01
ACTIVITY
What will the business actually do?
The permitted activity should be clear before comparing free zones or licence packages.
BUSINESS MODEL
ACTIVITY FIT
Choose the free zone around the business — not the other way around. AR Associates considers the activity, licensing jurisdiction, ownership, workspace, visa and practical operating requirements before the setup begins.
The permitted activity should be clear before comparing free zones or licence packages.
Free zones differ by licensing scope, facilities, location, visa options and commercial environment.
Workspace, visas, banking preparation and ongoing compliance should be considered before the licence is selected.
The right free zone is the one that supports the actual commercial requirement.
A free zone can suit businesses that value foreign ownership, flexible licensing and an internationally focused operating model. The right jurisdiction should still be selected around the activity, workspace, visa, tax and practical requirements of the business.
Available across eligible free zone structures, subject to the selected jurisdiction and activity.
Licence, workspace and visa options can be selected around the practical needs of the business.
Free zones can suit businesses with cross-border, international or specialised operating requirements.
Tax treatment and compliance depend on the structure, activity and applicable conditions and should be reviewed during setup.
The strongest free zone advantage is choosing a jurisdiction that works for the actual operating model.
Free zone formation is straightforward when the jurisdiction, activity and licence are selected correctly from the beginning.
Compare the jurisdiction against the business activity, operating model and practical requirements.
Select the licence category that reflects the activities the company intends to carry out.
Prepare and submit the required documents to the relevant free zone authority.
Select the suitable workspace option and progress applicable visa requirements for shareholders or employees.
Once the formation requirements are completed, the licence can be issued and the company can move into operational setup.
The exact process can vary by free zone, activity and approval requirements.
The right jurisdiction depends on the activity, location, licence, workspace, visa and commercial requirements of the business.
We help compare the available options before the setup is started.Trading, commodities and professional business activities.
Established environment for logistics, trade and industrial activity.
Flexible setup options for SMEs and international businesses.
Modern licensing environment serving a broad range of activities.
View →Popular for media, creative and selected service activities.
Industrial, trading and service-oriented setup options.
View →Accessible setup options for startups and growing businesses.
Suitable for media, consultancy and selected professional activities.
View →International financial centre for regulated and professional businesses.
International financial centre serving financial and professional firms.
A jurisdiction should be selected because it fits the business — not simply because the package looks attractive.
Neither route is automatically better. The right choice depends on where the company needs to operate, the activity, licensing requirements and the practical model behind the business.
AR ASSOCIATES / DECISION PRINCIPLE Choose the route around how the company needs to operate — then structure the licence around that decision.
Tell us what the business will do, how it needs to operate and what practical requirements matter. AR Associates can help assess the appropriate free zone and formation route.
Choose the jurisdiction around the business. Not the package around the price.