Fujairah is one of the seven emirates in the UAE. It's known for its pretty mountains, beaches, and a busy port. More and more businesses are choosing it because it offers:

• Strategic Location: It is the only emirate located entirely on the eastern coast (Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean), making it ideal for maritime trade and logistics.
• Lower Business Costs: Fujairah is generally more affordable than larger emirates like Dubai or Abu Dhabi in terms of office rent, utility costs, and manpower.
• 100% Foreign Ownership: Both Free Zones and many Mainland sectors now allow full foreign ownership, eliminating the need for a UAE national sponsor.
• Business-Friendly Government: The Fujairah government actively encourages investments with simple registration processes and investor support.
• Attractive Tax Benefits: No personal income tax, and 0% corporate tax on profits up to AED 375,000. Free Zone companies can also benefit from 0% tax if they meet the qualifying criteria.
• Profit Repatriation: Investors can freely repatriate 100% of capital and profits to their home country.
• Flexible Office Options: Especially in Free Zones like Creative City Fujairah, shared or virtual office spaces are available to keep startup costs low.
• Growing Economy: Fujairah’s economy is expanding in sectors like logistics, oil storage, tourism, and manufacturing, opening doors to multiple business opportunities.

In Fujairah, you can choose to set up your company on the Mainland or in a Free Zone. Each has its benefits nd requirements.

When you decide to form a company in Fujairah, you have two main options to register as:

1. Fujairah Mainland Company:

This company is registered with Fujairah's main business department (called DED). A Mainland company can sell products or services to customers anywhere in Fujairah and all over the UAE. Mainland companies usually need a real office.

For many types of businesses, you can now own 100% of your company, even if you are from another country. Suitable for retail, trading, contracting, and service-based businesses.

2. Fujairah Free Zone Company:

These companies are set up in special areas called Free Zones. The main ones are Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) and Creative City Fujairah (Fujairah Creative City Free Zone).

Free Zone companies let you:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Full profit repatriation
• Exemption from import/export duties
• 0% corporate tax (subject to compliance with UAE Corporate Tax Law – must meet “Qualifying Free Zone Person” criteria)

Free Zones typically feature more straightforward regulations and can provide more affordable office solutions, such as shared workspaces or virtual office arrangements. This can make your setup cost lower. This type of business setup is mostly ideal for media, e-commerce, consultancy, trading, IT, and international services.

To ensure a seamless business setup in Fujairah, you'll need to gather certain documents. Your consultant will give you the exact list, but here are the usual ones:

For Individual Owners/Managers

• A copy of your passport (should be valid for at least 6 months.
• Copy of your UAE visa page & Emirates ID card (if you live in the UAE).
• Passport-sized photos (usually with a white background).
• A letter from your current job saying it's okay (NOC) (only if you work in the UAE and need certain Mainland licenses).
• Proof of your home address in your own country (like an electricity or water bill).

For Corporate Shareholders

• Copy of the main company's registration paper.
• Papers that show how the main company is set up and its rules.
• A decision from the main company's board to open a new company/branch in Fujairah.
• A paper that lets someone sign for the main company (Power of Attorney).
• Copies of the passports belonging to the directors or owners of the primary company.

Additional Documents

• A simple plan for your business (for some jobs or Free Zones).
• Office rent agreement.
• First approval paper.
• Paper showing your reserved company name.

Important: If any document is not in Arabic, it might need to be officially translated and stamped by the UAE Embassy in your home country. Then, it needs to be stamped again by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) when it arrives in the UAE.

Setting up your business in Fujairah, whether in the Mainland or Free Zone, is simpler than ever, thanks to investor-friendly policies and digital processes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how the process works:

Step 1. Define Your Business Activity

Start by identifying what your business will do: trading, consulting, IT, media, etc. This determines the kind of license you’ll need and which authority will issue it.

Step 2. Choose Your Jurisdiction: Mainland or Free Zone

• Mainland (via Fujairah DED): Allows you to trade anywhere in the UAE.
• Free Zone (like Creative City or Fujairah Free Zone): Ideal for 100% foreign ownership, lower costs, and international trade.

