Companies with bank accounts for sale in UAE

There are many reasons why an investor would want to purchase an existing company rather than setting up a new one in any of the Emirates the United Arab Emirates.
The main reason being immediate access to a bank account that has a track record of conducting business in the same business activity that you are interested in.
Buy a shelf company in UAE with bank account
Shelf companies for sale in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, or Umm Al Quwain often comes with a bank account in one of the major local banks in UAE including:
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Ajman Bank
- Al Hilal Bank
- Al Maryah Community Bank
- Bank of Sharjah
- Commercial Bank International
- Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Dubai Islamic Bank
- Emirates Investment Bank
- Emirates Islamic
- Emirates NBD
- First Abu Dhabi Bank
- Invest Bank
- Mashreq
- National Bank of Fujairah
- National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah PJSC (RAKBANK)
- National Bank of Umm Al-Qaiwain
- Ruya Community Islamic Bank
- Sharjah Islamic Bank
- United Arab Bank
- Wio Bank
- Zand Bank
A company that has been operating in the country for a period of time will give your customers, suppliers and other stakeholders reassurance of your company’s stability.
The impression that you have been in business in UAE for longer than you have will play a big factor when it comes to winning contracts, applying for tender bids, and more.
Certain tenders in UAE may require a company to have been operating in the country for certain period of time before they are eligible to bid on the project.
In other words, if there is a project that you are interested in, and you do not have a existing company and have to register a new one, that newly register company would not be eligible to bid on projects.
Bidding on a public project in UAE may also require the company to hold in-country value certification (ICV).
To obtain an In Country Value certification in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, or Umm Al Quwain, the company needs to provide audited financial statements, which is not possible with a newly registered company.
Purchasing an already made, established shelf company in UAE is not the same as acquiring a business in UAE.
Business acquisition or buying a company in UAE, often refers to purchasing a running company that with operational in terms of revenue an employee headcount – these companies have active sales, expenses, liabilities and assets.
Buying a shelf company in UAE in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, or Umm Al Quwain can overcome many of these problems, not to mention opening a bank account for certain business activities can be time consuming and tedious in UAE.
In the past, some companies had to shut down because they were unable to open a bank account.

These are some other most common reasons why customers prefer to purchase an existing shelf company in UAE, rather than registering a new company in Sharjah, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, or Umm Al Quwain.
Certain business activities are ideal to purchase an existing company rather than setting up a new company, due to:
- Difficulty or time required to obtain the relevant external third party approvals from various government entities
- Willingness of banks to accept certain high risk activities
Setting up a new company can be accomplished in a matter of days but apply for a business account in UAE can take months for certain high risk activities such as:
- Oil Trading
- Gold Trading / Precious Metal Trading
- General Trading
- Regulated financial activities
Considering these points, popular jurisdictions to purchase a self company in UAE is most common in these freezones:
Where to find freezone companies for sale in UAE
Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) shelf companies for sale – This airport based freezone can Abu Dhabi is ideal for those that are involved in logistics services or frequently the require access to the airport.
- Abu Dhabi Global Market Freezone (ADGM) has various companies for sale, ideal for companies that are looking for shelf companies for sale in the financial services sector.
- Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Freezone (KIZAD) – Buying a shelf company in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD freezone is the perfect solution for customers that are looking for trading and manufacturing activities.
- Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone (KPFTZ) – This freezone in Abu Dhabi is part of KIZAD group and sometimes have non operational shelf companies for sale for business owners looking for port access in UAE in trade, logistics, and manufacturing actvities.
- Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Freezone (ICAD) – Clients looking to purchase a shelf company in industrial city of Abu Dhabi will want to focus on KIZAD shelf companies for sale instead as the 2 have merged.
- Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones Freezone – This freezone has merged with KEZAD, which means buying a shelf license for sale in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi is the same as Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones Freezone, as the latter no longer exist.
- Masdar City Free Zone – One of the best freezones in Abu Dhabi for purchasing a shelf company.
- Tawazun Industrial Park – Shelf licenses for sale in Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Industrial Park are currently unavailable as the freezone is not operational.
- twofour54 – The best freezone in Abu Dhabi to purchase a media related shelf company in UAE.
Dubai
- Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) – Customers interested in logistic services for fine and beneficial to purchase a shelf company license in Dubai Airport Freezone
- Dubai Auto Zone – Buy a shelf company in this freezone that is dedicated in Dubai for automobile trading. Establish market presence immediate with an aged license to convey a message to your stakeholders that you have been in business in UAE for an extended period of time.
- Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park (DuBiotech) – Part of TECOM Group in Dubai. This group of freezones in Dubai has many licenses for sale.
- Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone (DUCAMZ) – Another popular freezone, for automobile trading. Establish market presence with an active shelf company licenses for sale in Dubai’s best freezone for Car and Automotive trading in Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone.
- Dubai Commercity Freezone – Commercity focuses on online businesses and is ideal for those looking to purchase an ecommerce shelf company in Dubai.
- Dubai Design District Freezone (D3) – Also known as D3, this freezone has many licenses for sale that are shelf companies and ideal for those who are in the design industry.
