Free Trade Zones in the UAE are isolated lands or settings, which have a special tax, customs and import regime and are governed by their own distinct framework of regulations (with the exception of UAE Criminal Law) The UAE has several free zones across all seven Emirates, Free Trade Zones can be broadly categorized as sea port free zones, airport free zones and mainland free zones. An operating license is issued for specific "activities'. Freezones have historically been divided by trade themes (i.e. Internet City, Knowledge Village, Logistics etc) but this is less relevant now
The main attraction of setting up in a Free Trade zones is that a foreign investor can fully own (100% and retain management control of their business without the requirement to find and engage with a UAE national partner.
We recommend to our clients, who will claim Fiscal residency in the UAE based on the above arrangement, to seek a residential solution to support their proof of tax residency. It is always best to provide additional proof of residency (ie. utility bill, UAE Personal Bank Statements) to your home country's tax authority and financial institutions, in addition to your UAE Residence Visa and Emirates ID.
A individual under a Company Residency Visa (either investor or employee) can sponsor first degree relatives for a Family Residency Visa. The validity of this type of Residency Visa is determined by the validity of the sponsor's visa. The crucial condition to sponsor a family member is to submit proof of a leased residential real estate within the UAE.