Dubai is home to 30+ specialised free zones — DMCC, DAFZA, JAFZA, DIFC, Dubai South, Dubai Internet City. Each is engineered for a specific industry, with 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and qualifying 0% corporate tax.
Featured Dubai Free Zones
A Dubai free zone company is a business registered within a designated Free Zone Authority (FZA) — a self-contained jurisdiction with its own regulator, infrastructure, and tax incentives. Dubai operates more free zones than any other emirate, each catering to specific industries: commodities, finance, media, tech, logistics, healthcare, and more.
Free zone companies enjoy 100% foreign ownership (no local sponsor ever required), full profit repatriation, simplified visa quotas, and a corporate tax rate of 0% on qualifying income under the UAE's free zone regime. The trade-off: free zone companies typically need a local distributor or branch to sell directly into the UAE mainland market.
Active free zones in Dubai
Member companies
Nationalities represented
Tax holiday guaranteed
Each Dubai free zone has its own regulator — DMCCA, DAFZA, JAFZA, DIFC Authority, etc. Fairway interfaces with all of them.
Dubai's free zones combine global tax efficiency with industry-specialised infrastructure — ideal for international businesses, holding structures, and digital companies.
Free zone companies pay 0% on qualifying income — a meaningful advantage versus the 9% mainland rate above AED 375K.
Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership — no local sponsor or service agent required, ever.
Move capital and profits in and out of the UAE freely — no withholding tax, no currency controls.
Goods imported into a free zone for re-export attract zero customs duty — ideal for trading and logistics businesses.
Each free zone is a specialist hub: DMCC for commodities, DIFC for finance, DIC for tech. Network effects compound.
3–5 working days to license issuance. Many free zones offer same-day digital incorporation.
Most free zones include 1–6 visas in their packages — investor and employee residence visas, including dependants.
Grade-A office space, co-working desks, warehouses, and industrial plots — tailored to industry needs.
Dubai free zones provide a guaranteed 50-year exemption from corporate and personal income taxes.
Dubai's free zones are industry-specialised. Here are the most popular — Fairway sets up companies in any of the 30+ available.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre — the world's #1 free zone (FDI Magazine, 7 years running). Home to 24,000+ companies in commodities, finance, energy, and crypto.
Dubai International Financial Centre — a common-law jurisdiction for asset managers, family offices, and fintech. Independent regulator (DFSA) and English court system.
Dubai Airport Free Zone — adjacent to DXB International, home to 2,300+ aviation, logistics, and high-value trading firms. The most prestigious cargo address in MENA.
Jebel Ali Free Zone — the UAE's largest free zone by land area, attached to Jebel Ali Port (the world's busiest container port outside Asia). 9,500+ logistics, manufacturing, and trading firms.
DIC — MENA's largest tech ecosystem. Home to Microsoft, Google, Meta, Oracle, IBM, plus 1,800+ tech startups. Adjacent to Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City.
DMC — the regional headquarters for media, broadcasting, advertising, and creative agencies. Hosts CNN, BBC, Reuters, MBC, and 2,500+ media companies.
All Dubai free zones issue licenses in four broad categories, though each zone restricts allowable activities to its industry focus.
For import, export, and re-export of goods. Free zone trading licenses are the gold standard for international commerce — duty-free import into the FZ, then trade globally or to UAE mainland via distributor.
For consultancies, agencies, and professional service providers. The most flexible category — used by most digital businesses, holding companies, and freelancers.
For manufacturing and processing operations within the free zone. Available primarily at JAFZA, DSO, and Dubai Industrial City.
For SPV, holding companies, and asset-protection structures. Available across most Dubai free zones, with DIFC being the gold standard for financial holdings.
Our 6-step process gets your free zone license issued in 3–5 working days — faster for digital free zones.
Match your activity to the right industry-specialised free zone
Pick FZE / FZ-LLC and approved activities
Reserve a compliant trade name with the FZA
Application, MOA, KYC submission
FZA issues trade license & establishment card
Visa stamping & corporate bank account
Most Dubai free zones operate fully digital onboarding. Documents are typically submitted via email or the FZA portal — no in-person visits required for license issuance.
Personal presence is required only for visa biometrics (1-day visit) and bank account opening (1–2 visits depending on bank).
Get Document ChecklistEvery business is different — your jurisdiction, visa needs, banking requirements, and timeline shape the final cost. Tell us about your plans and we’ll send a transparent, all-in quote within one business day.
30+ free zones means 30+ different fee structures, document requirements, and approval pathways. Fairway has direct relationships with every major Dubai FZA — we save you the wrong-zone mistake that costs months and dirhams.
Talk to a SpecialistWe match your activity to the zone with best fees, fastest setup, and right ecosystem.
Itemised quotes upfront — no surprise FZA add-ons or visa upgrade charges.
Pre-approved channels with banks that work with each FZ — not all banks accept all FZs.
Renewals, amendments, PRO, and accounting under one engagement.
I was about to set up in DMCC at AED 35K when Fairway showed me Meydan would work for my SaaS at AED 13K with the exact same banking access. They saved me 22 grand and explained why — that's a real consultant.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Have a different question? Just WhatsApp us.
Free zone companies are licensed by an industry-specific regulator and enjoy 0% qualifying corporate tax, 100% foreign ownership (always), and full profit repatriation. They are restricted from selling directly to the UAE mainland market without a local distributor or agent. Mainland companies (DET-licensed) can trade freely across the UAE and bid on government contracts but pay 9% corporate tax above AED 375K.
It depends on your industry and budget. DMCC for trading and commodities. DIFC for finance and family offices. DAFZA for aviation, pharma, and high-value goods. JAFZA for manufacturing and shipping. Dubai Internet City for tech. Meydan or IFZA for low-cost digital businesses. Fairway maps your activity to the optimal zone in our discovery call.
Yes, but with structure. A free zone company can sell to UAE mainland customers via a local distributor, by establishing a mainland branch, or by registering with VARA / MOEI for direct e-commerce. B2B services to mainland clients are widely accepted with proper VAT compliance. Fairway designs the right channel mix during setup.
Most Dubai free zones issue licenses in 3–5 working days. Digital free zones (IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS) can issue licenses same-day or next-day. Regulated zones (DIFC, ADGM) take 4–8 weeks due to financial regulator approvals. Visa stamping and bank account opening add another 10–15 days.
Entry-level free zones (IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS) start from AED 12,500 all-inclusive with no visa. Adding 1 visa brings the total to AED 16K–18K. Premium zones like DMCC and DAFZA start at AED 22K–35K. Heavily regulated zones (DIFC, ADGM) start at AED 60K+ depending on activity.
Free zone companies enjoy 0% corporate tax on qualifying income — defined as income from transactions outside the UAE or with other free zones. Income from UAE mainland customers is subject to the standard 9% rate above AED 375K. Fairway helps structure your operations to maximise the qualifying portion.
Absolutely. Most free zones include 1–6 visas in their packages — investor visas for shareholders, employee visas for staff, and dependant visas for family. Visa quotas are tied to office package and free zone rules.
Yes — bank account opening is included in all our setup packages. Some banks prefer specific free zones (Mashreq with DMCC, Emirates NBD with DIFC, etc.). We pre-match your free zone to the right banking channel to maximise approval odds.
Tell us your setup preferences and our consultants will calculate a transparent, all-in quote within one business day. No spam, no high-pressure sales — just a clear path to your setup.
Need an instant reply?
Chat on WhatsAppShare a few details and we’ll prepare a tailored cost estimate for your business setup.