Creating your own company can be an achievable goal if you choose the best location. In the UAE, you can find 45 available free zones for all local and foreign investors. As an investor, you are free to choose free zones in the northern emirates or any others. But before getting started, you need to know more about these free zones.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the UAE free zones. However, in this case, we will focus on specific free zones located in the northern emirates. For instance, here you will find information about all available free zones in Sharjah, Ajman, and RAK. Let’s observe:

1. What is a free zone in the UAE?
2. Why should you set up your business in a UAE free zone?
3. Available free zones in Ajman.
4. What free zones can you find in Sharjah?
5. How many free zones can you find in RAK?
6. What steps should you follow to set up your company?
7. How can Connectfz help you establish your company in the UAE free zones?

1. What is a free zone in the UAE?

Free zones are economic areas in which investors and entrepreneurs can trade different kinds of products and services. All investors who possess their companies in the UAE free zones can obtain several benefits to boost their businesses. That is the main reason why free zones in the UAE are so popular among business people.

Besides, UAE free zones are outstanding for being a beneficial factor that has boosted local and international businesses. However, if you want to establish your business in a free zone, you must determine which one fits you better. In other words, you must analyze the information regarding each free zone.

Keep in mind that each free zone specializes in different business sectors and industries. For instance, there are some free zones in the northern emirates that work with only the media industry. Among the best examples, you can find the Sharjah Media City Free Zone (SHAMS). Although you can also find several free zones that allow many types of industries and business activities.

In case you want to discover more facts about free zones in the northern emirates, keep reading this article. Here you will find some reasons why you must establish your company in free zones. Besides, we can also provide you with a list of available free zones and the benefits they offer. Also, here you can read some tips to follow when building your company in UAE free zones.

Here you can learn how to set up a free zone company in an Abu Dhabi free zone.

2. Why should you set up your business in a UAE free zone?

The most common reason why free zones are favorable for investors is because of the benefits they offer. However, here you’ll discover the benefits you can obtain in any of the free zones in the northern emirates. Among the common advantages you can have, you will find the following ones:

• 100% foreign ownership of your business and also full repatriation of profits and capital.
• Full exemption from import and export customs duty for goods and services.
• Total exemption from taxes on personal and corporate income.
• The company set up and registration process is simple and quick.
• You can have access to a pool of talent and hire professional workers who can fulfill your business needs.
• Any investor can use pre-built world-class infrastructure, office space, and warehousing services.
• The legal framework and company regulations are business-friendly factors.
• You can be sure that you will be able to use efficient resources to run your business. For instance, there is efficient global connectivity, transportation, and many other resources.
• You can request support services for your business. For example, you can request assistance with labor recruitment and other additional services like sponsorship and housing.

It’s important to take into consideration these advantages; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to choose the perfect location. And besides these benefits, you should also learn about the ones that each free zone offers. Now let’s take a look at the free zones in the northern emirates that can be good options for you.

Here you can discover whether if free zones companies can do business in Dubai Mainland.

3. Available free zones in Ajman.

In this emirate, you will be able to find two main free zones. The most popular one is the Ajman Free Zone. On the other hand, you can also find the Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMC). Let’s see a brief description of these free zones in which you can establish your company.

3.1. Ajman Free Zone.

The main benefit of this free zone is a large number of available industries and business activities. For example, some of the allowed industries are health and beauty, media, communication, education, construction, and many more. Its infrastructure expansion and geographical reach make Ajman Free Zone a very influential commercial leader.

Here you can learn more about the company setup process in Ajman Free Zone and its benefits.

3.2. Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMC)

It is one of those free zones dedicated to a specific business sector. In this case, AMC dedicates its services to the media industry. All investors can obtain different packages, resources, and services to make their companies grow efficiently. Besides, this free zone ensures a world-class environment and professional guidance.

4. What free zones can you find in Sharjah?

Unlike the Ajman emirate, Sharjah and RAK free zone options are more numerous. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at Sharjah free zones first. Here you can find five main free zones, starting with the SAIF Zone as the most popular one. You can also find free zones like SHAMS, SPCFZ, HFZA, and USARTC.

4.1. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF)

This dynamic free zone offers a wide range of benefits and flexible regulations to help investors boost their businesses. It’s strategically located between the east and west, and it’s home to more than 8000 companies. Here you can obtain multi-purpose state-of-the-art warehouse facilities and more services to fulfill your business requirements.

Here you can learn more about the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone and the company setup process in it.

