How Many Free Zones in Dubai and Why Open a Free Zone Company?

Dubai is home to some of the world’s finest business zones, providing a sound economic landscape for entrepreneurs to venture in and start a robust company formation in Dubai. Lucrative incorporations laws, tax privileges and numerous specialized zones have made Dubai into business setup powerhouse for all types of company structures. Free Zone LLC is one of the most sought out company structure which allows a foreign investor to own 100% shares of the business. Unlike mainland companies, which are obligated by UAE law to partner with an Emirati national, free zone companies are not required to surrender 51% shares. Currently, Dubai is home to over 30 fully functioning free zones and has taken initiative to develop new free zones for other activities as well.

This allows a major advantage in conducting business operations and gaining return as the foreign investor is able to start his company on his own name and entitled to all the company profits. Here are some of the key advantages of Free zone company formation in Dubai.

How to Register for a Free Zone Company?

Getting a Dubai Free Zone license is quite straightforward and takes a little less or more than 3 weeks to fully incorporate. Once the investor has decided on the zone, the remaining steps are as follows.

• Start by reserving the official company trade name 
•  Confirm lease contract to obtain office space
• Get the articles of association and the deeds of establishment on ink
•  Register for corporate bank account and deposit the minimum upfront capital for securing bank statement
• Pay translation fees and notarization charges of due diligence
• Receive the license from the free zone authority you applied from

Benefits of Free Zone Company?

Free zones make a fertile ground for company formation, offering world-class infrastructure, duty and tax exemptions, finest business amenities, favorable business policies, and state-of-the art facilities. Here are some of the main benefits of starting a free zone company in Dubai.

•  0% tax corporate and personal income
• 100% ownership for foreign investors
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits
• Exclusion from all import and export duties
• Corporate tax exemption for 15 years with renewal option for another 15 years
• No capital deposit required