Ajman Free Zone: A Guide for Starting a Business

Are you thinking about starting a business in the Ajman Free Zone?

If so, there are some things you should know before you start the business setup process. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of what it’s like to do business in the Ajman Free Zone, as well as some tips for new business owners and comparisons to other UAE free zones.

We’ll also introduce you to our business setup service, which can help make the process a little bit easier for you. If you’re ready to take the plunge and start your own company in Ajman Free Zone UAE, keep reading!

What Is a Free Zone?

A free zone is a designated area in which business activity is encouraged and foreign investment is welcomed.

There are different types of UAE free zones. They all offer certain benefits to businesses that set up shop within their borders. These benefits can include tax breaks, exemption from certain regulations, and more freedom in terms of how you run your business.

Free zones can be found in countries all over the world and many of them are located in Dubai. Ajman is one such free zone, just outside of Dubai. It offers numerous benefits to those who choose to do business there.

What Is Ajman Free Zone?

Ajman Free Zone is located in the Emirate of Ajman, one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates.

There are plenty of reasons why entrepreneurs choose to set up shop in AFZ compared to other UAE free zones. For starters, there’s the fact that it is located only 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 40 minutes from Sharjah International Airport.

There are several options available to those who choose the Ajman Free Zone for their business setup.

Flexible Office Options

You can choose from one of their smart offices, rent office space on the second or third floors of an AFZ building (where they have fully-furnished offices), lease serviced offices with full IT support, or even just get some virtual office space.

Another reason why you might want to set up a business in the Ajman Free Zone is because of how easy it is to do so. The process only takes one day, and then you’re ready to start operating your new company!

Other UAE Free Zones

While AFZ is a great option for many new business owners, there are other UAE free zones that you might also want to consider.

• Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
• Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA)
• Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA)
• Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
• Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)

These are just a few. There are over 50 free zones in the UAE!

Differences Between Ajman Free Zone and Other Free Zones

One key difference between Ajman Free Zone and other free zones is that there are no restrictions on the type of company that can be set up in AFZ. This means that you can start any type of business you want without having to worry about the industry.

This is different from, for example, Dubai Media City, which is designed for media companies, or Dubai Internet City, which is for technology companies.

No Quotas

Another difference is that there are no quotas on the number of businesses that can be established in AFZ. In other words, you can have as many companies as you want there.

Flexible Offices

The free zone in Ajman is also open to a wide range of office alternatives. You may rent a fully furnished office, use serviced offices with full IT support, or even just get some virtual office space.

The best part about this flexibility is that it makes doing business in AFZ very convenient for entrepreneurs. There’s no limit on working from home or using virtual offices. However, in some other free zones, a physical office is required.

Inexpensive

Finally, Ajman is one of the cheapest free zones to establish a business, especially for freelancers. Their Freelancer Package is just AED 6000. If you’re aged between 20 and 30 you can get their Pioneers Package for just AED 5000.

Ajman Free Zone Benefits to Business Owners

The benefits of setting up a business in Ajman Free Zone are numerous.

They offer tax exemptions, no currency restrictions, and 100% foreign ownership. You also get a corporate bank account with one of the many banks located on-site (including Emirates NBD), and you can repatriate your profits to any country in the world.

No Import Taxes

Another major benefit is that you won’t have to pay any import taxes on materials used for your business. This is different from other free zones, which usually require you to pay a customs duty and/or VAT rates of up to 20%.

You can also set up your company with just one person (yourself). In some other free zones, you are required to have at least two shareholders.

Popular Districts of Ajman Free Zone

Unlike larger free zones like Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), Ajman Free Zone doesn’t have specific districts for different types of businesses.

The free zone headquarters, Al Zorah Business Centre, Ajman Boulevard, Warehouses, and on-site accommodation can all be explored on the website’s virtual tour page.

Successful Ajman Free Zone Businesses

Some very successful businesses have been established in the Ajman Free Zone. These businesses have found success because they took their time to do their research and set up their business correctly.

If you’re looking to start a business in the Ajman Free Zone, it’s important to remember that there are some things you need to do before you can get started.

Some Restrictions

You also need to register the company name before you can start operating under that name! Naming schemes are strict in all free zones. You may not be able to have the name for your business you initially want because another business already has it or it’s deemed unsuitable by regulators.

