Free zone company setup in Dubai and the UAE: choosing the zone

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

A Government of Dubai authority, established in 2002, home to 26,000 companies, with a focus on commodities trade and enterprise and more than 1,000 licensed activities. Forms: a new free zone company, a subsidiary or a branch. A flexi desk is offered; the visa allowance follows the office, and DMCC's package with a flexi desk is eligible for 3 residence visas. Published setup costs run from AED 10,345 to AED 84,515. Marlborough Gulf has been a DMCC company since 2012. [5][8][12] DMCC companies →

DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)

A financial centre with its own common-law legal system and courts, and its own regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, for financial firms. Non-financial firms, including family offices, holding companies and foundations, can also set up there. Government fees for a private company are USD 8,000 registration and USD 12,000 a year for the licence; the Innovation Licence for technology firms is USD 1,500 a year for 2 to 5 years. Flexi desks and coworking are offered through the Innovation Hub. A DIFC set-up is carried out by a firm licensed in the DIFC, which you engage directly; we plan where it fits and coordinate. [13]

Dubai South (DWC)

Dubai's aviation and logistics free zone, run by the Dubai Aviation City Corporation, next to the airport that will be the world's largest when fully operational and 30 km from Jebel Ali port. Routes: a DWC company or branch, a freelancer licence, or the Business Hub route with a licence, a visa and flexi-desk access. No prices are published on the zone's own site. [14]

Dubai Internet City (DIC)

The technology district, operated by TECOM Group and licensed by the Dubai Development Authority. Forms: a free zone limited liability company or a branch, with a dual licence available for the mainland. Coworking is offered at shared, dedicated and private-office levels; in a commercial office, 1 visa is allocated for every 60 square feet. No prices are published. [15]

Ajman Free Zone

Launched in 1988, with more than 9,000 companies. Forms: a free zone establishment, a free zone company, or a branch of a local or foreign company. Licences: commercial, industrial, services, e-commerce, freelancer and offshore, among others. Shared coworking space is offered; a sole professional licence holder is eligible for 1 residence visa. Prices come from the zone's cost calculator, not a published list. [16]

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

Established by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah on 17 April 2017, taking over the RAK Free Trade Zone (founded 2000) and RAK Investment Authority. It serves free zone and non-free zone businesses, with a focus on start-ups, SMEs and industry. Forms: a free zone establishment, a free zone limited liability company (2 to 50 shareholders), or a branch. Published packages start at AED 6,000 (no visa) and AED 14,000 a year including 1 residence visa, with up to 3 more at AED 4,000 each. International companies once registered as RAK Offshore are now RAK ICC companies, which we form and administer as a RAK ICC registered agent. [17] RAK ICC companies →

How Marlborough Gulf helps

What we do:

• We compare free zones against your activities, customers, staff, tax position and the rest of your plan: residence, banking, property and succession.
• We set up the company in DMCC, RAK ICC and the other zones that license through corporate service providers, and handle its administration.
• We keep the books, and advise on the Qualifying Free Zone Person tests each year.

What a licensed partner does: a firm licensed in the DIFC carries out a DIFC set-up, and the Dubai Financial Services Authority licenses any financial activity there. You engage that firm directly.

Questions people ask

Which is the best free zone in the UAE?

There's no single answer. The right zone is the one that licenses your activity, fits your office and visa needs, and suits how the company will be taxed. [1]

Do free zone companies need to register for corporate tax?

Yes. Every free zone company must register. Only a Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income. [2][6][10]

Can a free zone company sell to customers on the mainland?

In Dubai, yes, through a branch licence or a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit. Mainland income is taxed at 9%. [3][4]