Free Zones are special economic zones set up with the objective of offering tax free, and free customs duty benefits to expatriate investors. Free zones are designed for boosting international business by providing complete ownership to the foreign investors. Free Zones in Dubai and the UAE are governed pursuant to a special framework of rules and regulations applicable to concerned free zone. Free zones in Dubai are managed and operated by free zone authority. These free zones operate outside the federal Law or Laws of Ministry of Labor. A free zone company is the most fruitful legal entity that not only offers the benefit of 100% ownership to the investors or entrepreneurs but a host of other exclusive advantages that other legal forms do not have. Normally for setting up companies in UAE mainland, the expatriates need a local sponsor but through free zone companies the expatriate can set up their business without the local sponsor and he can enjoy 100% repatriation of capital profits. A free zone offers 100 % corporate and personal income tax benefit.

Most of the free zones in Dubai broadly offer trading, service, industrial, national industrial, and branch licenses to investors looking to set up their businesses. In UAE free zones are either attached to a port or industry specific.