How do I get a free zone visa?
Free zone visas are obtained solely from the Immigration Department (GDRFA) without the necessity of contacting the Ministry of Labour. This makes the process relatively simple but these visas don’t allow the holders to work outside free zones.
How to start a business in free zone in Dubai?
But before starting any business in any of the free zones in Dubai, one must acquire a valid visa for this purpose. This visa is required for residence, employment as well as for starting a business in any free zone in Dubai. In free zones, the most common type of residence visa is available through an employment contract with a free zone company.
What are free trade zones and how do they work?
These free trade zones are completely (or mostly) free from all types of taxes and provide 100% ownership to foreign company owners. This makes these areas suitable for all types of businesses especially those that are dealing with import and export activities.
What are the benefits of free zone areas in the UAE?
Free zone areas in the UAE provide several exclusive advantages to SMEs, large corporations and professionals alike. These free trade zones are completely (or mostly) free from all types of taxes and provide 100% ownership to foreign company owners.
What is the benefit of free zone visa?
Benefits of the UAE Free Zone Visa 100% foreign national ownership with no local affiliation. Exemption from personal, import, and export taxes. Exemption from corporate taxes for a fixed period of time with option for renewal. Availability of long-term leasing options lasting up to 25 years.
How much is free zone visa in UAE?
AED 5000 approxVisa Charges: AED 5000 approx. per person (For investor AED 3000/-Bank Guarantee). For Employee, the investor will provide financial guarantee equivalent to 1.5 month's salary and return ticket for each employee. UAE Freezones will be happy to aid you in incorporating your company in the UAE.
What is the difference between Dubai and free zone visa?
Dubai visa's validity lasts for two years, while a free zone visa is valid for three years. Moreover, your mainland visa application is mostly governed by the UAE Labor Law. Free zone visa depends on the specific law of your chosen free zone district.
How long is free zone visa?
3 yearsThe validity of the visa is for 3 years. The Immigration Department (GDRFA) issues free zone visas without the need to contact the Ministry of Labour. These visas are relatively easy to obtain, however, such visa holders cannot work outside free zones.
How do I get Freezone visa?
Why a Free Zone Visa Is Great For BusinessStep 1: Register for E-Channel services. The first step of the free zone visa process involves getting online. ... Step 2: Entry permit. ... Step 3: Status change. ... Step 4: Medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration. ... Step 5: Residence visa stamping.
Which is the cheapest Freezone in UAE?
Top 5 Cheapest free zones in the UAESharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) ... Ajman Media City (AMC) ... Sharjah Media City free zone (SHAMS) ... Ras Al Khaimah free zone(RAKEZ) ... International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), Dubai.
How much is a free zone visa?
approximately AED 5,000A free zone visa in Dubai costs approximately AED 5,000, however this figure will vary depending on the free zone that you apply through. Additional visas such as those for your employees, dependants and domestic staff carry an additional cost, usually in the region of AED 3,000 to AED 6,000.
Is there any ban for Freezone visa?
Usually free zones do not impose bans on employees. But they may impose ban if the employer requests it. It depends on the circumstances that lead up to your dismissal or termination of contract. But if you have resigned from your job, there is no labour ban within free zones.
What is the meaning of Freezone?
Definition of free zone : an area within which goods may be received and stored without payment of duty.
What is Freezone in UAE?
What is a free zone? Free zones are geographically demarcated areas within the UAE (even if most of them are not fenced or gated) permitting 100% foreign ownership and are in most cases, dedicated to a specific industry.
How can I apply for Freezone visa in Dubai?
By obtaining a job in UAE, you can apply for an Employment Residence Visa. By enrolling in an International University in UAE, you can get a Students Residence Visa. After applying for a Freelance license, you can get a Freelance Residence Visa. Set up your own business for an Investor Residence Visa.
How much does a free zone visa cost?
The visa application fee is AED 4,670. This includes the visa fee, typing fees, medical test, residence visa stamping, and Emirates ID card. An additional fee of AED 920 is due if the visa applicant is in the UAE. A security deposit must be made of AED 2,500 (refundable upon cancellation of the visa).
What is the cheapest license in Dubai?
Sharjah Media City, also known as SHAMS, is offering business setup packages starting just AED 5,750 is currently the cheapest free zone license in the UAE. The package includes a professional media license and one of the 13 listed activities. To add more activities one would have to pay AED 1,000 per activity.
How much does it cost to open a Freezone company in Dubai?
In DMCC, the minimum share capital for forming a free zone company is AED 50,000 per company and AED 10,000 per shareholder. For a company to be issued a General Trading Licence, it should have a minimum of AED 1 million share capital. In Hamriya Free Zone, you can form an FZE with a share capital of AED 150,000.
Is Freezone under mohre?
While companies on the mainland are governed by federal laws, like the new UAE Labour Law and their work permits are issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), employees working in the free zone have their work permits issued by the free zone's authority.
1. What is a free zone visa in the UAE and how does it work?
All free zones in the UAE offer great advantages to investors to allow them to develop their companies. However, its main function is to allow entrepreneurs and investors to reside and operate their businesses in a free zone. Free zones are known for being favorable business locations for all kinds of industries and businesses.
