The MASDAR City free zone is situated near the Abu Dhabi International Airport, facilitating international trade with the Middle East and Asian jurisdictions.

Go through the following reasons to start a business in the MASDAR free zone:

• It provides complete business ownership to global entrepreneurs
• Has no import duty, reducing the cost of goods and services.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure
• Has no restrictions on capital and profit repatriation
• Operates with zero foreign currency limitations.
• No corporate and personal income tax.
• VAT registration is only required if the income is more than USD 102,112 with a 5% rate.
• Option to engage in the mainland through dual licensing.
• Home to 1500+ companies, strengthening business networks.

The MASDAR city free zone authority takes 3 to 5 days to approve a company formation application. However, the overall timeline to register a company in MASDAR free zone is as follows:

• Name search and reservation in 1 to 2 days.
• Application filing with notarized documents in 2 to 3 days.
• The MASDAR authority’s review and approval will be completed in 3 to 5 days.
• You can finish the Emirates ID formalities with acceptance within 7 business days.
• Acquire a trading, manufacturing, service, e-commerce, or consulting license in 3 to 5 days.
• Register for corporate and VAT in 5 to 7 days.
• Open a corporate bank account in 2 to 4 weeks.
• Get a visa approval in 1 to 2 weeks.

The MASDAR city entitles foreign entrepreneurs to completely own their businesses in its free zone. They can exercise full control over their company’s operations.

The procedure for company formation in the MASDAR city free zone is as follows:

• Start the process by determining the business activity and structure as per your economic goals.
• Then, reserve a trade name that doesn’t conflict with UAE laws.
• The next stage involves documentation and application submission to the MASDAR Free Zone Authority, so gather MOA, AOA, and passport copies of directors and shareholders.
• Obtain a trade license from the MASDAR city.
• Acquire an Emirates ID following a medical checkup and biometric authentication.
• Register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
• Open a corporate bank account within the MASDAR City area.
• Sign a lease agreement if opting for a physical office setup.
• Acquire an investor visa from the free zone authority if planning to visit the UAE after company formation.

The different categories of trade licenses after company setup in MASDAR free zone are as follows:

• Energy license for businesses engaged in green or natural energy activities.
• Service license specifically for companies engaging in a professional service business.
• Holding a license is obtained by companies dealing in shares and securities with operations in the free zone.
• A General Retail license is ideal for companies involved retailing of goods, such as food and beverage items.
• Healthcare license for entrepreneurs engaged in making medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and emergency services.
• IT License for entities with AI and software development activities.

The most common activities in the MASDAR city include Renewable energy, agriculture tech, AI & machine learning, biotech, and research & development.

There’s no minimum capital requirement for most business-seeking company setup in MASDAR free zone.

There are three main types of structures for online company registration in MASDAR Free Zone:

• Free-zone limited liability company (FZ-LLC)- must have at least 2 and up to 50 members. Protects the personal assets of the members against the business debts.
• Branch of a parent company: extension office of a foreign parent company. It doesn’t have a separate legal personality. The parent entity is liable.
• Branch of a UAE branch company: You can open a branch office of your mainland company in the MASDAR free zone. The features are the same as a foreign branch office, not a legal entity.

The documentation prerequisites for company setup in MASDAR free zone include the following:

• ID and address proof of directors and managers.
• Passport copies of nominee shareholders, if any.
• Capital deposit receipt, if applicable.
• Registered business address (physical or virtual)
• By-laws agreement (AOA)
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)

Yes, the MASDAR City allows foreigners to register a branch office in the free zone. You can easily form an office with minimal funding as per your capital availability because there’s no minimum requirement.

With the rise of digitalization and e-commerce, you can register a company in the MASDAR free zone remotely from any part of the world. So, if you don’t need a physical office, obtain our virtual company address services and acquire the following services:

• Virtual address for one year.
• Mail handling (package storage and delivery)
• Email set up (fax and scan)
• Call answering and forwarding.
• On-demand meeting rooms with cafeteria/beverage service.

A dual license is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to a MASDAR Free Zone company to operate without needing to set up a physical office on the mainland.

The requirements of dual licensing are as follows:

• Must have a registered business in the MASDAR free zone.
• The applicant must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the MASDAR Free Zone Authority.

The requirements for acquiring a visa in MASDAR city are as follows:

• Application filing before the MASDAR City Free Zone Authority.
• The applicant must make a minimum investment deposit in the business, depending on the economic activity.
• You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing.
• The passport validity must be at least six months at application submission.
• The applicant must pass the medical fitness test as per the United Arab Emirates (UAE) laws.
• You must renew it upon expiry every two years.

The tax concessions after online company registration in MASDAR free zone are as follows:

• No personal/individual income tax.
• The city has no wealth, inheritance, or gift tax.
• Non-residents are only taxed on income earned in the UAE.
• Corporate tax exemptions on qualifying income and a 9% low tax rate if income is earned through a nonqualifying person.
• 5% VAT rate (lowest after Qatar, Kuwait, and Hong Kong, which have a 0% rate).

The different types of spaces include:

• Commercial lands for lease
• Flexi-desk for online business.
• Fully furnished office for startups
• On-demand executive offices for conferences and meetings.
• Unfurnished units for large-scale corporations.

There is a zero per cent import duty tariff on goods and services in MASDAR city.

The MASDAR strategic location between downtown Abu Dhabi and Dubai promotes international business with sustainable and business-friendly policies in the rest of the GCC member states and Asian countries.