Jebel Ali Company Formation

Jebel Ali was the pioneering free zone in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and more than 5,500 companies have operations there. Jebel Ali company formation is an ideal, tax-efficient way for entrepreneurs to conduct international business and the following information will help decide whether Jebel Ali company formation is the optimum solution to meet your business objectives:

Jebel Ali Free Zone is popular for international companies looking for a regional or international manufacturing base. Jebel Ali Free Zone hosts the world's largest man-made harbour and the biggest port in the Middle East, which encourages international trade. Furthermore, low utility and energy costs make Jebel Ali Free Zone attractive to energy-intensive industries (e g manufacturing).

A Jebel Ali Free Zone company is legitimately able to conduct business within the UAE.

Jebel Ali company formation is an prime way to legitimately book international profits without paying local corporation tax. A Jebel Ali Free Zone company is legally exempt from import and export taxes. Furthermore, there is no personal income tax in the UAE.

100% foreign ownership is permitted in Jebel Ali Free Zone. A minimum of one shareholder and one director is required. Shareholders and directors need not be resident in the UAE and there is no public register of shareholders and directors following Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation. Furthermore, there are minimal restrictions on hiring expatriate labour in Jebel Ali Free Zone.

International entrepreneurs incorporate the following types of entity in Jebel Ali: i) branch of a foreign company ii) a Free Zone Company (FZC) and iii) a Free Zone Establishment (FZE).

Healy Consultants assists entrepreneurs with all aspects of Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation, without our client needing to travel to the UAE. Our services include: i) submitting documentation to obtain the company registration certificate and business license (which depends on the type of activity being carried out) ii) assistance with preparing a business plan for submission to JAFZA iii) completing the JAFZA application form.

Jebel Ali Free Zone is a self-contained community, giving international entrepreneurs excellent access to the Chamber of Commerce, international banks, insurance companies and other services to complement Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation.

It is easy to open a corporate bank account to support Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation.

Healy Consultants assists entrepreneurs obtain the following licenses from JAFZA:

i) A General Trading License, allowing the holder to import, store and distribute goods;

ii) A Trading License, allowing the holder to import, export, store and distribute items specified in the licence;

iii) An Industrial License, allowing the holder to import raw materials, manufacture specified products and export finished goods to any country;

iv) A Service Licence, permitting the holder to carry out specific services;

v) A National Industrial Licence, required by manufacturing companies which have a minimum 51% shareholding by a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizen.

Jebel Ali Free Zone has a high minimum capital requirement of Dhs1 million (US$270,000) for a Free Zone Enterprise, which must be paid up during incorporation. The minimum capital for a Free Zone Company (FZC) and limited liability company is Dhs500,000 (US$136,000).

Jebel Ali Free Zone is the most expensive UAE free zone in which to set up a business. For example, one-off registration fees for a Free Zone Company amount to Dhs15,000 (US$4,080). Furthermore, the fee for a General Trading License in Jebel Ali amounts to Dhs30,000, compared to Dhs7,000 in Ajman.

Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation is time consuming and difficult. International entrepreneurs should budget for five weeks for Healy Consultants to obtain the company registration certificate and operating license. Our staff will assist our client with Jebel Ali Free Zone Company formation without our client needing to travel to the UAE.

There can be a waiting list for companies requiring office or warehousing space in the Jebel Ali Free Zone because of the limited availability of space.