- Dubai Expo City Freezone (EDC) – Expo2020’s legacy freezone has many licenses for sale and is attractive to multinational companies looking at enter UAE by purchasing a shelf company instead of incorporating a new business license.
- Dubai Flower Center Freezone – As the name imply this freezone is ideal to purchase a shelf company in Dubai for businesses that are in the flower industry.
- Dubai Gold and Diamond Park Freezone – Finding a shelf company in Dubai for gold trading or precious metal trading can be tricky, but may be possible in this free zone that is focused on the precious metal industry for both manufactured and non-manufactured precious metal trading activities.
- Dubai Healthcare City Freezone (DHCC) – While it may be difficult to find shelf companies in Dubai Healthcare City – It is possible to find a company that is for sale in this freezone that is focused exclusively in the health industry.
- Dubai Industrial City (DIC) Freezone – Investors looking to acquire a shelf company in this free zone, usually focus on manufacturing and industrial services.
- Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) – This freezone focuses on education. And similar academic activities for. anyone looking to purchase a shelf company in Dubai International Academy freezone.
- Dubai international Financial Center (DIFC) Freezone – Shelf companies available in DIFC are usually regulated by various financial authorities such as the UAE central bank, Dubai Financial Security Authority, it is possible to find DIFC shelf companies for sale.
- Dubai Internet City Freezone (DIC) – Anyone looking to buy a shop company in Dubai with a focus on I.T. and A.I. activities will find it beneficial to buy a shelf company in Dubai Internet City freezone.
- Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) Freezone – Also part of TECOM Group. This freezone focuses on education. Activities and have shelf companies for sale In Dubai.
- Dubai Maritime City Freezone (DMC) – Part of JAFZA/DP World Group – Guess free zone focuses on maritime activities and sometimes have shelf licenses to buy in Dubai.
- Dubai Media City Freezone (DMC) – This media focus for freezone in Dubai sometimes have licenses for sale that comes with bank account and is part of the TECOM Group which you can purchase a shelf company license in Dubai from.
- Dubai Multi Commodity Center Freezone (DMCC) – Buying a DMCC freezone license in ensures immediate bank account access to those in the commodity trade for customers involved in high value transactions.
- Dubai Outsource City Freezone (DOC) – Companies looking to engage in outsource activities will find a beneficial to buy a shelf company in Dubai outsourced city freezone with bank account.
- Dubai Production City Freezone (DPC) – Buying a shelf company in Dubai Production city will enable entrepreneurs to access business opportunities within this Media Production based Freezone on opportunities such as TV, Film, Printing, Publishing and Packaging activities.
- Dubai Science Park Freezone (DSP) – Companies interested to buy a scientific activities in Dubai will be interested to purchase an existing shelf company in Dubai Science Park with bank account and have access to the freezone’s scientific laboratories research and additional facilities.
- Dubai Carpet Free Zone – A common misunderstanding, there is no freezone called Dubai Carpet Freezone, Therefore, it is not possible to purchase companies for sale in Dubai Carpet Free Zone.
- Heavy Equipment and Trucks Zone – Investors looking for shelf companies for sale in Heavy Equipment and Trucks Zone are better off to consider active Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone (DUCAMZ) companies for sale
- Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) – Often associated with International Freezone Authority (IFZA), purchasing a shelf company with bank account for sale in DSOA can be considered the same as purchasing a running company in Dubai’s International Freezone Authority with an operational bank account.
- Dubai South Freezone (DWC) – The freezone is also commonly referred to as DWC Freezone in Dubai. This is because DWC are the letters assigned to the airport (Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) located near the Dubai South Freezone and purchasing a shelf company with an active bank account is ideal for investors looking for a Dubai based logistic or transportation hub based freezone to get up and running quickly with a bank account.
- Dubai Techno Park (DTP) is now known as National Industries Park, a freezone that is ideal for industrial activities such as manufacturing. Finding a shelf company for sale in the National Industries Park is a perfect opportunity for foreign companies interested to manufacture in the United Arab Emirates.
- Dubai Textile Village (DTV) – It is often difficult to register a new company in Dubai Textile Village Freezone, as it is mandatory to rent warehouse, which are in high demand and there is a waiting queue of around 2 years. Which is why buying a shelf company in Dubai Textile Village Freezone will be ideal, as it already comes with a functional bank account and you can be operational immediately that the share transfer process is complete.
- Dubai World Trade Center Freezone (DWTC) – As one of the more well-known free zones in Dubai. The DWTC is an ideal solution for companies that are interested to register a new business and provide or acquire an existing company with a bank account with one of the best freezones in Dubai.
- Dubai Queen Elizabeth II Freezone – Also known as DuQE. This freezone is located at the iconic and world famous, Queen Elizabeth 2 boat which offers opportunities for foreign individuals and businesses to acquire shelf companies that are active with bank accounts.
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) – Technically, not a free zone. However, their cooperation with Dubai Silicon Oasis has made IFZA a popular choice for anyone looking to buy a shelf company in Dubai with bank account for sale.
