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Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) is a digitally focused free zone in Ajman, UAE, designed to make business setup fast, flexible, and cost-effective. The free zone provides streamlined digital services for entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, and international businesses looking to establish a presence in the UAE.
Strategically located in Ajman, ANCFZ provides access to markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, while offering a range of business setup services under one roof, including company registration, licensing, visa processing, banking assistance, and legal support.
The free zone supports businesses across diverse sectors, including technology and innovation, artificial intelligence and the metaverse, trade and distribution, media and entertainment, professional services, e-commerce, general trading, and freelancing. Its licensing model allows businesses to combine multiple activities under a single license, with the authority currently advertising the option to include up to 10 activities.
ANCFZ offers relatively low-cost company formation packages compared with many UAE free zones. The published packages start from around AED 4,888 for a license-only setup. ANCFZ offers flexible packages where the company can initially obtain the basic license and subsequently add services such as visas or other requirements as the business grows.
The company can be established with 100% foreign ownership, without the requirement for a UAE national shareholder.
ANCFZ permits up to 10 business activities under a single license, subject to the activities being permitted and approved by the authority. ANCFZ also provides licenses covering a broad range of business activities, including trading, professional services, consultancy, technology, e-commerce and other commercial activities.
Although ANCFZ is based in Ajman, it has a representative office in Dubai. This can provide some convenience for Dubai-based investors and customers who may prefer to deal with the free-zone representative in Dubai.
This is intended for businesses involved in trading and commercial activities, including general trading, wholesale, import/export and specialised trading. There are large number of activities under this category.
This is intended for businesses undertaking industrial/manufacturing-related activities. Additional facility requirements should be confirmed with ANCFZ.
This covers businesses providing services, consultancy and professional activities. Examples include management consultancy, feasibility studies, specialist consultancy and various professional services.
ANCFZ also provides activities relating to logistics, cargo, freight, storage and delivery services. However, activities involving regulated transportation or physical logistics operations may require additional approvals.
ANCFZ has a specific category for newer technology-based activities, including blockchain, AI, crypto and gaming. Regulated financial or virtual-asset activities may, however, require additional regulatory approvals beyond the ANCFZ license.
First, identify the exact business activities that the company intends to undertake. ANCFZ offers more than 3,500 approved activities covering commercial, industrial, service, consultancy, education and other sectors. Up to 10 activities can generally be combined under one license, subject to approval.
The investor then chooses the appropriate legal structure. A Free Zone Establishment (FZE) for a single shareholder, Free Zone Company (FZC) is for multiple shareholders. It also permits a branch of an existing local or foreign company.
Based on the proposed activities, the appropriate license is selected and the required package is determined. The package can include the license, flexi-desk/office facilities and, where required, residence visas.
Submit proposed company names to ANCFZ for approval. Comply with the applicable naming requirements. The usual documents include passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport-size photographs, proof of residence and the completed application form with proposed company names
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