FAQ’s

A free zone is a designated economic area that lets you own your company 100% with no local partner, while a mainland licence is issued by the emirate's Department of Economic Development and lets you trade directly across the UAE and bid for government contracts. Free zones suit international trade, services, e-commerce, and holding structures; mainland suits businesses selling directly to the local UAE market or opening retail branches. FreezonEra sets up both and will recommend the right route on a free consultation at +971 52 762 8456.

In 2026 the most budget-friendly zones are SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) from around AED 5,750 per year and RAKEZ from about AED 6,830, with Meydan and IFZA among the popular lower-cost Dubai options. FreezonEra packages full company formation from AED 5,999. The cheapest licence on paper isn't always the cheapest overall, so always compare the full first-year cost including visa, establishment card, and office.

As a 2026 guide: SHAMS starts around AED 5,750, RAKEZ from about AED 6,830, IFZA from roughly AED 12,900 for a zero-visa licence, and DMCC, a premium Dubai free zone, typically from around AED 34,000 for a standard package. These are base licence fees; your true first-year cost depends on the number of visas, office type, and add-ons. Message us for an exact, itemised quote for your activity.

Most UAE free zone companies are formed in 3 to 7 working days once your documents are ready. Fast-track zones like SHAMS and IFZA can issue a licence the same day or within 3 days. Visa processing and bank account opening typically add about two more weeks.

Yes. A free zone trade licence entitles you to apply for an investor residence visa, and most packages allow between 1 and 6 visas depending on your office type. The investor visa is valid for 2 years and renewable, with processing usually taking 10 to 14 working days, after which you receive your Emirates ID. Your visa also lets you sponsor family members.

No. A flexi-desk or virtual office package is accepted by most free zones and is enough to hold a licence and apply for visas. You only need a dedicated physical office if your visa quota or specific activity requires one. We match you to the smallest office package that still covers your visa needs.

The headline benefits are 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of capital and profits, no personal income tax, and 0% corporate tax on qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person. You also get fast setup, simple visa access, and no customs duty on goods kept inside the zone. These advantages make free zones popular with consultants, traders, e-commerce sellers, and holding companies.

UAE corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000, but a free zone company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) pays 0% on its qualifying income with no profit threshold. Income that doesn't qualify is taxed at 9%. Every UAE company, including free zone and zero-tax ones, must still register for corporate tax and file an annual return. Our tax team handles registration and filing for you.

A Qualifying Free Zone Person is a free zone company that meets all the conditions to keep the 0% corporate tax rate: it maintains adequate substance in the UAE, earns qualifying income, does not elect to be taxed normally, meets transfer-pricing rules, and keeps non-qualifying income within the de minimis limit (the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million). Fail any one condition and your entire income is taxed at 9% for that period. Structuring your activities correctly from day one is key, and we advise on this during setup.

A free zone company can trade freely internationally and inside its own zone, but to sell directly to the UAE mainland market it generally needs a local distributor, a mainland branch, or a dual-licence arrangement now offered by some zones. Services can often be invoiced to mainland clients more flexibly than physical goods. We structure your licence so it fits where your customers actually are.

Once your licence and visa are issued, you can open a UAE corporate account with banks such as WIO, Mashreq NeoBiz, RAKBANK, and Emirates NBD. Approval depends on your business activity, shareholder profile, and expected turnover, and usually takes 1 to 4 weeks. FreezonEra prepares your application and introduces you to the banks most likely to approve your profile.

You may qualify for the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa through a property investment of at least AED 2 million, through business ownership and investment, or as a specialist talent, entrepreneur, or highly skilled professional. The Golden Visa removes the need for a local sponsor and lets you stay outside the UAE for long periods without losing residency. We assess your eligibility and manage the full application, ask us on +971 52 762 8456.

PRO (Public Relations Officer) services handle your government paperwork: visa stamping, Emirates ID, licence renewals, document attestation, and liaison with UAE authorities. Outsourcing PRO work saves you trips to government departments and avoids costly delays or fines from missed deadlines. FreezonEra provides ongoing PRO support so your company stays compliant year-round.

A free zone licence is renewed every year, and the renewal fee is usually similar to, and sometimes lower than, your first-year licence cost, because one-off setup charges fall away. You also renew visas every 2 years and your establishment card as they expire. We track all your renewal dates and handle the paperwork so you never miss a deadline.

FreezonEra sets up UAE free zone and mainland companies from AED 5,999, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. The final cost depends on your chosen free zone, licence activity, number of visas, and office package. For a personalised, itemised quote, message us on WhatsApp at +971 52 762 8456 — we usually reply within an hour.