC) is a way bring all of these within one vicinity with easy access and affordability. DSC offers the right infrastructure, tech, and ancillary activities to assist such sector whether it is broadcast, movie, television, or music production companies. Dubai and UAE are becoming a favorite spot for Hollywood and Bollywood for their foreign locales and DSC plays a crucial role in making that happen.

DSC offers free zone benefits of 100% business ownership and a tax-free income, it also provides the eco system for networking opportunities, venue management services, industry building programmes and government services. The investors can use its pre-built studios, sound stages, warehouses, workshops, office spaces, latest satellite communication facilities, backlots and stage areas and make the production process easier. DSC is the right fit for entities which provide services in the film and broadcast production ranging from production & post-production facilities, recording studios and ancillary services. DSC is popular for Broadcast, Production, Music and Entertainment sectors. Being located in the new Dubai area the access to this free zone is easy.

16. INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PRODUCTION ZONE (IMPZ) – DUBAI

The special needs of the media production is particularly in the mass media area and is catering to the production industry and global media. The free zone offers relevant facilities for entities involved in printing, graphic art, media production, publishing, etc. The free zone offers 100% foreign ownership and have special conditions for import of machinery, equipment, spares and other relevant raw material. IMPZ is highly suitable for entities who are engaged in printing, graphic design, publishing, packaging and other relevant print media services.

The free zone is located in the new Dubai area and is easily accessible.

17. KNOWLEDGE VILLAGE (KV) – DUBAI

Established in 2003, KV or Knowledge Village is one of the unique area which offers resources which can assist in knowledge and learning as well as human resources management. KV is under the auspices of TECOM and the aim is to establish UAE as a knowledge hub which is in line with the Ruler’s vision to make Dubai a knowledge-based economy. KV is home to many reputed colleges and schools and learning centers from around the world.

18. ACADEMIC CITY (DAC or AC)

After the success of Knowledge Village the government of Dubai recognized a need for a dedicated zone which can cater to needs of higher education and thus Academic City was conceptualized and formed in 2007. With the excellent infrastructure and easy approval system Academic City has become popular with big education names and universities from around the world.

Academic City is spread over a large area to accommodate campuses and other training facilities of the higher education institutes which are registered there.