The biggest of the seven emirates and the federal capital of the United Arab
Emirates, Abu Dhabi covers more than 80% of the nation’s total land area. There are
a number of free zones in Abu Dhabi that offer an ideal setting for company
establishment in the Emirates and a method for international investors to access the
country’s full potential.
As part of the Emirate’s effort to diversify its economy and encourage international
investment, Abu Dhabi has created free zones. Media and light businesses, logistical
businesses, and medium and heavy industries are all set up for business in free zones.
The main reason for company registration in Abu Dhabi is the numerous benefits
and amenities shareholders obtain by establishing a business in one of the free zones
in the emirate.
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a stand-alone legal company with one or more individual, corporate, or a combination of both types of shareholders. Depending on the type of economic activity, different minimum capital requirements apply.
After receiving a license from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, a foreign firm may carry out its primary activity or business in the UAE or open an office or branch, with the exception of international company authorized to operate from a free zone in the UAE.
A freelancing permit is given to freelancers, identifying them as single practitioners and allowing them to operate a business using their own name rather than a brand name.
To ease and promote foreign investment, the government encourages companies to
establish in the free zones of Abu Dhabi. As a result, starting a firm is an easy process
that takes little time and is devoid of bureaucratic hurdles.
Free zones are separate jurisdictions that serve as a single-window administration
and enable foreign business owners to fully control a firm (100 percent of the shares)
without collaborating with an Emirati person. The autonomous government agency
known as the Abu Dhabi Free Zone Authority (FZA) is in charge of handling nonresident company registration, issuing operating licenses for free zones, and aiding
businesses looking to launch operations.
Key Steps To Start A Business In Free Zone
Determining the type of business activity
You must choose the activity you will do before moving forward with it since
each business activity has certain laws and regulations.
Trade name registration
The next step after finishing the first is to register the trade name of your
business. You can provide the Abu Dhabi Free Zone Authority with a list of
your preferred names. The name must be authorized and properly registered
by the authorities if the current firm hasn't already done so in the UAE.
Trade license issuance
The investor can go on to the step of meeting the legal requirements to get an
Abu Dhabi free zone license from the free zone authority once they have
received the appropriate authorities' permission.
Getting the Free zone authority approval
Investors must request permission for the granting of the business license after
receiving initial approval for their trade name and meeting all conditions