Business setup in UAE free zones

Creative City Fujairah

verified by : Elena Ovchinnikova

08 Jan 2024

Overview of creative city fujairah

The Emirate of Fujairah has an authority called Creative City Fujairah Free Zone. It was launched in 2007 as an alternative to Dubai Media City.

Creative Zone Fujairah is a zone which focuses on professional service activities. It does not have any trading activities.

This free zone offers a remote business setup and visa processing.

It has a fast registration process that can be completed within a week with 100% ownership without any capital requirements or annual audits.

Companies can get from zero up to 15 residence visas - it is one of the best visa offers among UAE business setup options.

Offices in Fujairah Creative City

This free zone offers a modern, fully equipped business centre with round-the-clock access (available on hours-per-month basis).

The following facilities can be leased from Creative Zone Fujairah:

  1. Flexi-desk
  2. Executive office

The services that come with these facilities include:

  • Meeting room access
  • Fast speed internet access
  • Printing and copying services
  • Receptionist
  • Maintenance and cleaning

All facilities are located in Fujairah free zone.

Fujaira Creative City activities

Creative City Fujairah does not have any trading business activities at all.

It provides an impressive professional activities list with a broad spectrum of service and consultancy segments.

The business activities include the following:

  • Broadcasting
  • Media & Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Event Management
  • Media Support Services
  • Consultancy
  • New Media Services
  • Business Information
  • Production
  • Music & Entertainment
  • Information technology
  • Design
  • Education

Some activities like broadcasting require pre-approval from the free zone management.

Fujaira Creative City licensing packages with costs

Creative City Free Zone provides a comprehensive range of business license packages to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and investors.

Whether you're a freelancer, startup, established business, or multinational company seeking 100% foreign ownership in the UAE, Creative City offers a wide range of all-inclusive, flexible options.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the licensing packages available:

Package Name Visa Allocation Ownership Business Type Free Visa at Registration Fees (AED)
Commercial Star None FZE Single Owner Media/E-commerce No 5,599
Commercial None FZE Single Owner Multi Business No 8,900
C+1 2 Visas Two Owners Multi Business No 13,000
Elite 1 Visa FZE Single Owner Multi Business Yes 15,900
Freelancer Company 4 Visas FZE/LLC Multiple Owners Multi Business Yes 16,250
Baby Business 6 Visas FZE/LLC Multiple Owners Multi Business Yes 19,950
Businessman 10 Visas FZE/LLC Multiple Owners Multi Business Yes 25,750
Genius 15 Visas FZE/LLC Multiple Owners Multi Business Yes 30,700

All packages include license fees, flexi desk fees, immigration card fees, visa allocation fees, and processing fees. Packages with a visa allocation also include a one-time free visa at registration.

Fujairah Creative City visa cost

If you establish business in Fujairah Free Zone, you are entitled for residence visas for you, your personnel, and family members.

Depending on the licensing package you choose, you can have up to 15 visas that are already included in the offer. However, if you need to apply for additional visa, check out the table below to find the cost:

Creative City Fujairah visa costs (AED):

  Creative city costs, AED Medical checkup, AED Emirates ID, AED
Investor 3,650 755 390
Employee 3,650 755 390

This resident visa is valid for 3 years.

For those that would like to sponsor dependents under their visa, the process is quite easy and the following documents are required:

  • Tenancy contract: You should rent an apartment in the UAE.
  • Marriage certificate: You should attest it in the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
  • Birth certificate (for your child): It also has to be attested by the UAE Embassy in your country and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.

Some nationalities are considered as high-risk in Fujairah Free Zone. Such countries are:

  • Syria
  • Bangladesh
  • Turkey
  • Egypt
  • Algeria
  • Sudan
  • Iraq, and others.

Note that this list changes frequently and varies in different emirates, so there is always an option to accommodate a person of any nationality.

It is mostly recommended for citizens from high-risk countries to set up their business in Dubai because immigration restrictions in this emirate are minimal. DMCC company formation is one of the most popular options of business setup in Dubai now. 

License renewal

The process of renewing your company is straightforward and can be conveniently managed remotely by your appointed agent.

This renewal is required annually, and its cost, which is notably lower than the initial setup expenditure, varies depending on the company's chosen package.

For companies operating bank accounts within the UAE, it's obligatory to present the newly issued license to the bank following renewal. This step ensures the continuation of the company's banking services without any interruptions.

Amendments

Company amendments in Creative City Fujairah can include:

  • Change of company name
  • Change of the manager (person-in-charge)
  • Change of business activities
  • Shares transfer, etc.

The fees are about 2,000 AED for shares transfer and even less for other amendments.

Liquidation

The liquidation of a company in Creative City Fujairah can only proceed upon receiving a personal application from either a shareholder or an authorized representative holding a power of attorney from the company owners.

A fee of AED 4,000 is applicable for the cancellation of the company license, and an additional AED 600 is charged for the cancellation of a resident visa.

If the company has maintained a corporate bank account, it is essential that this account is closed before initiating the liquidation process. A confirmation letter from the bank, validating the closure of the account, will be needed.

Upon successful dissolution of the company, the free zone authority will issue an official deregistration letter. This serves as a formal confirmation of the company's liquidation, marking the conclusion of its existence within the free zone.

