How to Set Up a Company in a Dubai Free Zone

The steps

1. 1

   Determine the type of legal entity

   Start by determining the type of legal entity your business would take up. This decision shapes everything that follows, so settle it before moving on.

2. 2

   Choose a company type the free zone can register

   In a free zone, you can set up one of the following types of companies: Private Limited Liability Company (LLC), Free Zone Company (FZ Co.), Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Public Limited Liability Company (PJSC), or a branch of a local or international company. Note that all free zones might not register all types of companies, so you need to check with individual free zone authorities about the type of company they can register.

3. 3

   Check and reserve your trade name

   In most cases, you should check either with the respective free zone authority or with the Department of Economic Development about the permitted trade names and whether the intended name has already been registered.

   Documents:Proposed trade name
4. 4

   Confirm any special-case regulators

   Apart from the respective free zone authorities, certain industries or sectors of businesses are additionally governed by other government entities. If your activity falls into one of these areas, confirm which entity applies to you before applying.

5. 5

   Apply, pay and sign online

   You can apply, pay and even sign documents online through the DMCC portal, and then select the office solution that best fits your needs.

6. 6

   Review the likely costs

   The Invest in Dubai website provides a fair idea of the costs involved in setting up a business in the various free zones in Dubai. Exact fees change over time, so check the current amounts on the authority's website rather than relying on figures from elsewhere.

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

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