Jebel Ali Free Zone is the world’s largest and has become home to more than 6000 companies since it was established in 1985. With such a large presence, Jebeli Ali Free Zone is a leader within the UAE economy and continually promotes innovation, developed operations and a dynamic business environment.
The focus is on forming global relationships and as such, Jebel Ali Free Zone provides companies with a strong infrastructure and all the incentives of establishing business in a free zone, making it an attractive location for internationally focused organisations.
Jebel Ali Free Zone offers a range of additional benefits for companies establishing themselves in this region, including 100% foreign ownership, no corporate or income tax and no employment or currency restrictions.
Benefits of setting up a Company in JAFZA Free Zone:
- 100% foreign ownership
- No corporate tax - for a period of 50 years, a concession that is renewable
- No restrictions imposed on repatriation of capital and profits
- 0% import or re-export duties
- 0% personal income tax
- No currency restrictions
- No restriction on hiring foreign employees
- The facility to mortgage owned premises on leased land. A company established in the Free Zone that has built its own facility may mortgage its premises to any bank.
Company Set-up Process
1. Choose your Company Type:
I. Free Zone Company (FZCO):
- Essentially a Limited Liability Company which means that the liability of the Company is limited to the assets of
the Company
- Personal assets of investors are protected and limited to the amount invested into the Company
- Minimum number of shareholders is 2 and maximum number is 25
- Shareholders can be either individual investors or corporate bodies or a combination of both
II. Free Zone Establishment (FZE):
- Formed by a single shareholder
- Shareholder can be either an individual person or a corporate body
- Essentially a Limited Liability Partnership which means the liability of the shareholder is limited to the assets of
the Company.
- Personal assets of the investor are protected and limited to the amount invested into the Company
III. Public Limited Company (PLC):
- Two or more shareholders
- Limited liability Company which means the liability of the Company is limited to its paid-up capital
- May invite the public to subscribe to its shares
- Shares must be listed on a Stock Exchange in accordance with the market rules and regulations
IV. Branch Company:
- Considered a legal entity of its parent entity
- Only companies established outside Jafza can establish a branch within Jafza
- Branch company should be wholly (100%) owned by the parent company, operate under the same name and
conduct the same business
2. Decide your business activities:
- Trading – for trading activities
- Industrial – for manufacturing activities
- Service – for service activities
- E-commerce – to buying and selling goods and services over electronic networks
- National Industrial – for manufacturing activities where at least 51% of the ownership is of national(s) of a
AGCC country
- Innovation – development of new products and services
- Offshore Registration – establishment of offshore company with limited liability
3. Choose a Company Name
