Free Zone Company Setup
in Dubai

Launch your UAE free zone company with Grand Business Hub. 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, setup in as little as 3 days backed by expert consultants who know every free zone inside out.

100% Foreign Ownership 0% Personal Tax Setup in 3-7 Days 40+ Free Zones
Freezone Company Setup Dubai
SECTION 1

What Is a UAE Free Zone Company?

A UAE Free Zone Company is a business entity licensed and regulated by one of the UAE’s 40+ dedicated free zone authorities independent economic zones established by the government to attract international investment with zero personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, and streamlined registration processes.

Free zones are the preferred choice for international entrepreneurs, digital businesses, traders, and professionals who want to establish a UAE presence with minimal cost, fast setup, and maximum flexibility without needing a local Emirati partner.

At Grand Business Hub, we are specialists in free zone company formation across all major UAE jurisdictions from MEYDAN and IFZA in Dubai to SHAMS in Sharjah and RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah. We match your business model to the right free zone for maximum value.

SECTION 2

Why Set Up in a UAE Free Zone?

01. 100% Foreign Ownership

All UAE free zones guarantee full ownership to investors of any nationality no local sponsor, no Emirati partner, no exceptions.

02. 0% Personal Income Tax

The UAE levies zero personal income tax on salaries, dividends, or profits withdrawn by business owners one of the world’s most tax-efficient environments.

03. Fast Setup As Little As 3 Days

Many free zones offer online registration with approvals in 24-72 hours. Grand Business Hub has established direct relationships with all major free zone authorities to ensure the fastest processing.

04. Low Setup Cost From AED 5,750/year

Free zone packages are the most affordable business setup option in the UAE, significantly lower than mainland company formation costs.

05. No Currency Restrictions

Freely repatriate 100% of profits in any currency. No foreign exchange controls and no restrictions on international fund transfers.

06. Flexi-Desk Office Options

Most free zones offer shared desk or virtual office options that satisfy the office requirement eliminating the need for expensive long term leases.

07. International Trade & Export Focus

Free zones are purpose-built for import, export, and international trade with customs advantages, bonded warehouses, and proximity to ports and airports.

08. Simplified Administration

Free zone authorities handle company registration, visa processing, and renewals under one roof streamlining administration compared to mainland processes.

SECTION 3

What’s Included in Grand Business Hub’s Setup Service

We handle everything from initial consultation to handing over your final company documents.

  • ✓ Free Zone Selection Consultation — Expert matching to the right free zone for your business
  • ✓ Business Activity Identification — Exact activity codes for your specific operations
  • ✓ Trade Name Search & Reservation — Instant availability check and name reservation
  • ✓ Complete Application Submission — Full documentation management and follow-up
  • ✓ License Collection & Delivery — Your license delivered or ready for collection
  • ✓ Office / Flexi-Desk Arrangement — Coordination with free zone for your workspace
  • ✓ Investor Visa Processing — 2-year investor visa or 5-year Golden Visa application
  • ✓ Employee Visa Processing — Work permits and residency for all staff members
  • ✓ Corporate Bank Account Assistance — Formal bank introductions and full support
  • ✓ VAT & Corporate Tax Registration — FTA compliance from day one
  • ✓ Annual License Renewal — Proactive reminders and full renewal management
SECTION 5

How to Set Up a Free Zone Company 6 Simple Steps

01

Choose Your Free Zone (Day 1)

Grand Business Hub analyses your business activity, budget, visa needs, and operational goals to recommend the most cost effective and strategically appropriate free zone from 40+ options across the UAE.

02

Choose Your Business Activity & Structure (Day 1)

Select your business activities from the free zone’s approved list. Most free zones allow multiple activities on one license. Structures available Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC), Free Zone Establishment (FZE), or Branch of a Foreign Company.

03

Reserve Trade Name & Submit Application (Day 2-3)

Grand Business Hub checks name availability, reserves your trade name, and submits your complete application package to the free zone authority including passport copies, photos, and activity selection.

04

Receive Initial Approval & Pay License Fees (Day 3-5)

Free zone authority reviews and approves your application. Upon receiving initial approval, pay the license and registration fees. Grand Business Hub handles all payment coordination and document submission.

05

Collect Trade License & Sign Office Agreement (Day 5-7)

Receive your official free zone trade license. Sign your flexi-desk, shared office, or private office agreement. Grand Business Hub coordinates this on your behalf with the free zone.

06

Apply for Visas & Open Bank Account (Day 7-30)

With your trade license in hand, apply for investor and employee visas (5-10 business days each). Grand Business Hub simultaneously introduces you to our network of 30+ UAE banks for corporate account opening.

