Company Setup in Fujairah

Three zones, a port and a mainland authority

Fujairah business setup runs through three free zone authorities and a port. The Fujairah Freezone Authority (FFZA) runs the Fujairah free zone from freezone.fujairah.ae. Creative City, a media free zone, is run by the Creative City Free Zone Authority at creativecity.gov.ae. The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) serves the oil sector from foiz.gov.ae. Bunkering licences come from the Port of Fujairah, and mainland licences through Fujairah Municipality according to one u.ae page, while another u.ae page lists a Department of Industry and Economy.

According to the Fujairah Ports Authority, the emirate is one of the world's three largest bunkering hubs, which explains why so much activity here is marine and oil related. For the general comparison of routes, read company setup in the UAE.

Fujairah Free Zone

The Fujairah Freezone Authority says it was established in 1987 and covers about 4 million square metres. It registers FZEs (one owner, a natural or a legal person), FZCs (more than one shareholder) and branches of foreign or local companies. Its fields of investment include manufacturing, processing, petrochemicals, engineering, aviation, mining, marine, logistics, trading and consultancy, and it offers trading offices, warehouses and land.

Licensing, the authority says, takes one visit, one hour and one window. For petroleum, manufacturing, marine, aviation and other regulated licences, the first step is prior approval from the relevant authority. Each security application then costs AED 205 (zone registration page, copyright 2025).

An individual owner supplies a passport copy, two photographs, the application form, a no-objection certificate if holding UAE residency, and the UBO, EDD and CDD forms. A corporate owner or branch supplies attested parent-company documents, including a certificate of good standing and, for a branch, an audit report.

Visit, employment and residence visas are on offer. The zone publishes no licence fee, package, deposit, minimum capital or visa quota. It also states no rule for selling to the mainland, so ask for the answer in writing. Registration enquiries go to +971 9 222 8000.

Creative City

Creative City describes itself as the UAE's oldest media free zone, established in 2007. Its legal forms are the sole establishment, the single-person LLC and the LLC with 2 to 50 partners. It states no minimum capital on its legal forms or set-up pages.

It sells six licence packages, each valid for one year and each with a flexi desk lease. They run from a zero-visa Community Support licence to a Business Multi Visa package with a 15-visa quota, and the number of activities, owners and visas rises with the package. The package page shows no prices.

Decision No. 4 of 2026 of the Ruler of Fujairah approved a new fee schedule, and the amounts sit in the zone's cost calculator. Creative City says you can establish a company without being physically present. A new residence visa needs health insurance for stamping.

Creative City also says you can operate your business anywhere, but an office outside the zone needs a no-objection certificate requested through customer service. Creative City and Fujairah Municipality announced a dual-licence partnership at GITEX Global 2024. No terms, activities or fees are published, so ask both bodies before you plan around it.

Fujairah Oil Industry Zone and bunkering

FOIZ hosts liquid bulk storage terminals, refineries and oil processing plants next to the Port of Fujairah. It is an industrial zone for the oil sector, not a general office free zone. The Fujairah Ports Authority lists separate application forms for the port, the oil terminals and FOIZ.

Bunker supply is licensed by the port, not by a free zone. The Port of Fujairah issues bunker licences, and its Marine Department publishes a list of 14 licensed bunker suppliers, updated 22 May 2025. The port publishes no application requirements, bond or insurance figures. Ask the port for its conditions before you budget, and do not rely on a cost, bond or insurance figure from a seller until the port gives it in writing.

Mainland licences in Fujairah

Two official pages name different bodies. The UAE government portal's page on verifying business licences, updated 6 April 2026, lists trade licence services under Fujairah Municipality, and the municipality runs a business licensing system called Rukhsati. Another u.ae page lists the Department of Industry and Economy among the emirate's economic departments. Confirm which one issues the licence for your activity.

Fujairah's government guide to doing business, an older undated page, starts with initial approval of name and activity from the municipality. It then lists special approvals, a tenancy contract for the premises, a memorandum, and issue of the licence after payment and verification. It names cost categories but gives no amounts, and says the exact cost is set when you submit.

Neither the municipality's pages nor the government guide publish a fee table, an ownership rule or an office size. Ask for those three, and ask whether Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry membership is part of your licensing.

Which route fits which business

Choose by activity first. A media or creative business matches the Creative City packages, and a trading, marine or industrial business that needs a warehouse matches the activities the Fujairah Freezone Authority lists. Storage or processing of oil products belongs with FOIZ, and a bunker supplier needs the port licence in addition to any company. Whether a zone company may sell directly to customers in Fujairah is a question for the licensing authority, because the zones publish no mainland-sales rule.

Federal duties

A company incorporated on or after 1 March 2024 must register for Corporate Tax within 3 months (FTA Decision 3 of 2024), as of October 2026. The 0% rate is limited to a Qualifying Free Zone Person on qualifying income. A corporate tax consultant can confirm that test for your zone and income before you file.

Parent-company documents need attestation, which takes time, so a lawyer can compare what a zone asks for with your own structure early.

Company setup in other emirates

For comparison, see company setup in Ras Al Khaimah, company setup in Sharjah and company setup in Dubai.

Frequently asked questions

How many free zones does Fujairah have?

The official sites name the Fujairah Free Zone, Creative City and the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. FOIZ serves the oil sector rather than general office companies.

What does a Fujairah free zone licence cost?

The Fujairah Freezone Authority publishes no licence fee, only an AED 205 security application. Creative City approved a new fee schedule by Decision No. 4 of 2026, with amounts in its calculator.

Who issues a bunkering licence in Fujairah?

Bunker licences are issued by the Port of Fujairah. Its Marine Department publishes a list of 14 licensed suppliers, updated 22 May 2025.

Who issues mainland trade licences in Fujairah?

One u.ae page names Fujairah Municipality and another lists the Department of Industry and Economy. Confirm which one issues the licence for your activity.

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