2. Why should you apply for a free zone visa to work in this country?
Besides its main function as a permit to stay and work in the UAE, it also offers other advantages. For example, you can apply for other visas for your dependants after obtaining your own one. Besides, the application process is very simple and easy to complete, not to mention that it is affordable.
3. What rules should you be aware of regarding the UAE free zone visa?
As we said before, there are some Freezone visa rules that you should be aware of. For example:
4. How to complete the application process for a free zone visa in the UAE?
If you want to obtain a UAE Freezone visa, you must follow certain steps during the application process. Although the process is quite simple, keep in mind to meet all requirements and gather all necessary documents. Now, let’s take a look at the five steps you should follow to obtain your visa.
5. Information about the application process for visas for dependants
After obtaining your visa, you will be able to apply for additional visas. In this case, these visas are for your dependent family members, like your spouse and children. Also, you can apply for these visas for domestic staff, like drivers or maids. However, you must have a salary certificate to sponsor your wife or children.
6. How much do the application fees cost for obtaining a free zone visa?
You must consider the following expenses during the UAE Freezone visa application:
7. Important information you should know about the employment visa in the UAE
If you want to work in Dubai, you can complete the employment visa Dubai procedure. This process also involves the GDRFA as the pertinent authority. Nonetheless, if you want to stay in another emirate, you can choose between Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
How to apply for a free zone visa
You can apply for your free zone visa in just five simple steps. Whether this applies directly to you, a family member or an employee you are hiring, the steps are the same.
Step 1: Register for E-Channel services
The first step to applying for your UAE free zone visa is registering for E-Channel services. It was designed by the UAE government to streamline the visa process. The new online system removes paperwork and makes applications much faster and more transparent than ever before.
Step 2: Entry permit
Once registered for E-Channel services, you’ll need to apply for your entry permit – also known as an employment visa. This is essentially a temporary visa, valid for 60 days. Entry permits are usually issued within 15 days, however for an additional fee of AED 1,000 you can apply for the express service which takes 5-7 working days.
Step 3: Status change
With your entry permit in-hand, it is now time to activate it. This process is known as ‘status change’ or ‘status adjustment’. It is not possible to obtain your full free zone visa without completing this stage. There are three different ways to carry out a status change:
Step 4: Medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration
The fourth stage in obtaining your UAE visa is the medical fitness test and Emirates ID card registration. Learn how to check your Emirates ID Status here.
Step 5: Residence visa stamping
The final stage of the visa application process is residence visa stamping – this refers to obtaining the actual UAE residence visa stamp or sticker in your passport.
Applying for a free zone visa for dependants
Once your UAE visa has been granted, you can apply for additional visas for your spouse, dependent family members and domestic staff such as maids or drivers.
What are the advantages of free zones in UAE?
Free zone areas in the UAE provide several exclusive advantages to SMEs, large corporations and professionals alike. These free trade zones are completely (or mostly) free from all types of taxes and provide 100% ownership to foreign company owners. This makes these areas suitable for all types of businesses especially those that are dealing with import and export activities. Most of these free zones are exclusive to specific types of business activity.
How many free trade zones are there in the UAE?
There are more than 45 free trade zones in the UAE and around 30 among them are present in Dubai. It clearly means that Dubai is ahead of all the other emirates in this aspect and it provides most opportunities for establishing businesses in the free trade zone area. But before starting any business in any of the free zones in Dubai, ...
How long does it take to get a residence visa in Dubai?
After completing the above-mentioned procedure, you will be able to apply for a residence visa for Dubai free zone. For this purpose, you will submit your passport to immigration authority and they will take around 15 days to complete the procedure. You need to remain inside the UAE during this period. After successful completion, you will get a UAE residence visa stamp on your passport.
How long is a UAE visa valid?
This type of UAE residence visa is valid for up to 3 years.
Can I apply for a residence visa in Dubai?
Obtaining a residence visa will make you eligible to apply for visas for your domestic staff, spouse and Dubai residence family visa for dependent family members. There is a complete procedure for all these types of visas as well.
Can I apply for an out of country visa in Dubai?
If you are outside UAE at the time of issuance of visa or after few days of issuance of Dubai employment visa, then you can apply for out of country visa process. You can do so by exiting and re-entering UAE and presenting your printed visa to immigration officer on airport. He/she will stamp and activate the visa.
What is required for a free zone visa?
Legalized and Attested Educational Certificate. This is needed for free zone visa with higher job category or Professionals i.e. Manager, Engineer, Nurse, Teacher, etc.
How many free zones are there in the UAE?
When you are applying for a free zone visa in UAE, The Free Zone Authority would be the sponsor of your visa. Today, there are more than 45 free zones in the 7 emirates in the UAE.
Can I apply for a free zone visa for my dependent?
Both Employment and Investor visa holders can apply for visa for their dependents’ residence visas i.e. wife, children, husband, housemaid, etc. If you have a free zone visa through employment , you need to meet a specific range of salary and also conform to a set of requirements to apply for the dependent’s residence visa.
