Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai for Indians | Dubai Business Inc

Free Zone company setup in Dubai, built for Indian founders.

Own 100% of your Dubai company, repatriate all profits, and complete registration remotely from India. Compare free zones, see real costs, and get a fixed quote from our India desk — no surprises.

AED 12k+
Starting cost*
2–5
Working days
100%
Ownership & repatriation
8+
Free zones compared
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Overview

What is a Free Zone company?

A Free Zone company is registered within one of the UAE’s 40+ designated economic zones — each governed by its own authority (like IFZA, RAKEZ or DMCC) rather than the Dubai Department of Economy directly. Free zones were built to attract foreign investment, so they allow full foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and streamlined company registration.

For most Indian entrepreneurs — consultants, e-commerce sellers, traders and service providers — a Free Zone company is the fastest and most cost-effective way to get a legal UAE presence, a corporate bank account, and residency visa eligibility, without needing a local UAE partner.

Why Free Zone

Benefits of setting up in a Dubai Free Zone.

Everything that makes a free zone the easiest way for an Indian founder to enter the UAE market.

01

100% Foreign Ownership

No UAE national sponsor or local shareholder required — you hold every share of your company.

02

0% Tax on Qualifying Income

Free zone companies meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income.

03

100% Repatriation

Move 100% of your capital and profits back to India, or anywhere else, with no restrictions.

04

Remote Registration

Complete documentation, name approval and licence issuance from India — no physical presence required.

05

Visa Eligibility

Your licence qualifies you and your team for UAE investor and employment residence visas.

06

Fast Setup

Most free zone licences are issued in 2–5 working days once documents are submitted.

Licence Types

Choose the Free Zone licence that matches your activity.

01

Trading Licence

Import, export, distribution and general trading of goods.

02

Service & Consultancy

For consultants, IT professionals, marketers and designers.

03

E-commerce Licence

Sell online via your own site or marketplaces.

04

Light Industrial

Small-scale manufacturing, assembly and processing.

05

Holding Company

Hold shares in other companies or assets.

Cost Comparison

Compare the top Free Zones for Indian entrepreneurs.

Free ZoneStarting CostVisa QuotaOffice RequirementSetup TimeBest For
IFZAPopularAED 12,900Up to 6Flexi-desk2–4 daysConsultancy, trading, general activities
RAKEZAED 11,500Up to 6Flexi-desk / warehouse3–5 daysTrading, industrial, e-commerce
Meydan Free ZoneAED 12,500Up to 6Flexi-desk2–4 daysProfessional services, startups
SPC Free ZoneAED 11,900Up to 6Flexi-desk2–4 daysMedia, publishing, consultancy
DMCCAED 19,900Up to 6+Physical office required5–8 daysCommodities, trading, premium branding
Ajman Free ZoneAED 10,500Up to 5Flexi-desk3–5 daysBudget setups, trading
Dubai SouthAED 14,000Up to 6Flexi-desk / warehouse4–6 daysLogistics, aviation, e-commerce
Fujairah Free ZoneAED 11,000Up to 5Flexi-desk / warehouse3–5 daysIndustrial, trading, port-linked business

*Indicative starting costs in AED for a single-visa package; final pricing depends on activity, visa count and office type. We confirm an exact, itemised quote before you commit.

Not sure which Free Zone fits your business? We’ll match it for you, free.

Which Structure Fits

Free Zone vs. Mainland vs. Offshore.

FactorFree ZoneMainlandOffshore
Ownership100%100%*100%
UAE Market AccessLimitedFullNot permitted
Office RequirementFlexi-desk OKPhysical requiredNot required
Corporate Tax0% on qualifying income9% above AED 375k profit0%
Setup Time2–5 days4–10 days3–5 days

*100% mainland ownership applies to most activities under current UAE Commercial Companies Law; a few strategic sectors still require a local partner.

Checklist

Documents you’ll need.

  • Passport copy of all shareholders (valid for 6+ months)
  • Passport-size photograph, white background
  • 3 proposed trade name options for approval
  • Business activity selection from the free zone’s list
  • Shareholding split between partners, if any
  • Visa requirement — how many, and for whom
  • Contact details — email and Indian mobile number
  • Specimen signature, collected digitally
Who It’s For

Is a Free Zone company right for you?

E

E-commerce Sellers

Selling online to the UAE, GCC or globally via your own store or marketplaces.

C

Consultants & IT Pros

Billing international or UAE clients for services delivered remotely or on-site.

T

Traders & Importers

Import, export or re-export goods without needing a mainland presence.

F

Freelancers Scaling Up

Moving from a freelance permit to a full company structure with visa capacity.

FAQ

Free Zone company setup — questions Indian founders ask.

Can I own 100% of a Free Zone company as an Indian citizen?+
Yes. Every UAE free zone allows 100% foreign ownership by design — no UAE national sponsor or local shareholder is required, regardless of your nationality.
Can a Free Zone company do business directly in mainland Dubai?+
Not directly. Free zone companies can trade internationally and within the free zone freely, but selling directly into the mainland UAE market typically requires a local distributor or a separate mainland licence.
Do I need a physical office?+
Most free zones offer flexi-desk or virtual office packages that satisfy the licence requirement, so a dedicated physical office is usually optional unless your visa quota or activity requires one.
Do I need to travel to the UAE to set up my company?+
Company registration and licence issuance can be completed remotely from India. Emirates ID biometric capture may require either a visit or an authorised typing centre process, which we help arrange when the time comes.
How many visas can I get on a Free Zone licence?+
This depends on the free zone and office package — most flexi-desk packages allow 1–6 visas, and larger office spaces increase that quota.
What tax will my Free Zone company pay?+
Free zone companies that qualify as a “Qualifying Free Zone Person” pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income; non-qualifying income above AED 375,000 profit is taxed at 9%. VAT of 5% applies to standard taxable supplies.
Which Free Zone is cheapest to start with?+
Ajman Free Zone and RAKEZ typically have the lowest starting costs, while IFZA, Meydan and SPC balance cost with broader activity lists and easier banking. We recommend based on your specific activity.
Will I owe tax in India on my Free Zone company’s income?+
This depends on your Indian residency status and the India–UAE tax treaty. We recommend structuring this with your CA in India — our team can coordinate with them on the UAE side.
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*Costs and timelines are indicative and depend on jurisdiction, activity and document readiness. Dubai Business Inc is a trading name of Fortune Expertz Hub Middle East Corporate Services L.L.C., an independent corporate service provider registered in the UAE. We are not a bank or government entity; all bank approvals are at the sole discretion of the respective bank.