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FFZA - Fujairah Free Zone Authority

Fujairah Free Zone offer wide business activities for your company setup. Company formation process takes 1 day. We will assist you in company registration, license cost, visa services and more. Get free consultation now.

Is FFZA suitable for your business?

Yes

  • If your business is related to sectors such as oil and gas, maritime business, industrial production including heavy industry, as well as trade and international logistics.
  • If having a well-developed logistics infrastructure is a crucial criterion for you. FFZA is the ideal logistics hub, offering three delivery methods: by sea, by air, and by land. The free zone is located next to the Port of Fujairah with direct access to the Indian Ocean, as well as the only international airport on the UAE's east coast, Fujairah International Airport, which serves the eastern UAE and northern Oman.
  • If you are looking for an affordable way to establish a manufacturing company in a free zone with developed infrastructure, including warehouses, land plots, and ready-to-move custom units.
  • If you trade with China, India, or Pakistan, as FFZA offers excellent access to major sea and air routes leading to Asian countries through Fujairah Port and Fujairah International Airport.
  • If your business activities include those not available in other free zones, such as a Maritime license, alcohol trading, tobacco trading, etc.

No

  • If you want to do business in Dubai or nearby, as Dubai is approximately a 2-hour drive from Fujairah. In this case, have a look at Dubai free zones.
  • If you are considering using a virtual office. Fujairah free zones require a mandatory office rental before the license is issued.

FFZA licenses and business activities

Company formation in Fujairah Free Zone can be done for multiple activities, including a lot of specific activities that cannot be found in other free zones:

  • Maritime license
  • Alcohol trading
  • Tobacco trading
  • Real estate consultancy
  • Financial consultancy
  • E-commerce
  • Logistics
  • Consultancy in the oil and petroleum product sector

There are certain license types that cannot be issued in FFZA such as ship agency, marine consultancy, ship building and repair, and ship chandler.

Professional License in Dubai

With a Professional License, you can offer specialized services in fields like consulting, management, education, real estate, and more.

Oil trading license in the UAE

An Oil Trading License in the UAE gives you access to profitable operations and international partnerships.

Project Management License in Dubai

A Project Management License allows you to help companies effectively complete complex tasks.

Technical Services License in Dubai

Provide a wide range of technical services in the UAE, from equipment installation and maintenance to repairs and construction.

Manufacturing License in Dubai

Set up your own production facility in the UAE and benefit from advanced infrastructure and global market access.

Service license in the UAE

Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.

FFZA facilities

Fujairah Free Zone offers an extensive range of facilities for your business. It has ready-to-move offices, warehouses, and plots of land for long-term lease. All facilities need to be checked for availability.

Facilities that can be leased from FFZA

Furnished office

Fully equipped office space with furniture and essentials, allowing you to move in and start working immediately.

Flexi desk

A shared working space available for a certain number of hours. It provides minimal facility requirements for company registration.

Virtual office

Provides a business address and mail handling services without the need for a physical space.

Warehouse

A facility for companies needing storage space for goods and materials, often equipped for light industrial use.

Plot of land

A space where businesses can construct their own facilities according to their specific needs, often with freehold or long-term lease options.

Also, there is a requirement to pay one-time charges for the free zone utilities, which vary from 1,200 to 3,850 AED.

FFZA residence visas

If you establish a business in Fujairah Free Zone, you are entitled to residence visas for you and your personnel. The number of available visa quotas depends on your company type and the premises you choose, including a 0-visa option.

ITEM FFZA FEE
FFZA visa 3,399 AED
E-Channel 2,205 AED

Entry permits are typically issued within 3-4 days. After that, you will be required to apply for a medical check and Emirates ID.

Residence visa stamping can be completed within 2 working days. Health insurance is not required for visa processing.

FFZA company license renewal

The renewal of a company license in Fujairah Free Zone is easy and straightforward. The renewal process will be completed when all required payments are made, documents are submitted, and the application is reviewed by the free zone authority. This process could take up to one week. The fees will be less than the costs of the initial setup.

FEE COST
FFZA zero-visa company renewal 16,200 AED

All renewals in this free zone take place in January, so if you incorporate your company in October, you will pay the license fees until the end of the calendar year and then renew your license for the next year in January.

An audit is not required in the first year, but the free zone authorities will ask for it after the second year of operations is completed. If you had no business all that time, you can negotiate the audit submission with the free zone in order to waive it.

FFZA company amendments

Company amendments in Fujairah Free Zone generally include:

  • Change of director
  • Change of manager
  • Shares transfer
  • Change of business activity

Most of them have to be done personally by the company shareholders.

FFZA company liquidation

If you decide to close your company in Fujairah Free Zone, you will have to return the original documents and pay the liquidation fee. You will also need to give a 5-6 month notice to the free zone authority, which can be done by email from your registered mail ID.

