Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) Free Zone

The DIFC Free Zone is a popular hub for financial institutions and businesses. It houses over 6,000 companies across a range of industries like finance, wealth management, trading, insurance, retail, and dining.
This free zone is an ideal location for setting up a business and getting access to a community of international professionals and entrepreneurs, and modern infrastructure.

Benefits of Company Setup in DIFC Free Zone

In certain cases, a manager needs to be appointed who requires a resident visa of the company under the sponsorship of free zone authority. To validate the visa, the manager should enter the country at least once in six months.

 

0% corporate tax

Full repatriation of capital and profits

100% foreign ownership

No minimum share capital requirement for special purpose companies

Common law legal systemIndependent regulatory framework

Modern infrastructure

Transparent operating system


International stock exchange with robust financial instruments

Freezone Locations

  • RAKEZ

  • DMCC

  • DIFC Free Zone

  • Sharjah Media City

  • Masdar City Free Zone

  • SRTIP Free Zone

  • Ajman Media City

  • Sharjah Publishing City

  • DWTC

  • JAFZA

  • IFZA DSO

  • SAIF Zone

  • Fujairah Creative City

Business Facilities at DIFC Free Zone

DIFC houses state-of-the-art working spaces and infrastructure, tailored for innovation and growth. Anyone considering setting up a company in the DIFC free zone can choose between:
  • Business centers (serviced offices)

  • Coworking spaces (Flexi desks, dedicated desks, private offices)

  • Commercial offices

  • Retail spaces

Legal Structure Options in DIFC Free Zone

General partnership

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

Limited Partnership (LP)

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Branch of a Foreign Company

Company limited by shares (LTD)

Steps for DIFC Company Registration

  • Get Initial Approval

    The first step for free zone company formation in DIFC is to get initial approval from the relevant authorities. For financial companies, it is the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For all other types of companies, it will be the DIFC Free Zone Authority. You will need to fill out the application and submit some preliminary documents.

  • Register the Business

    Once you get initial approval, you can apply for a trade name and business license, and secure an office space. The expert consultants at A&A Associate can take you through the entire DIFC company setup process, making it as streamlined as possible.

  • Open a Bank Account

    The last step is to open a bank account. Bank account opening for DIFC company registration involves reaching out to banking institutions that work with free zone companies and submitting your application. Our experts maintain strong relationships with banks and can easily help you get an account.

Documents Needed for Company Setup in DIFC Free Zone

  • For individuals:

    Copies of passport, visa, Emirates ID
    Passport photo

  • For corporate shareholders:

    Certificate of Incorporation
    Memorandum of Association
    Copies of passport, visa, Emirates ID for manager/owner
    Audit report for shareholders for the past three years
    Incumbency certificate

  • General documents (applicable to everyone):

    Business plan
    Three business name choices
    Organizational structure
    Anti-money laundering procedures

We Work Closely With All Government Agencies

We’re always on the same page with government agencies, working together to get the job done!

Frequently Asked Questions About Emna Capital

Here are some common questions we receive about our financial solutions

What type of UAE companies can I start?

The UAE allows you to set up your business in the free zone, offshore or Business setup in mainland requires a local sponsor and the license is issued by DED. Free zone companies can operate within a limited geographical region and the license is issued by particular free zone authority.

Offshore businesses in UAE allow your company to trade outside UAE as well as take efforts to safeguard your wealth and assets. Offshore companies get a certificate of incorporation and not a trade license. All types of companies can be started in UAE and more than a thousand activities are allowed by the Economic Department.

How to renew my business license in the mainland?

If you want to renew your Dubai commercial license, the applicant should submit the DED registered certificate with the necessary approval from the Ministry of Economy and National Media Company. If you want to renew your Dubai trade license, then you should submit a valid Ejari certificate and other lease contracts.

Emna Capital supports entrepreneurs in obtaining their business license in Dubai and timely renewal of the same.

Why should I start my company in UAE?

UAE is a perfectly located biggest market of the world. It serves as a perfect destination to invest in different kinds of business. The business owners are free from taxes and they can expect exceptional logistics in all the emirates. You don’t have any capital restrictions while starting your business. Financial freedom is an attractive point that brings in employees from foreign districts.

UAE has mind-blowing business opportunities; business setup Consultant in UAE can guide you through the entire company formation process!

How long will it take to setup a free zone company?

Being a trustworthy and professional business consultant, we ensure fast and reliable business setup in free zones. Usually, it takes around 3 to 10 days to setup your free zone company; it may differ according to the selected free zone. We make sure that all your documents are legal and concerned authorities have attested them.

If you’re not consulting a business consultant, it will take up to few weeks and it’s becomes difficult to clear all the legal procedures. So, consider Emna Capital for your free zone business setup!

How to start an LLC company in UAE?

To establish your LLC Company in Dubai mainland or anywhere else in UAE, you have to reserve a trade name and other necessary preliminary approvals from concerned authorities. You get an MOA from the company and also, submit the lease contract to the licensing authority. Also, find a local partner and rented office space to start your business.

What kind of company structure should I choose?

This depends on your needs, as well as the needs of your business. You could set up your company as a Sole Establishment (this is the same as a Sole Proprietorship), as a Limited Liability Partnership, a Limited Liability Company, a Private Limited Company, or a Professional Services Company.

You also have the option of setting up your company on the mainland, in a free zone (only limited liability company structures are permitted here), or offshore.

Do I need to rent an office for my business?

A physical presence is mandatory for companies established on the mainland and in free zones. However, an offshore company is not permitted to lease office space in the UAE.

The good news is that there is affordable office space for everyone. If you want to keep your initial costs down, you could look at renting an office or any number of dedicated desks in a co-working space on the mainland. These are all fully furnished and ready to move in. In a free zone, you need to rent at least a desk in a shared office space. The added advantage is the some free zones allow you rent a flexi-desk, that is a desk you will be using for say, ten hours in a week. You still get your dedicated PO Box so that you have a unique address.

How to identify the best business setup consultants in Dubai?

To identify the best business setup consultants in Dubai, look for the following parameters:

Expertise: Professionals and industry experts can customize your experience according to your requirements.
Local Knowledge: Consultants who have worked with the local rules and regulations and made businesses thrive are the best to go after for your needs.
Quick & Effective: Fast setup with effective and comprehensive solutions make the process hassle-free.
Emna Capital is a superbrand known for the three parameters.