Dubai Design District caters to the needs of budding entrepreneurs from the retail, fashion, design, luxury and hospitality industries. Announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and backed by the establishment of the Dubai Design and Fashion Council by official decree.

• 100% Business Ownership –

  an expat can fully own the business without a requirement of a local partner and full repatriation of profits and capital.

• Strategic Location –

  d3 is adjacent to the Business Bay area of Dubai. Easily accessible from Business Bay, Al Khail, Dubai-Al Ain and Dubai-Hatta roads.

• World Class Business Hub –

  Dubai is perfectly situated to access the world’s developing economies, which makes it the ideal location to set up and grow the business in this region.

• A Full Range of Business Activity Options –

  d3 mirrors majority of Dubai Department of Economic Development activities from retail, design to hospitality.

A wide range of design related activities are available ranging from but not limited to:

• Sales and Marketing
• Design Consultancy
• Manufacturing
• Tailoring
• Assembling
• Concept Design
• Architectural Design
• Industrial Design
• E-Commerce
• Modeling Agency
• Photography
• Studio Space
• Image Consultancy
• Visual Merchandising
• Fashion Design Consultancy
• Advertising
• Beauty Advisors
• Nutrition and Fitness Advisors
• Art Gallery
• Direct Marketing
• Performing Arts Management
• Fashion/Fair Exhibition
• Stage Fashion Show
• Public Relations Agency
• Sales Promotion
• Branding and Corporate Identity
• Graphic Design

• Flexibility to do business in any part of the UAE with local and government authorities
• No limit on number of visas (depending on the size of the office space)
• Office premises anywhere in mainland Dubai
• More options on business activities
• Fewer nationality restrictions in ownership and visas compared to other jurisdictions

Under the Dubai Department of Economic Development(DED), the main licensing options are:

• Professional License (Provision of non-physical services e.g. Consultancy)

  • The establishment of entities formed under the UAE Civil Code which are restricted to carrying out “non– commercial” or civil activities. The UAE Civil Code entities (may be an Individual Establishment or a Civil Works Company) include promotion of services, skills, and expertise of the individual(s) conducting the business, as well as other related practices that involve the use or investment of intellectual faculties.
  • Professional companies may be 100% foreign owned. However, it is necessary to appoint a “Local Service Agent” or “Local Sponsor.”
  • To comply with the provisions of UAE law, we propose that one of the local partners of Wise Consultancy will act as the Local Service Agent. The nominated Local Service Agent will not have any management authority or financial commitment and he will only act on your behalf to facilitate the trade license and visa processes necessary to complete your trade license. The Local Service Agent Appointment Contract shall regulate the relationship between the two parties.
  • Depending on the business activity, this can be a LLC (Limited Liability Company) if 51% ownership is given to a UAE National or Company. For the latter and in certain business activities, the shareholders of the UAE company must meet the same criteria as the expat partner/s.
  • Existing companies can only invest in a new Civil Company if they reflect the same business activity as the parent company.

• Commercial License (Provision of physical services or trading activities)

  • The establishment of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Dubai in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law. This is the most widely used commercial entity for companies with foreign ownership wishing to conduct commercial activities and trade in the UAE
  • Each of the partners shall only be liable to the extent of their share capital in the company upon incorporation as stated in the executed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
  • Under the UAE Companies Law, a minimum of 51% ownership must be held by a UAE National (Local Partner), and 49% ownership will be that of the foreign shareholder. However, the law permits the issuance of constitutional documents for an LLC to contain provisions designed to protect the interests of the foreign minority shareholder, including but not limited to the profits distribution, assets entitlement, appointment of directors/managers, powers of administration, and influence in decision making.

• Branch or Representative Office

  • It is stipulated under the UAE Companies Law that 100% foreign ownership is allowed provided that a local service agent is appointed.
  • A Branch office is a legal extension of the parent company and is permitted to secure contracts and conduct business activities, which are similar to those of its parents company subject to the approval of the UAE Ministry of Economy.
  • A Representative office is established to promote the products and services of its parent company but may not carry out any trading activity or enter into commercial transactions and deals by itself. The number of employees allowed under this company is limited to 4.

