How to Get a Dubai Freezone License in 2025

The favorable business policies, lucrative tax laws, advantageous location, and top-tier infrastructure make the city of skyscrapers one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East among global business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs. Among the two major jurisdictions, mainland and freezone offered, a business setup in Dubai freezone is a much better option for those seeking an opportunity to establish and expand business in the city due to lower upfront costs than the mainland. 

The glittering emirate of the UAE is home to a maximum, 26, free zones in the nation that are developed to cater to the demands of businesses from various sectors. However, the most crucial step in establishing a business in the Middle East’s business hub is to obtain a freezone license. Get valuable insights and detailed information that must be known to obtain a free zone license and establish a business setup in Dubai.

Benefits of Getting a Dubai Freezone License in 2025

Obtaining a freezone license in 2025 is essential to establish a business setup in Dubai freezone, as this jurisdiction offers numerous benefits to entrepreneurs and businesses, including:

• Supportive Business Environment: The Emirates’ government supports businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world through various incentives, services, and lucrative offers to attract foreign investment in the nation. 

• Simplified Business Setup: In addition to the supportive business environment provided through pro-business policies, freezone business setup in Dubai offers the benefit of a relatively straightforward setup process compared to the mainland. 

• Customs Benefits: Businesses operating in free zones can enjoy streamlined customs procedures, exemption from import and export duties, and reduced operational costs, which facilitate international trade. 

• Tax Exemptions: Businesses established in free zones are exempted from any corporate and personal income tax duty for a specific period, usually up to 50 years.

• 100% Onneshon and Profits Repatriation: Unlike a mainland business setup, the owner of a business established in a Dubai freezone is eligible to take complete ownership of its business without the necessity of partnering with an Emirati sponsor. Additionally, there are no profits and capital restrictions for global businesses and they can fully repatriate them. 

Popular Free Zones for Business Setup in Dubai 

1. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

DMCC is one of the most prestigious designated free zones in the gorgeous city of the Emirates, which is located in the popular upscale district of Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Apart from being the best option for commodity traders, it’s among those free zones that allow businesses to expand their businesses to mainland and offshore jurisdictions with growth.

2. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

Being one of the oldest free zones in the city of skyscrapers, JAFZA is among the world’s leading free trade zones and the most efficient logistics hub due to superior connectivity to major national and international markets through Jebel Ali Port. Over 8,000 companies are presently operating here. 

3. Dubai Internet City (DIC)

DIC is a strategic hub for globally renowned IT companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Google, Facebook, etc., and is the Middle East’s largest IT and business park. With offering top-rated assistance and services for fulfilling emerging market trends to thrive in the IT industry, this freezone is a great option for entrepreneurs who wish to establish an IT startup in Dubai.

Types of License to Establish Business Setup in Dubai Freezone 

Free Zones are special economic and trade zones that offer global investment, customs duty, and tax concessions benefits. Major types of licenses offered to establish a business setup in Dubai freezone are:

• Commercial licenses for those businesses that indulge in trade, import, export, and other logistics operations.

• A service license is essential to be obtained by businesses offering professional services like consultancy, IT, advisory, and other services.

• Industrial license for businesses that manufacture or produce industrial goods, which allows them to import raw materials and export finished manufactured products.

• E-commerce license is for companies that conduct business transactions and operations over the internet.

Steps to Get a Dubai Freezone License in 2025

• The first step features researching various free zones in Dubai to select the freezone providing offerings suited to your business needs.

• After freezone selection, the next step is to choose a business activity that is most relevant to your business goals and operations from the list of permitted activities provided by the freezone authority.

• Determine the suitable legal structure for your business from the three provided options, which are Free Zone Company, Free Zone Establishment, and brand office of existing business.

• Choose a distinctive name for your business, if you’ve not selected a branch office legal structure and apply for its registration.

• Submit a carefully filled-out application form with requested documents like copies of passports, address proof, business plan, etc., while paying the amount of fee asked by the freezone authority for a freezone license.

• Wait for initial approval as it serves as the signal of initiating business setup in Dubai freezone. 

• Once receiving the required initial approval, you can locate and lease an ideal physical space for your business.

• After receiving the final approval, your business license will be provided to you. Conclude the process of freezone business setup in Dubai by opening a bank account (corporate) for your business.

Conclusion 

Make your aspiration of starting or expanding a business in Dubai in 2025 true with the UAE’s top-rated business consultancy firm, Start Any Business. Apart from the low upfront cost advantage of business setup in free zones, take advantage of more cost savings with our affordable business setup packages. 

At SAB, UAE, the business setup specialists will guide and assist you in securing a freezone license for business setup in Dubai freezone. Connect with us for a smooth and streamlined setup process and take advantage of the benefits and lucrative opportunities offered by freezone authorities and the nation’s government for business owners and entrepreneurs.