Jebel Ali Free Zone Company Formation

Type of Companies  and main Characteristics:

1.       Free Zone Establishment:

• FZE – a separate legal entity
• FZE allows for a single shareholder
• Shareholder can be an individual (person) and/or non-individual (company)
• An FZE is a Limited Liability Partnership within the Free Zone.
• Minimum capital of AED 1 million

2.       Free Zone Company (FZCo):

• FZCO – a separate legal entity.
• Shareholders can be individuals (person) and/or non-individuals (company)
• An FZCo is a Limited Liability Partnership within the Free Zone.
• FZCo allows for 2 to 5 shareholders
• Minimum capital of AED 500,000

3.       Branch

• A branch is considered a legal entity of its parent company
• An entity established outside of the Jebel Ali Free Zone can establish a branch within Jafza.

Type of Licences JAFZA:

Type of licence depends on type of activity your business participates

• General Trading Licence
• Trading Licence
• Industrial Licence
• Service Licence
• National Industrial Licence

Feature of Jebel Ali Free Zone

• Time to form: 15 working days
• Personal Presence Required: No
• Place of business: Allowed to do business internationally, in the UAE, and have an office in Dubai
• Confidentiality: 100% confidentiality

Jebel Ali Free Zone Formation Structure

• Registered Office: Yes required, must be in JAFZA, Dubai.
• Directors: The minimum number of directors is two. Director can be of any nationality and need not be resident in the UAE. Corporate directors are permitted.
• Number of directors needed:  Depends on the license
• Shareholders: An FZE formation can be with a single shareholder with a minimum capital of AED 1 million. An FZCO can be formed with 2 to 5 shareholders with a minimum capital of AED 500,000.
• Share Capital requirement:  The minimum  is AED1,000,000 Which must be fully paid up.
• Foreigner ownership: 100% foreign ownership
• Local sponsors requirement:  Not required
• Any restrictions on capital repatriation: 100% repatriation of capital and profits. No restriction on capital repatriation.
• Name of a Company: The name of the company may end with the word “FZE” (Free Zone Establishment) or “FZCO” (Free Zone Company).
• Company office in UAE: Allowed to have an office in the UAE.

Jebel Ali Free Zone Company shall not use restricted words in the name or trade :

• Restricted Words in the name of a Jebel Ali Free Zone Company:  Unless with the approval of the Registrar in writing the name shall not include the words “Bank”, “Trust Company” or “Trustee Company”, “Assurance” or “Insurance”, “Chamber of Commerce”, “Municipal” or “Municipality”, “Global”, “International”, “Middle East”, “UAE”, “Emirate” or “Emirates” or any other word which in the opinion of the Registrar may suggest:-(a) a connection with the Government of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates, its agencies or identical bodies of any of the member States of the Federation;(b) the patronage of their Highnesses the members of the Federal National Council.
• Trading Restrictions of Jebel Ali Free Zone Company:  Banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship business provision are not permitted

Jebel Ali Free Zone Confidentiality and Privacy

• Publicly Accessible Records (relating to company officers):  No names are disclosed
• Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities:  No names are disclosed
• Location of Meetings of Directors and Shareholders:  Anywhere.

Jebel Ali Free Zone Legislation and Government

• Government: Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
• Governing corporate legislation:
• Language of Corporate Documents:  English/Arabic.

 Jebel Ali Free Zone Company Books and Records

• Requirements to File Accounts: None.
• Audit Requirements: None.
• Requirement to File Annual Return:  None.

Jebel Ali Free Zone Company Taxation & Fees  

• Any corporate tax:  0% corporate tax for 50 years (a concession that is renewable)
• Any Personal Income tax:  No personal income tax
• Taxation:  0
• Double Taxation Treaty Access:  None
• Are there imports or re-exports duties: Total exemption from all import and export duties.
• Annual Renewal Fees:  Has to be paid on the anniversary of the company and every twelve (12) months thereafter

DWC Free Zone Company  – Land and Facilities 

• Facilities:  Each facility is designed to meet the specific needs
• Plots of Land:  DWC provides plots of various sizes for short and long-term lease

Bank account for DWC Free Zone Company

• Business bank account: Bank account can be opened in any banks in the UAE

DWC Free Zone Visa

• Possibility to get resident or employment visas for investor:  Possibility to get resident or employment visas for investor and employees.

DWC Free Zone Currency

• Standard currency:  Dirham (AED).
• Exchange Control:  No Taxation Treaties with other countries; No requirement for exchange of information with other Tax Authorities.
• Any Currency restrictions:  No currency restrictions.

Jebel Ali Free Zone Land and Facilities 

• Facilities:  Each facility is designed to meet the specific needs
• Plots of Land:  Jafza provides plots of various sizes for short and long-term lease

Bank account for Jebel Ali Free Zone Company

• Business bank account: Bank account can be opened in any banks in the UAE

Visa Jebel Ali Free Zone

• Possibility to get resident or employment visas for investor:  Investor Visa for 3 years and vasa for employees available.
• No restriction on foreign talent or employees.

Jebel Ali Free Zone Currency

• Standard currency:  Dirham (AED).
• Exchange Control:  No Taxation Treaties with other countries; No requirement for exchange of information with other Tax Authorities.
• Any Currency restrictions:  No currency restrictions.

Jebel Ali Free Zone – How to Proceed

Three simple step s to register your company in Jafza:

• We will help you to select a company type, licence type, size of office (land).
• We will complete all necessary documents and submit them the the register
• You  will receive your license and product(s).

Documents Required for Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation:

FZE/FZCO Individuals

• Passport copy of director (FZE/FZCO – director plus shareholder(s) included).
• Project summary (business plan).
• No Objection Certificate from local Sponsor, applicable to UAE resident only.Environment, Health & Safety Undertaking Letter.
• Business profile of Shareholder(s). (CV)
• Board resolution, attested by Jafza.
• Specimen signature of Director, attested by Jafza.

FZE/FZCO Company

• Certificate of Registration. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Memorandum of Association. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Article of Association. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Specimen signature of Manager, attested by Jafza.

Branch Abroad

• Certificate of Registration. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Memorandum of Association. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin) Article of Association, Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Board Resolution or Owner Declaration form. Duly certified by notary public and attested by UAE embassy (please check rules for UAE embassy in country of origin).
• Specimen signature of Manager. Attested by Jafza.

• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Political System: Democracy
• Government: Monarchy
• Governing corporate legislation: Offshore Regulations 2006
• Type of Law: Civil
• Currency: Dirham (AED)
• Exchange Control: None
• Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents: English/Arabic
• Time zone: GMT+4