FFZA company liquidation costs

FEE COST
FFZA company license cancellation 1,500 AED

The liquidation procedure consists of the following steps:

  1. Provide the mandatory documentation, including all original corporate documents, such as:
    • Attested Board Resolution signed by the shareholders and stating the reason for the company liquidation
    • Deregistration documentation
    • Business license and all other company incorporation documents
    • Bank account clearance and closure letter
  2. Do the final company audit.
  3. Pay cancellation fees and settle other payments. Once this is done, the liquidation process is initiated.
  4. All residence visas and other immigration-related documents issued under the company need to be canceled as well.
  5. Once the liquidation is complete, you will be notified and receive the corresponding documents.

About FFZA

Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA), also known simply as Fujairah Free Zone, is one of the oldest free zones in the UAE. It is situated in the Fujairah Emirate in close proximity to the Port of Fujairah and Fujairah International Airport, the only international airport on the UAE's east coast serving the eastern UAE and northern Oman. The free zone focuses on industrial, logistical, and maritime activities and is home to a large number of heavy industrial and mining companies.

FFZA also hosts branches of all large petroleum companies in the region due to the convenient location of the Port of Fujairah with direct access to the Indian Ocean and the fact that the free zone has the biggest oil storage in the GCC region.

With three available shipping methods - by land, by sea, and by air - Fujairah Free Zone is the perfect industrial hub in terms of logistics, offering excellent access to major sea and air routes leading to European and Asian countries. In addition, FFZA supports unique business activities that are typically unavailable in other free zones, such as a Maritime license and alcohol or tobacco trading. All of this makes company setup in Fujairah Free Zone one of the preferred choices for industrial companies planning to operate in the UAE and in the Emirate of Fujairah.

FAQ

Fujairah Free Zone — FAQ

The UAE has no personal income tax. However, there is a 5% import tax on goods brought into the country and a 5% VAT on trading or service transactions that occur within the UAE. The UAE Corporate Tax regime applies, and the standard rate is 9% on taxable income above the applicable threshold. Eligible free zone companies may benefit from 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income if they meet the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) conditions and maintain compliance; otherwise, the standard Corporate Tax rules may apply.

While we strive to make the account opening process as smooth as possible, we cannot guarantee approval, as the final decision always depends on the bank's internal compliance and risk assessment. Each case goes through several bank departments for approval, and the bank may contact you directly for clarifications. Providing a clear picture of your business to the bank increases the chances of successful account opening. We do our best to prepare you and your company for a smooth and fast bank account opening process.

Basically no, as a personal visit to the UAE is required as per the regulations of the UAE Central Bank. Local banks require this visit to verify the client's identity. However, some banks allow remote account opening through their digital bank applications or website.

In most cases, you can obtain a debit card for your newly opened company, especially if there is only one shareholder. However, a credit card is usually issued against a fixed deposit. As for loans, banks may consider your eligibility based on your company's operations and profits. It is recommended to apply for a loan after at least one year of operations.

Officially, the office of a company should be located within the free zone where it is registered. However, if you need an office in Dubai, you have the option to rent space in a Business Center and use it on a flexible basis. It is important to note that the minimum required space (flexi desk) in the free zone cannot be cancelled.

A flexi desk is a mandatory requirement for any company eligible for resident visas. It serves as the minimum physical office space. Additionally, a flexi desk can facilitate bank account opening as banks require evidence of a company having some form of office or physical presence.

VAT obligations depend not only on the place of registration but also on where the business activity takes place. VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. If a company's trading activities take place abroad, the turnover is not considered taxable as long as the goods or services are supplied outside the UAE. However, if the goods or services are supplied to customers within the UAE, the 5% VAT will be applicable.

The suitability of a free zone entity versus an offshore or mainland entity depends on your business model and requirements. However, a free zone setup offers advantages such as 100% foreign ownership, eligibility for resident visas, the ability to conduct business both within and outside the UAE, and greater favorability with banks compared to offshore companies. Additionally, free zones often offer a flexi desk option instead of executive offices, making it a cost-effective way to start a business without unnecessary obligations.

Your company should be renewed annually, and the cost is typically lower than the initial setup cost. The renewal fees depend on your package, and you can obtain the price by downloading the Estimate from our website. Renewal does not require the personal presence of the owner and can be done by your agent. After renewal, the new license must be presented to the bank to extend the bank account, which is included in our renewal service.

You have multiple options for fee payment. You can make payments via bank transfer, cash, or online using a card.

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Elena Ovchinnikova
Lisa Mutendi
Timi Omatsola
Ekaterina Dvornikova
Aidina Kursantbek
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