A Free Zone Limited Liability Company (Natural) can be formed in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone with individual shareholders. Companies are allowed to have 2-50 shareholders under this legal structure.

Branch of an Existing Company

Already existing companies registered outside the free zone can establish a branch office in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone. Both UAE-based companies and foreign companies can establish their branches in the free zone.

Types of Activities Permitted in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

Investors need to meticulously select the business activities permitted in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone before applying for a trade license. They can seek the advice of business setup consultants in Abu Dhabi for accurately selecting the activities. The following are the core business activities available for company formation in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone:

• Aviation
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Airport services
• Logistics
• Cargo
• Freight
• IT & Telecommunication
• Pharmaceuticals
• Consultancy management
• Trading
• Light industries
• Marketing & Events
• Other services related to aviation-friendly and light industrial activities

Facilities Available in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

Getting a trade license in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone opens the door to a wide array of benefits in the form of well-designed and elegantly constructed facilities. The cost-effective and world-class facilities in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone range from warehousing units to land for development. All the facilities come with a full range of essential ancillary amenities to help the investors meet their everyday business requirements. Here is a list of facilities that make the process of business setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone more attractive:

Land Plots for Lease

The free zone provides plots of land for long term leases. The plots of land in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone helps the investors to set up purpose-built/build-to-suit facilities

Ready Warehouse Facilities

The Ready Warehouse spaces are available in sizes such as 360 m2 (15m x 24m) and multiples up to a maximum of 2,880 m2 (8 units) under a single roof. Business setup consultants in Abu Dhabi can help entrepreneurs to pick the right facilities.

Office Spaces

Well-built office spaces are available in Abu Dhabi International, Al Ain International and Al Bateen Executive Airport. Office in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is available in cost-effective price ranges.

Business Centre

The free zone also provides a business centre where the entrepreneurs get shared workstations or co-working spaces to meet their immediate business requirements. The fully serviced office spaces or Flex-desks can be rented out in Abu Dhabi Airport.

Process of Business Setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

The process of company registration in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is flexible and straightforward. The rules of business setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone have been created keeping the investors’ convenience in mind. Entrepreneurs need not be entangled in Bureaucratic red tapes to obtain a business license in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.

Normally, a trade license in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone can be obtained within no less than 14 days. If the documents are accurate, the time required to set up a business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone can be reduced further. Investors often seek the help of business setup consultants in Abu Dhabi to get their paperwork’s done in compliance with the free zone regulations. The below steps can be followed to make the incorporation process easier:

1. STAGE ONE: Initial approval

Stage one requires the investors to obtain initial approval from the free zone authority. At this stage, certain documents need to be submitted; such as completed application form, Business plan, copy of existing trade license/registration certificate (if it is an existing company), colour passport copies of the company’s shareholder(s) and the appointed Manager for the new company, two years audited financial reports for a corporate entity or certificate of reference from a personal bank of the individual shareholder.

2. STAGE TWO: Registration

In the second stage, the investors need to pay the required registration fees along with the free license. The fee should be submitted along with documents such as completed application for registration, a notarised & attested board resolution appointing a manager, a notarised and attested Power of attorney, Memorandum & Articles of Association  (notarised and attested), specimen signature of Manager  (notarised and attested), and a passport size photo of Manager (white background).

3. Stage Three: Licensing & Visa process

This is the final stage of business setup in the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone. At this stage, the investors need to sign the lease agreement for the selected facility. Once the agreement is signed, the free zone will issue a trade license, and the processing of the UAE Residence Visa will commence. Business setup consultants in Abu Dhabi can help the investors with the visa process.

Benefits of Setting up a Business in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

The environment of business setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is beneficial for investors in myriad ways. Some of the benefits are given below:

• 100% foreign ownership
• 0% corporate tax
• 0% personal income tax
• 0% import or re-export duties
• No capital repatriation restrictions
• No restriction on currencies
• Wide range of business activities & licenses
• Strategic location in Abu Dhabi
• All business setup services under one roof
• Modern facilities and amenities

Compliance Requirements in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

Just like all the other mainland, free zone and offshore companies in the UAE, entities operating in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone are also under an obligation to comply with certain regulatory requirements. Newly set up and existing businesses in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone must submit the details of their Real Beneficiary Owner as per the rules of Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO). Companies must also assess whether they need to meet requirements under the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) and Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) laws.

Even companies undergoing liquidation in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone are required to comply with ESR and the UBO regulations. Non-compliance will lead to severe consequences such as hefty fines and suspension of trade license. Providers of professional business setup services in Abu Dhabi can help the investors to comply with such regulations.

Access the Best Business Setup Services in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Strategic location and flexible procedures are the key factors that attract foreign investors to the landscape of business setup in Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone. Owning a business in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, provides investors with a premium address and excellent connectivity benefits. However, the benefits can be accessed only if entrepreneurs possess a good knowledge of the UAE laws and rules. Accessing the best business setup services in Abu Dhabi is the best way to wedge this gap.

Jitendra Business Consultants (JBC) is currently the leading business setup consultant in Abu Dhabi, UAE. We provide bespoke business setup services across the UAE at affordable prices. JBC has a team of business setup advisers who can help investors to tackle key challenges such as bank account opening, visa processing, document drafting & translation, VAT registration, audit, and complying with ESR, UBO, and AML-CFT etc. Consult with us today to take the right steps towards business growth.