The United Arab Emirates is actively expanding its economic landscape with the creation of new free zones designed to attract global investors and nurture a wide range of industries. With nearly 50 free zones spread across the country, the UAE continues to offer a diverse array of business activities and cost-effective setup packages. These free zones are strategically developed to provide various incentives, including tax exemptions, full foreign ownership, and efficient business processes.
In this article, we highlight three of the newest additions to the UAE’s free zone network.
- Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ)
Launched in late 2024, the Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is the latest addition to the UAE’s free zones. Within its first two months, ANCFZ attracted over 450 companies, underscoring its rapid growth and appeal to entrepreneurs. The free zone provides an efficient business setup process, featuring license issuance in as little as 15 minutes and visa processing completed within 48 hours.
Business setup packages:
a. The Zero Visa Package
The Zero Visa Package, starting from AED 4,888 with easy installment payment options available, includes a business license, unlimited shareholders, allows for the selection of up to ten diverse activities. It also covers essential documents such as a lease agreement, commercial registry, share certificate, certificate of incorporation, certificate of incumbency, and a bank letter for account opening.
b. 1 to 7 Visa All-Inclusive Package
This All-Inclusive Package, starting from AED 12,000 with an upfront payment of only AED 10,800, offers enhanced benefits compared to the Zero Visa Package. These additional benefits include a branch registration certificate (if applicable), Emirates ID, investor(s) security approval for new registration, E-Channel registration, E-Channel guarantee, establishment card, ICP license activation, entry permit, visa status change (if applicable), visa medical, and residency visa.
- Expo City Dubai Free Zone
Expo City Dubai Free Zone, established after Expo 2020, focuses on sectors such as technology, sustainability, trade, and logistics, it provides an ideal environment for startups and established businesses.
Business setup packages:
a. Expo Freelance
Expo Freelance is tailored for professionals across over 90 fields, offering unparalleled flexibility to work from anywhere. With a streamlined process, your permit and company card will be ready in just three working days. The package starts at AED 9,000, which includes a 1-year Freelance Permit,1-year Company Card, and a 1-year employment visa.
b. Expo Grow
Expo Grow is perfect for startups and small businesses, offering the opportunity to operate from Dubai’s dynamic business hub. The package includes a 1-year license, company card, two 1-year employment visas, and access to a shared desk. All this is available from AED 27,000 for the first year and AED 22,600 for consecutive years.
c. Expo Multi Package
Expo Multi Package is ideal for businesses leasing 250 sqm or more, offering a 3-year license and company card to eliminate the hassle of annual renewals. With access to over 2,000 business activities, it provides the flexibility to meet diverse needs. The package, priced at AED 38,000, includes registration and application fees.
- RAK DAO
Officially launched in 2023, RAK DAO is the first free zone in the UAE dedicated exclusively to digital asset companies, block chain technology, Web3 ventures, and other emerging tech businesses. Here are the various business setup packages currently offered at RAK DAO:
a. Freelance Permit
Starting from AED 6,250, the RAK DAO Freelance Permit offers access to flexible workspaces, a UAE residency visa, and the ability to engage in a variety of digital and virtual asset-related business activities.
b. Launch Startup
The Launch Startup RAK DAO business license is designed for digital asset ventures, offering a quick and compliant setup for startups. It includes access to flexible workspaces, a UAE visa, and a robust regulatory framework for as low as AED 7,250.
c. Launch+ Engage
The Launch+ Engage package, starting at AED 13,095, is designed for startups requiring enhanced support. It includes comprehensive legal, compliance, and banking services to simplify the setup process and expedite time to market. With this network access, your business can be established in approximately two weeks.
d. Accelerate
Starting at AED 22,095, the Accelerate package is tailored for growing companies with established revenue streams, offering access to RAK DAO’s Web3-focused ecosystem. It includes connections to specialized partners for token design, minting, whitepaper consultations, governance, market strategy, community development, grants, and global distribution. The program also provides protocol infrastructure support, helping companies save between AED 18,450 to AED 55,350, reduce operational expenses by 20%, and launch products 30-50% faster.
What to Look Forward in 2025
The World Free Zones Organisation is set to launch the “Free Zone of the Future” project to create a dynamic hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Starting in 2025, the flagship initiative will redefine free zones as leading business hubs, focusing on key sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, tourism, agro-industries, and manufacturing.
As part of this vision, the project will introduce several key initiatives, including a Zones Academy for professional training, a Policy Dialogue platform for stakeholder collaboration, a Zones Library as a center for best practices, and a National Integration Project to seamlessly integrate free zones into the broader national economic framework.
The UAE’s expansion of free zones is a strategic move to diversify its economy beyond oil, promoting growth in various key non-oil sectors. As the country continues to adapt and grow, these free zones will remain central to its vision of a diversified, sustainable economy.
For a smooth and efficient business setup in the UAE, contact our team at Strohal Legal Consultants for expert guidance and seamless support throughout the process.
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