If you’re hoping to start a business in the United Arab Emirates or already run one there, you’ll be quite thankful for the country’s free zones. The UAE’s Free Zones are an important part of the country’s thriving economy. Each emirate has its free trade zone, which is defined by a geographical area inside the emirate. In addition, each free zone has a unique set of regulations and authorities governing business operations.
If you’re looking to start a business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you’re probably on the lookout for a suitable free zone. When looking for the most cost-effective free zone in the United Arab Emirates, it is crucial to have a firm grasp of your specific business needs.
Before choosing a free zone, entrepreneurs must understand the benefits that free zones can provide. Several advantages encourage foreign nationals to apply for the UAE’s least expensive free zone license.
Top Cheapest Free Zones in the UAE
Over 50 different types of free zones are available to investors in the UAE, allowing expats and foreigners to enjoy complete control over their businesses. There are numerous inexpensive free zones in the UAE from which enterprises can choose.
You can increase your profits by setting up a business in one of these jurisdictions, which offers numerous incentives to business owners. Examine the specifics of each one to select the free zone that best suits your company’s needs.
1. DUQE Free Zone
DUQE is one of the most affordable free zones in the United Arab Emirates, and it offers many of the same advantages as the more expensive zones. Businesses of different sizes and in a wide range of industries find DUQE to be an ideal location.
The fact that the DUQE free zone is located on the QE2 ship gives it a unique feature. The Dubai International Airport can be reached in 18 minutes, while Burj Khalifa can be reached in 15 minutes from this free zone. It provides several different tailor-made solutions for business setups.
To ensure that you have all the assistance and knowledge you need to successfully register a company and apply for a free zone visa, DUQE has established a very accessible customer support team. In as little as a week, you may be up and running your business in DUQE free zone.
2. Sharjah Media City Free Zone (SHAMS)
SHAMS is the fastest-growing media-free zone in the UAE and is home to some of the largest firms and corporations. Sharjah fosters a thriving and expanding environment for aspiring businesses. Consequently, SHAMS is presently one of the most desirable free zones for new and experienced investors and businesses.
Shams is an exciting initiative, a forward-thinking and multifaceted free zone working toward the common good of making creative businesses easily accessible to everybody. Shams was designed as a global gateway for digital services for those who wish to start their business inside media and digital market facilities.
SHAMS facilitates the most affordable company formation in the UAE for creative businesses, including both established businesses and corporations as well as aspiring startups and SMEs.
3. Ajman Free Zone
The Ajman Free Zone, situated close to the port of Ajman and two major airports, allows for the establishment of diverse project management, service, and consultation-related businesses. As a bonus, the free zone encourages the launch of manufacturing enterprises involved in recycling, transportation, and information technology.
Fortunately, Ajman free zone is conveniently located near various facilities that can help you get your business up and running. For example, you will not need to commute to obtain a bank account, medical assistance, or insurance coverage.
Ajman free zone will provide you with all the required business conveniences, from high-speed internet to a reliable road transportation system. To promote a healthy atmosphere and reduce environmental footprints, the Ajman free zone administration has installed state-of-the-art air quality monitoring equipment throughout the zone.
Ajman free zone offers a variety of business licenses, and the cost of your company formation will depend on several other variables, including the type of business license and the scale of your operations.
4. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
Over 50 different industries thrive within a tight-knit community in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), making it one of the most versatile and economically viable free zones in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
RAKEZ is committed to assisting free zone and non-free zone investors by providing financial solutions and world-class facilities and services to enable their businesses to flourish and expand in the markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.
RAKEZ has established solid relationships with six of the most prominent banking firms in the UAE to provide account opening services, and with five other banks to facilitate straightforward financial planning and payments. Instead of imposing a rigid fee structure, RAKEZ seeks to completely understand your business objectives and provide you with a package that best meets your requirements.
Through a competitive system, efficient customer service, and cost-effective packages, RAKEZ prioritizes the requirements of its investors and stakeholders. The business setup environment at RAKEZ is fully hassle-free and customer-friendly.
5. International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Located in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis District, IFZA is one of the UAE’s competitive free zones. It offers a wide variety of low-cost company setup plans, making it one of the least expensive free zones in the UAE in which to establish a business.
If you want to reduce the amount of capital that your company needs and save money on the cost of its annual audits, you might consider establishing your firm in an IFZA-free zone. You can build up your office, warehouse, and apartment on the same property, which is an additional benefit of establishing a business in IFZA.
Due to its steady growth over the years, IFZA now boasts an international network of more than 800 partners. The most advantageous aspect of selecting IFZA is that it will enable you to acquire the least expensive license possible within the UAE.
6. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone or UAQ FTZ is the ideal location for ambitious micro- and small-sized enterprises. UAQ FTZ encourages expansion and new ideas by imposing few regulations on businesses and providing them with advantageous conditions like tax relief and tax exemptions. The proximity of the free zone to the UAE’s international airports and seaports further facilitates trade throughout the MENA region, the Subcontinent, the Far East, and the European market.
Established in 2014, the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone has functioned independently as a Free Zone. UAQ Free Zone’s affordable business setup packages suggest that it will grow rapidly in popularity in the coming years.
In addition to offering a variety of licenses, UAQ FTZ is a haven for freelancers by providing them with a low-cost permit that includes facilities and perks to assist them to launch their businesses.
7. Dubai Meydan Free Zone
The Meydan Free Zone is a great location to find cheap office space in Dubai. It’s one of Dubai’s least expensive free zones. From this free zone, a company can obtain a No Objection Certificate, which will allow them to open an office anywhere in Dubai.
There are many low-cost office spaces accessible in the free zone, providing investors with several advantages; investors can pick and choose an office that best suits their needs and the requirements of their business.
The Dubai Meydan Free Zone is perfect for international investors due to its location within the Meydan Hotel and proximity to the Meydan Racecourse. This free zone offers inexpensive licenses and a range of business operations to foreign enterprises. Entrepreneurs can collaborate on various initiatives while making new connections in this free zone.
Set Up Your Business in One of the UAE Free Zones
There are many free zones in the UAE that have their characteristics, making the country more attractive to setting up and running a business there. Free zones empower all nationalities to control 100 percent of their respective businesses, thereby strengthening the working environment and boosting foreign investment. Due to their proficiency and efficacy in this field, professional service providers facilitate streamlining free zone activities for business setups in the UAE.
After we quickly discussed the free zones available to you at a low cost in the United Arab Emirates, the decision is now in your hands. Once you’ve made a decision, ExpressPRO will handle the rest. Our team of business consultants has years of experience establishing companies in UAE-free zones. We take care of nearly everything, including office space, business formation, corporate bank account opening, and more.