Where to setup a company in Dubai?

Mainland

A mainland company in UAE is a legal entity that can operate inside and outside the country without any restrictions. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the regulatory authority that issues the mainland licenses in the UAE.

Sheikh Zayed Road

Sheikh Zayed Road is an iconic place in the city of Dubai. It’s the perfect symbol of Dubai’s developmental journey. The region is home to many prominent buildings and skyline, which can accommodate some of the world's largest companies and businesses. Some of the key business and tourist destinations like Dubai World Trade Centre, Financial Centre are in this area.

Business Bay

Business Bay is the central business district and is ideal for businesses belonging to professional consultancies, retail industry, hospitality industry, financial sectors etc. It is one of the fastest developing business setup regions in Dubai. The region is close to Burj Khalifa and is developing different business setup centres catering to the increasing demand for office spaces in Dubai.

Deira

Deira is one of the oldest localities of Dubai and is home to a huge workforce. The region is perfect for startup companies, traders, SMEs, and small shops. The area has some of Dubai’s oldest shops and is known as a souk. Deira provides diverse business opportunities for the traders. It’s a perfect business setup spot for those who want to open a small shop in Dubai.

Al Quoz

Al Quoz is located on the west of Dubai, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. It is one of the rapidly growing commercial hubs in Dubai. This area has been divided into four parts which include factories, industrial setups, warehouse, and other locations. The region also consists of mall, shopping centres, malls and labour accommodation zones. There are various development oriented projects initiated by the Dubai government at Al Quoz.

Jumeirah

Company setup in Dubai’s Jumeirah region is ideal for both large businesses as well as for startup companies. It is a location with picturesque residential plots and lavish business development modules. The region has freehold properties as well as business centres, which favours Small and Medium Enterprises.

Al Qusais

Al Qusais is known for its residential areas and industrial zones. It is located on the outskirts of Dubai. Even though the region is in the suburbs of Dubai, it has infrastructure facilities similar to highly developed regions of Dubai. The region is perfect for educational institutes, shopping centres, hospitals service-oriented ventures and other similar businesses. If you are looking for cost effective company setup, Al Qusais might be the right one for you.

Free Zone

Dubai free zones have become the major business setup destinations due to various incentives provided by the Government. They are designated areas in UAE, where the expatriates can fully own and operate their business. These areas have world class infrastructure facilities, excellent business amenities and impressive tax policies. It is one of the most preferred regions for company formation in Dubai. Dubai is home to more than 20 free zones that offer a wide variety of business activities.

Jebel Ali Free Zone

Jebel Ali Free zone popularly known as JAFZA was formed in the year 1985. It is one of the oldest and most customer-centric free zones in the UAE. JAFZA offers entrepreneurs an environment that is most favourable for business setup and growth. The region is well-connected through an extensive road network and is just 35 km southwest of Dubai city. Due to its strategic location, there is access to a market of over 2 billion people in various regions like South and West Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Africa. JAFZA provides investors with an amazing platform for offshore business setup.

DMCC

Dubai Multi Commodity Centre was formed in the year 2002. It is the gateway to global trade. The region has a vibrant business community, the best infrastructure facilities, top notch services and excellent air, sea and road links to the world. DMCC free zone is an ideal location for international trading activities. This free zone controls and assists in the trading of various products like gold, diamond, food products and other industrial commodities. The zone has received awards from renowned magazines like Financial Times for its service delivery.

Dubai South Free Zone

Dubai South is a free zone that is spread around an area of 145sq.km. It is one of the favourite free zones in Dubai for entrepreneurs to form a company. It is a strategically located area and its proximity to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport offers numerous logistical advantages. Due to the strategic location businesses can save time and operational costs. The free zone serves diverse sectors like aviation, logistics, and the light industry. It is a gateway to the dynamic markets of Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)

Dubai Airport Free Zone is one of the most popular Free Zones in Dubai. Its proximity to Dubai International Airport gives a clear advantage over other free zones. DAFZA provides an amazing opportunity for new businesses that are dreaming to establish their presence in Dubai. It is a perfect spot for businesses that are involved in logistics, electronics and aviation. This free zone’s tax and investment incentives attract so many investors to the regions.

Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone (DUCAMZ)

Dubai Cars and Automotive City is a free zone which is established in the year 2000 with an aim to re-export used cars to various markets like Asia and Africa. DUCAMZ is located in Ras Al Khor and the total size is 8 million sq. ft. The region has an easy access to the regional airport and seaport, including Dubai International Airport and the Jebel Ali Port. DUCAMZ region offers world class infrastructure facilities to meet the ever growing demands of the automotive industry.

Dubai Gold and Diamond Park

Dubai Gold and Diamond Park Free zone was established in the year 2011 to promote the jewellery and ornament industry. It encourages the trading of jewellery items and other precious metals like silver, gold, platinum, expensive ornaments, gemstones. This is mainly aimed at international tourists. Because of all these reasons, the region is perfect for jewellery and ornaments related businesses

Dubai Healthcare City

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) was established in the year 2002 by the UAE Prime Minister and Dubai’s Ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The region is focused on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. It is developed to promote medical tourism and consists of various pharmaceutical offices, private hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical teaching institutions, research centers, clinics, and spas.

Dubai Industrial City (DIC)

Dubai Industrial City (DIC) is located near the Jebel Ali International Airport. It was founded in the year 2004 and is under the jurisdiction of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (DTMFZA). DIC has an area of 560 million sq. ft. The free zone is home to more than 200 companies, a food & beverage zone, a base-metal & transportation zone, warehouses, and an extensive conservation zone along with logistics, education, and other facilities. This zone is a member of TECOM Investment and is the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Dubai Media City

Dubai Media City (DMC) was established in the year 2000 with a vision of creating a world-class environment for global and regional media companies as well as independent media professionals in the UAE. It is a perfect location for those who wish to start media related companies. The region is home to numerous companies in the field of media and marketing services, printing and publishing, music, film, new media, leisure and entertainment, broadcasting. Here more than 1,400 companies have set up their operations in this free zone including global media giants BBC, MBC, CNN, Reuters, CNBC, and Forbes.

Dubai Academic City

Dubai Academic City (DAC) is a free zone established in the year 2006 by TECOM Investments. It has an area of almost 129 million square feet. The aim of this free zone is to make Dubai an education hub. Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) is also a part of this free zone. DKV has networks with multi-national universities worldwide. DKV and DAC have joined their hands together to develop various projects that bring a positive change in the educational sector.

Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) was established in the year 2004 and is one of the world’s fastest growing international financial centres. This financial centre is created in an area of about 110 acres. The region is home to a world-class stock exchange, the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), which opened in the year 2005. Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) issues business licenses to companies that are planning to start operations.

Dubai Logistics City

Dubai Logistics City (DLC) also known as Dubai World Central, is regarded as the world’s first platform which was built with an aim of the development of logistics. It provides better logistic and trade facilities in the UAE. Logistics related companies have great opportunities in the region because the focus is on the development of the logistics and trade sector of the UAE. It is also home to other businesses like restaurants, leisure centres, and other services. The government has undertaken many ambitious projects to increase the trading opportunities for entities.

Offshore

Offshore companies are called non-resident companies or international business companies. They are owned and managed by foreign investors who want to expand their business footprints globally. There are two jurisdictions that offer Offshore Company formation in the UAE. They are JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) and RAK (Rasal Al-Khaimah). Offshore companies require an Incorporation certificate to start their operations. If your core business is located within Dubai and you want to take advantage of various tax, asset protection and privacy benefits, then you can opt for an offshore company setup.

JAFZA

The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) introduced the establishment of offshore companies in Jebel Ali Free Zone in the Emirate of Dubai in the year 2003. The offshore company regulation 2003 allows the incorporation of an offshore company by individuals or establishments. The procedures of company formations are conducted by collaborating with JAFZA free zone officials.

RAK

Rasal Al-Khaimah is one of the offshore company setup jurisdictions in the UAE. Ras al Khaimah government launched the International Company structure, also known as the RAK Offshore Company in the year 2006. The companies are regulated under the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority International Companies Regulations 2006. The offshore company in RAK has various benefits like 100 % foreign ownership, fast incorporation, flexible regulatory regime etc.

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