Peter Morrison provides free zone company formation services in Dubai and across the UAE, helping entrepreneurs and businesses select a suitable free zone, business activity and licensing structure for their requirements.
Each free zone has its own licensing framework, permitted activities, office options, visa arrangements and costs. We help you assess these factors before selecting a free zone for your business.
Start smart. Scale faster.
Free Zone Company Formation Services in Dubai & UAE
Peter Morrison helps you compare free zone options based on your business activity, budget, visa requirements and operating needs. We support the formation process from jurisdiction selection and documentation through licensing and related setup requirements.
Our objective is to help you establish a free zone business with a suitable licence and structure for your proposed activities.
Â
What Is a Free Zone Company in the UAE?
A free zone company is a business established within a UAE free zone and licensed by the relevant free zone authority. Each zone has its own permitted activities, licensing options, office requirements and regulatory framework.
Benefits of Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai
Depending on the free zone and business activity, free zone formation can provide 100% foreign ownership, sector-specific infrastructure, simplified administration and access to dedicated business ecosystems. Tax treatment depends on the applicable UAE corporate tax rules and qualifying conditions.
Free zone entities generally permit 100% foreign ownership, subject to the rules of the relevant free zone and entity type.
Free zone businesses may qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income when the applicable Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met; other income may be subject to the standard UAE corporate tax rules.
Certain free zones provide dedicated infrastructure and customs arrangements suited to trading, logistics, import, export and re-export activities.
- Free Zone Company Legal Structures
Available legal structures vary by free zone. Depending on the jurisdiction, options may include a Free Zone Establishment, Free Zone Company or branch of an existing UAE or foreign company.
Free Zone LLC / FZ-LLC
A free zone LLC structure may be suitable for businesses with multiple shareholders or specific corporate structuring requirements, subject to the rules of the selected free zone.
Free Zone Establishment
A Free Zone Establishment may be available for a business with a single shareholder, depending on the selected free zone and applicable legal structure.
Branch of an Existing Company
Some free zones allow branches of existing UAE or foreign companies, subject to the relevant authority’s requirements.
- Free Zone Licence Types
The appropriate licence depends on your business activity and the requirements of the selected free zone. Depending on the jurisdiction, options may include commercial, professional, industrial, e-commerce, media and other specialised licences.
Commercial & Trading Activities
Commercial licences can cover eligible trading and business activities permitted by the selected free zone authority.
Professional & Service Activities
Professional or service-based licences may be available for eligible consulting and other professional activities, subject to the selected jurisdiction.
Industrial & Manufacturing Activities
Industrial licenses may apply to eligible manufacturing and production activities and can involve additional premises and regulatory requirements.
Our Free Zone Company Formation Process
- Our approach
Launch with Flexibility and Full Foreign Ownership
Free zone formation involves several decisions, including business activity, jurisdiction, legal structure, licence type, office requirements and visas. Our process addresses these requirements in sequence.
1. Choose the Right Free Zone
We assess your business activity, budget, visa requirements, office needs and target market to identify suitable free zone options.
2. Application, Registration & Licensing
We assist with preparing the required documentation and completing the applicable application, registration and licensing requirements with the relevant free zone authority.
3. Visa & Immigration Support
We provide guidance on visa requirements and related immigration procedures based on the selected free zone, license package and applicable eligibility requirements.
4. Post-Formation Business Support
Where required, we can assist with related requirements such as corporate banking, office arrangements, accounting compliance and license renewals.
How to Set Up a Free Zone Company in Dubai
The process generally involves choosing a business activity and free zone, selecting the legal structure, reserving the company name where required, preparing documents, submitting the application, obtaining the licence and completing post-formation requirements.
1. Select Your Business Activity and Free Zone
2. Select the Legal Structure and Licence
3. Prepare and Submit the Required Documents
4. Obtain the Free Zone Licence
5. Visa & Immigration Requirements
Free Zone vs Mainland Company Formation
A free zone structure may suit businesses focused on international, free-zone or sector-specific operations, while mainland formation may be more suitable for businesses whose activities require broader UAE domestic operations. The appropriate choice depends on the business model and licensing requirements.
Popular Free Zones in Dubai & UAE
Peter Morrison can help compare suitable free zones based on business activity and requirements. Options may include DMCC, IFZA, DAFZA, SHAMS, JAFZA, Meydan and other specialized jurisdictions.
Corporate Bank Account Support
After company formation, businesses may need to establish a corporate bank account. We can assist with the related documentation and setup process where this service is required.
Choose the Right Free Zone for Your Business
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Zone Company Formation
A free zone company is a business established and licensed within a designated UAE free zone under the regulatory framework of the relevant free zone authority.
Costs vary according to the free zone, licence type, business activity, visas, office arrangement and other applicable fees.
A free zone licence authorises a company to conduct its approved activities within the relevant free zone framework, subject to the authority’s requirements.
A free zone license authorizes a company to conduct its approved activities within the relevant free zone framework, subject to the authority’s requirements.
A free zone LLC is a limited-liability company structure available in eligible free zones, subject to the legal forms offered by the selected authority.
Requirements vary by free zone and entity type but commonly include shareholder identification, company name and business activity information, with additional documents for corporate or regulated applicants.
A free zone company may qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income if it meets the applicable Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other income may be taxed under the standard UAE rules.
Free zone and mainland companies operate under different licensing frameworks. The appropriate structure depends on the business activity, target market, operating requirements and other business objectives.
Yes. Dubai has multiple free zones offering different activities, legal structures, licensing options and operating arrangements.