4.2. Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA)

This free zone was launched in 1995 and today it is home to approximately 6500 companies. A wide range of industries can develop themselves in HFZA. For instance, industries like oil and gas, perfume, cosmetics, logistics, transportation, SMEs, and many others can be developed. Here you’ll have special VAT advantages, onsite customs facilities, and more benefits.

4.3. Sharjah Media City Free Zone (SHAMS)

It was established in 2017 with the main goal of becoming a business location for the media sector. Thanks to the support services and benefits, here investors can create profitable media companies in no time. Company formation and facilities are also factors that you can use to build a company in SHAMS.

4.4. Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ)

As for this free zone, it is dedicated only to the publishing and printing industries. SPCFZ allows many activities related to publishing and offsets and the POD printing sector. Writing, designing, publishing, and printing, are the main business activities that investors and entrepreneurs can perform here.

4.5. USA Regional Trade Center Free Zone (USARTC)

There’s a wide range of industries that can develop their activities in this free zone. For instance, IT, freight, logistics, aviation, jewelry, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals are some of them. Besides, there are plenty of facilities that USARTC offers to its clients. For example, serviced and virtual offices, meetings and conference rooms, exhibition facilities, among others.

5. How many free zones can you find in RAK?

Other popular free zones in the northern emirates are the ones located in Ras Al Khaimah. In this emirate, you have several options to choose from. For instance, you can choose between RAKEZ, RMCFZA, RAK Media Free Zone, RAK Investment Authority, and RAK Free Trade Zone. Let’s take a brief look at these free zones.

5.1. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Free Zone (RAKEZ)

It is known for being the ideal destination in which more than 14500 companies have reached success. There are several reasons why you should choose RAKEZ as your best option. For example, this free zone provides affordable premium solutions, customized packages, and efficient support services. Besides, a variety of industries are allowed.

Here you can learn more about the advantages of establishing your own business in RAKEZ.

5.2. Ras Al Khaimah Media City Free Zone.

It was launched in 2006 as another Dubai Media City. In other words, this free zone dedicates its services to media-related businesses. Business-friendly regulations and benefits boost media companies to produce films, radio, and TV shows freely. Publishing, broadcasting, film productions, media & marketing, and music production are some of the available activities.

5.3. RAK Investment Authority Free Zone (RAKIA)

In this free zone, you can choose between two main industrial parks when you establish your company. However, since there are many different types of licenses available, there are also a lot of activities allowed. You can apply for licenses like industrial, commercial, trading, general trading, service/consulting, or media license.

5.4. RAK Maritime City Free Zone Authority (RMCFZA)

RMCFZA offers international port facilities and different available zones for services. For instance, zones for warehousing, retail, cargo handling, tank storage, industrial production, and manufacturing are available. Moreover, there’s plenty of space for companies of all sizes and industrial sectors.

5.5. Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAKFTZ)

In RAKFTZ, there are more than 12000 companies and approximately 50 industry sectors that have succeeded. Here you’ll find three main parks, which are business, industrial, and technology, plus there’s also an academic zone. This free zone provides the services you need to boost your business.

6. What steps should you follow to set up your company?

There is a structure of the setup process that you must complete to establish your company. Although it’s the same process for all free zones, some requirements may vary depending on the location. Let’s take a look at the steps you must follow to complete the company setup process:

• Determine your business activities and create a name for your company.
• Apply for the business license that your company requires. Remember that it will depend on the business activities you chose.
• Receive your business license and open a corporate bank account.
• Submit the required application to obtain the visas you need.

Here you can learn more about the SAIF Zone and the benefits of establishing your company in this location.

7. How can Connectfz help you establish your company in the UAE free zones?

If you haven’t decided where to establish your business, you can contact Connectfz to ask for help. Since we specialize in setting up companies in free zones, we can give you the best recommendations and tips. Tell us about the business you want to create and we’ll tell you what free zone suits you better.

Besides, we provide support services to help you set up your company after choosing your free zone. And even after establishing your business successfully, we can still help you make your business grow. The only thing you have to do is requesting our services to improve your company’s functions.

For example, if you need to hire new employees, you can request our recruitment or staff outsourcing services. In case you need information about taxes, you can ask for our tax advisory services. Other useful services we provide are banking services, payroll services, HR consultancy services, and many more.

Would you like to contact Connectfz to know more about the company setup process in free zones located in the Northern Emirates? If you have any questions, call us on +97143316688. You can email us at info@connectfz.ae, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will answer your questions.