No, you don’t need a local sponsor to start a business in the Abu Dhabi Airport Free zone.
The United Arab Emirates capital city of Abu Dhabi continues to be a popular investment location. Any region’s economy may benefit significantly from the contributions of its expatriate population. In light of this reality, the federal government in Abu Dhabi has developed specific regulations pertaining to the creation of companies inside the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.
The Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone was created to diversify Abu Dhabi’s economy by providing numerous advantages to potential investors. These advantages include tax exemptions, ownership of 100 percent of companies by foreign investors, the ability to repatriate both capital and profits, and access to airport and airport services.
The Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) is one of the UAE’s most notable free zones financially and strategically. It is also a luxury metropolis that was created around the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The ADAFZ business center is a sought-after business location that is conveniently positioned inside the confines of Abu Dhabi international airport. It is comprised of hotels, retail establishments, and other services, among other things, within the destination. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a deep look at the process of establishing a business in the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.
How to Setup Business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone?
The Abu Dhabi free zone offers locals and foreigners alike the chance to start businesses with little red tape and maximum efficiency. A company’s formation may take anywhere from one to three weeks to finish and be approved, depending on the nature of the business and the regulatory approvals it needs to get started.
Step 1: Initial Approval
Obtaining preliminary authorization is the first and most important stage. In order to do so, you will need the following documents:
- Application form filled
- Plan for business
- Copy of the business license or registration certificate you already have (if you are a current company)
- Color copies of the passports of the company’s shareholders and the manager who has been chosen.
- Two years of audited financial reports for a business or a letter of recommendation from the shareholder’s personal bank.
Step 2: Apply for Company Registration
After receiving preliminary clearance, you will need to register your company with the authorities of the free zone. These are the following: The payment of a registration fee in the amount of 5,000 or 7,500 AED in addition to a licensing cost in the amount of 15,000 to 50,000 AED, with the latter amount varying depending on whether a license for services, trade, or manufacturing is necessary.
Step 3: Licensing and Visa Process
The very last thing you need to do is get a license and start the application procedure for a visa. These are the following:
- Putting one’s signature on the rental agreement
- After all of the preceding steps have been completed, the business license will be issued.
- Visa processing
Requirements for Company Formation in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
Following is a set of paperwork required to set up a company in the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone:
- Proof of trade name reservation
- Proof of initial approval for business activities
- Passport copies for the shareholders
- Passport copy and CV of the manager
- Personal Information sheet for each shareholder & manager
- Lease agreement [possessing a physical address for one’s office is mandatory in the UAE]
- Third-party/authority approval for activities, where applicable
Cost to Set up Business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
As a central location for businesses in the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone provides a number of distinct benefits. In Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone, the capital requirement is just AED 5,000. The registration fee is AED 7,500. License fee range from AED 15,000 – AED 50,000.
Benefits of Business Setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
Following are the benefits of setting up a business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ):
- Complete immunity from taxes for corporations
- 100% Import and export exemption
- 100% exemption from the personal income tax
- 100% ownership held by a foreign firm
- 100% return on capital and profits
- Integrated administrative services available at a single location
- Clearing services for shipments that are lightning-fast and very efficient
- Forwarding companies and logistics providers that operate internationally
- Support for customers over the internet
- Land that provides convenient access to the airport apron
- On-site examination by customs officials
- accessibility to the facilities round-the-clock
Facilities Available in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone’s development has been quicker than that of similar free zones in the area. Large, well-established businesses from many different sectors call the area home, including those engaged in the food and beverage industry, the aerospace industry, the retail industry, and the luxury goods sector.
Storage Spaces: Warehouse spaces of 360 square meters and multiples up to a maximum of 2,880 square meters are available under a single roof.
Offices: Fully furnished and equipped offices are available for rent at Al Ain International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Al Bateen Executive Airport.
Business Centre: Investors may make use of fully serviced offices and workstations at the Business Centre, which is designed to cater to their urgent professional requirements.
The buildings were built with great care to ensure that both the company owners and their employees would have a pleasant experience while working there. While starting a company isn’t very difficult in the grand scheme of things, it’s still a good idea to contact an expert or business consultant who can point you on the right path and provide you with insight you would have missed otherwise.
Land & Plots for Lease: There are plots of land available for lease on a long-term basis, on which you may build facilities that are tailored to your specific needs.
Best Businesses to Start in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
The goal of the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) is to create a one-of-a-kind and highly sought-after location for doing business by foreign and local businesses operating in the following industries:
- Aviation Service
- Aerospace Services
- Defense services
- Airport services
- Logistics
- Cargo Services
- Freight Services
- IT & Telecommunication
- Pharmaceuticals
- Consultancy management
- Trading
- Light industries
- Marketing & events
Other service providers involved in aviation-friendly and light industrial operations are looking to obtain an advantage from their near proximity to the airport for the purpose of exporting and importing goods.
FAQs About Business Setup in ADAFZ Free Zone
Do I need to have a local sponsor to start my business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free zone?
How Much time does it take to start a business in ADAFZ?
On average, it takes around two to three weeks to set up a company in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.
How much investment is required to start a business in ADAFZ?
A minimum of 15000 AED is required to set up a business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.
What is Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone?
The huge Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) is located next to Abu Dhabi International Airport. It was founded and is presently operated by Skycity, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). Aviation, engineering, electronics, logistics and freight, and pharmaceutical companies have all chosen this site as their major place of business.
Abu Dhabi Airport Logistics Park and Abu Dhabi Business Park make up the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone. The first permits investors to register firms in the aviation, warehousing, supply, and logistics sectors, while the second allows them to register enterprises in the storage, warehousing, and land development industries.
How Airzone can help you in Starting a Business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone?
If you need help getting started, reach out to us at Airzone. Airzone can assist you in getting your business off the ground if you’re planning to launch one in Dubai.
We can guide you through the process of launching a business in Dubai thanks to our experience and knowledge in the field. We’ll connect you with the right service providers to aid in the development of your enterprise in the United Arab Emirates.
You can get assistance from our dependable partners in Dubai and obtain the necessary trade licenses. We’ll put you in touch with the appropriate experts to handle anything from visa applications to crucial administrative tasks while you concentrate on growing your business.
If you want to learn more about how to set up a business in Dubai, we have a comprehensive guide for you. With a thorough understanding of the UAE’s business scene, you should be well prepared to establish a company in the country. If you need information regarding free zones, we have detailed articles on different free zones in the UAE.
Attractive tax breaks, full foreign ownership of companies, the ability to repatriate cash and earnings, and convenient airport and airport amenities are just a few of the perks offered to investors in the zone.
This has made ADAFZ a hub for business and a catalyst for fast growth. In addition to the advantages mentioned earlier, there are an increasing number of reasons why firms are opting to set up shop in the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone rather than other kinds of company formation in Abu Dhabi.
Many international companies headquartered in Abu Dhabi have already made the ADAFZ Authority their permanent location.
If you want your company’s registration to go off without a hitch, contact Airzone.