When you are job hunting in the United Arab Emirates, “Freezone” is one of the common terms you might hear from fellow kabayans. They will ask if the organization you are applying belongs to the Free zone list.
In general, if a company is labeled under the free zone, it is exempted from the UAE Labour Law – Hence it’s called “Free”.
Dubai road
UAE has set 2-year contracts for employers and employees to prevent the staff to hop from one job to another. In case an employee resigns, it is breach of contract, and UAE Labor will impose an automatic ban. The labor ban means that you cannot work in other companies except those that are in the freezone. So which areas are these? Here’s the list:
Note: This list may change or updated without prior notice. It’s always better to check the actual company and inquire from them if they belong to the free zone category.
FREE ZONES Locations in the United Arab Emirates
- Jebel Ali Free Zone
- Dubai Internet City
- Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Dubai Media City
- Dubai Metals & Commodities Center DMCC
- Dubai Internet City
- Dubai International Financial Center
- Dubiotech
- Dubai Auto Zone
- Dubai Building Material Zone
- Gold & Diamond Park
- Knowledge Village
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Hamriyah Free Zone
- Techno Park
- Maritime City
- Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
- Dubai Aid City
- Dubai Health Care City
- Ajman Free Zone
- Dubai Textile City
- Dubai Auto Parts City
- Dubai Outsource Zone
- Dubai Studio City
- Ahmed Bin Rashid Free Zone
- Heavy Equipment & Trucks Free Zone
- Dubai Academic City
- Dubai Flower Center
- Dubai Carpet Free Zone
- Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone
- Jebel Ali Airport City
- Fujairah Free Zone
- International Media Production Zone
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
- International Humanitarian City
- Umm Al Quwaim Free Zone
- Dubai Logistics City
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
- Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority
No Ban in Freezone Company
Whether you are transferring to another job or applying for a new one, it’s better to get acquainted with businesses in this category. The main reason is that you won’t have to worry so much about your Labor contract in case you will switch professions. If the company is in a freezone area, then there is no issue on being banned from working in the UAE.
So the companies belonging to this areas are most likely under a free zone law. You can apply for jobs in these areas and worry less about being banned from working in the UAE in case you switch jobs abruptly. Still, it’s always a plus if you finish your contract before transferring to another organization as it’s added points to your resume and background.