UAE free zones: how to use this catalogue
UAE free zones are areas with their own licensing authority, rules and service packages. In every zone a foreign investor can own 100% of the company, but zones differ in focus, permitted activities, office requirements and visas. Below are the main free zones grouped by emirate. The list is not exhaustive — there are several dozen zones in the UAE and the line-up changes from time to time.
If you are still deciding between a free zone and the mainland, start with Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore.
Dubai free zones
Dubai has the largest number of free zones in the country. Some share an operator (DAFZA, DSO and Dubai CommerCity, for example, sit under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority). Since 2025, Dubai free zone companies can operate on the Dubai mainland under a separate permit.
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) | commodities, gold and precious stones, plus a wide range of trading and services; based in JLT |
| JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) | logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and trade next to Jebel Ali Port |
| DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone) | trading, aviation, logistics and technology next to DXB airport |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) | technology, IT and start-ups |
| IFZA | consultancy, services and trading; operates within Dubai Silicon Oasis |
| Meydan Free Zone | multi-activity zone: services, trading, online business |
| Dubai CommerCity | e-commerce |
| Dubai South | logistics, aviation and e-commerce around Al Maktoum airport |
| DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) | financial services (regulated by the DFSA), holdings, family offices; its own common-law courts |
| Dubai Internet City | IT and technology companies |
| Dubai Media City | media, advertising, marketing |
| Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City | education, training, HR |
| Dubai Production City, Dubai Studio City | media production, film and TV, printing |
| Dubai Science Park | life sciences, pharma, biotech |
| Dubai Healthcare City | healthcare and medical services |
| Dubai Design District (d3) | design, fashion and creative industries |
Abu Dhabi free zones
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) | financial services (regulated by the FSRA), holdings, funds, family offices; English common law applies |
| KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) | industry, logistics and warehousing near Khalifa Port |
| Masdar City Free Zone | clean energy, technology, start-ups |
| twofour54 | media, film, gaming |
| Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone | aviation, logistics, trading |
Sharjah free zones
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone) | trading and logistics by Sharjah airport |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | industry, oil and gas, seaport |
| SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) | media, creative, consultancy, online business |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City) | publishing and related services |
| SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) | research, technology and innovation |
Free zones in Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah
Ajman
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | trading, manufacturing, services |
| Ajman Media City Free Zone | media, services, e-commerce |
| Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone | digital and online businesses |
Ras Al Khaimah
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) | industry, trading, services, education |
| RAK Digital Assets Oasis | digital and virtual assets, Web3 |
| RAK Maritime City Free Zone | maritime activities, ship repair, logistics |
RAK ICC in Ras Al Khaimah is an offshore company registry rather than a free zone: it does not issue trade licences for operating in the UAE or visas.
Umm Al Quwain
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| UAQ FTZ (Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone) | trading, services, online business |
Fujairah
| Free zone | Focus |
|---|---|
| Fujairah Free Zone | trading, logistics and petroleum products near Fujairah Port |
| Creative City Fujairah | media, creative, consultancy |
How to choose a free zone
- Activity. Check the zone's list includes your activity codes and that they can be combined on one licence — see business activities.
- Customers. If your main market is the UAE, plan how the zone lets you work with the mainland.
- Visas and office. How many visas you need now and in a year, and what office that requires.
- Bank. Banks look at both the zone and the activity, which affects how long account opening takes.
- Multi-year budget. Compare renewal, audit and visas, not just set-up — see costs and free zone comparison.
- Emirate. Location matters for office, warehouse and where you live — see company formation by emirate.
We match the zone to your business and handle registration end to end, including remotely. Our fee starts at AED 5,000 per project, with zone fees set out in the estimate.
FAQ
Several dozen, and the number changes as new zones open and others merge under shared operators. This catalogue covers the main active zones.
Many multi-activity zones in Dubai and the northern emirates fit, as do the specialist technology zones. The choice depends on budget, visa needs and where your customers are.
Some zones allow a transfer of registration; in others you would set up a new company and close the old one. It needs checking for the specific pair of zones.
They are financial centres with their own regulators (the DFSA and FSRA) and their own common-law courts.