Fujairah free zone business setup allows foreign investors to establish a company with 100% ownership and obtain a trade license. The process involves choosing a business activity, submitting documents, getting approval, and securing a license. Setup costs and timelines depend on the selected free zone and business activity. Companies must also meet UAE corporate tax requirements to qualify for the 0% tax rate.
Why Do Companies Choose Fujairah?
The FFZ sits next to Fujairah Port and Fujairah International Airport, which suits anyone who ships goods. Beyond location, businesses usually mention three things:
- 100% foreign ownership: you do not need a local partner.
- Flexible space: flexi-desks, offices, warehouses and land leases are available.
- Lower costs: consultants describe it as cheaper than Dubai free zones.
Ask FFZA exactly what is covered before you build a pricing model on it.
Understand Fujairah Free Zones
Fujairah has two free zones, and they serve different businesses.
| Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) | Fujairah Creative City (FCC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA) | Fujairah Culture and Media Authority |
| Best for | Trading, logistics, manufacturing, warehousing | Media, consulting, design, education, freelancers |
| Starting cost | Ask FFZA for a quote | From about AED 17,500 a year* |
| License time | About 1 day after submission* | About 7 days* |
| Immigration card | 5–10 working days* | 10–15 working days* |
| Office address | Must be inside the zone | Dubai business-centre address possible* |
- This Free zones suits traders, logistics and shipping firms, manufacturers, and (through FCC) consultants and media businesses.
- It suits you less if most of your customers are on the UAE mainland.
- Free zone companies generally trade inside the zone and abroad, so mainland sales usually need a local distributor or a branch.
Business Activities and License Types in Fujairah Free Zones
Your activity decides your license. Consultants commonly list these types:
- Trading and general trading
- Service and consultancy
- Industrial and manufacturing
- Warehousing
- E-commerce
Ask FFZA to confirm your exact activity is allowed before paying any fees, because some activities need special approvals. You can usually change activity later by amending your license, normally with extra fees and approval.
Legal Structures
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): one shareholder, either a person or a company.
- Free Zone Company (FZC or FZCO): two or more shareholders.
- Branch: of a UAE company or a foreign company.
On share capital, sources do not agree. Consultants quote AED 150,000 as standard for an FZE or FZC, but they also say the paid-up amount depends on the license. FCC reportedly needs no paid-up capital. .
How to Set Fujairah Free Zone Company Setup?
The Fujairah government’s guide and FFZA’s start-your-business page follow this order:
- Choose your activity and license type.
- Choose your legal structure.
- Pick and reserve a trade name.
- Apply for initial approval with your documents.
- Pay registration and license fees once approval arrives.
- Submit your registration documents.
- Sign the lease. The authority prepares the lease agreement.
- Receive your trade license.
- Start visa processing and get your immigration card.
- Open a corporate bank account.
- Register for corporate tax with the FTA.
Documents You Need Company setup
The official page says the list varies by activity, company type and authority requirements. For initial approval it lists:
- Completed application form and business plan
- Colour passport copies of shareholders and the manager or director
- Specimen signatures
- Two years of audited financial reports for a corporate shareholder, or a personal bank reference for an individual
- NOC from the current sponsor (for individuals)
- Unit title deed and a letter of intent
- Registry Identification Code (RIC) form, original and notarised
For registration it lists a board resolution appointing the manager,
- a power of attorney,
- the Memorandum and Articles of Association (all notarised and attested),
- a passport-size photo,
- specimen signature
- share capital details.
Freelancers submit fewer documents: usually an application, CV, bank reference letter and RIC form.
What is Fujairah Free Zone Company Setup Costs?
Prices vary a lot by source, so treat these as estimates, not official fees. For latest packages do visit exclusive business formation setup packages
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Basic FFZ package (registration, flexi-desk, one license) | About AED 12,000–15,000 |
| FCC setup | Start From 3500 AED |
| Employee visa | About AED 3,000–5,000 each |
| Warehouse | From about AED 25 per sq ft a year |
How Long Does Company Setup Take?
Consultants report licenses in roughly 1 to 7 days and immigration cards in 5 to 15 working days, with visas after that. The numbers differ because they measure different stages. Document attestation and bank accounts are usually what slow things down, so a realistic plan is a few days to several weeks.
Fujairah free zone visa and Residency
After the immigration card, you can apply for residence visas for investors and employees. FFZA handles visa services. FCC reportedly allows seven residency visas without physical office space, and you do not need to be in the UAE to incorporate there. Confirm both points with FCC.
Office, Warehouse and Facilities
FFZ offers flexi-desks, offices, custom units, open and enclosed warehouses and open land for industrial use. Your registered address must be inside the zone. FCC is more flexible, with reported access to business centres in Dubai for limited hours.
Corporate Tax and VAT
Being in a free zone does not mean 0% tax. Under UAE corporate tax, a free zone company pays 0% only if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and only on its qualifying income. The rest is taxed at 9%.
To qualify, the Federal Tax Authority’s free zone guide says you must, among other things:
- Maintain adequate substance in the free zone
- Earn qualifying income
- Follow transfer pricing rules and keep audited financial statements
- Stay under the de minimis limit: non-qualifying revenue must not exceed the lower of 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million
- Not elect to be taxed under the standard regime
For example, with AED 80 million in revenue, 5% is AED 4 million, which is lower than AED 5 million, so AED 4 million is your limit. Break the rules and you lose the 0% rate for that period and the next four. Either way, you must register with the FTA, even if you owe nothing. The FTA announcement explains the guide.
Note: The FTA says there is no single government list of free zones for corporate tax, so check with your free zone authority. VAT works differently whether your location counts as a designated zone affects VAT treatment.
You may also read designated zones VAT guide
Banking For Fujairah Company Setup
A corporate bank account can take longer than the license itself. Prepare your business plan, shareholder documents and proof of source of funds, and expect questions.
After Setup: Renewals and Closure
Renew your license every year, report changes in shareholders, managers or activity to the authority, and keep proper books. If you ever close, cancel the license properly rather than just stopping renewals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a free zone company pays no tax
- Choosing an activity before checking it is allowed
- Trusting one consultant’s price without an FFZA quote
- Forgetting to register for corporate tax
- Planning mainland sales with a free zone license only
- Leaving documents un-notarised until the last minute
Conclusion
Fujairah Free Zone Company Setup is straightforward if you pick the right zone, confirm your activity and fees in writing, and plan for tax from day one. Choose FFZA for trading, logistics and manufacturing, and FCC for media and consulting.
If you need professional assistance and accurate, up-to-date information on Fujairah free zone company setup the team at MAK Chartered Accountants is ready to help.
FAQs
Can foreigners own 100% of a Fujairah free zone company?
Yes. Consultants consistently say full foreign ownership is allowed.
How many free zones are in Fujairah?
Two, the Fujairah Free Zone and Fujairah Creative City.
How much does it cost?
Estimates start around AED 12,000 to AED 17,500, but get a written quote.
Is it really tax-free?
No. You may get 0% on qualifying income, but you must meet the conditions and register with the FTA.
Do I need a physical office?
At FFZ, your address must be inside the zone. FCC reportedly offers more flexibility.
Can I sell in the UAE mainland?
Not directly. Use a distributor or a branch.
