UAE is home to numerous Free Trade Zones that support the growth of trade and the economy of the region. There are various business activities available in the Free Zones for doing business. In UAE there are more than 45 Free Zones delivering various company packages for investors.

Foreign investors choose to establish their business in the Free Zones due to various reasons such as:

• The ease of setting up an office,
• Registering the company easily,
• Avail of the numerous business benefits offered by the Free Zones.

Free Zone in UAE

Free Zone in UAE is an area demarcated within the country. It is a designated area where investors can legally trade and avail various incentives for their business. Furthermore, for a Free Zone Company in UAE there are a host of benefits such as:

• Provision of Complete Ownership of the Company
• Trusted Governance
• Absence of taxation,
• Plug and Play Office Spaces
• Easy Company Registration and more

Also, there are designated Free Zones in UAE that are VAT Exempted under certain circumstances. The VAT is levied depending on the place of supply of the services and goods by the Free Zone company.

Free Zone – Available Privileges for the Investors

The jurisdiction of a particular Freezone is limited to the area where it is established. A company registered in a Freezone is essentially an onshore resident company. So, it can avail all privileges of an onshore company such as:

1. It is eligible for Office premises in Freezone
2. It can have a Visa quota
3. It can trade or do business within the UAE and outside
4. It can be registered with the Chamber of Commerce
5. It can obtain import-export code
6. Tax Residency Certificate can be obtained so that investors get the benefit of DTAA ( Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement)
7. Certificate of Origin can be obtained for manufacturing companies
8. 100% Expatriate Ownership and 100% repatriation of profits

The Free Zones in Dubai will be pricier when considering the total cost of setting up a business in UAE. It is dependent on various factors such as the location, office rent, other infrastructure facilities, and more.

Top Free Zones in Dubai

The Free Zones in Dubai offer various company formation packages for the investors. Depending on the specific business requirement, the Free Zones have custom-made business solutions.

There are popular Free Trade Zones in Dubai that offer variety of company packages. Few of them are:

• Dubai Airport Free Zone
• Dubai Multi-Commodities Center
• Dubai CommerCity
• Dubai Silicon Oasis – IFZA

Also, the investor can choose from a wide range of business activities for setting up their company. The Free Zones of Dubai has many advantages due to the strategic location and improved infrastructure facilities to support business growth.

Free Zones in Abu Dhabi

There are Free Zones in Abu Dhabi that offer various specialized license packages and business activities to the entrepreneurs. For example, the Masdar City Free Zone offers special licenses for startups in the field of renewable energy, energy management, environment management, etc.

Similarly, the Khalifa Free Trade Zone (KIZAD) offers logistics, shipping, packaging, and commercial trading license at budget friendly rates for the investors.

Additionally, for airlines chartering, flight maintenance, and aircraft management companies, the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is an ideal choice. It offers various cost-effective business license packages for the entrepreneurs.

Top Free Zones in the Northern Emirates of UAE

The Northern Emirates especially Sharjah has few cost-effective alternatives for companies to set up at a much affordable rate in the UAE.

Let’s look at the various options available in the Northern Emirates for company setup and successfully set up your dream business venture in UAE most comfortably and cost-effectively.

1. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone is one of the most dynamic Free Trade Zone driving a variety of trade and business activities in the UAE. Hence, it is one of the busiest trading and manufacturing hubs of UAE.

With an in-house Customs Clearance, proximity to the Sharjah International Airport and the Khalid Port, SAIF Zone facilitates global trade with more than 100 countries.

The custom warehouse and light manufacturing units allow entrepreneurs to easily scale up their business operations and profitably run the operations. SAIF Zone offers customized office spaces starting from 9 Sq.m cubicle to fully furnished executive offices.

Also, the company formation process, state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff accommodation, etc., are best in class making the Free Zone a favorable option to consider for setting up a business establishment in the UAE.

2. Hamriyah Free Zone

Similar to Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, the Hamriyah Free Zone is another popular Free Zone for commercial and manufacturing licenses mainly. It hosts some of the top manufacturers of the world.

Hamriyah Free Zone offers warehouses with office space requirements with up to 50 employee visa quotas for large manufacturing setup.

