Locations

No. Free zone and mainland are two separate licensing routes, and the choice depends on your activity, target market and whether you need to trade directly within the UAE. Some activities are restricted to certain free zones, while others suit mainland better. A comparison of your business plan against each jurisdiction's rules is the only reliable way to decide.

Costs vary by free zone, licence type, number of visas and office space required, so there is no single fixed figure. Packages across Sharjah Media City, Sharjah Publishing City, RAKEZ, JAFZA and others differ considerably. Formation costs are quoted after reviewing your activity and visa needs, since each authority prices these elements differently.

The right free zone depends on your business activity, budget, visa requirements and whether you need physical office space or a flexi desk. Some zones specialise in media, publishing or logistics, and licence restrictions differ between them. Comparing activity lists, costs and facility options across zones before applying helps avoid choosing one that later needs correcting.

A free zone licence does not automatically exempt a company from corporate tax. The 0 per cent rate applies only to qualifying income under the qualifying free zone person conditions, and standard rates apply otherwise. Whether your income qualifies depends on the nature of your activity and where your customers are based.

Most free zone authorities require audited financial statements as part of the annual renewal process. Requirements differ slightly between zones such as JAFZA, RAKEZ and the Sharjah free zones, so checking the specific authority's renewal conditions is necessary before the licence expiry date.

Typical requirements include passport copies of shareholders, a business plan or activity description, proof of address and, for some zones, a No Objection Certificate if a shareholder already holds a UAE residence visa. Exact document lists differ between free zones such as Sharjah Media City, Fujairah Creative City and JAFZA, so confirming with the chosen authority first is advisable.