How to Start a Business in a Dubai Free Zone

The steps, start to finish

1. 1

   Compare the free zones

   Use the Free Zones Gateway to compare the provisions and facilities of free zones in Dubai. There is also a maps feature that lets you filter by sector and see the locations of related free zones, so you can match a zone to your industry.

   Documents:Free Zones GatewayMaps feature
2. 2

   Decide your legal entity

   Determine the type of legal entity your business would take up. In a free zone you can set up a Private Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Free Zone Company (FZ Co.), a Free Zone Establishment (FZE), a Public Limited Liability Company (PJSC), or a branch of a local or international company.

   Documents:Legal structure choice
3. 3

   Check what the zone can register

   Keep in mind that all free zones might not register all types of companies. Check with the individual free zone authorities about the type of company they can register before you commit to a location.

   Documents:Free zone authority confirmation
4. 4

   Understand the 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. Treat those figures as your starting reference, and confirm the current amounts on the authority's website, since costs change over time.

   Documents:Invest in Dubai website
5. 5

   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 name you intend to use has already been registered.

   Documents:Trade name check

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

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