Licensing Options for  Maximum  Business  Freed​om

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DED) LICENSE

• * Sponsorship fee may vary depending on the business activities and requirements of clients. The sponsorship fee will increase if the number of employees increases to more than 100 and if a LLC company requires credit facilities on the MOA.
• * Sponsorship fees for Industrial/Manufacturing licenses starts from AED 75,000.
• * The Memorandum of Association/Local Service Agent Agreement/Civil Works Agreement drafting and notarizing fees will be approximately AED 1925 (based on a 2 shareholder, AED 100,000 share capital computation).
• * Payment Voucher for General Trading companies will be approximately AED 25,000 – AED 30,000.
• * Sponsorship fees, PRO Fees, and License fees are annual and payable upon license expiry.
• * Upon sign-up, the Name Reservation Fee of 660 AED and Initial Approval Fee of 160 AED must be paid and all actual government payments are invoiced as it is being processed. The client will pay all actual charges to us before any application is made to Dubai DED.
• * Should an LLC require credit facilities, the company must be able to provide proof of paid up share capital as per the MOA.
• ** Final Payment Voucher Fees are dependent on the business activity as well as cost of your annual lease (Market Fee is 5%).
• * DED Payment Voucher Fee needs to be paid annually.

JAFZA is one of the largest and fastest growing of Dubai free zones. JAFZA, today houses more than 6400 of the world’s finest companies. The current JAFZA profile includes more than 120 of the Global Fortune 500 companies. The free zone has come a long way from 19 companies in 1985. Investors are provided world class infrastructure supported by quality driven value added services and incentives,enabling them to capitalize on the huge business opportunities in the region.

This growth can be attributed to JAFZAs innovative solutions for global industrial investors and focus on long-term customer relationships. It is the first free zone in the world to win ISO certification in 1996.

• JAFZA ranks among the world’s largest and the fastest growing free zones
• Jafza is the only free zone in the world to be located between the two major logistic enablers- Al Maktoum International Airport, the world’s largest airport, and Jebel Ali Port, the world’s 6th largest seaport
• A six lane highway facilitates the transportation of goods (custom bound) from sea to air in just 20 minutes
• Spread over 48Sq.Km
• Contributing 25% of Dubai’s GDP and 50% of exports
• Access to market having over 2 billion people in South and West Asia, the CIS and Africa
• Home to multinational giants and fortune 500 companies
• Part of the ambitious Dubai Logistics Corridor to Link Sea, land and air, bringing together a multi-
• modal logistics platform in the Middle East

Wide variety of Licence Activities

The type of activity your business participates in will dictate the types of licences you will require, along with the most appropriate facility you will require in Jafza.

There are three main categories of activity, Trading, Service and Industrial.

Indicative categories are listed below. You can download the full list of  activities here: Click to see full list of activities

• Physical presence in the UAE not required to incorporate your new company –

  The company formation process can be completed from the comfort of your own home via the Free Zone’s simple and quick application
  process. Furthermore if you already hold a UAE residency visa, we don’t require an NOC from your current sponsor in order
  to form your new company.

• No Paid up Share Capital or Annual Audit –

  Unlike many other Free Zone options, you aren’t hampered by having to block a large share capital amount with your bank in
  order to form your new company, nor do you have to go through the time and expense of a cumbersome company audit every
  year to renew your trade license.

• 100% repatriation of Capital and Profits –

  Unlike many other countries, you will have full freedom to repatriate all your invested capital and profits, furthermore
  in the UAE there are also no foreign exchange controls and currency restrictions.

• All Company Documentation issued within days –

  Due to the convenient and simple application process all your new company documentation will be issued within days.

• Ability to combine a variety of activities –

  Options for immediately available flexi desks (plug and play), serviced offices, as well as freehold & leasehold offices
  for retail and commercial use.

• Commercial Trading License

  Allows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items specified in the license. This is limited to
  3 different product lines or 10 similar product lines

• General Trading License

  Allows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items of a diversified, unlimited and unrelated number
  of products (multiple products).

AFZ provides competitive privileges and facilities allowing companies to get a considerable return on their investment. AFZ continues to develop its infrastructure, spending millions of Dirhams along its free zone area of more than one million square meters.

Strategic Location
Strategic location advantages:

• Air

  easily reach international airports within 25 minutes only by car from AFZ, including communication with world air transportation networks.

• Sea

  AFZ is located opposite to Ajman Port.

• Land

  There is a highly equipped international road network connecting AFZ with neighbouring countries, for easy arrival and departure.

• Commercial Trading LicenseAllows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items specified in the license. This is limited to 1 activity/product (for additional products/activities the cost is AED 1,300 per product/activity, with a limit of up to 3 activities/products).
• General Trading LicenseAllows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items of a diversified, unlimited and unrelated number of products (multiple products).