- International Humanitarian City Freezone (IHC) – This freezone is known for individuals and businesses engaged in humanitarian practices, and buying a shelf company for sale in this freezone is a rare opportunity for anyone interested to operate in this freezone and not able to register a new business due to not being in the humanitarian field.
- International Media Production Zone Freezone (IMPZ) – Is now known as Dubai Production City. Acquiring a license with bank account from this freezone is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in media related activities in Dubai, on an individual or business capacity.
- Jebel Ali Free Zone – JAFZA – The original freezone in Dubai has generated interest from individuals and businesses that are interested to acquire running business in Dubai, with bank account. at the largest and most popular freezone in Dubai for logistic, transportation and maritime businesses.
- Meydan Freezone – Acquiring a shelf company for sale in Meydan Freezone allows business owners to combined service and trading activities on the same license and operate freely with an existing bank account that is already owned by the company.
Sharjah
- Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) – Find a shelf company for sale with bank account in this port based free zone in Sharjah allows businesses to operate freely for those that require frequent access to the ocean, or airport.
- Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF) – This airport based freezone is called. Popular for those that are looking to enter United Arab Emirates and require. Frequent access to the airport. Purchasing your shelf company in this freezone will allow you to operate within days if you are able to find one that has a bank account in the exact same activity that your business is engaged in.
- Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC) – This healthcare based free zone in Sharjah is the best option for anyone looking for purchasing an existing company with bank accounts for healthcare related activities in UAE.
- Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation Freezone – Anyone looking to purchase an operational company in the freezone formerly known as Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation Freezone, It will now have to. consider buying a company for sale with bank account in Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (STRIP), as the former has rebranded to the latter.
- Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (STRIP) – This freezone based in Sharjah will allow individuals and businesses looking to purchase a running business with bank account that allows you to practice both service and trading activities.
- Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC) – It’s generally an all in one freezone that fits most client activities. This low cost Sharjah freezone has most of the common service, consultancy, trading activities that investors would look for in UAE.
- Sharjah Media City Free Zone (Shams) – As one of the most popular free zones in Sharjah and all of UAE, SHAMS offers the ability to combine service and trading activities on the same license.
Ras Al Khaimah
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) – One of them knows well known free zones in the UAE. There are often licenses with bank accounts for sale from RAKEZ freezone for both service and trading companies.
- Ras Al Khaimah Digital Oasis – (RAKDAO) – This freezone was established a few years ago and finding a company for sale with bank account in RAKDAO Will be beneficial for those that are in the web3 and crypto space.
- RAK International Corporate Centre – (RAK ICC) – Finding an offshore company for sale in UAE with bank account with RAKICC is ideal For any investors or international companies that are looking to trade outside of the UAE by which the benefit from the tax benefits of the United Air Emirates.
- Ras Al Khaimah Maritime Freezone (RMCFZA) – Licenses for sale with bank account in this Ras Al Khaimah based freezone is strictly restricted to companies that are engaged in maritime activities.
- Ras Al Khaimah Maritime Freezone is part of the RAKPORT group.
Ajman
- Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) – Finding companies for sale with bank account in Ajman Freezone will now have to be accomplished with Ajman Freezone Authority, as the Ajman Freezone now falls under the jurisdiction of Ajman FZ Authority
- Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMCFZ) – It is no longer possible to purchase company for sale with bank account enhancement Media City freezone as. the free zone merged with Ajman Freezone to become Ajman Freezone Authority.
- Ajman FZ Authority (AFZA) – The best freezone in Ajman to purchase a running shelf company that is operational with bank account for sale.
Fujairah
- Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) – It’s one of the two free zones in Fujairah, finding a company for sale in Fujairah Free zone often comes with a benefit of having an operational bank account.
- Fujairah Creative City (CCFZ) – Companies for sale with bank accounts in Fujairah’s creative city often comes with a bank account for businesses interested in creative or marketing activities.
Umm Al Quwain
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQFTZ) – Find a shelf company in UAQ is ideal compared to incorporation as the emirate only has one freezone, as setting up a new company can take slightly longer than expected due to investors that are interested to registering a new company in this Northern Emirate in UAE.
Mainland companies are also for sale in UAE across each of the 7 Emirates
- Dubai – Department of Economic Development – Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing licenses for sale.
- Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Mainland shelf companies for sale
- Sharjah – Mainland Department Economic Development (DED) licenses for sale
- Al Ain DED – Department Economic Development Mainland shelf companies for sale
- Ras Al Khaimah – Buy a RAK DED Department Economic Development Mainland shelf company.
- Ajman – Shelf companies for sale issued by Ajman Department Economic Development DED
- Umm Al Quwain – UAQ Department Economic Development licenses for sale of shelf companies.
How BUH consulting can assist
Our team will work with you to understand your requirements, eligibility criteria and apply for your business and personal bank account with the most suitable banks and assign relationship managers from various that can onboard your account for your company.
Contact information
For a tailored solution, contact us to discuss about your requirements.
Email: – sam@buh-consulting.com
Phone: +971585086656
Whatsapp: +971585086656
Telegram: BUHConsultingAE
