52 free zones across the seven emirates
VAT and corporate tax are federal; there are no per-emirate rates. What differs: the authority, audit requirements, VAT designated zone status and local deadlines. Every entry has a source and a verification date. Uncertain facts are marked.
DUQE Free Zone
Launched 2022 on the Queen Elizabeth 2 at Mina Rashid; audit rules not published
Licences: General Trading, Professional, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ)
At Dubai International Airport; FTA list also carries the DAFZA Industrial Park in Al Qusais; audited accounts within about three months of year end and at renewal
Licences: Trade, General Trading, Service, Industrial, E-commerce · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Auto Zone (DAZ, formerly DUCAMZ)
Ras Al Khor bonded automotive zone; FTA list names it Dubai Cars and Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ); Jafza rules apply
Licences: Trading, Service · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai CommerCity
Digital commerce free zone in Umm Ramool; on the FTA designated zone list since 1 January 2021; DIEZA regulations mandate audited accounts
Licences: E-commerce, Trading, Service · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Design District (d3)
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
Oud Metha and Al Jaddaf; audited financial statements by a DHCC-approved auditor mandatory at renewal for FZ-LLCs since 1 March 2021
Licences: Clinical, Non-clinical / Commercial, Retail · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Humanitarian (International Humanitarian City)
Humanitarian free zone; Jebel Ali site on the FTA list since 18 June 2018; audited statements within 90 days of year end
Licences: Humanitarian Organisation (branch), Commercial Entity (FZ-LLC or branch) · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Industrial City
Manufacturing and logistics park near Al Maktoum airport; DDA audited accounts filing applies
Licences: Industrial, Commercial, Service · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai International Academic City
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Financial free zone with its own English common law framework and DIFC Courts; own data protection law (DP Law 5/2020); private companies with turnover under USD 5m and at most 20 shareholders exempt from audit
Licences: Financial Services (DFSA regulated), Non-Financial Services, Retail, Innovation · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Internet City
DDA Registrar requires audited financial statements filed via the AXS portal within six months of year end
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Knowledge Park
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Maritime City
Maritime cluster at Port Rashid; licences via Jafza, so Jafza audit rules apply
Licences: Commercial, Service, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Media City
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
Jumeirah Lakes Towers; IFRS audited financial statements from a DMCC-approved auditor must be filed before licence renewal, no size exemption
Licences: Trading, General Trading, Service, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Outsource City
BPO and shared services hub; DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Production City
Formerly IMPZ; DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Industrial, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Science Park
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Industrial, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
Technology park under DIEZ since 2021; IFRS audited financial statements within four months of year end from a DSO-registered auditor
Licences: Service, Trade, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai South Free Zone (Dubai World Central)
Around Al Maktoum International Airport; FTA list names it Dubai Aviation City; audit report at renewal from the second year
Licences: Trading, General Trading, Service, Industrial, Logistics, Aviation, Education · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Studio City
DDA audited accounts filing via AXS applies
Licences: Commercial, Service, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai Textile City
Textile zone in Al Awir; removed from the FTA designated zone list with effect from 4 April 2021
Licences: Trading, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone
Sheikh Zayed Road; VARA-linked virtual asset licences; IFRS audited statements by a DWTC-approved auditor for renewal
Licences: Commercial, Professional, General Trading, Event Management, E-commerce, Family Office, Virtual Assets · verified 2026-09-23
Expo City Dubai Free Zone
Dubai Law 14 of 2022 on the former Expo 2020 site; audit report part of renewal
Licences: Company / Branch Licence, Business Operation Permit, Event Operation Permit, Freelance Permit · verified 2026-09-23
Gold and Diamond Park
Jewellery park on Sheikh Zayed Road; Jafza handles licences, so Jafza audit rules apply
Licences: Trading, Service, Industrial · verified 2026-09-23
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis; audit compulsory only above AED 3m turnover or more than 9 employees
Licences: Professional / Service, Commercial / Trading, General Trading, Industrial, Holding · verified 2026-09-23
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)
Largest UAE free zone at Jebel Ali Port; FTA list: Jebel Ali Free Zone (North-South); audited accounts due within 90 days of year end from a Jafza-approved auditor; entities FZE, FZCO, branch, offshore
Licences: Trading, General Trading, Service, Industrial, Logistics · verified 2026-09-23
Meydan Free Zone
Nad Al Sheba; audited financial statements from a Meydan-approved auditor are part of the annual renewal
Licences: Commercial, Consultancy / Professional, Media · verified 2026-09-23
National Industries Park (NIP)
Industrial park next to Jebel Ali with mainland status rather than a bonded free zone
Licences: Industrial, Trading, Service · verified 2026-09-23
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