If you’re looking to start a business in the UAE, it pays to consider the nation’s free zones. Situated far and wide across the Emirates, free zones offer a cost-effective and hugely beneficial way to start a business in the UAE.
As well as 0% personal and corporate income tax, free zone businesses also benefit from 100% exemption from customs tax. What’s more, unlike in many other countries, UAE free zone business owners also have full freedom to repatriate all invested capital and profits. There are also no foreign exchange controls or currency restrictions.
Each individual free zone also offers its own unique set of advantages. Take Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMCFZ), for example. As well as the benefits listed above, companies setting up in AMCFZ can also take advantage of the emirate’s world-class infrastructure as well as the free zone’s low start-up costs and barriers to entry.
About Ajman
Ajman is perhaps not the first emirate that comes to mind when many of us think of the UAE. However, the small emirate has plenty to offer and is more than worthy of standing alongside its more famous neighbours as a place to do business.
As is the case throughout the Emirates, Ajman is very much open for business, welcoming international entrepreneurs from every corner of the globe. The emirate is particularly suited to companies in the import and export trade as it is incredibly well linked by land, air, and sea.
Ajman also benefits from easy access to two international airports — Dubai International Airport and Sharjah Airport – and four major seaports – Ajman Port, Port Khalid, Port Rashid, and Khorfakkan Port. Looking beyond the UAE, Ajman offers great links to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, Bahrain, Europe, and Kuwait.
Business setup in Ajman Media City
The first step to take when considering Ajman Media City company formation is to choose which package best suits your needs. A company formation specialist can help you do this.
There are five Ajman Media City packages to choose from:
Business Club: The Business Club package offers a shared workspace with no visa eligibility.
Bronze: The Bronze package includes shared permanent desk space in the free zone’s state-of-the-art premises. Companies are also eligible to apply for one visa.
Silver: The Silver package includes a shared permanent office within AMCFZ along with eligibility for up to two visas.
Gold: The Gold package includes a permanent executive office as well as eligibility for up to five visas.
Platinum: The Platinum package is available on request for businesses that require large office premises and more than five visas.
All Ajman Media City packages are available to businesses conducting commercial activities (up to five allied activities), service activities (up to five allied activities), or a mix of commercial and service activities (as long as activities in both the categories are allied and grouped to a specific business type, i.e. IT Consultancy, Software Design, Computer Hardware trading, Web Design etc.)
Ajman Media City license cost
Ajman Media City company setup costs are relatively low. The total Ajman Media City license fees that you will pay will depend on the package you choose. Business Club packages start from just AED 11,431; Bronze from AED 16,152; Silver from AED 19,302; and Gold from AED 30,755. Prices for Platinum packages are available on request.
Ajman Media City company formation
The exact steps required to undertake Ajman Media City company formation will depend on the nature of your business and the package that best suits your needs. In most cases, however, your application should consist of:
- Completed application form
- Passport copy of the proposed owner or owners
- Two colour passport size photos with white background
- Three company name options
- Proof of share capital as required
This is slightly different when setting up a branch company, in which case you will be required to provide:
- Completed application form
- Certificate of Incorporation of the mother company
- Memorandum & Articles of Association of the mother company
- Board Resolution detailing the formation of the branch or the subsidiary nominating authorised manager
- Passport copy with six months validity of the representative or the manager of the company
- Two colour photographs for the manager
Perhaps the biggest benefit of starting your business in Ajman Media City Free Zone is the fact that every step of this process can be carried out remotely. There is no need to visit Ajman to start your business – you can make your application from the comfort of your home country.
It’s important to remember, however, that errors in your application can lead to delays or even rejection. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a company formation specialist such as CREATIVE ZONE when forming a new business in the UAE. We can establish your company, make your license and visa applications, and take care of all the necessary admin – leaving you free to get on with running your business.
Apply through CREATIVE ZONE and you’ll receive all of your important documentation, including your license, within three days. Now you’re ready to trade, we’ll get on with applying for your visa if required. Visas are usually issued within 33 days.
CREATIVE ZONE application timeline:
Day 1: Submit application and make payment for license and immigration card and E-Channel (if applicable).
Day 3: You will receive a scanned copy of the following company documents via email. You may start your business operations at this point.
- Business License Details
- Share Certificate
- Commercial Register
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum (if applicable)
- Lease Agreement (if applicable)
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Certificate of Incumbency
Organise a meeting with banker armed with your original company documents, passport, bank introduction letter, and company stamp. Your dedicated phone number is activated and the details are provided to you by the business centre along with details of your address.
Day 13: Pre-approval is granted. Company Immigration Card application will be submitted to Immigration for processing.
Day 18: Your Company Immigration Card is issued. You may now complete the necessary government fees for the E-Channel Registration.
Day 20: Print your coloured Electronic Entry Visa and carry out the “Change of Status”, where you are required to exit and re-enter the country (In/Out Stamp). Here are the options to complete this:
- Exit and re-enter the country by air (airport to airport)
- Exit and e-enter the country by land (Hatta/Oman Border)
- Make a payment to CREATIVE ZONE to carry out the same without having to leave the country
Day 28: Proceed to Ajman Preventative Medicine, Ajman, for your Emirates ID Card process followed by your medical test.
Day 30: Collect medical test results from the medical centre and deliver the same to CREATIVE ZONE office along with your passport, completed signed and stamped original employment contract, Emirates ID Card receipt, entry visa (with Change of Status stamp), along with either a medical insurance certificate or the signed undertaking letter for medical insurance, all of which will be submitted to Immigration for residency stamping.
Day 32: Passport is released by Immigration stamped with your Residency Visa. A scanned copy of your Residency Visa will be emailed to you.
Day 33: Your passport is available for collection at CREATIVE ZONE.
