How to Move Your UAE Company from One Free Zone to Another 2026
Sometimes businesses outgrow their free zone or find a better-suited one. Moving a UAE company between free zones is possible. Here is the 2026 guide.
In this guide:
Can You Transfer a UAE Free Zone Company to Another Free Zone?
- Direct transfer: Not possible — you cannot transfer a company entity from one free zone to another as a legal entity transfer
- Practical solution: Close the old company; open a new company in the new free zone
- Exception: Some free zones have formal migration programs (DMCC → mainland; mainland → DMCC in some cases)
Process to “Move” Free Zone Company
- Set up new company in the target free zone
- Open new UAE bank account under the new company
- Novate (transfer) client contracts to the new company with client consent
- Cancel all visas on the old company
- Close the old company bank account
- File final CT return for the old company
- Deregister from VAT (if applicable) on the old company
- Liquidate the old free zone company
Key Timing Consideration: Do Not Cancel Old Company Until New Is Fully Set Up
- Operate both companies in parallel briefly
- Only close the old company once the new company is fully operational with banking
- Visa holders: Transfer visas from old to new company before cancelling old company
Cost of Moving Between Free Zones
- New company formation: AED 6,000-50,000 depending on target free zone
- Visa cancellation (old) and re-application (new): AED 1,500-3,000 per visa
- Old company liquidation: AED 1,500-5,000
- Total estimated cost: AED 15,000-80,000 depending on company size