Type of Entity:
A UAE Free Zone Company can be established in the following ways:

A branch of an existing company
Foreign Branch - A foreign affiliate that is legally a part of a firm residing outside of the UAE
Local Branch - A domestic affiliate that is legally a part of a firm residing in the UAE
Free Zone Company - A new business entity which is owned by 2 to 5 partners
Free Zone Establishment - A new business entity with a sole business owner

Such companies can be owned 100% by Foreign Investor with no involvement of local partner or sponsor.

A UAE Free Zone company offers the following incentives to Investors:
• 100% foreign ownership.
• No corporate taxation for 50 years – a concession that's renewable.
• Freedom to repatriate capital and income in totality
• No personal income tax.
• Full exemption from import duties.
• No currency restrictions
• No bureaucratic red-tape.
• No recruitment problems.
• Modern efficient communication
• State of the art infrastructure.
• Abundant energy.
• Attractive working environment.
• Owned premises on leased land can be mortgaged.

Types of Licenses:
Industrial License Activities allowed: Import of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging, and export of finished products.

Commercial License Activities allowed: Import, export, distribution, consolidation, storage or warehousing of items specified on the License. Maximum limit is seven similar product lines.

Consulting and Service License Activities allowed: Offering consulting services in management, finance, investment, legal issues, labour relations, economics (including feasibility studies), industrial development, marketing, and related subjects. Other services include logistical support such as: restaurants or food outlets, catering services, travel agencies, leisure and social activities, insurance, cargo & freight forwarding, accounting, and audition services.

Commercial - General Trading License A General Trading License can be obtained under a Commercial License, which allows for more than seven product lines.

DOCUMENTS & PROCEDURES
PROCESS:
1. The application shall be filled in and submitted to the Free Zone Authority along with the required documents.
2. The application shall be registered with the registration office and the date of submission shall be noted down on each      application.
3. The application shall be processed on the same date of submission.
4. The applicant will be notified of the decision taken by the Free Zone Authority on the same day.
5. If the application is accepted, the Free Zone Authority will notify the applicant of the decision either conditional or unconditional,    as the case may be. Once the application has met all requirements and the prescribed fees have been paid, the relevant license    shall be issued.
6. If the application is rejected, the Free Zone Authority shall notify the applicant with stating the reasons why the application was    rejected within 15 days from the date on which the applicant was notified of the rejection.
7. The Free Zone Authority shall review the opposition and issue its final decision within 30 days from the date of submitting the    opposition. If a decision is not issued within 30 days from the date of submitting the opposition, the opposition will be considered    to have been rejected.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
The investor shall fill in the application and attach the following documents:

A. Free Zone Establishment (FZE) :
1. A passport copy that is valid for 6 months minimum
2. A colour photograph
3. A No Objection Letter from the sponsor in case the applicant has a valid residence in UAE
4. A feasibility study shall be submitted in the case of Industrial & Services enterprises
5. Capital required : US $ 50,000 or AED 185,000

A. Free Zone Company (FZC) :
1. A passport copy that is valid for 6 months minimum, for each partner
2. A colour photograph for all partners
3. A No Objection Letter from the sponsor in case the applicant has a valid residence in UAE
4. A feasibility study shall be submitted in the case of Industrial & Services enterprises
5. Capital required US $ 50,000 or AED 185,000

Please note that the procedures for registration might differ from one free-zone to another