There are top-class warehousing and storage facilities in Hamriyah exclusively for food manufacturers, healthcare providers, etc.

The proximity to one of the busiest ports in the UAE makes it a trader’s hub. There are daily import-export transactions from Hamriyah Port to numerous countries around the world with the majority share to Asia and then Africa and Europe.

3. Sharjah Media City

Sharjah Media City is one of the most competitive Free Zone gaining a strong presence as the popular Free Zones for profitable business investment in the UAE.

SHAMS offers a wide range of business activities at a low-cost business setup package starting from as low as AED 8,050 for a Zero visa quota company setup.

The Free Zone offers investors a multitude of company formation options and a wide list of business activities to choose from.
As the name goes, SHAMS just does not only offer Media related Business License but several business licenses and activity categories ranging from general trading, services, eCommerce, and more.
To know more about Company Formation in Sharjah Media City, talk to our expert Business Consultants, connect with us here!

4. SPC Free Zone

The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is a competitive Free Zone in the emirate of Sharjah. It has various company packages that suit the investor business requirements. SPC Free Zone is a popular choice among the freelancers and startup companies.
The Free Zone offers cost-effective company packages that will enable investors to easily start there business venture and scale up. SPC offers flexi-desk spaces and Co-working spaces for startups and freelancers to work.
SPC offers the investors more than 1000+ business activities across services and commercial business categories. The proximity to Sharjah International Airport makes it an ideal location for business travelers to easily visit the office premises for project discussions and meetings.

5. Ajman Free Zone

For entrepreneurs looking at further low-cost options, there is Ajman Free zone that offers attractive business setup packages across various business license categories and trade activities.
Choosing a Free Zone with the only objective of a low-cost business license will have implications in the future during office space expansion, warehouse space addition, bank account opening, address and reputation, and more.
Hence, entrepreneurs must look at a holistic approach while choosing the right Free Zone for their business establishment and not just a low-cost option.

6. Ajman Media City

Ajman Media City Free Zone is another low-cost option for investors who are looking at an entry point to the UAE business landscape.
The Ajman Media City offers a Freelance Permit for media enthusiasts, Photographers, graphic designers, web-developers, etc., to enter the entrepreneur world seamlessly.

Also, Ajman Media City offers a host of other business license packages at competitive packages for investors to choose from for their business setup in UAE.

7. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)

The RAKEZ is a Special Economic Zone in the Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah offering attractive company setup options for global investors.

The Free Zone consists of dedicated business parks, manufacturing units, warehousing, and logistics complexes to cater to a wide business requirement of entrepreneurs.

Also, to promote the academic and education-related business establishments, RAKEZ has a specialized Academic Zone that houses all the companies that offer services and products in the education sector such as training, Ed-Tech startups, tutoring, etc.

In a nutshell, UAE Free Zones offers global investors all that they require to set up their business seamlessly and easily scale up to achieve business sustainability.

Seasoned Business Setup Consultants like Aurion will assist in the end to end Business Setup Processes, Visa Processing, Bank Account Opening Assistance, and beyond making the journey of Company Formation in UAE hassle-free for the investors.

Read more about Business Setup in Fujairah and Business Setup in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).

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Why Choose UAE for setting up a Company?

Investors choose UAE for establishing their business due to:

• Save tax in the home country by registering a company in UAE
• 100% foreign ownership based company with full capital and profit repatriation
• No personal and corporate tax
• World-class office infrastructure, meeting room access, customized office space, and more
• Wide range of warehouse specifications with attached office space, and land lease
• Well connected transport network (air, sea, and road) to facilitate east trade across UAE, Middle East, and rest of the world
• Enhanced lifestyle and low crime rate
• No geopolitical tension and good economic stability
• And many more…

Hence, UAE is the most preferred choice by investors around the world for opening their dream companies.

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Emirate for Company Formation

When it comes to choosing the emirates for easily opening a company in UAE, there are multiple factors that the investor must consider such as:

1. Cost of Setting Up a Company

The Cost of registering a company in UAE varies according to the Emirate where the Free Zone is located. The cost of setting up a company starts from AED 11,800 for zero visa quota virtual company license in one of the most competitive Free Trade Zones of UAE.

