Free Zone Company | Mainland Company | |
Ownership | 100% foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most activities. Certain activities may have a requirement of a Local Sponsor or Local Service Agent |
License Issuing Authority | The free zone authority | The Department of Economic Development |
Visa Quota | Visa quota depends on the package selected and is subject to the free zone authority | Visa quota allocated based on the office size |
Trading Scope | Can only trade within the free zone where the company is incorporated and with other free zones. Can trade internationally Cannot trade directly with UAE mainland companies. | Can trade anywhere in the UAE Can trade internationally |
Audit Requirements | Audit requirements depend on the free zone where it is incorporated | Yearly financial audits are mandatory |
Business Activities | Can undertake activities permitted by the free zone authority. Certain free zones are industry-specific. For instance, you can mostly undertake financial activities in a financial free zone. | Can choose from over 2000 activities permitted by the DED. |
For individual shareholder(s) and manager(s):
For corporate shareholder(s):
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about business licenses.
The fee depends on the jurisdiction issuing it. The pricing depends on the jurisdiction issuing it and the type of permit you choose. Some free zones may charge a license fee based on the number and type of business activities added to the license. Meydan Free Zone offers a highly competitive cost for a Dubai business license.
Yes, with a business setup service provider like InZone, you can renew your license through a completely online process.
The most advisable approach to secure a business permit is to apply through a business setup service provider. Such a consultant can seamlessly guide you through all the steps involved in the license application and processing.
Meydan Free Zone offers a general trading business license at a modest starting price of AED 12,500.
The cost for Dubai business license renewal depends on the jurisdiction, validity period, and the type of license. For certain free zones, the cost is almost the same as the original price that you paid for the license. If you opt for multi-year renewals, you can avail of a discounted renewal fee for your Dubai trade license.
With Meydan Free Zone, you can start a professional or general trading business at a starting price of AED 12,500.
External approvals refer to authorizations given by government bodies to undertake certain business activities. For example, a pharmaceutical product business would require approval from The Ministry of Health & Prevention while a transport business would need approval from the Road and Transport Authority (RTA).
If you are wondering how to check your trade license in Dubai, here is the answer. All you need to do is visit the official government websites and within a few clicks, you will be able to access license details such as the business name, activity, validity, etc.
You must apply for a license that will cover the business activity you are looking to offer. Based on your operations, you can choose from professional, commercial, and industrial licenses. One must bear in mind that there are additional licenses offered by some free zones such as e-commerce and freelancer license.
In general, a trade license refers to a business license in Dubai. The most common forms of a trade license are professional, commercial, and industrial. This means that a commercial license is actually a type of trade license. A commercial license is also known as a general trading license, and is issued for business operations that involve activities such as import/export/re-export.
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