Services License:-

Ajman free zone allows establishing business in services industry, AFZA providing professional services license activity in the Ajman Free zone such as IT Consultancy, Management Consultancy and Marketing among many other services.

• E- Commerce License:-Ajman Free Zones Authority issue E-Commerce license to AFZA Company Setup in Electronic trading business through website, online. It also goes ahead to help provide technical and marketing support to investors in UAE.

• Industrial license:-Industrial kind of license is issued to foreign UAE companies who wish to carry out manufacturing activities in the Ajman Free zone as per manufacturing policies and environmental standards in Ajman. Ajman Free Zone authority provides smart stores and warehouses to facilitate this activity. This helps to ensure that all the investors requirement are obtained in one place.

• Freelancer License:-Freelancers under this platform can take up Temporary or Contract Jobs, Part-time Jobs and Project based work in the UAE Mainland and Most Freezones.

KIZAD stands for Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi. It is a state-of-the-art Free Zone located next to Khalifa port – one of the most developed ports in the world.

As of now, it is the most affordable Abu Dhabi Free Zone.

In came to the market quite recently, together with another popular zone in Fujairah called IFZA, however KIZAD offers more physical facilities, especially for storage, production and distribution.

OFFICES AND WAREHAUSES IN KIZAD

KIZAD industrial zone has one of the highest quality warehouses among all UAE free zones. They do not require high investments in order to move in and start working.

KIZAD master plan is designed to fit all the needs of manufacturing, trading and storage companies. Khalifa Port connects the free zone with more than 60 international destinations.

Apart from that, the free zone offers flexi-desks and offices to accommodate businesses with any business activity.

A good thing about this zone is if you are renting an executive office, the trade license is given free of charge.

Business Activities:-

KIZAD free zone offers a vast list of activities with its focus on the following sectors:

• Trading
• Industrial
• Logistics

It has attractive tax conditions for manufacturers producing goods in the free zone and re-shipping them to other countries. You can claim tax exemption on raw materials as well.
KIZAD also have service activities related to:

• Management
• Marketing
• Freight forwarding support
• Travel agencies and many more

KIZAD license is allowed to have 5 similar business activities. The business activity will be added to your company name, for example: ABC food and beverages trading LTD.

Service activities require a proof of educational degree

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi can be considered one of the most affordable zones in the UAE. License costs start from 11,000 AED and this package is eligible for 1 resident visa.

Any standard package includes flexi-desk rent.

If you are looking for an office or a warehouse, there are a lot of customized solutions ready to move in. Warehouses costs start from 350 AED per sq meter per year.

BUSINESS SETUP IN THE FREE ZONE

You can register both Free Zone and non Free Zone companies through KIZAD authority. KIZAD company can be a zero visa and visa eligible packages.

There is also an offer to get a dual license with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. It will allow to operate within the free zone and in the mainland area as well.

Documents you need for the setup:
• Passport copy
• Passport size photo
• Bank reference or statement
• CV
• Business plan

KIZAD Khalifa industrial zone does not have a fully remote registration option, but you need to visit its office only once either in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Proof of minimum share capital of 26 000 AED is required to be deposited to your corporate account after 60 days from the date of company formation.

KIZAD UAE RESIDENCY

Khalifa industrial zone Abu Dhabi allows to start the visa process only after corporate account of the company is opened and the capital of 26,000 AED is deposited there.

Medical check-up and Emirates ID application can be done only in Abu Dhabi. Health insurance is mandatory. The basic insurance costs about 800 AED.

Visas are valid for 3 years, both for company owners and employees.

KIZAD visa costs (AED):

Viza fees, AED Medical checkup, AED Emirates ID, AED
Investor 3,072 690 370
Employee 3,072 690 370

If you are planning to sponsor dependents, you must have a residential tenancy contract. You need to rent an apartment or a villa only in Abu Dhabi. It differs from the option of business setup in Dubai, where the place of tenancy contract does not matter.

LICENCE RENEWAL

Renewal cost of the license will be exactly the same as its incorporation fee.

Financial audit is not required. Renewal can be done without the physical presence of the company owner.
AMENDMENTS

Company amendments can be applied for only by the company’s shareholders or by a company representative with Power of Attorney.
As usual, amendments can be the following:

• Change of manager/director
• Shares transfer
• Name change
• Activity change

LIQUIDATION

Company liquidation costs 2,625 AED and takes about 1 month.

