Free zone company setup: choosing between DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, ADGM and others, licence, visas and tax status

We shortlist the right free zone for your activity, budget and clients, check whether your income can qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate, file the application, and complete your establishment card, visas, Corporate Tax registration and beneficial owner filing.

AED 3,500One time

For: Founders, freelancers, holding structures, e-commerce and trading businesses that serve clients abroad or inside free zones, and groups that want a regional hub. Includes FZE, FZCO and FZ-LLC forms and ADGM companies.

What we need from you

Passports of shareholders, directors and manager
Zone KYC
Activity description and target countries
Zone and activity selection, qualifying income test
Expected split of income: abroad, free zone customers, mainland customers
Qualifying Free Zone Person feasibility
Number of visas in year one
Package and desk or office size
Corporate shareholder documents, attested
If a company owns the shares
Business plan and CV of founders
Some zones and all banks ask for it
Expected turnover
VAT registration and audit planning

What we discuss

Who are your customers and where are they?
Mainland customers can make income non-qualifying for the 0% rate
Do you need a physical office or is a flexi desk enough?
Substance for the 0% regime and visa allocation
Will you hold goods in the zone?
Designated zones have special VAT treatment for goods
Do you need a common law court and a financial regulator?
ADGM or DIFC suit funds, family offices and fintech
Is the business likely to cross AED 3 million revenue?
Above it, Small Business Relief is not available, and Qualifying Free Zone Persons cannot use it anyway
Is cost or bank acceptance more important?
Some zones carry more weight with banks and counterparties

What we file

Choose the zone and package; reserve name
Submit the application with KYC and pay the zone fees
Sign the zone lease or flexi desk agreement
Apply for establishment card and visas
Register for Corporate Tax and, if needed, VAT

What you get

Licence, certificate of incorporation, memorandum and share certificate
Free zone tax status note: 0% route or standard rate
Corporate Tax TRN and compliance calendar

The law

Art 18, Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022: Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions: adequate substance, qualifying income, arm's length pricing, no election out Source
Art 19, Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022: A Qualifying Free Zone Person may elect to be taxed at standard rates Source
Ministerial Decision 84 of 2025: Qualifying Free Zone Persons must prepare audited financial statements Source
Cabinet Resolution 109 of 2023: Beneficial owner register for licensed entities, except those in financial free zones such as ADGM and DIFC which follow their own rules Source

Questions people ask

Online payment in AED is not open yet. Send us a message and an adviser for United Arab Emirates confirms the scope and the fee before any work starts.