Businesses can set up one of the two types of companies:
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC) or Free Zone Company (FZ Co.)
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
The differences lie in the number of shareholders and whether the shareholder is a natural person or a legal person. Individual free zones have their own set of rules regarding the type of company they can register.
All free zones might not register both types of companies. You need to check with individual free zone authorities about the type of company they can register. Refer to the list of free zones and their authorities.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) allows forming a limited liability company. This can be a newly formed entity with single or multiple shareholders or wholly owned subsidiary of local or foreign company. Existing local and foreign companies may set up a branch of their company in free zones.