The company needs to appoint auditors as liquidators and they have to issue confirmation that the company has no liabilities in the market.
All resident visas must be closed prior to the liquidation.

Corporate bank account needs to be closed as well.

 

Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, is playing an important role as the pre-eminent industrial base of the UAE, with its unique strategic location between three continents, serving a growing market of 1.5 billion people. Sharjah is the only one of the seven Emirates with ports on the Arabian Gulf’s west coast and east coast with direct access to the Indian Ocean, and an international airport which connects to 230 cities. It also has a well-developed infrastructure, geared to industry at all levels to serve Gulf, regional and international markets.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority was established by an Emiri decree issued in November 12, 1995. It is located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, which gives the free zone a unique geographic and time zone advantage backed by a secure and fully convertible currency and a multi-access to neighboring and global countries through land, sea and air. Hamriyah Free Zone is fast becoming one of the cornerstones of the United Arab Emirates industrial development. As the Next Generation Free Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone is ensuring that its management is flexible and dynamic besides being an investor oriented free zone.

Hamriyah Free Zone is challenged to provide competitive incentives and unique opportunities to establish a business in a tax free environment, full company ownership, exemptions from all commercial levies and repatriation of capital and profits. The free zone manages an area of approximately twenty two million square meters of prime industrial and commercial land and a 14 meter deep water port which includes room for expansion.

• Access to 14 meter deep water port and 7 meter deep inner harbor
• Land lease for 25 years renewed for similar period
• Pre-built warehouses, factories and office units for lease
• Executive office suites in the International Business Center for lease
• On-site accommodation for investors’ personnel including recreation center and health club
• Transportation via road, 3 sea ports and Sharjah International airport
• Highly developed infrastructure and telecommunications links
• Abundant and inexpensive energy (Electricity: $0.05 per KWA, Water: $8.17 per 1000 Gallons)
• Liberty for personnel recruitment and economical workforce
• Affordable cost of living

The type of License that will be issued to an applicant company will be defined by the activity the applicant company is permitted by the Hamriyah Free Zone to undertake as follows:

1. Industrial License

   This license will allow the holder to import raw materials for the purpose of manufacturing, processing and/or assembly of specified products. The finished products may be exported outside the UAE. If the finished products are sold in the UAE market then the License holder will need to do this through a local distributor or a local agent.

2. Commercial License

   This license will allow the holder to import, export, sell, distribute and store items specified on the license. If the finished products are sold in the UAE market then the License holder will need to do this through a local distributor or a local agent.

3. Service License

   This license allows the holder to carry out the services which are specified on the license within the Hamriyah Free Zone only.

SERVICE LICENSE HBC PACKAGES

Document required for the Shareholder/s and Manager:

• Passport copy
• No objection Letter from current sponsor (if holding a valid UAE visa) attested from Chamber of Commerce OR
• Visit / Tourist visa

* Emirates Post charges 1000 AED annually (not included in the package price).
** Visa related costs are not included in package price.

SERVICE LICENSE E-OFFICE PACKAGES

Document required for the Shareholder/s and Manager:

• Passport copy
• No objection Letter from current sponsor (if holding a valid UAE visa) attested from Chamber of Commerce OR
• Visit / Tourist visa

* Emirates Post charges 1000 AED annually (not included in the package price).
** Visa related costs are not included in package price.

COMMERCIAL LICENSE HBC PACKAGES

Document required for the Shareholder/s and Manager:

• Passport copy
• No objection Letter from current sponsor (if holding a valid UAE visa) attested from Chamber of Commerce OR
• Visit / Tourist visa

* Emirates Post charges 1000 AED annually (not included in the package price).
** Visa related costs are not included in package price

COMMERCIAL LICENSE E-OFFICE PACKAGES

Document required for the Shareholder/s and Manager:

• Passport copy
• No objection Letter from current sponsor (if holding a valid UAE visa) attested from Chamber of Commerce OR
• Visit / Tourist visa

* Emirates Post charges 1000 AED annually (not included in the package price).
** Visa related costs are not included in package price.

Based in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah and guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) was established to oversee and consolidate the specialised parks and clients of both Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA).

RAKEZ is committed to its promise of empowering clients and investors by offering a cost-effective and world-class economic zone with customisable packages and services as well as state-of-the-art facilities.

