Highlights of particular free zones

  • Meydan
    Free Zone

  • Dubai Multi
    Commodities Centre

  • Dubai International
    Financial Centre

  • Abu Dhabi
    Global Market

  • Ras Al Khaimah
    Economic Zone

MFZ (Meydan Free Zone)

6 visa quotas when renting a "virtual" office
No proof of payment of minimum share capital is required
Office lease is permitted within mainland Dubai
Simple and fast company registration process

FAQ

How many visa quotas does Meydan Free Zone offer?

Meydan Free Zone offers 6 visa quotas when renting a “virtual” office – the highest number of visa quotas among all UAE Free Zones.

Which types of activities are available in Meydan Free Zone?

Meydan Free Zone offers more than 2,500 activities covering various business areas. A single license from Meydan Free Zone permits engagement in up to 3 activities simultaneously.

What legislation governs operations in Meydan Free Zone?

The main act regulating the activities of companies in Meydan Free Zone is the Meydan Companies Regulation. In matters not covered by free zone legislation, the legislation of the UAE and Dubai is applied.

What is the process of establishing a company in Meydan Free Zone?

Company incorporation is done through the Meydan Free Zone portal, eliminating the need for the personal presence of shareholders and/or managers. Shareholders are only required to prepare a simple set of documents and remotely confirm their identity after submitting the application for company incorporation.

Are there any requirements regarding the minimum share capital in

Meydan Free Zone?

The amount of the minimum share capital is not specified by the free zone, and proof of payment of the share capital is not required.

What are the requirements for a company office in Meydan Free Zone?

Meydan Free Zone, situated just 15 minutes from Business Bay at the Meydan Hotel, offers limited office rental space. Therefore, it permits rentals outside the free zone as well as rentals of a “virtual” office.

How long is the license issued for?

Upon establishment, you have the flexibility to choose a license duration of up to 3 years, along with the added benefit of unlimited renewal options.

Are different classes of shares allowed?

Different classes of shares are not allowed.

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

3 visa quotas when renting a "virtual" office
Payment of share capital and a bank statement confirming the deposited amount are required
Office lease is permitted whithin the free zone only
The free zone specializes in international trade - diamonds, oil, chemicals, and other commodities

FAQ

How many visa quotas does DMCC offer?

DMCC offers 3 visa quotas when renting a “virtual” office. To increase visa quotas, you are required to rent a physical office in the free zone, with 1 visa allocated for every 9 m2 of office space.

Which types of activities are available in DMCC?

DMCC specializes in international trade, with companies engaging in activities such as metals, diamonds, and commodities trading. Additionally, DMCC permits other activities including holding and IT activities.

What legislation governs operations in DMCC?

The DMCC Company Regulations is the main act regulating the activities of companies. In matters not covered by free zone legislation, the legislation of the UAE and Dubai is applied.

What is the process for establishing a company in DMCC?

Company incorporation is done through the DMCC portal, eliminating the need for shareholders and/or managers to be physically present. Shareholders are only required to prepare a set of documents and remotely confirm their identity after submitting the application for company incorporation.

Are there any requirements regarding the minimum share capital in DMCC?

The minimum share capital required depends on the type of company’s activity, with 50,000 AED (≈13,615 USD) typically sufficient for most activities. Following incorporation, you shall demonstrate to the free zone authorities the deposit of the minimum share capital by submitting a UAE bank statement confirming the deposited amount.

What are the requirements for a company office in DMCC?

DMCC, situated in the JLT area near Dubai Marina, provides various office leasing options ranging from co-working spaces to premium office rentals. Additionally, it offers the option to lease a “virtual” office, providing flexibility to businesses of all sizes and needs.

 

How long is the license issued for?

Upon establishment, you have the flexibility to choose a license duration of up to 3 years, along with the added benefit of unlimited renewal options.

Are different classes of shares allowed?

Yes, different classes of shares are allowed.

DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)

3 visa quotas when renting a "virtual" office
No proof of payment of minimum share capital is required
Office lease is permitted within the free zone only
Free zone specializes in the financial sector
English law applies subsidiarily
Independent system of courts and arbitrations with DIFC courts having a solid reputation both locally and internationally

FAQ

How many visa quotas does DIFC offer?

DIFC offers 3 visa quotas when renting a “virtual” office. To increase visa quotas, you are required to rent a physical office in the free zone, with one visa allocated per each workplace.

Which types of activities are available in DIFC?

DIFC specializes in the financial industry, offering licenses for brokerage, banking, hedge funds, foreign exchange, and financial transactions to companies within its jurisdiction. Additionally, DIFC permits a range of other activities, such as holding and IT activities.

What legislation governs operations in DIFC?

The legislation of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) based on English law primarily applies to companies established within its jurisdiction, with the DIFC Companies Law serving as the main regulating act. English law applies subsidiarily. Additionally, DIFC operates with its own independent financial regulator, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

DIFC has an independent judicial system which uses English as the primary language for legal proceedings. Within the free zone, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) operates as the most prominent arbitration institution in the Middle East.

What is the process for establishing a company in DIFC?

Company incorporation is done through an application on the DIFC portal and does not require personal presence of shareholders and/or managers. Shareholders shall prepare a set of documents, including a business plan and justification of the source of funds, and then remotely confirm their identity after submitting the application for incorporation.

An additional pre-approval from the DFSA is necessary if the company intends to engage in regulated financial activities.

Are there any requirements regarding the minimum share capital in DIFC?

The minimum share capital requirements are not specified, and the Free Zone does not mandate proof of payment of the share capital.

 

What are the requirements for a company office in DIFC?

