The Free Zones in Dubai have been set up with the specific purpose of facilitating investment. Accordingly, the procedures for investing in the freehold zones are relatively simple.

While Dubai free zones are designed to complement and contribute to Dubai's growth and development, their legal status is quite distinct. Companies operating in Dubai Free Zones are treated as being offshore or outside the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for legal purposes.

The option of setting up in the free zones is therefore most suitable for companies intending to use Dubai as a regional manufacturing or distribution base and where most or all of their turnover is going to be outside the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Dubai Freezones - Locations

Dubai is a hub for a number of free zone areas offering investors the options of setting up business in a secure and hassle free environment. The Free Zone areas in Dubai are:

Dubai Internet City

The Middle East's biggest IT infrastructure employing over 5,500 skilled workers

Dubai Media City

Is home to over 550 media companies and freelance media professionals

Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority

Over 2,200 companies with approximately 40,000 workers from around the world operate within the JEBEL Ali Free Zone.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority

Located within the boundary of the Airport and provides facilities for over 317 companies with 7,000 workers

Dubai Gold and Diamond Park

Established for gold and diamond trading and manufacture. Unlike other Free Zones, offers retail shopping facilities to visitors.

Knowledge Village

A centre of excellence for learning and innovation - A vibrant connected learning community that will develop the region's talent pool and accelerate its move to the knowledge economy by providing infrastructure for developing, sharing and applying knowledge. In addition it will facilitate, promote, and become the flagship for e-learning throughout the region.

Textile City

A free zone designated for the textile trade.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Is being established to create a financial marketplace to serve the region and will have over 100 companies operating from here.

Dubai Healthcare City

Established to provide the highest quality healthcare service to medical care.

Dubai Maritime City

With a total land area of approximately 2,300,000 square meters will bring an influx of workers into the area.

Dubai Humanitarian City

Established to provide a suitable environment for humanitarian and related organizations, also bringing new employees into Dubai.

Dubai Festival City

Will cover 1600 acres (including 3.8 kms of waterfront) and will have 21,000 residential units and will house 75,000 people.

Dubai Silicon Oasis

With an area of approximately 6.5 million square meters this project will offer land for customized buildings for an industrial park for the semiconductor industry.

Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre

A new free zone, this will have approximately 20,000 people working in its refineries, manufacturing units and offices.

Dubai Customs and Automobile Free Zone

Established for the motor industry. Controlled by JAFZ Authority.

Dubai Financial Free Zone

Targeting asset management, private banking and reinsurance, complete with its own courts.