In Dubai, opening a company with an office in the Free Zone or Mainland is costlier than any other emirate of UAE. Mainly due to the intensity of business activities and business houses in Dubai that are constantly doing business and promote trade operations in the region.

Hence, investors are all intending to share a piece of the pie by being in Dubai and grow their business.

Low-Cost Company Formation in Dubai

In Dubai, few Free Zones offer relatively low-cost company formation package for investors to set up their base in Dubai.

Dubai Silicon Oasis-IFZA and Dubai South offer low cost company formation packages in Dubai. Both of these Free Zones provide investors with a host of business infrastructure and required business support platforms to start at a lower cost.

Premium Company Setup in Dubai

Then there are prestigious Free Zones such as the Dubai Airport Free Zone that is home to some of the world’s top companies.

Hence, altogether company setup in Dubai gives the investor a prestigious address, sophisticated office space, access to the world’s best businesses and infrastructures, and an improved lifestyle.

Free Zones in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, etc., offer low-cost company formation packages to the investors without compromising on the infrastructure facilities and other support services.

2. Location

For certain business activities like consulting where global clients keep coming for meetings, having an office space that is close to the airport is beneficial for both parties.

Also, the ambiance of the office and the premises play a vital role in the perception of the company from the client’s point of view.

For businesses such as trading, export, or, e-commerce, the office location does not matter. It could be located anywhere in UAE and not necessarily be at the heart of the city where the rents are high typically.

3. Company Formation Package

Free Zones across the UAE offer various company formation packages. Depending on the exact business activity and company formation requirements the right company setup package need to be chosen by the investor.

For trading companies that are aiming to expand into the local UAE market and the rest of the GCC region, having proximity to airports or seaports is beneficial for the company to easily facilitate global trade.

Similarly, for start-ups and entrepreneurs, there are a whole lot of attractive low-cost business packages on offer from the Free Zones based in Sharjah and Ajman.

The Sharjah Media City and Sharjah Publishing City have exclusive company formation offer starting from AED 11,800. The investor can choose from a wide range of business activities and company formation packages.

4. Business Infrastructure

For establishing a company in UAE, the right business infrastructure is essential. Free Zones in UAE offer top-class business infrastructure facilities for entrepreneurs. Dubai Based Free Zones have a wide choice for customized office spaces with 11 sq. m, 20 Sq. m, 50 sq. m offices, warehouses from 100 sq. m to 300 sq. m.

Also, there are other amenities such as large meeting halls, conference rooms, training sessions, and more on offer from Dubai-based Free Zones.

Similarly, for industrial and Commercial warehouses, land lease, and factory setup, the industrial areas and free zones in the northern emirates like Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah are the ideal choices.

Hence, in choosing the right Emirate for setting up the business, the above-stated parameters play a vital role in the decision making. Company Setup in UAE is a straightforward process with the Free Zones and Mainland offering easy and quick company formation process.

To know more about the Company Formation Process in UAE, connect with our team right away!

The post Which is the best Emirate in UAE for Company Formation? appeared first on AURION.

Driven by the demand for IT Services in UAE; start-ups and entrepreneurs are obtaining IT services company licenses to offer specialized IT Services for organizations in UAE.

The growth of IT related business attracts global investors to UAE. Especially with the pandemic, the demand for IT services in organizations has gone up tremendously.

To stay competitive in the digital world, IT services have a vital role to play. IT provides the perfect infrastructure and platforms for the organization to grow digitally.

How to Open an IT Services Company in UAE?

Opening an IT Services company in UAE is a straightforward process. There are ample choices for entrepreneurs in UAE to start an IT-based business.

To keep the business setup cost low, the Free Zones in UAE are the ideal choice. They offer world-class facilities and amenities along with an IT Service license all at an affordable business setup package with visa quotas to hire employees.

An expert Business Consultant will assist you in the process of obtaining an IT service license, and UAE residence visa application submission. They will ensure you have a seamless business setup and continued business operations by getting all the paperwork and clearance approved.

Steps in Setting Up an IT Services Company in UAE?

To establish an IT Services Company in UAE, the first step is to get the trade name approval. A suitable name must be registered for the company with the respective Free Zone authority. Following are the steps involved in setting up an IT Services Company in the UAE.

