Dubai Internet City is considered an incubator for institutions and companies working in the field of the Internet and technology. It is one of the most prestigious free zones in the Emirate of Dubai and is located close to the Jebel Ali Free Zone and close to Dubai Airport.
The Dubai Internet Free Zone Authority offers multiple investment packages for people to choose from that suit their budget on the one hand and their aspirations on the other hand.
Dubai Internet City is a creative cluster designed for innovation. Dubai Internet City’s community of entrepreneurs, startups, brokers and Fortune 500 companies is busy creating the future of regional ICT status quo. Dubai Internet City is one of the largest ICT centers in the Middle East and North Africa region, with streamlined systems that facilitate business success.
Dubai Internet City supports entrepreneurs, empowers SMEs, and attracts global ICT leaders to Dubai. Here your business accesses an integrated ecosystem of knowledge workers, distinguished service providers, and expertise from around the world.
Legal forms of the company in the Dubai Internet Free Zone
- One-Person Company: It is a company owned by one person, usually with limited liability and symbolized by FZCo
- Personnel Company: It is owned by more than one person and is usually limited in liability and symbolized by FZCo
- Sole proprietorship: It is owned by one natural person or one legal person and is symbolized by FZE
- A branch of a foreign company or institution
Companies registered and operating from the free zone in Dubai Internet City specialize in various fields and industries such as:
Information technology and technology – Internet technologies and services – Professional training services in the field of information technology – Programming and software development services – Electronic digital marketing – Social media – Electronics, electricity, water, energy, oil and gas, communications, software, pharmacy, agriculture, food, Building materials, aerospace, aviation, shipping, air transport, trains, railways – maritime transport, roads and communications, relief and other specialties.
Steps to establish a company in the free zone in Dubai Internet City
Determine the type of activity
Identifying the activity is the first step to obtaining a business license. Through the activity, the parties associated with this activity and the permitted legal forms are identified.
The legal entity of free zone establishments in the country takes one of the following two types:
- Free zone limited liability company
- Free zone establishment
The difference between the two types lies in the number of shareholders and the nature of the shareholder, whether a natural or legal person. Not all free zones are obligated to register these two types of establishments.
Therefore, we advise the investor to refer to the body responsible for managing each free zone separately to inquire about the legal structure available for the type of activity that he wants to practice.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Center allows the establishment of a limited liability company, which takes the form of a subsidiary wholly affiliated with a local or foreign company.
– Existing local and foreign companies can establish branches in other free zones.
Capital requirements in free zones in the country vary according to the region and activity.
Choose a trade name
When determining the type of legal entity for your business activity, you should also think about choosing a trade name that is appropriate for the activity.
In most cases, you must refer to the relevant free zone authority, or the relevant Department of Economic Development, to find out the authorized trade names and whether the name intended by you has been previously registered by a company.
On the other hand, the Departments of Economic Development require certain conditions to approve a trade name, including:
- It must not be contrary to public order and morals
- It must be followed by something indicating the legal entity of the company, such as: (LLC, PJSC, PJSC, FZE, FZE)
- Must not be registered or used for the same or similar type of activity
- It must comply with the nature of the activity and the required legal form
- It must not include sectarian or sectarian names, the names of the ruling authority, or the names and logos of local, Arab and international bodies, institutions and organizations.
- It must not be identical or similar to a local or international trademark registered with the Ministry of Economy
Selection of offices and work facilities
In free zones, you can buy or rent office space, and office requirements depend on the number of employees and the type of business activity of the company.
Obtaining initial approvals, registering the activity and obtaining the license
Establishments established in free zones are subject to the laws and regulations that govern each specific free zone body or authority.
In order to obtain the necessary approvals, you must apply for the necessary documents. The list of documents varies according to the type of activity and the requirements of the free zone authority.
Below are general instructions on the steps and documents needed to obtain approvals.
