Free Zone Costs in the UAE
Published entry prices
| Free zone | Emirate | Entry licence | With a visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 5,555, no visa, coworking lease included | AED 13,131 Starter package with 1 visa, all visa costs included |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,750, no visa, selected activities | Visas paid per item, see below |
| Shams | Sharjah | AED 5,750 media package; AED 6,875 standard package | Packages with visas on request |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 basic package: 1 shareholder, 1 activity, coworking access | AED 14,000 a year with 1 visa; up to 3 more visas at AED 4,000 each |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 Startup package, up to 2 activities | AED 17,500 Business One package with 1 visa and a flexi desk |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | AED 8,000, no visa | AED 13,500 with 2 visas |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | Licence from AED 12,500, flexi desk included | AED 1,850 per visa allocation |
| DMCC | Dubai | Licence AED 20,285 a year, plus registration and office | AED 43,780 one-year Jumpstart package with a flexi desk and a 2-year visa, VAT included |
Source: Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages; SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup; Shams: Cost calculator; RAKEZ: Instant licence; RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up; Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration; UAQ Free Trade Zone: Start a business as a non-resident; UAQ Free Trade Zone: E-commerce licence guide; Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown; DMCC: Schedule of charges; DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions3,1,2,4,5,8,6,7,9,10,11
Prices are the zones' own published figures in October 2026. Several are promotional offers or apply to selected activities only, and some exclude VAT. Ask for a written quote.
What a DMCC setup adds up to
| Item | AED | When |
|---|---|---|
| Application | 1,035 | Once |
| Registration | 9,020 | Once |
| Articles of Association | 2,020 | Once |
| Licence | 20,285 | Every year |
| Establishment card | 1,825 | Every year |
Source: DMCC: Schedule of charges10
DMCC puts the total initial setup cost at between AED 10,345 and AED 84,515, depending on the licence period and whether an office is included.12
Visa costs on top
| Item, SPC Free Zone | AED |
|---|---|
| Visa allocation | 1,600 |
| Establishment card | 640 |
| E-channel registration | 2,280 |
| Investor visa with Emirates ID | 2,530 |
| Change of status, if already in the UAE | 700 |
| Medical test | 365 |
Source: SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup1
At Masdar City Free Zone, an employment visa package for two years costs AED 3,050, plus a one-time establishment card of AED 1,600, e-channel registration of AED 2,600 and a refundable deposit of AED 2,500 per employee.8
The establishment card and e-channel registration are paid once per company, not per visa, so the first visa costs the most.1,8
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest free zone licence in the UAE?
Among published prices in October 2026, Ajman Free Zone starts from AED 5,555 without a visa, and SPC Free Zone and Shams in Sharjah from AED 5,750. Visas cost extra.
Sources
- SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup
- Shams: Cost calculator
- Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages
- RAKEZ: Instant licence
- RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: Start a business as a non-resident
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: E-commerce licence guide
- Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
- Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown
- DMCC: Schedule of charges
- DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions
- DMCC: Set up a new business
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.