• Choose the right business activities and the company structure depending on the number of shareholders. Prepare the shareholder agreement and memorandum of association with the respective Free Zone.
• Submit the required documents to the Free Zone authority and pay the required business license fee.
• Choose the right office space for your IT business based on the budget. Get the tenancy contract for the office space from the free zone.
• Proceed to obtain the investor visa and get it stamped on the passport. Now you can legally start business operations from the newly registered IT company.

Top Free Zones in UAE offering IT Services License

The Free Zones in UAE offer exclusive discount offers for investors aiming to establish an IT business in UAE.

There are few Free Zones offering the perfect infrastructure and business support services for entrepreneurs to start their IT Services business in UAE.

1. Dubai Airport Free Zone

Dubai Airport Free Zone is one of the premium choices for every entrepreneur in Dubai. Get the prestigious Dubai Address and set up your company in the top-rated Free Zone in the world.

Situated adjacent to the Dubai International Airport, it is a perfect choice for IT service companies to invite and conduct meetings with clients who are always on the go.

The Free Zone offers attractive business setup packages with a shared office, Flexi Desk, executive office, etc., and business infrastructure that is conducive to IT services business.

2. Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre

The Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre is a perfect Launchpad for IT services companies, start-ups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to start any IT-related business ventures.

DTEC offers ample business infrastructure such as a testing laboratory, meeting rooms, conference rooms, cafes, office spaces, business support services, and more.

This free zone has a well-built ecosystem to support IT companies’ growth and expansion of the business communities.

There are a host of business activities under the IT service license in DTEC that investors can venture into at affordable business setup fees.

To know more, read: Start a Company in DTEC

3. Dubai Silicon Oasis IFZA

Dubai Silicon Oasis IFZA is another popular Free Zone for IT Services in Dubai. The Free Zone has dedicated amenities for supporting IT Service companies and entrepreneurs to test the software products.

Also, it provides access to start-up accelerators where entrepreneurs can secure funding for their projects subject to approvals.

There is a robust IT start-up community growing in the IFZA Free Zone. IFZA offers one of the low-cost Business Setup Packages for IT Companies in Dubai.

There are a variety of Office spaces available ranging from shared desks to fully furnished offices, and other facilities to support IT Service businesses to easily grow in the region and beyond.

4. Sharjah Media City

Sharjah Media City is a dynamic Free Zone in the Emirate of Sharjah offering a wide range of business license types for IT Companies.

IT Services are one of the most sought-after business activities among start-ups to meet the growing demand from organizations in the UAE.

Sharjah Media City provides office facilities, conference halls, meeting rooms, shared work areas, etc., for IT start-ups to easily scale up their business at lower business setup fees.

Contact us now to get an IT Services business License in Sharjah Media City Free Zone.

5. Sharjah Publishing City

The Sharjah Publishing City is the newest Free Zone in Sharjah. Located near the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and near the Sharjah International Airport, the Free Zone is a perfect choice for start-ups and entrepreneurs to easily start an IT company at the lowest setup cost.

The highlight of the Free Zone is the Dual License issued for the investors and getting the investor visa stamped to the passport in the shortest time. Dual License allows Free Zone companies to expand beyond the Free Zones and strengthen their presence in the mainland of UAE.

Hence, for start-ups and investors looking for an easy IT business setup in a hassle-free way and obtaining an investor visa at the earliest; SPC Free Zone is the right choice.

To know more about the procedures of opening an IT Service Company in UAE or a Software Development Company in Dubai, talk to our expert Business Consultants right away!

Contact Us: Aurion Business Consultants

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Software Development Business License in UAE starts from as low as AED 8,050 for a zero visa quota license. The Software Company License in UAE is in most demand from the global investors as there is a growing opportunity in the digital and IT transformation sector in UAE.

Depending on the business requirement the investor can choose from the wide range of business license types and activities in the region.

Obtaining a Software Development Business License in UAE

UAE has grown into a major IT hub of the Middle East and many multinational software companies have opened subsidiaries in Dubai.

Large IT Companies set up HQs in UAE to oversee and manage the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as well as the Asian region. The Software Company License in UAE allows IT Companies to legally get involved in the consulting, development, and selling of IT services and products to other companies and third-party support systems.