Step 3. Select a Legal Structure

Choose the right company type: Sole Establishment, Civil Company, LLC, or Free Zone Establishment (FZE), depending on the number of shareholders and capital structure.

Step 4. Reserve a Trade Name

Pick a unique and compliant business name. Get it approved by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the respective Free Zone Authority.

Step 5. Get Initial Approval

This is a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the authority confirming that your business activity and structure are acceptable in principle.

Step 6. Draft & Notarize Legal Documents

Prepare documents such as:

• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Articles of Association (AOA)
• Board Resolutions (for corporate shareholders)
  These may need to be notarized and attested, depending on your business type and jurisdiction.

Step 7. Secure Business Premises

• Mainland: Must rent a physical office and submit a tenancy contract (Ejari).
• Free Zone: Offers flexi-desk, shared, or virtual offices, which are more affordable.

Step 8. Get Special Approvals (if needed)

Some business activities, like education, healthcare, insurance, or media, require extra approvals from other government entities (e.g., the  Ministry of Health, the Media Council, etc.).

Step 9. Submit Final Application & Pay Fees

Once all documents are in place, submit your final application along with the required licensing and registration fees to the concerned authority.

Step 10. Receive Your Trade License

Upon approval, you’ll be issued the trade license and Certificate of Incorporation, allowing you to officially begin operations.

Step 11. Open a Corporate Bank Account

Choose a suitable bank in the UAE and open your business account. You’ll need your trade license, passport copies, and other KYC documents.

Step 12. Apply for Residence Visas

You can apply for UAE residence visas for yourself, partners, employees, and dependents under your company sponsorship.

At SafeLedger, we help you set up your Fujairah business from start to finish, including licenses, documents, a bank account, and visas. Quick, easy, and fully compliant.

Contact us to start today.

The cost of setting up a business in Fujairah depends on whether you choose a Free Zone or Mainland license, your visa needs, and whether you require a physical office.

Below is a general cost breakdown to help you plan your budget:

Note: Actual costs may vary based on activity type, number of visas, and added services like VAT registration or bank account support.

To get your business license approved in Fujairah, you'll deal with different government groups depending on where you set up:

• For Mainland Companies:

  • Fujairah Department of Economic Development (DED): This is the main place that gives out business licenses for companies on the Fujairah Mainland. They approve your business job, company name, and handle registration.
  • Fujairah Municipality: Deals with things like rent agreements for your office.
  • UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE): Handles work permits and staff contracts.
  • Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP): Manages visas and living permits.
  • Other Government Departments: If your business is special (like healthcare, education, or food), you might need approvals from other specific ministries or groups.

• For Free Zone Companies:

  • The Specific Free Zone Authority: Each Free Zone (like Fujairah Free Zone Authority or Creative City Fujairah Authority) is the main place that gives out licenses within its zone. They handle approvals, registration, and sometimes even visa processing directly.
  • Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP): Still helps with the general visa and living permit process.

Setting up a business in Fujairah means you must follow certain legal rules. This ensures your company is real and works correctly under UAE law:

• Picking the Right Business Job: What your business does must be allowed and approved by the place that gives licenses.
• Choosing a Company Type: You must pick the right legal type for your company, such as:
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC): Common on the Mainland, protects your personal money.
  • Sole Proprietorship: For one-person businesses on the Mainland.
  • Free Zone Establishment (FZE) / Free Zone Company (FZC): For one or more owners in a Free Zone.
  • Branch Office: If an existing company opens a branch.
• Company Name Rules: Your company name must follow UAE rules – it must be special, show what your business does, and not use bad words.
• Office Space: You need a real office address. Mainland companies need a physical office with an official rent agreement. Free Zones offer more flexible and cheaper office choices (like shared desks).
• Money Needed: Many Free Zones don't need a lot of starting money, or very little. Some Mainland jobs might need a specific minimum amount to be put in the bank.
• Local Partner/Service Agent (if needed): Even though 100% foreign ownership is widely allowed now, some special Mainland business types might still need a UAE person as a 51% owner (for trading/making things) or a local service agent (for service businesses).
• Follow UAE Laws: All businesses must follow general UAE laws, including those about staff, business deals, and money.

