Free zone company setup in the UAE
Set up your company in a UAE free zone with 100% foreign ownership, flexible visa packages and a fast, largely digital process. As an authorized channel partner of five leading free zones, we help you choose the right one and handle the application from start to finish.
What is a free zone company?
A free zone is a special economic zone with its own authority, regulations and licensing. Companies registered in a free zone can be fully owned by foreign investors and benefit from simple setup procedures, flexible office options and the ability to sponsor residence visas.
Free zone companies are well suited to consultancy, services, e-commerce, media, trading outside the UAE and holding structures. If you plan to sell directly to customers across the UAE mainland, we will explain your options, including a mainland licence or working with a local distributor.
Free zone benefits
- 100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor
- Simple, largely digital incorporation
- Flexi-desk and office options
- Residence visas for you, partners and staff
- Full repatriation of capital and profits
- Access to UAE banking and infrastructure
Choose the right free zone for your business
Each free zone has its own activity list, visa packages, office rules and costs. We compare them for your specific activity and budget.
IFZA
A popular Dubai free zone offering flexible packages, a broad activity list and remote setup options.
Meydan Free Zone
A prestigious Dubai address with a fully digital setup process and flexible activity combinations.
SHAMS
Sharjah Media City free zone, known for affordable licences for media, creative and service businesses.
Ajman Free Zone
One of the UAE’s longest-established free zones, strong for trading and industrial activities.
SPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City free zone, with publishing roots and a wide range of business activities.
Not sure which to choose?
Tell us your activity, number of visas and budget, and we will recommend the best fit.
Documents you will typically need
Exact requirements vary by free zone and shareholder type. We will send you a checklist for your chosen free zone.
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph
- Current UAE visa or entry stamp (if in the UAE)
- Proposed company names (three options)
- Selected business activities
- Contact details and residential address
- For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, articles and board resolution (attested as required)
How the process works
Consultation
We understand your plans and recommend the right free zone, activities and visa package.
Application
We reserve your trade name and submit your application and documents to the free zone.
Licence
After approval and payment, your trade licence and company documents are issued.
Visas and bank
We process residence visas and Emirates ID and introduce you to banks.
Can a free zone company trade in the UAE mainland?
Which free zone is the cheapest?
Do I need an office?
Can I add activities later?
Related services
Ready to start your UAE company?
Book a free consultation. We will recommend the right free zone, licence and visa package for your plans and give you a clear, itemised quote.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC is an independent business setup consultancy and an authorized channel partner of the free zones named on this site. We are not a government entity. Licence approvals, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant authorities and may change.
Founder Solutions FZ-LLC helps entrepreneurs set up and grow their business in the UAE: free zone and mainland company formation, licensing, visas and tax registration, handled end to end since 2021.