Blessed with a strategic location, RAKEZ connects investors to growing markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Europe as well as South and Central Asia.

RAKEZ is the continuation of the story that started with the foundation of RAK Free Trade Zone in 2000 and the establishment of RAK Investment Authority in 2005.It is the preferred business destination of more than 13,000 multinational companies from over 100 countries representing above 50 sectors.

COST-EFFECTIVE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

• Free zone and non-free zone company formation
• 100 per cent foreign ownership
• Fast and efficient business set-up processes
• Wide-ranging business and industrial facilities and value-added services
• Provision to build on-site staff and labour accommodation
• One-stop shop facility for services
• Self-service customer portal
• Connectivity to major logistical hubs and multilane super highways
• Accessibility via an international spread of regional offices
• Easy access to markets across the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and Asia region

• • Commercial

    Trading in services and goods (Free zone and non-free zone entity)

  • Educational

    Opening an education-related institution or consultancy company (Free zone entity)

  • E-commerce

    Trading in goods and services via electronic means (Free zone entity)

  • General Trading

    Trading in multiple goods (Free zone entitiy)

  • Individual/Professional

    One owner with one activity in a specific specialty or expertise (Free zone entity)

  • Industrial

    Manufacturing, importing, packaging and exporting products (Free zone and non-free zone entity)

  • Media

    Operating media-related business activities (Free zone entity)

  • Professional

    For individuals who provide professional services (Non-free zone entity)

  • Services

    Conducting services or consultancies across any industry (Free zone entity)

  • Tourism

    Operating tourism-related activities or establishments (Non-Free zone entity)

Flexi Desk – 0 Visa 2,300 AED 2,300 AED 2,300 AED

Sharjah Media City(SHAMS) launched in 2017 with a vision to be a world-class hub for media and creativity in the region. Shams mission is to make creative entrepreneurship accessible and inspire business growth in the region.

Establishing a company in this Free Zone with us has the following benefits:

• Company Setup options starting from AED 9,000 per year –

  We have fully inclusive packages starting from as low as AED 9,000 per year, as well as more comprehensive packages, which include an extensive range of business support services.

• Physical presence in the UAE not required to incorporate your new company –

  The company formation process can be completed from the comfort of your own home via the Free Zone’s simple and quick application process.

• No NOC required –

  If you already hold a UAE residency visa, we don’t require an NOC from your current sponsor in order to form your new company.

• No Paid up Share Capital or Annual Audit –

  Unlike many other Free Zone options, you aren’t hampered by having to block a large share capital amount with your bank in order to form your new company, nor do you have to go through the time and expense of a cumbersome company audit every year to renew your Business License.

• 100% repatriation of Capital and Profits –

  Unlike many other countries, you will have full freedom to repatriate all your invested capital and profits, furthermore in the UAE there are also no foreign exchange controls and currency restrictions.

• All Company Documentation issued within days –

  Thanks to our convenient and simple application process all your new company documentation will be issued within days.

• Investor & Partner Visas –

  You have the ability to apply for an investor/partner visa for your company with the minimum age of 19 years old. Furthermore the investor/partner visa is valid for 3 years.

• Flexible visa allocation to better suit your company’s requirements –

  You have the flexibility to staff your new company adequately from the outset, and unlike other Free Zone options, the visa allocation is available without having to rent large and costly office space.

About Shams

Entrepreneurs, SMEs and start-ups are given the access to establish and grow their businesses both locally and globally with Shams Free Zone. Shams offers creative and talented individuals innovative and community centered services and serves as a great venue for setting up and launching businesses.

Shams is located in the Emirate of Sharjah, a region servicing tourism, business and talented individuals with world-class infrastructure, ammenities and services supporting a diverse economy, culture, education and modernity.

WHY SHAMS

Shams offers foreign investors a zero corporate tax and no import and export taxes and a lot more benefits. Sharjah is a perfect place that represents safe and growing environment for any type of company formations. UAE is globally known as one of the best trading hubs and Sharjah is the largest contributor to its non-oil sector that contributes 45% of 70% UAE GDP.

Shams License allows a company to operate its business within Shams Free Zone for a number of activities. Below are type of Shams Licenses available:

• Commercial Trading License

  Allows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items specified in the license.

• General Trading License

  Allows the client to import, export, distribute, consolidate and store items of a diversified, unlimited and unrelated number of products (multiple products).

• Be one of the entrepreneurs who successfully completed a company formation and now part of the Shams growing community.