Our team makes sure your business setup in Fujairah meets all these legal rules from the first day.

Fujairah has different areas that are great for investing, depending on your business type:

• Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ):
  • Best For: Trading, making things, shipping, and services.
  • Good Points: Easy access to Fujairah Port and Fujairah International Airport. This means strong connections for import and export. It offers ready offices and storage spaces. Known for good prices for company formation in Fujairah.
• Creative City Fujairah (Creative City Free Zone):
  • Best For: Media, advertising, marketing, movies, music, advising, education, IT, design, and tech companies.
  • Good Points: Very cheap setup costs, quick registration (often just a few days), 100% foreign ownership, and many flexible office choices (like shared desks). It's a top choice for those looking for a creative city in Fujairah business setup.
• Fujairah Mainland:
  • Best For: Businesses that want to sell directly to people in the UAE, do general trading across all states, or open shops.
  • Good Points: Allows you to do business directly with the local economy without limits. Also offers 100% foreign ownership for many jobs, and has a wider range of activities.
• Fujairah Port & Industrial Area:
  • Best For: Big industries, oil and gas, manufacturing, and large shipping businesses.
  • Good Points: Deep-water port (for big ships), great setup for industrial jobs, and a focus on energy and sea-based businesses.

Picking the right place depends on what your business does and your market goals. SafeLedger can help you decide.

After your business setup in Fujairah is done, it's very important to know the ongoing rules, laws, and tax requirements in the UAE:

• License Renewal: Your business license must be renewed every year to keep your company legal.
• Office/Lease Renewal: Your office rent agreement also needs to be renewed yearly.
• Visa Renewals: Visas for staff and owners must be renewed before they run out.
• Keeping Records & Audits: All businesses in the UAE must keep proper financial records. Some companies, especially Mainland ones, need yearly financial checks (audits).
• Company Tax (Corporate Tax):
  • From June 1, 2023, a 9% Company Tax is taken from business profits over AED 375,000.
  • For profits below AED 375,000, the tax rate is 0%.
  • Free Zone companies that meet certain rules (like having real business and not selling much to the Mainland) can still get a 0% company tax rate on their main income.
• VAT (Value Added Tax):
  • A 5% VAT is added to most goods and services in the UAE.
  • If your business sells more than AED 375,000 worth of taxable goods/services per year, you must register for VAT.
  • You can also choose to register if your sales are between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000.
• ESR (Economic Substance Regulations): Some special types of businesses (like holding companies or shipping companies) need to show they have real business happening in the UAE, not just a paper company.
• UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership): All companies must identify and register the real people who truly own or control them.
• AML (Anti-Money Laundering): All businesses must follow laws to stop money laundering, including reporting any suspicious deals.

A business journey can change. SafeLedger also helps you with changes you might need to make to your business setup in Fujairah:

• Changing Licenses:

You might need to amend your license in the following cases:

• Change of Business Name
• Change in Shareholding Structure (adding or removing partners/shareholders)
• Change of Business Activities (adding or removing permitted activities)

SafeLedger ensures all changes are filed properly with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority or Department of Economic Development (DED), as applicable.

• Upgrading Business Activity:

As your company grows, you may wish to add new services or product categories. This means:

• Amending your trade license to reflect the new business activities.
• Ensuring compliance with any additional regulatory requirements or approvals for the new activities.

We handle all documentation, approvals, and coordination with the licensing authorities to make your upgrade seamless.

• Closing Your Company (Liquidation):

Shutting down a business in the UAE must be done legally to avoid future liabilities. The process includes:

• Clearing all outstanding debts and liabilities
• Cancelling employee visas and labor cards
• Notifying and deregistering with relevant government bodies (DED, Free Zone Authority, Ministry of Human Resources, etc.)
• Obtaining a company liquidation certificate

SafeLedger ensures your exit is clean, compliant, and smooth, avoiding penalties or future complications.