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions Free Zone Company Setup Dubai

Q: How much does it cost to set up a free zone company in Dubai?
A: Free zone company setup costs in Dubai start from as low as AED 5,750 per year (Sharjah free zones) and range up to AED 30,000+ for premium free zones like DMCC. Popular options include MEYDAN from AED 12,500/year and IFZA from AED 11,900/year. Grand Business Hub provides a free, itemized quote with full cost transparency before you commit.
Q: Can a foreigner own 100% of a free zone company in the UAE?
A: Yes. All UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership to investors of any nationality no local Emirati sponsor or partner is required. This has been a core feature of free zones since their establishment, making them highly popular with international entrepreneurs.
Q: What is the difference between a free zone company and a mainland company in Dubai?
A: A free zone company is licensed by a specific free zone authority and can operate freely for international trade and export, but requires a mainland distributor to sell directly to the local UAE market and cannot bid for government contracts. A mainland company (licensed by DED) can trade freely across all UAE emirates, access government tenders, and sponsor unlimited visas. Free zone companies generally have lower setup costs and simpler administrative requirements.
Q: Can a free zone company do business inside the UAE?
A: A free zone company cannot sell directly to the UAE local market without using a mainland-licensed distributor or agent. However, free zone companies can conduct business freely with clients outside the UAE and can provide services to other free zone companies within the UAE. For direct local market access, a mainland company or a mainland branch is required.
Q: How long does it take to set up a free zone company in Dubai?
A: Most free zone companies can be set up in 3 to 7 working days when all documents are ready. Some free zones like MEYDAN and SHAMS offer online registration with turnaround in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Grand Business Hub handles the entire process and keeps you updated every step of the way.
Q: Do I need a physical office for a free zone company?
A: Not always. Most UAE free zones offer flexi-desk or co working options that satisfy the office requirement at very low cost often included in the license package itself. A full private office is only mandatory in certain premium free zones or for specific business activities requiring physical space. This makes free zones significantly more affordable for startups and remote businesses.
Q: How many visas can a free zone company sponsor?
A: The number of visas a free zone company can sponsor depends on the specific free zone and the package or office type selected. Entry-level flexi desk packages typically include 1 to 3 visas. Larger office or warehouse packages allow for more. Unlike mainland companies, free zone visa quotas are fixed by package not unlimited. Grand Business Hub helps you choose the right package for your team size.
Q: What documents are required to set up a free zone company?
A: Required documents typically include: passport copies of all shareholders (with at least 6 months validity), a recent passport-sized photograph, a proposed company name (2 to 3 options), and selected business activities. Some free zones may also request a business plan or bank reference letter for certain activities. Grand Business Hub prepares and submits all documentation on your behalf.
Q: Is there corporate tax for free zone companies in the UAE?
A: Yes. Since June 2023, UAE corporate tax of 9% applies to profits above AED 375,000 for most businesses including free zone companies. However, free zone entities that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria and earn only qualifying income may still benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on that income. There is no personal income tax and no withholding tax on dividends in the UAE.
Q: Which is the cheapest free zone in Dubai for company setup?
A: Outside Dubai, SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) offers packages starting from AED 5,750/year, making it the most affordable option for consultants, media professionals, and content creators. Within Dubai, MEYDAN Free Zone starts from AED 12,500/year and IFZA from AED 11,900/year. Grand Business Hub will recommend the most cost-effective free zone based on your specific business activity and visa requirements.
Q: Can I open a UAE bank account with a free zone company license?
A: Yes, but it can be more complex compared to mainland company bank account opening. UAE banks generally prefer DED mainland licenses. However, many free zone companies successfully open accounts with banks such as Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and RAKBank. Grand Business Hub has relationships with 30+ UAE banks and provides formal introductions to significantly improve your chances of fast approval.
Q: What is a flexi-desk in a UAE free zone?
A: A flexi-desk (or hot desk) is a shared workspace arrangement offered by most UAE free zones as the lowest-cost office option. It provides a registered business address, access to shared meeting rooms, and satisfies the free zone’s physical presence requirement typically costing between AED 5,000 and AED 12,000 per year. It is ideal for consultants, freelancers, and remote business owners who do not need a dedicated physical office daily.
Q: Can I run multiple business activities under one free zone license?
A: Yes. Most free zones allow multiple related business activities to be listed on a single license, though the number and type of permitted activities varies by free zone authority. Some free zones like IFZA and MEYDAN are known for their flexible activity combinations. Grand Business Hub identifies the exact free zone and activity combination that best matches your business scope.
Q: What is the difference between MEYDAN, IFZA, and DMCC free zones?
A: MEYDAN is popular for startups and SMEs, with low-cost packages starting from AED 12,500/year and flexible activity combinations. IFZA (Dubai Silicon Oasis) is known for tech, media, and consulting companies with competitive pricing from AED 11,900/year. DMCC (Jumeirah Lakes Towers) is the UAE’s largest free zone by company count, best suited for commodities trading, gold, diamond, and food trade, with packages from AED 18,000/year. Grand Business Hub helps you choose the right fit.
Q: Can a free zone company hire employees in the UAE?
A: Yes. Free zone companies can sponsor employee and dependent visas for their staff, subject to visa quota limits set by the free zone and the office/package type selected. Entry-level packages may include 1 to 3 visas; larger packages allow more. Grand Business Hub handles all visa processing medical tests, Emirates ID, and residence stamping end to end.