The UAE is made up of 7 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). There are more than 35 free zones in the UAE where you can register a business. For most service and trading businesses, there is no difference where the company is registered.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most popular free zones for first-time company owners and established international businesses. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain are also popular options for small businesses.
Freezones
Some free zones offer unique benefits that cannot be found in others, such as:
Warehousing Space
Manufacturing Capabilities
Aviation and Logistics Services
Specialized Trading, such as oil and gas, gold, or diamonds
Communities suitable for families
All businesses in UAE falls into 3 categories: Service, Trade, Industrial.
A company in UAE can be registered in:
Mainland – Supports 100% of all business activities in UAE. Certain activities require a silent local partner.
Freezone – Includes 95% of all business activities in UAE. Can be completely owned by a foreigner.
Offshore – the registered business cannot participate in any business within UAE.
Comparison of different uAE freezones
With around 45 freezones where all business can be incorporated, it can be confusing to determine which option is the best to register a new company in the United Arab Emirates.Dubai is generally considered the best Emirate to set up a company in UAE.
Dubai (26 Freezones)
● Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA)
● Dubai CommerCity (DCC)
● Dubai Design District (D3)
● Dubai Gold and Diamond Park
● Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
● Dubai International Academic City
● Dubai Internet City (DIC)
● Dubai International Financial Centre
● Dubai Logistic City
● Dubai Maritime City
● Dubai Media City
● Dubai Production City
● Dubai Science Park (DSP)
● Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) in partnership with International Freezone Authority (IFZA)
● Dubai Studio City
● Dubai World Central (Dubai South/DWC)
● Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
● Duqe
● International Humanitarian City
Abu Dhabi (8 Freezones)
● Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)
● Abu Dhabi Global Market Freezone
● Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Freezone (KEZAD)
● Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Freezone
● Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones Freezone
● Masdar City Free Zone
● Tawazun Industrial Park
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Sharjah (5 Freezones)
● Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF)
● Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC)
Ras Al Khaimah (2 Freezones)
● Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
● Ras Al Khaimah International Corporation Center (RAK ICC)