Initial approvals
In order to obtain initial approvals, you need the following:
- An application form for initial approval, complete with the required information
- Action Plan
- A copy of the existing business license/registration certificate (for existing companies, this applies to local companies only)
- Color copies of the passports of the company’s shareholders, and the director or member of management appointed to the new company
- A signature form for both the shareholders of the company, and the director or member of management appointed for the new company
- Audited financial reports on the company’s budget for two years, or a reference certificate from each shareholder’s bank
- No objection letter from the current sponsor (for individuals)
- Title deed for the real estate unit
- Letter of intent
- A form with the commercial registry identification code for the manager/member of management (submit the original copy officially certified by a notary public)
The freelancer needs to provide a smaller amount of documentation, and in most cases must:
- Submit a registration request
- biography
- Reference letter from the bank
- A form with the commercial registry identification code (submit the original copy, officially authenticated by a notary public)
Establishment registration
After obtaining initial approvals, you must pay the registration fees and license fees. Fees depend on the type of license required.
Documents required for registration:
- Request to register with complete data
- Board of Directors’ decision to appoint a director of the company/management member (officially authenticated by a notary and authenticated)
- A legal power of attorney through which the director/management member is authorized (officially authenticated by a notary and authenticated)
- The company’s articles of incorporation and articles of association (officially authenticated by a notary and authenticated)
- Director/management member signature form (officially notarized and authenticated by a notary public)
- A personal photo of the director/management member with a white background
- Information about share capital
How can you establish a company in the free zone?
Establishing companies in the free zones in Dubai is much easier than establishing a company inside Dubai, as it can be 100% owned by any nationality, and the presence of a partner or sponsor who is a citizen of the UAE is not required, as the company is registered as a free zone establishment or it is a company belonging to The free zone or a branch or representative office in the free zone in Dubai. In this case, it is possible for the main company to be outside the Emirates, and it is not required to be inside the Emirates. The companies located within the free zone are regulated through the authority responsible for the free zone, which is the one that issues any licenses to the company. This depends on the location of the free zone and the activity it carries out. The type of license issued by the responsible authority varies according to the commercial activity. A company can be established in the free zone by following some steps, including:
- Choose the company’s location
- Agreeing on the trade name, as it is the name that distinguishes one company from another.
- Obtaining the company’s business license.
- Obtaining initial approval to start work.
- Commercial license registration.
- Complete the requirements for a commercial license and obtain it.
Establishing a company in the free zone
The UAE is distinguished by the fact that it has more than 40 free zones in addition to some areas that are being established. Therefore, establishing a company in a free zone is one of the difficult matters facing the investor, as it is difficult to choose between many areas. Therefore, Kaber Company, through its great experience in business management, undertakes By helping many investors choose the appropriate free zone for their commercial activity, it also helps in establishing and establishing a company in the free zone in the shortest time and at the lowest costs.
Advantages of establishing a company in the Dubai Internet Free Zone
- 100% retransfer of capital and profits abroad
- 100% exemption from import and export duties
- No tax is imposed on corporate gains or personal income in most cases
- No restrictions on the use of currency
- Low cost of operations
- Pre-built offices, factories and warehouses
- Fast establishment and licensing procedures
- Single window for customs clearance; That is, multiple administrative services in one station
- Provides labor recruitment assistance and additional support services, such as sponsorship and on-site housing
- Abundant and inexpensive energy
- Excellent infrastructure, communications, and attractive work environment
Advantages of starting your business in Dubai free zones
What is a free zone in Dubai and what are the benefits of starting a business or establishing a company in the Dubai free zone? Simply put, free zones in Dubai are economic zones launched by the government and offer:
- Corporate and personal tax exemptions, customs benefits and other incentives for foreign investors
- Dispose of the full profits without any decrease
- Complete individual ownership
- There are no restrictions on cash transactions
- Complete exemption from import and export tax
- These special rules and regulations have been set by the government to establish such free zones in Dubai.
