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Freezone or Mainland

Which one should you choose ?

Freezone or Mainland

Which one should you choose ?

Starting your business in the Freezone Mainland area ?

We make it easy!

In general, Free Zone registration provides a wide variety of services. Certainly, the United Arab Emirates is the greatest country in the Middle East. The majority of individuals here are in the trade sector, although the Freezone company setup is always popular. Overall, it is the best option for potential investors who want to maximize their profits in business formation. With the necessary expertise and experienced help, establishing a free zone corporation in Dubai is now straightforward. Overall, free zone company registration in the UAE is extremely helpful to all since it is extremely straightforward and effective when the top firms are used.

Establishing your company in the quickest increasing free zones has made it easier for everyone to attain their goals. If you want to start a business, you must recruit professionals. Overall, this utilizes distinct advantages in market access, world-class facilities, and tax breaks. The registration service helps obtain the best results. Everything will be done properly if you employ the best-consulting organization for a Freezone license; consultants assist you in avoiding problems. So you don’t have to be concerned about anything.

Now that the Freezone company setup Dubai is popular, it benefits everyone, and you can even obtain free consulting services. These unique features make free zones the most appealing areas for those who want to establish their businesses. Starting a company setup dubai free zone business is straightforward when you hire a professional business consultant.

EBMS business services have years of expertise in assisting you in establishing your firm in the Dubai free zone. Our team of agents will work with you to ensure the success of your business. Whether it’s brand registration or office setup, you can count on our free zone company setup advisors to get the job done quickly!

Mainland Company

Mainland Company is an inland company which is able to conduct its business activities in the local market in United Arab Emirates and outside UAE. Mainland companies have freedom to carry its business in case of commercial and professional licenses. Mainland Company formation in Dubai needs a local sponsor or a UAE national and the general shareholding arrangement of Dubai Mainland Company is that, UAE national Sponsor holds 51% share in the company and the Foreign Shareholder (s) holds 49% share in the company. The mainland company offers flexible legal contract between foreign investors and local sponsor, where the local sponsor is paid annual fee or percentage of sales/profits. The foreign investor holds 100% control of the company and local partner has no involvement in the day to day operations of the business. For mainland business setup the Department of Economic Development (DED) is responsible for registration, licensing, commercial compliance and consumer protection of the company in Dubai.

Dubai Mainland License

AED9,950

For First Year

T & CApply*
Package Excludes – English Trade Name, All Visa Cost Immigration Card, Insurance Card, DED Voucher Cost Approx AED 5,000

Advantages of Setting up Mainland Business in Dubai

Dubai mainland is the most preferred option business setup in Dubai because of the various advantages which are:

They can cater to wider UAE economy with much scope of diversity.

Free Zone Company

Free Zone Company is an independent business entity with its own unique set of rules and regulations. Each free zone is allowed to operate its activities inside the free zone or outside UAE. The fundamental difference between mainland and free zone is that Free Zone Company cannot conduct its operation in non-free zone without the support of a local agent whereas a mainland company freely operates its business activities anywhere in UAE. There are numerous free zones in Dubai. The basic reason that foreign investors opt for free zone venture is to get complete ownership benefits, apart from utilizing the world class infrastructure, assure their assets and relish tax exemptions.

E-Commerce

AED5,750

For First Year

T & CApply*
*Package Excludes Visas

Why choose to set up in a free zone?

If you intend to establish a company in the UAE, there are a number of reasons to choose a free zone.

Main advantages of free zone company

Disadvantages of Free Zones Dubai

freezone mainland

Differences between free zone and mainland set up

 Ownership:

If you are planning to commence trade in the Mainland Company, you will be required to have a United Arab Emirates National in every mainland licenses. It might be a local sponsor or a local service agent. In case a commercial license is opted for, the foreign investor who set up a company in mainland United Arab Emirates can obtain up to 49% share of the company and the rest 51% of the company’s shares lay with UAE National.

But in term of a professional license, 100% shares can be acquired by foreign investor but still needs services of local service agent. Responsibilities of the local service agent include signing all the government applications and apart from that has no stake involved. The foreign investor is the solely responsible for all operations related the business with no interference from the local service agent unless agreed upon.

In comparison with Mainland Company, foreign investors savour complete ownership of the business. Presence of United Arab Emirates National in the license is not mandatory. This is by far the best benefit of free zone Company in Dubai.

Scope of business:

Companies that are entrenched in mainland United Arab Emirates faces no limits related to scope of business. Business can operate anywhere in Dubai, i.e. in free zones and even outside Dubai. They can take up commercial, professional and even industrial activities apart from banking and insurance.

Compared to mainland set up, a free zone company can only operate within the area designated to free zone. If they wish to conduct business in local market then they will require local distributor or an agent for assistance. The free zones are based mostly near sea ports and airports. So the most favored business for these set ups are import and export related services.

Work space

The minimum requirement for annual leased out area is 200 sqft for a mainland company. Once you have obtained  the company with the required area then a license will be issued to your mainland company by Department of Economic Development.

While a free zone company does not necessarily require physical office space. Depending upon the activity and nature of business, the business might not have physical office. One benefit that a free zone company can opt for is a flexi desks service which by the way is cost effective and with the help of this license business can take advantage from the common centre desks for minimum 5 hours  availed by any common business, hence saving initial cost of registration by new ventures.

Visa facility

There is no no visa limitation for a mainland license. An electronic portion is circulated by the Ministry of Labour to each mainland company.  It shows their ability for visas acquisition and if the company needs more staff then it can also enhanced. Visa eligibility depends on the office space, that being said if you have more office space then you can apply for multiple visas for your company. Driver and sales staff for outdoor assignments are not eligible for visa facility.

Each free zone license are offered 2 visas on the package of smart office and varies as different free zones in UAE permits 3-6 visas on this package. If you require more visas then requirement to lease out a physical office or a warehouse can get a number of visas.

 Approval from government authorities

Mainland Company’s license requires standard government approvals to obtain a license i.e. DED, Labour Ministry, and Department of Naturalization and Residency affairs of Ministry of interiors or immigration.

Also some other approvals are needed from external government authorities for conducting particular business activities such as Knowledge and Human Development Authority for education related licenses, Dubai Health Authority for medical licenses, Food Department of Municipality for all food license and many others.

However, most of free zone companies are related mainly to imports and re-exports. In this case these companies are not required to external authority’s approval for issuing of license.  They might require approval of external authorities only if they choose to acquire any special services.

So, businesses are required to make a choice between Mainland set up and Free zone set up. The answer simply put completely depends upon the kind of activities and nature of business you want to opt for. So, if you want to conduct business within the UAE then you must opt for mainland set up and if you want complete ownership of your business and control of operations of the business then free zone set up should be your first preference.