If you set up an Ajman Free Zone company you cannot trade with mainland companies. That’s something else to bear in mind. There are some other zones such as KIZAD that do allow that though.

Start a Business in UAE

The Ajman Free Zone is one of the least expensive free zones for people who are looking to get their trade license and set up their own company. Ajman has many benefits that make it an ideal place for entrepreneurs to launch new ventures.

All free zones are free of income tax and there are no corporate taxes in the UAE. In addition, businesses can be 100% foreign-owned and there is no minimum capital requirement.

However, there are still always paperwork fees incurred and annual visa, medical and company paperwork can add up. The Ajman Free Zone is trying to remain competitive by keeping those fees less than other UAE free zones.

Plenty of Support

The Ajman Free Zone offers a wide range of business setup services that make it easy to get your new company up and running quickly and smoothly. If you need help getting started, our team at Virtuzone will assist.

Ajman Free Zone Business Expansion

Are you thinking of expanding your business to Ajman Free Zone? Virtuzone can help! We offer a business setup service that makes it easy and affordable to get your business up and running in the Ajman Free Zone.

When you want to expand your business into the Middle East region, Ajman Free Zone is an excellent choice because of its location.

Close to Dubai, But Separate

The Ajman Free Zone is positioned closely to Dubai’s Free Zones, and is one of the most popular free zones for new businesses. There are trade routes that go from the Ajman Free Zone to Europe, Asia, and Africa.

If you ever decide to transfer your company from Ajman Free Zone over to another jurisdiction in UAE or abroad, Virtuzone can help with that too!

Living in Ajman Free Zone

As one of the more traditional free zones with fewer expats and more locals living there, the Ajman Free Zone is more affordable. For example, an apartment rental in Ajman could be as little as just 25% of the cost of a similar one in Dubai.

Dining in Ajman

Restaurants in Ajman offer a wide variety of international cuisine, but it’s also possible to find some very affordable local eateries. If you’re looking for an authentic Emirati meal, you can find it here!

Ajman Nightlife

Nightlife in Ajman is mostly concentrated in the hotels, but some places outside of them are worth a visit. For example, the Hilton and Marriott both have popular clubs.

The Ajman Corniche is a good place to take an evening stroll and has some nice cafes with views of Dubai’s skyline.

Ajman Real Estate

The Ajman Free Zone is home to a growing number of businesses, so it’s no surprise that the real estate market here is also booming. Choosing where to live in the area can be a difficult task, as there are many good options.

If you’re looking for an affordable option, apartments near the beach cost less in Ajman than most other free zones and often have gyms and communal pools. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, there are many apartments and villas to choose from that come with all the amenities you could need.

Schools

There are several English-speaking schools in or near Ajman. Some of these include:

• Ajman Academy
• Ajman American Private School
• Crown Private School
• The Bloomington Academy

The whole family can comfortably move to Ajman. It’s close enough to Dubai to offer the delights of a cosmopolitan city but is also much more traditional and peaceful.

Leisure in Ajman

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Ajman. The beaches are a major attraction, as is the shopping. Ajman also has a museum and cultural centre, which is a great place to learn about the Emirati culture.

There are also many mosques in Ajman, so if you’re interested in learning more about Islam, this is the place to be! It’s not as westernized as some free zones so it provides a real taste of historic Emirati culture.

Business Setup Service in Ajman Free Zone

The Ajman Free Zone has a lot to offer new businesses, so it’s no surprise that many companies are choosing this location to get their trade license. Alongside the business setup service we offer at Virtuzone there are many other services we provide.

Virtuzone can assist with:

• Visa applications
• Company formation
• Office space
• Procurement of licences and permits
• Opening a business bank account

The first step is to assess which free zone is right for you. The truth is that there are pros and cons to all of them and the right one for your business might be a different one from the one you initially wanted to use.

By speaking to the experts at Virtuzone, we can make sure you choose the best free zone to fit your company’s requirements.

Virtuzone Can Assist With Formation in Ajman

If you’re looking for a business-friendly and affordable free zone to set up your company, Ajman is a good choice.

It’s a great place for budding entrepreneurs to set up shop because of its excellent infrastructure and resources. Being so close to Dubai but so much cheaper for homes and offices is another big selling point.

And if you ever decide to transfer your company from Ajman free zone over to another jurisdiction in UAE in the future, Virtuzone can help with that too!

Check out our wide range of services today.