Obtaining a Software Development Business License in UAE is similar in process to procuring any other business license.

There are dedicated Free Trade Zones in UAE that issue Software Development License in UAE for business activities such as Information Technology, Software Development, Application Testing, and Research & Development, and so on.

Growth Drivers for Software Development Companies in the UAE

The enormous Government Support towards information technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, makes UAE at the forefront.

UAE provides a perfect ecosystem for Software development companies with growing business opportunities and demand from the corporates in the region.

IT Market Growth in UAE

UAE is driven by technology and innovation, the IT spending in UAE is expected to grow by a CAGR of 8% to reach AED 23.1 billion by end of 2019 – As per the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Report.

Annually the IT spending is expected to grow at around 7.2% over the next five years.

The growing number of Free Trade Zones in the UAE offers a wide variety of cost-effective company setup packages for the Software Development companies in the region.

Also, specific Free Zones are catering to entrepreneur requirements of setting up a company in the following sectors – information technology, software development, artificial intelligence, computer programming, research & development, etc.

List of Free Zones in UAE Issuing Software Development License in UAE

Here are a few Free Trade Zones that are offering Software Development License in UAE for business activities such as IT, Software Development, Web Programming, etc.

These Free Zones offer a host of business activities that the entrepreneur can choose to establish their IT or Software Development company in the UAE.

Dubai Silicon Oasis consists of a Digital Park which houses IT and Software Development companies to power the innovation in the region.

1. Dubai Silicon Oasis

Dubai Silicon Oasis consists of a series of Start-up Incubators, a Software Program Testing Centre, an Innovation hub, and a dedicated IT ecosystem to support the IT startups.

The Digital Park consists of eight office buildings ranging from flexible office spaces to staff accommodation, and smart services.

Large IT organizations can take advantage of the customized office space requirements and easily scale up their business at the Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone.

2. Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC)

Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC) makes it the ideal hub for software and information technology companies.

DTEC offers a wide range of business setup packages to suit all entrepreneur requirements.

There are various office types available in DTEC ranging from Flexi desk to fully furnished office spaces (12-50sqm). DTEC is a perfect co-working space for Software Development Companies and IT startups to collaborate and work together.

3. International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) Dubai

The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), Dubai has now Co-branded with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority to provide low-cost company setup offers to the entrepreneurs looking to set up their base in Dubai.

IFZA Dubai offers specific business activities for software development companies such as:

• Software Program Development
• IT Consulting
• Software Programming
• Technology Equipment Sales
• IT Trade
• Network & Server Programming
• Web Programming & ECommerce
• and more.

IFZA Dubai is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing Free Zones in the region. It offers all the infrastructure and business setup support to new entrepreneurs to realize the dream of setting up a business in Dubai.

Benefits of IFZA Dubai

• Easy IT Company Setup in Dubai – Get your company registered in 2 days
• 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation to overseas/home country
• No corporate or personal income tax
• No requirement of paid-up capital
• Well-developed Business Ecosystem – Incubators, Investor Funding, Innovation Hubs, Trade Shows, business network
• Investor visa for three years and settle in UAE with family
• Easy corporate bank account for your IT Company and smooth operations of the business

To know more about the latest Company Setup Package from IFZA, Check out here.

4. Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Free Zone

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) is a dynamic Free Zone in UAE offering a range of attractive company formation packages and a host of business benefits to the investors.

It provides the entrepreneurs with a choice of office spaces from the shared desk (Flexi-desk), to the shared office and dedicated office (9-50sqm fully furnished office).

The robust ecosystem of media, IT, Trading, Consultancy companies, and the business network within the Free Zone makes it an IT and Media hub of the region.

SHAMS is a perfect hub for start-ups and new entrepreneurs to easily set up their business.

Start your business establishment in SHAMS with as low as AED 8050 and choose from a range of business activities and experience the world-class infrastructure.

To know more about setting up a Software Development Company in the UAE, talk to our expert Business Consultants right away.

Our team will guide you the right way and design the right company formation package for your company.

Connect with us today itself! Contact: Aurion Business Consultants

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