logo

Which Free Zone is Right For You? See This Chart

Free Zone
Particulars Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai Airport Free Zone Dubai Media City Free Zone Dubai Internet City Free Zone Dubai Health Care City Free Zone
Location Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai Dubai
Infrastructure Quality (1-5) 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.7
Nature of Licenses Trading Trading Media & Marketing Software, Internet and Multimedia Health Care
Service Service Event Management Telecom and Networks Education
Industrial Industrial Service Providers Service Providers Service Providers
National Industrial Hotels & Property Management Hotels & Property Management Hotels & Property Management
General Trading investors can import, distribute and store all items as per Jafza rules and regulations Dubai Airport Free Zone’s Internal rules and regulations apply As per regulations of DMC As per regulations of DIC Not Allowed
Types of Ownership FZE FZE FZE, Freelancer Branch of a Foreign Company FZCO-LLC
FZCO – Multiple Shareholders FZCO – Multiple Shareholders Branch of a Foreign or UAE Based Company FZCO-LLC Branch of a Foreign Company
Branch of a Foreign Company Branch of a Foreign Company FZCO-LLC Branch of a UAE Company Branch of a UAE Company
Minimum Capital Required An FZE registration requires AED 1,000,000 or USD 272,109 Capital for incorporating an FZE is AED 1,000 or USD 273 For LLC minimum paid up capital is AED 50,000 or USD 13,606 except Broadcasting TV segment and Broadcasting Radio Segment where minimum paid up capital is AED 2,500,000 orUSD 680,273 AED 50,000 or USD 13,606 AED 50,000 for Commercial and AED 300,000 for Clinical
Capital for FZCO license is AED 500,000 or USD 136,055 FZCO requires AED 1,000 or USD 273 per shareholder. (Maximum limit is 50. Each share should be in the denomination of AED 1,000 Over 140 different types of licenses available to investors and minimum capital requirement varies accordingly Branch establishments have no formal capital requirements Branch establishments have no formal capital requirements
Distance from Dubai Airport by Car (minutes) 40 10 30 30 10
Type of Port Seaport Airport Inland Inland Inland
UAE Sales Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed Dubai Media City offers licenses for entties engaged in services, broadcasting, hotels and leisure Dubai Internet City offers licenses for Software, Internet and Multimedia, Telecommunication and Network and IT services Dubai Health Care City offers licenses for health care services, consultancy, regional head quarters, hotels and leisure services and property management services
Particulars Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Sharjah Airport Intern’l Free Zone Hamriya Free Zone -sharjah Ajman Free Zone Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone
Location Dubai Sharjah Sharjah Ajman Ras Al Khaimah
Infrastructure Quality (1-5) 4.5 4 4.3 4 4
Nature of Licenses Trading and Repairing Commercial Commercial Trading Commercial
Construction, Real Estate and Business Services Service Service Service / Professional Consultancy & Service
Hotels and Restaurants Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial
Mining, Transportation, Financial intermediation and several others National Industrial National Industrial
General Trading Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Types of Ownership LLC FZE FZE FZE FZE
Branch of a Foreign or UAE Based Company FZCO FZCO FZCO FZCO
Subsidiary Company (Foreign or UAE) Branch of a Foreign Company Branch of a Foreign Company Branch of a Foreign Company Branch of a Foreign Company
Minimum Capital Required AED 50,000 or USD 13,606 per shareholder FZE requires AED 150,000(min ) or USD 40,817 FZE requires AED 150,000(min ) or USD 40,818 FZE requires min capital of AED 185,000 or USD 50,000. FZE requires AED 100,000 or USD 27,247
Varies accordingly FZCO requires AED 150,000 ( min ) or USD 40,817 FZCO requires AED 150,000 ( min ) or USD 40,818 FZCO requires min capital of AED 500,000 or USD 136,055 FZCO requires AED 100,000 or USD 27,247
Distance from Dubai Airport by Car (minutes) 25 50 40 45 120
Type of Port Inland Airport Seaport Seaport Seaport and Airport
UAE Sales Free Zone Company can do business in UAE through an LLC incorporated in mainland with import/export license Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed Sales can be carried out through an agent or distributor only at 4% custom duty. Free sales in UAE not allowed


Zola Group offers holistic corporate services to local and global business clients. Our most popular comprehensive services include company setup, incorporation, residency and banking services. Contact our professional corporate services consultants via phone or email to inquire about how we can help you achieve success in this region's most rewarding emerging market.