Expert opinion

Creative City Fujairah Free Zone presents an attractive choice for those seeking to:

  • Consolidate multiple service activities.
  • Obtain a high number of visas.
  • Establish a company without the requirement of a personal visit.

However, it may not be the optimal choice for individuals intending to sponsor dependents under their visa, as this necessitates a personal visit to the Immigration authority.

The geographical distance could mean multiple trips to the Creative City Free Zone, which may be inconvenient.

Similarly, those needing a UAE driver's license would need to process it in Fujairah, requiring additional travel.

An alternative could be the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone, which is closer to Dubai and offers reasonable fees, potentially striking a better balance between convenience and cost for certain business needs.

Benefits of CCF free zone company

  • Wide range of professional and service business activities
  • Up to 15 resident visas without office rent
  • Remote business setup and visa processing

Start your business in CCF free zone today

Service license costs in CCF free zone

Up to 15 visas company

LICENSE TYPE VISAS INCLUDED TOTAL COST
Service license + Flexi Desk no visas AED 20,300 $5,600 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 1 visa AED 35,657 $9,800 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 2 visas AED 42,790 $11,750 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 3 visas AED 55,572 $15,250 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 4 visas AED 62,705 $17,200 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 5 visas AED 72,937 $20,000 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 6 visas AED 80,070 $21,950 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 10 visas AED 115,825 $31,750 download breakdown
Service license + Flexi Desk 15 visas AED 151,487 $41,550 download breakdown

Documents for CCF free zone setup

DOCUMENTS

PROCEDURE

INDIVIDUAL SHAREHOLDER

  • Passport
  • Business description
  • Passport size photo
  • NOC from sponsor for UAE visa holders
  • 1 day- Pre-approval
  • 1 week- Company registration
  • 1-2 weeks- Establishment card
  • 1 week- Entry visa
  • 1 day- Medical check and Emirates ID
  • 1 week- Visa stamping

Top 10 questions about Fujairah Creative City company

  • Can I open a bank account remotely?

    No, a personal visit to the UAE is required as per the regulations of the UAE Central Bank. Local banks require this visit to verify the client's identity.

  • Do banks give debit and credit cards or loans?

    In most cases, you can obtain a debit card for your newly opened company, especially if there is only one shareholder. However, a credit card is usually issued against a fixed deposit. As for loans, banks may consider your eligibility based on your company's operations and profits. It is recommended to apply for a loan after at least one year of company operations.

  • Can a free zone company have offices outside the free zone?

    Officially, the office of a free zone company should be located within the free zone where it is registered. However, if you need an office in Dubai, you have the option to rent space in a Business Center and use it on a flexible basis. It is important to note that the minimum required space (flexi desk) in the free zone cannot be canceled.

  • Why do I need a flexi desk or office?

    A flexi desk is a mandatory requirement for any company eligible for resident visas. It serves as the minimum physical office space that a company with individuals under its visa must have. Additionally, a flexi desk can facilitate bank account opening as banks require evidence of a company having some form of office or physical presence.

  • Do free zone companies need to pay VAT?

    VAT obligations depend not only on the place of registration but also on where the business activities take place. VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. If a free zone company's trading activities take place abroad, the turnover is not considered taxable as long as the transactions occur outside the UAE. However, if goods are imported to the UAE, VAT at a rate of 5% must be added to invoices and paid.

  • Are there any other taxes to be paid?

    The UAE is free from income tax. However, there is a 5% import tax on goods brought into the country and a 5% VAT on trading or service transactions that occur within the UAE.

    On June 1, 2023, the UAE introduced 9% corporate tax, however, companies registered in UAE free zones are exempt from this tax if they do not make profits from activities on the UAE mainland or this profit is less than AED 375,000 per year. Branches of companies registered in free zones and carrying out activities on the mainland will be taxed at the mainland rate.

  • Why would a free zone company be better for me than an offshore or mainland entity?

    The suitability of a free zone company versus an offshore or mainland entity depends on your business model and requirements. However, a free zone setup offers advantages such as 100% foreign ownership, eligibility for resident visas, the ability to conduct business both within and outside the UAE, and greater favorability with banks compared to offshore companies. Additionally, free zones often offer flexi desk spaces instead of executive offices, making it a cost-effective way to start a business without unnecessary obligations.

  • Can you guarantee the opening of a bank account?

    While we strive to make the account opening process as smooth as possible, we cannot guarantee the approval as it ultimately depends on the bank. Each case goes through several bank departments for approval, and the bank may contact you directly for clarifications. Providing a clear picture of your business to the bank increases the chances of successful account opening. We do our best to prepare you and your company for a smooth and fast account opening process.

  • When and how should I renew my company? How much does it cost?

    Your company should be renewed annually, and the cost is typically lower than the initial setup cost. The renewal fees depend on your company package, and you can obtain the price by downloading the Estimate from our website. Company renewal does not require the personal presence of the owner and can be done by your agent. After renewal, the new license must be presented to the bank to extend the bank account, which is included in our renewal service.

  • How can I pay the fees?

    You have multiple options for fee payment. You can make payments via bank transfer, cash, or online using a card.

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