DIFC, situated in the prime location of Dubai, provides a range of office leasing options within the free zone, including co-working spaces and premium office facilities. Additionally, DIFC offers the flexibility of “virtual” office leasing.

How long is the license issued for?

Upon establishment, you have the flexibility to choose a license duration of up to 3 years, along with the added benefit of unlimited renewal options.

Are different classes of shares allowed?

Yes, different classes of shares are allowed.

ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)

3 visa quotas when renting a "virtual" office
No proof of payment of minimum share capital is required
Office lease is permitted within the free zone only
Free zone specializes in the financial sector
Free zone regulations specify direct application of English law
Independent judicial system with ADGM courts having a solid reputation both locally and internationally

FAQ

How many visa quotas does ADGM offer?

The free zone offers 3 visa quotas when renting a “virtual” office. If additional visa quotas are needed, renting a physical office within the free zone is required, with an allocation of 2 visas per 1 workplace.

Which types of activities are available in ADGM?

ADGM specializes in the financial sector, offering licenses for brokerage, banking, hedge fund activities, and foreign exchange operations to ADGM companies. Additionally, ADGM licenses other activities such as holding and IT activities.

What legislation governs operations in ADGM?

ADGM legislation, primarily governed by the ADGM Companies Regulations, regulates the activity of companies within the zone. However, English law takes precedence over ADGM legislation and is directly applicable in ADGM courts in case of contradictions. Unlike other free zones, federal civil and commercial legislation of the UAE and the legislation of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi do not apply in ADGM, except where specified by ADGM regulation.

ADGM has its own independent financial regulator (FSRA). Additionally, ADGM has an independent system of courts and arbitration centres which use English as the primary language for legal proceedings.

What is the process of establishing a company in ADGM?

Company incorporation is done through an application on the ADGM portal and does not require personal presence of shareholders and/or managers. Shareholders shall prepare a set of documents, including a business plan and justification of the source of funds, and then remotely confirm their identity after submitting the application for incorporation.


If the company intends to engage in regulated financial activities, prior approval from FSRA will also be required.

Are there any requirements regarding the minimum share capital in ADGM?

The minimum share capital requirement is not specified, and the free zone does not mandate proof of payment of the share capital.

What are the requirements for a company office in ADGM?

ADGM, situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island and recently expanded to include Al Reem Island, provides various office leasing options within the free zone, including co-working spaces and premium office rentals. Additionally, ADGM allows for the leasing of “virtual” offices, offering flexibility to businesses of different sizes and requirements.

How long is the license issued for?

Upon establishment, you have the flexibility to choose a license duration of up to 3 years, along with the added benefit of unlimited renewal options.

Are different classes of shares allowed?

Yes, different classes of shares are allowed.

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

A significant number of visa quotas when renting a "virtual" office
No proof of payment of minimum share capital is required
Provides an opportunity to license the activities of freelancers
Relatively low cost of registration

FAQ

How many visa quotas does RAKEZ offer?

The number of issued visas depends on the type and size of the rented office space. For co-working spaces, visa quotas range from 0 to 4, while service offices offer a quota of 2 visas for each rented workplace. Higher-grade office spaces can accommodate up to 6 visa quotas.

Which types of activities are available in RAKEZ?

RAKEZ offers a diverse range of activities spanning over 50 industries, including manufacturing, energy, IT, healthcare, aviation, shipping, education, media, and various consulting services such as legal and financial advisory services.

RAKEZ also provides licensing options tailored for freelancers in media and education-related fields. These licenses enable freelancers to conduct business under their personal name rather than a trade name, offering greater flexibility and autonomy in their professional endeavors.

What legislation governs operations in RAKEZ?

RAKEZ Companies Regulations and RAKEZ Operating Rules serve as the primary legal frameworks governing the activities of companies within the free zone. In areas not covered by free zone legislation, the laws of the UAE and Dubai are applied to ensure regulatory compliance and legal consistency.

What is the process of establishing a company in RAKEZ?

The process of incorporating a company involves submitting an application to establish the company, and it does not require personal presence of shareholders and/or managers. After incorporation, shareholders and managers are required to provide color copies of passports, copies of visas or entry stamps, and a business plan. Depending on the nature of the activities, additional documents may be requested.

Are there any requirements regarding the minimum share capital in RAKEZ?

 

The minimum share capital for a company is 10,000 AED (approximately 2,700 USD). For some types of activities, the requirements are higher.
For instance, real estate construction or broadcasting activities require a minimum share capital of AED 1,000,000 (approximately 270,000 USD), while aviation, insurance brokerage, or real estate brokerage activities require AED 500,000 (approximately 135,000 USD). Logistics and transportation activities require a minimum of AED 100,000 (approximately 27,000 USD), and providers of higher education and non-academic services require AED 50,000 (approximately 13,500 USD).

How long is the license issued for?

Typically, a license is valid for 1 year with the option of unlimited renewal. However, licenses for free-zone commercial activities, service provision, general trade, personal/professional activities, and e-commerce may be valid for up to 3 years with the opportunity for renewal on favorable terms.

What is the RAKEZ company establishment timeline?

The company registration process usually takes around 7 to 8 business days to complete.

What are the requirements for a company office in RAKEZ?

A company established within RAKEZ cannot have an office outside of the free zone. RAKEZ, situated in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, approximately 100 kilometers from Dubai, provides diverse rental options. These range from co-working spaces and individual desks to premium office spaces. Additionally, the free zone offers land for development, warehouses, and accommodations for industrial workers.

 

While most activities within RAKEZ do not require renting a specific type of space, certain activities may require the rental of a physical office, retail space, or other specialized facilities.

Are different classes of shares allowed?

As a general rule, different classes of shares are not permitted, but a company may be allowed to issue them with prior approval from the free zone authority.