Navigating Business Setup and Costs in the Fujairah Creative City Free Zone

Navigating Business Setup and Costs

Fujairah Creative City Free Zone, located in the center of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a haven for creativity and innovation. This free zone provides a welcoming environment for both new and established businesses, making it a popular choice for companies in the media and creative industries. In-depth information about starting a business in Fujairah Creative City Free Zone, including expenses and procedures, will be covered in this blog post.

Everything you need to know about Fujairah Creative City Free Zone:

A special economic zone called Fujairah Creative City Free Zone is situated in the Emirate of Fujairah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This free zone was created in order to serve a wide range of businesses in the media and creative industries. It provides both established businesses and startups with a supportive and creative environment.

Established in 2007, Fujairah Creative City gives companies a place to operate in a variety of sectors, including media, design, technology, consulting, broadcasting, entertainment, and more. It is renowned for offering flexible options for business setup and a range of licensing categories that can accommodate various business operations.

Cost Considerations:

  • Licensing Fees: The cost of licensing varies depending on the type of activity you wish to engage in. Creative City offers different license types, including freelancers, companies, and branch offices. Prices can vary significantly based on the scope of your business activity.
  • Office Space: Creative City offers flexible office solutions to suit different budgets. Virtual offices shared workspaces, and executive offices are available options. Costs can range from affordable virtual office packages to more premium setups.
  • Visa Fees: If you require visas for employees, partners, or dependents, you’ll need to factor in visa processing fees, which vary based on the number of visas and the type of service required.
  • Additional Services: Depending on your business needs, you might require additional services such as legal assistance, document attestation, and business consulting. These services come with associated costs that should be considered in your budget.

 Steps for your business setup in Fujairah Creative City Freezone:

If you are planning a business setup in Dubai, the Fujairah Creative City Freezone is a good option to consider.

1. Choose your business activity. The first step is to choose the type of business activity you want to engage in. The Fujairah Creative City Free Zone offers a wide range of business activities, including:

  • Advertising and marketing
  • Animation and VFX
  • Architecture and design
  • Audio-visual production
  • Publishing and printing
  • Software development
  • Video games
  • Other creative industries

2. Determine the corporate structure. Once you have chosen your business activity, you need to determine the corporate structure of your company. The Free Zone offers three main corporate structures:

  • Free Zone Establishment (FZE): This is a single-shareholder company that is owned by a foreign national
  • Free Zone Company (FZC): This is a company that can have multiple shareholders, both foreign and local
  • Branch of a foreign company: This is a branch of a company that is incorporated outside of the UAE

3. Obtain the necessary approvals: Some business activities in the Free Zone require pre-approval from the authorities. For example, broadcasting and media production activities require approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

4. Submit the application and required documents: Once you have determined the corporate structure and obtained the necessary approvals, you can submit the application and required documents to the Free Zone Authority. The documents required will vary depending on the type of business activity and the corporate structure.

5. Pay the fees: There are registration fees and license fees that must be paid to the Free Zone Authority. The fees vary depending on the type of business activity and the corporate structure.

6. Receive the license: Once the application is approved and the fees are paid, the Free Zone Authority will issue the license. The license will be valid for one year and can be renewed annually.

7. Obtain a visa and work permit: If you are a foreign national, you will need to obtain a visa and work permit to work in the Free Zone. 

8. Set up your office: Once you have the license, you can set up your office in the Free Zone. The Free Zone offers a variety of office spaces to choose from.

9. Open a bank account: You will need to open a bank account in the UAE to conduct your business activities. There are a number of banks that operate in the Free Zone.

10. Start your business! Once you have completed all of the above steps, you can start your business in the Fujairah Creative City Freezone.

Benefits of the Fujairah Creative City Free Zone:

  • 100% foreign ownership
  • No currency restrictions
  • No personal income taxes
  • Strategic location with easy access to major ports and cities
  • A diverse range of business activities are supported.
  • Flexible office solutions tailored to your needs

The Fujairah Creative City Free Zone presents an exciting opportunity for business owners in the media and creative industries to establish a presence in a thriving commercial environment. Choosing BusinessLink as your partner in this endeavor can help you make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. Our team of experts can help you understand the costs, licensing options, and the entire business setup process. We have more than 20 years of experience setting up businesses, we guarantee satisfaction and will be there for you every step of the way.

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