Sources hub
Every UAE authority we cite, in one place.
A single index of the government pages and free-zone regulators we recommend reading before you commit to a setup route. The lists on individual pages show only the most relevant handful — the full set is below.
How to use this page
Read the source; verify the advice.
Consultants (including us) interpret rules for a living. Authority pages are where those rules actually live. If any claim on this site does not match the source you read, tell us — sources move and packages change.
UAE federal
Federal authorities — the base layer.
Start here for policy, tax, labour and citizenship rules that apply UAE-wide.
- UAE Government Portal (u.ae)Open official source→
- UAE Ministry of Economy and TourismOpen official source→
- UAE Ministry of FinanceOpen official source→
- Federal Tax AuthorityOpen official source→
- MOHRE (Human Resources & Emiratisation)Open official source→
- UAE Ministry of EconomyOpen official source→
- goAML (UAE FIU)Open official source→
- ICP (Identity, Citizenship, Customs)Open official source→
- Central Bank of the UAEOpen official source→
Dubai
Dubai — mainland licensing and permit.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi — mainland and specialised zones.
- Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)Open official source→
- TAMM Abu DhabiOpen official source→
- Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)Open official source→
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)Open official source→
- Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)Open official source→
- twofour54Open official source→
- Masdar City Free ZoneOpen official source→
Other emirates
Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, UAQ.
Dubai free zones
Dubai free-zone authorities.
- IFZAOpen official source→
- Meydan Free ZoneOpen official source→
- DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)Open official source→
- JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)Open official source→
- Dubai SouthOpen official source→
- DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)Open official source→
- DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)Open official source→
- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)Open official source→
- Dubai CommerCityOpen official source→
- DIEZ Authority (DAFZ/DSO/CommerCity)Open official source→
Non-Dubai free zones
Free-zone authorities across the UAE.
- RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)Open official source→
- RAK ICC (offshore)Open official source→
- SHAMS (Sharjah Media City)Open official source→
- SAIF ZoneOpen official source→
- Sharjah Publishing City Free ZoneOpen official source→
- Hamriyah Free Zone AuthorityOpen official source→
- Ajman Free ZoneOpen official source→
- UAQ Free Trade ZoneOpen official source→
- Fujairah Free Zone AuthorityOpen official source→
- Fujairah Creative CityOpen official source→
Tax and compliance
VAT, corporate tax, UBO, AML and labour.
Continue the decision work
Need help applying these authorities to an operating plan?Discuss a UAE setup routeQuestions
The questions worth resolving before you commit.
Why do you keep sending readers to authority sites?
Authority sites are the source of truth on activity lists, license fees, quotas, permit windows and tax thresholds. Consultant summaries decay quickly; official pages update in place.
Do you have every UAE free zone here?
The largest and most cited. If a specific zone you are considering is missing, tell us and we will add it if it has a live authority site with English documentation.
Can you send this list by email?
Yes — we can prepare a curated PDF for a specific decision (e.g. Dubai free-zone shortlist, or Abu Dhabi setup). Ask on WhatsApp or through the route review form.
How often do you re-check these?
We revisit the list on every content review. Last full check was 9 July 2026. If you find a broken or moved link, please flag it.
A considered next step
Bring the operating facts, not just the licence quote.
Send the activity, target clients, ownership position, visa or premises plan, timing and any route already under consideration. We will identify the decision work that matters before commitment.