Free Zone License

رخصة المنطقة الحرة

free zone law

A Free Zone License is a commercial licence issued by the authority of one of the UAE's 40-plus free zones (DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, ADGM, RAKEZ and others). The licence authorises an entity to carry out specified activities — trading, services, consultancy, manufacturing, media, technology — inside the geographic footprint of that free zone. Historically, free zone companies were restricted to operating within the zone, importing to the UAE through a local distributor, and could not trade directly on the UAE mainland. Recent reforms allow certain onshore activities subject to dual licensing. Free zone companies typically enjoy 100% foreign ownership, streamlined visa processing, customs-duty benefits on imports consumed inside the zone, and zone-specific dispute resolution forums.

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رخصة المنطقة الحرة هي ترخيص تجاري تُصدره سلطة إحدى المناطق الحرة في الإمارات التي يربو عددها على أربعين (مثل DMCC وجافزا ومركز دبي المالي العالمي وسوق أبوظبي الغلوبال ورأس الخيمة للاقتصاد). تُجيز الرخصة للمنشأة ممارسة أنشطة معيّنة — تجارة وخدمات واستشارات وصناعة وإعلام وتكنولوجيا — داخل نطاق المنطقة جغرافياً. وكانت الشركات تاريخياً مقيّدة بممارسة العمل داخل المنطقة، وتستورد إلى الدولة عبر موزع محلي، ولا تتاجر مباشرةً في البر الرئيسي. وقد سمحت إصلاحات حديثة ببعض الأنشطة داخل الدولة بشرط الترخيص المزدوج. تستفيد شركات المناطق الحرة عادةً من تملك أجنبي كامل، وإجراءات تأشيرات ميسّرة، ومزايا جمركية على الواردات المستهلكة داخل المنطقة، ومحاكم أو لجان فض نزاعات خاصة بالمنطقة.

Plain-language summary for information only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed UAE advocate for your specific case.

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Related legislation

Law No. (16) of 2005 Concerning Dubai Silicon Oasis

The Law of the Dubai International Financial Centre, No. (9) for the year 2004

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