Often asked: What Is Freezone Visa?

In free zones, the most common type of residence visa is available through an employment contract with a free zone company. This type of UAE residence visa is valid for up to 3 years. Free zone visas are obtained solely from the Immigration Department (GDRFA) without the necessity of contacting the Ministry of Labour.

What is a free zone visa?

This type of visas provide temporary residence for three years to foreign entrepreneurs either having a business or wanting to start a business in any free zone across the UAE.

What are the benefits of free zone visa?

The key advantages of having a free zone visa are:

• Tax exemption. The visa means that you’ll be exempt from paying import, export or personal taxes.
• 100% ownership.
• Financial access.
• Lease premises.
• Fund transfer.
• Driving licence.
• Healthcare access.
• School registration.

What is the difference between mainland and Freezone visa?

Mainland Company can work anywhere in the UAE, whereas free zone company required the help of a local agent or distributor to work in the non-free zones. An employment visa issued for a Mainland Company is valid for two years whereas free zones visas are valid for three years.

What is employment visa Freezone?

An employment residence visa is the most common visa through an employment contract with any free zone business. A free zone authority (in this case – DMCC), and not the employer, sponsors a free zone employee’s visa. An employee needs an appointment letter from their company in a free zone to begin their application.

What is the difference between Freezone and LLC?

Freezone entities are limited to a certain number of visas. They are normally allowed 1 to 6 visa packages. If a company needs more than that, then they have to rent a physical space within their specific freezone. LLCs receive an electronic quota from the Ministry of Labor (MOL) for their visa eligibility.

How do I get Freezone visa?

You can apply for your free zone visa in just five simple steps:

1. Step 1: Register for E-Channel services.
2. Step 2: Entry permit.
3. Step 3: Status change.
4. Step 4: Medical fitness test and Emirates ID registration.
5. Step 5: Residence visa stamping.

What is the difference between free zone and mainland?

The fundamental difference between mainland and free zone is that Free Zone Company cannot conduct its operation in non-free zone without the support of a local agent whereas a mainland company freely operates its business activities anywhere in UAE. There are numerous free zones in Dubai.

How much is a free zone visa?

The visa application fee is AED 4,670. This includes the visa fee, typing fees, medical test, residence visa stamping, and Emirates ID card. An additional fee of AED 920 is due if the visa applicant is in the UAE. A security deposit must be made of AED 2,500 (refundable upon cancellation of the visa).

Is there ban in Freezone visa?

Usually free zones do not impose bans on employees. But they may impose ban if the employer requests it. It depends on the circumstances that lead up to your dismissal or termination of contract. But if you have resigned from your job, there is no labour ban within free zones.

How do I cancel my free zone visa?

There are two ways to cancel your visa. You can do it either through a registered typing centre or online. The sponsor may visit any typing office registered by GDRFA in the respective emirate. The typing centre will fill the cancellation form on your behalf and process it online through the respective GDRFA.

Can a Freezone company own property in Dubai?

All free zone companies in Dubai are permitted to own property in the so-called Designated Areas. The free zones in Dubai include DMCC, Dubai Internet City, Dubai HealthCare City, Dubai South and many more. Free zone companies, which are formed in other Emirates, are not allowed to hold property in Dubai.

What is the meaning of Freezone in UAE?

What is a free zone? Free zones are geographically demarcated areas within the UAE (even if most of them are not fenced or gated) permitting 100% foreign ownership and are in most cases, dedicated to a specific industry.

How long is free zone visa?

Free zone visas can be obtained from the Immigration Department (not the Ministry of Labour), and are valid for three years. After this time, you’ll need to renew the visa, in order to continue living and working in the country.

Is Freezone under mohre?

Freezone visas do not deal with UAE Ministry of Labour (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation – MOHRE) at all, only the Immigration department (GDRFA). Both Employment and Investor visa holders can apply for their dependents’ residence visas i.e. wife, children, husband, housemaid, etc.

What is the meaning of mainland visa?

Mainland in the UAE is also called as an onshore company. It is licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) of the related emirate which is allowed to do business in the local market as well as outside the UAE without any restrictions.