Originally Posted by Palm Tree

Ok, hubby is in a dilema, his lease at his office is about to finish and cannot renew. Originally, they told him the rent will increase quite substantially but he agreed to pay, wanted so save the hassle of moving but now he was told to empty the office by March, could maybe extend it for 2 months.

He has a sponsor but is looking into the options getting an office at one of the free zones. I suppose it isn't easy and there are waiting lists but I am just trying to collect as much info for him as I can. To be honest, I have some websites but haven't looked at them yet, wanted to get some personal opinions in too.

Can anyone tell me who we need to contact?

How much are the rental charges roughly?

How difficult it is to get a space allocated?

He was also told by his sponsor that he cannot just change over to a Free Zone and drop the sponsor. Of course he would say that but is it true?


Thanks very much for any info.

Originally Posted by Face81

Well there are alot of freezones to choose from:
1) Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) http://www.dafza.gov.ae/
2) Jebel Ali Free Zone - North (JAFZ - N) http://www.jafza.ae/
3) JebelAli Free Zone - South (JAFZ - S) http://www.jafza.ae/
4) Dubai Internet City (DIC) www.dubaiinternetcity.com
5) Dubai Media City (DMC) www.dubaimediacity.com
6) Sheikh Mohammed Technology Park
7) Dubai Hmanitarian City www.dhc.ae
8) Dubai Health Care City www.dhcc.ae

Try Dubai Propertoes for more info/leasable space: www.dubaiproperties.com

or Dubai Holding:
www.dubaiholding.com

No idea bout rents, but I know that office space on SZR goes for about AED 80-120 per sq foot.

As far as wot that local sed........... this is prolly true...... there are certain restricting factors when u r at a particular freezone. For instance, ur husbands visa wud have been issued under the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority and wud therefore not be allowed to move into another freezone without getting a visa from the new freezone. I doubt this will be a problem. As far as the local sponsor goes, I think u can change sponsors......... not too sure though.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Face81

Well there are alot of freezones to choose from:
1) Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) http://www.dafza.gov.ae/
2) Jebel Ali Free Zone - North (JAFZ - N) http://www.jafza.ae/
3) JebelAli Free Zone - South (JAFZ - S) http://www.jafza.ae/
4) Dubai Internet City (DIC) www.dubaiinternetcity.com
5) Dubai Media City (DMC) www.dubaimediacity.com
6) Sheikh Mohammed Technology Park
7) Dubai Hmanitarian City www.dhc.ae
8) Dubai Health Care City www.dhcc.ae

Try Dubai Propertoes for more info/leasable space: www.dubaiproperties.com

or Dubai Holding:
www.dubaiholding.com

No idea bout rents, but I know that office space on SZR goes for about AED 80-120 per sq foot.

As far as wot that local sed........... this is prolly true...... there are certain restricting factors when u r at a particular freezone. For instance, ur husbands visa wud have been issued under the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority and wud therefore not be allowed to move into another freezone without getting a visa from the new freezone. I doubt this will be a problem. As far as the local sponsor goes, I think u can change sponsors......... not too sure though.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by LakesLassie

There are also trading restrictions. I think, for example, that if you're in JAFZ you cannot trade within Dubai itself, only within JAFZ or exporting. Something like that anyway!

My hubby specialises in corporate/commercial law and would be able to suggest the most suitable option(s). He can be contacted on [email protected] and his website is www.fraserlegal.com.

Might be worth 1 meeting to save an awful lot of scouting around on your own.

Originally Posted by Palm Tree

Of course it helps Face, more than that. Cheers. BTW, my husband doesn't have freezone sponsorship and is considering switching from local sponsor to freezone.

Can anyone point out any advantages of being in a freezone as comparing to just local sponsorship apart from the well known facts?

Originally Posted by Face81

No problem PT......... anytime!

Most freezones provide a multitude of services other than a sponsorship and visa....... for instance if u were to become a tenant at DIC, you would be entitled to all of the following:

"We work closely with government departments to help companies ease the process of obtaining government services.

We help companies obtain different types of residence and entry permits for their employees. These include:

*Employment / Residence Entry Permit
*Transit Visas (only for business purposes)
*Visit Visas (for business and personal purposes)

We also help companies reduce the hassle of obtaining the following government services/permits:

*Driver’s licenses
*Vehicle registration
*Telephone and Internet connections for residences
*Private post boxes
*Authentication of documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
*Customs duty-exemption on import of office equipment
*Alcohol permits "


Check out their website for further details on their specific benefits:
[url]http://www.dubaiinternetcity.com/html/govoperation.htm[/img]

Originally Posted by Palm Tree

Well, what can I say Face. You are whatever you would like to be and for me you are someone who is sharing unconditional love without hesitation to share. Thumbs up and I am sure that all your kindness will be returned to you one way or another. THANKS.