| Budget | Office rule | Visa capacity | Best for |
|---|
All figures are indicative AED amounts compiled in November 2026 from free zone price lists and published setup quotes. Prices are often promotional and change during the year, some zones (IFZA, Ajman Free Zone) do not publish official prices at all, and your real cost depends on your activity, shareholders, visa count and workspace. Always get a written all-in quote, including renewal, before you pay.
Which free zone fits your business?
Price is rarely the deciding factor. Start from what your business actually does, then compare cost inside that shortlist.
Solo founder or consultant on a budget
You need a licence, a visa and a low renewal bill. Flexi-desk is enough.
You want a Dubai address
A Dubai-issued licence can help with client perception and some banks, at roughly double the northern-emirate price.
Trading, commodities or a premium brand
Higher cost and a mandatory JLT workspace, in exchange for strong recognition with banks and counterparties.
Warehousing, logistics or manufacturing
You need real space: warehouses, land or port access. Office rules are stricter but the infrastructure is there.
Software, IT or tech startup
Technology-focused campus with co-working and an ecosystem of tech companies around you.
Financial services or holding structures
Independent English common-law courts and financial regulators. The most expensive option, and worth it only if you need that framework.
The costs the headline price leaves out
The cheapest advertised licence almost always has zero visas. These are the typical extras to add per year when you want UAE residency.
- Residence visa processing (in-country, per person)~AED 4,000–5,000
- Establishment card (company immigration file)~AED 1,500 / yr
- Immigration card~AED 1,500 / yr
- Medical test and Emirates ID~AED 700–800
- Mandatory health insurancefrom ~AED 320 / yr
- Extra activities or shareholders beyond the packagevaries by zone
- Office upgrade to unlock more visasAED 15,000+ / yr
- Annual audit (e.g. DMCC, JAFZA)auditor's fee
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE in 2026?
On headline licence price, the northern-emirate and Sharjah zones lead: UAQ FTZ, Ajman Free Zone, RAKEZ, SHAMS and SPC Free Zone all start at roughly AED 5,000 to 6,000 for a zero-visa licence. Once you add a residence visa, expect roughly AED 14,000 to 17,000 in year one.
Does a zero-visa licence give me UAE residency?
No. A zero-visa package gives you a company and a trade licence, but no residence visa. You need a package with at least one visa allocation, and then pay the visa processing, medical, Emirates ID and insurance costs on top.
Which free zones require a physical office?
DMCC requires a workspace in its JLT towers, JAFZA requires a leased office or warehouse, and DIFC requires office space inside DIFC. Zones such as Meydan, IFZA, SHAMS and SPC include a flexi-desk in their packages.
How much does one free zone residence visa cost?
As a planning figure, budget around AED 4,000 to 5,000 per visa for an in-country application, plus an establishment card and immigration card of roughly AED 1,500 each per year, plus mandatory health insurance.
Can I set up a free zone company without visiting the UAE?
Many zones, including Meydan, IFZA, SHAMS, SPC and RAKEZ, let you incorporate fully online. You will still need to be in the UAE for the visa medical and Emirates ID biometrics if you want residency, and most banks will want to meet you before opening an account.
Want an all-in quote for your shortlist?
Aizaa Management Consultancy helps overseas investors and entrepreneurs set up in UAE free zones and the mainland, with Golden Visa, residency, bank account and PRO support.