When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in AMC

Government Fee

from 4 999 AED

Processing time

from 4 business days

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Ajman

AMC (Ajman Media City Free Zone) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2018 in the Emirate of Ajman, UAE. It was created to support and develop companies in the fields of media, trade, e-commerce, and consulting, providing a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and organizations operating in these industries. The free zone offers a variety of infrastructure solutions, including modern office spaces and coworking areas, tailored to the needs of companies of various sizes. Businesses registered in AMC are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. AMC issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (trade) Professional (provision of services) Media E-commerce Freelance With its specialization and support for key sectors, AMC has become an attractive choice for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations aiming to strengthen their presence in the dynamic business landscape of the region.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Combining Business Activities
Business Ecosystem

About Ajman Media City Free Zone

AMC (Ajman Media City Free Zone) is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2018 in the Emirate of Ajman, UAE. It was created to support and develop companies in the fields of media, trade, e-commerce, and consulting, providing a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and organizations operating in these industries.

The free zone offers a variety of infrastructure solutions, including modern office spaces and coworking areas, tailored to the needs of companies of various sizes. Businesses registered in AMC are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

AMC issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (trade)
Professional (provision of services)
Media
E-commerce
Freelance

With its specialization and support for key sectors, AMC has become an attractive choice for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations aiming to strengthen their presence in the dynamic business landscape of the region.

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Media Consultancy and Studies
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
Go to service
Advertising
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
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Social Media Influencer
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
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Computer Programming Activities
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
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Creative, Arts and Entertainment Activities
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
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Wholesale of Plastic Products
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost12 349 AED
Duration4 bus. days
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We offer products AMC

Company setup
Services related to the establishment of a new company
Service
Visa Obtaining
Assistance with filling out documents or turnkey visa obtaining services. The services includes various types of resident visas. Tourist and transit visas are not included
Service
NOC issuering
Service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

Corporate Governance Center

Establishing a management company to coordinate and efficiently oversee the operations of branches and subsidiaries worldwide from a centralized hub in the UAE.

Resident Visa

Company registration for obtaining a UAE residency visa with the right to permanent residence, opening a bank account in UAE banks, and acquiring tax residency.

Popular Business Fields

Media, Marketing & Publishing
01
Professional services
02
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
03
Education & Training
04
Information Technology & Communication
05
Household & Consumer Goods
06

AMC Offices and Commercial Premises

Virtual Office

An official registered address without the need to rent a physical office solution

Coworking

Shared Desk Space A workspace in a shared office with access up to 10 hours per month during business hours

Offices

Executive Offices Private fully furnished offices of 12 sq.m., 40 sq.m., 45 sq.m., or 68 sq.m., with unlimited 24/7 access.

Hubs

Comprehensive business environments that provide companies with industry-specific infrastructure, networking opportunities, regulatory support, and investment facilitation to drive growth and innovation Media And Creativity Hub

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
Must not contain geographical names, such as the names of emirates, cities, countries and other landmarks
Must not contain the names of local/international religious, political or governmental organizations

Authorized capital requirements

The minimum share capital required for AMC company is AED 10,000. Its contribution is optional.

If the share capital exceeds 100,000 AED, its contribution becomes mandatory.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.