Visa Quotas and Office Options
How a quota works
- The company first registers for an establishment card, the immigration identity of the business, and renews it every year.
- The number of visas available depends on the licence category chosen; more visas mean upgrading the licence.
- Higher visa numbers may also require leasing a physical office in the zone.
- Each visa stays valid only while the licence is kept valid.
Source: IFZA: Terms and conditions1
Moving down from an office to a flexi desk can mean cancelling visas above the new limit, as RAKEZ requires.2
Published quotas
| Free zone | Space | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | Flexi desk | 1 |
| RAKEZ | All-inclusive package | 1 included, up to 3 more at AED 4,000 each |
| Shams | Shared desk facility | Up to 12 |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Flexi desk, AED 6,000 to 10,000 a year | Visa allocations included |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Dedicated desk, AED 20,000 a year | Up to 4 |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Enterprise package with Flexi Desk Plus | 3 |
| Meydan Free Zone | Flexi desk with every licence | Up to 6 allocations, AED 1,850 each |
| DMCC | Jumpstart package, standard flexi desk | 1 two-year visa included |
| Ajman Free Zone | Starter package, coworking lease | 1 |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Two-visa package | 2 |
| IFZA | Basic packages, no physical office | 0 to 3 |
Source: RAKEZ: FAQs; RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up; Sharjah Media City (Shams): Home; Masdar City Free Zone: Robotics business setup (leasing options); Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration; Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown; DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions; Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages; UAQ Free Trade Zone: E-commerce licence guide; IFZA: Support for startups2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
The cost of each visa
An investor or partner visa at RAKEZ costs AED 4,620 at the standard rate, excluding VAT, with an extra AED 985 if the applicant is already inside the UAE.4
Count the visas you need in the first two years, including your own, before choosing the desk. Upgrading later can cost more than leasing the right space at the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visas do I get with a free zone flexi desk?
It depends on the zone: one at RAKEZ, up to six allocations at Meydan, and up to 12 on a Shams shared desk. More visas usually need a bigger licence package or office.
Sources
- IFZA: Terms and conditions
- RAKEZ: FAQs
- RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up
- RAKEZ: New investor or partner visa
- Sharjah Media City (Shams): Home
- Masdar City Free Zone: Robotics business setup (leasing options)
- Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
- Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown
- DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions
- Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages
- UAQ Free Trade Zone: E-commerce licence guide
- IFZA: Support for startups
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.