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Business Setup in Dubai Freezone – Start Your Company with Ease

Dubai is one of the world's fastest-growing business hubs, attracting thousands of investors and entrepreneurs every year. Among the different options available, business setup in Dubai freezone stands out as the most flexible and cost-effective. With benefits such as:

100% Foreign Ownership | Zero personal and corporate taxes | World-class infrastructure

Dubai's free zones are the ideal launchpad for new businesses, SMEs, and global corporations. If you're planning to start a company in Dubai, UAE, choosing a free zone is often the smartest first step.
At Setupzo , we specialize in making business setup in Dubai freezone simple, flexible, and fully compliant with free zone regulations.
Whether you are starting a new business in Dubai, UAE, or expanding your operations globally, from choosing the ideal free zone for your industry to handling trade licenses, visas, and bank account opening, our experts manage the entire process on your behalf. With us, you enjoy 100% ownership, tax benefits, and a smooth start to your entrepreneurial journey in Dubai's thriving free zones.

Why Choose Free Zone Business Setup in Dubai?

Symbol for 100% foreign ownership in Dubai free zones

100% Foreign Ownership

No need for a local sponsor, fully owned by foreign investors.

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Tax Benefits

Enjoy 0% personal and corporate income tax in Free Zones.

 An icon showing customs duty exemption on imports/exports

Full Repatriation of Profits

Return profits and capital abroad without restrictions.

An icon representing simplified visa processing for free zone setup

Customs Duty Exemption

Exemptions on imports and exports for goods within Free Zones.

Easy Visa Processing

Easy Visa Processing

Quick visas for you and your employees in Free Zones.

Visual representing free zones tailored to specific industries

Industry-Specific Zones

Zones tailored for trading, logistics, media, IT, healthcare, and more.

Free Zone Business Setup is ideal for international investors who want to operate globally while leveraging UAE’s pro-business environment.

Advantages of Starting a New Business in Dubai, UAE Freezone

  • Low-cost license packages for startups
  • No need for a physical office in some free zones
  • Quick registration and licensing
  • Support for visas and banking
  • Easy entry point for first-time investors

This is why many investors choose to start a business in a Dubai, UAE free zone rather than a mainland setup when launching their first venture.


Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide

01

Choose the Right Free Zone

Each free zone serves different industries. At Setupzo, we help you select the one that matches your business activity and budget.

02

Select Business Activity & Legal Structure

Choose activities like trading, consultancy, services, or e-commerce. Legal structures include FZE, FZCO, or Branch Office for existing international companies.

03

Submit Documents for Approval

Required documents typically include passport copies of shareholders, visa/entry stamps, business plan (for some free zones), and application forms.

04

Get Trade License

Once approved, your Free Zone company license will be issued within 3–7 working days.

05

Open Bank Account & Start Operations

We assist in opening a corporate bank account so you can begin trading immediately.

Timeline: 3 to 7 working days for complete Free Zone company formation in Dubai.


Free Zone Business Setup Consultation in Dubai, UAE

Looking to start a Free Zone company in Dubai? Our expert consultants provide end-to-end guidance for Free Zone business setup, licensing, approvals, visas, and compliance. We simplify the process and ensure a fast, seamless, and fully compliant company formation experience tailored for international investors.

AED 12,000 to AED 25,000

Average cost for complete Free Zone setup

Everything Included

Trade License

Free Zone fees & registration

Office Setup

Flexi-desk, shared, or private office

Visa Processing

Employee residency visas

Bank Account

Corporate account opening

All Approvals

Initial & final approvals

Full Support

End-to-end assistance

Cost Factors

Free Zone

Different free zones have varying fees

License Type

Trading, service, consultancy, industrial

Visas & Office

Number of visas and office choice

Complete setup typically takes 3-7 working days

Free Zone vs Mainland Business Setup in Dubai

Feature Free Zone Mainland Company Setup in Dubai
Ownership 100% foreign ownership Requires local partner (51%)
Tax Benefits 0% corporate & personal Subject to VAT & corporate tax
Business Scope Limited to inside the free zone & international trade Can trade anywhere in the UAE & globally
Setup Cost Lower Higher
Flexibility Limited activities per free zone Wider scope of activities

Free zones are perfect for startups, SMEs, and international businesses. The mainland is ideal if you want to trade directly within Dubai and the UAE market.


Types of Free Zones in Dubai, UAE

DMCC Free Zone Dubai business district skyline

DMCC

Best for trading & commodities.

Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) business hub facilities

DAFZA

Ideal for import/export & logistics.

International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) office exterior

IFZA

Flexible packages for startups.

Meydan Free Zone commercial buildings and offices

Meydan Free Zone

Affordable licenses for SMEs.

Dubai South Free Zone infrastructure and business park

Dubai South Free Zone

Perfect for aviation, logistics, and e-commerce.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) port and logistics area

JAFZA

Best for large-scale trading and shipping.

Documents Required for Free Zone Business Setup in Dubai

Shareholders Documents

Shareholders Documents

  • Passport copies of all shareholders
  • Visa or entry permit copy
  • Passport-size photographs
Application Documents

Application Documents

  • Application form
  • Business plan (in some cases)
General Documents

General Documents

  • Setupzo ensures all paperwork is prepared and submitted correctly
  • Saves time and effort for your Free Zone setup

At Setupzo, we handle all your Free Zone documents smoothly, ensuring a fast and hassle-free business setup in Dubai.

How Setupzo Helps with Free Zone Company Formation

Free Zone Setup Services

  • Choosing the right Free Zone
  • Business license application
  • Visa & PRO services
  • Bank account opening
  • Ongoing compliance support

Consultancy & Support

At Setupzo, we specialize in making your company formation in Dubai free zone fast, simple, and stress-free. With years of experience, we guide you through every step, ensuring your business setup in Dubai is smooth and compliant with government regulations.

Our end-to-end services help startups, SMEs, and international investors set up their Free Zone companies efficiently and hassle-free.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Free zones like IFZA, Meydan, and Sharjah Media City (close to Dubai) offer affordable packages for startups and SMEs.

Yes. Free zones allow 100% foreign ownership without needing a UAE national as a sponsor.

On average, it takes 3–7 business days once documents are submitted.

No, freezone companies cannot directly trade in the mainland. However, they can work with a local distributor or open a mainland branch.

No, a sponsor is not required in free zones.

Mainland allows direct trading within the UAE market but requires a local partner, while free zones provide 100% ownership and tax benefits but are limited to specific activities and regions.