SPC Free Zone
SharjahSharjah Publishing City: fast, affordable licences for media, publishing, e-commerce and over 1,500 business activities.
Best for Media, e-commerce, consultancy
From AED 6,000
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Business setup · Free zone
Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE
Own 100% of your company, repatriate all profits and get licensed in days. We compare more than 20 free zones for you and handle everything from name approval to visas.
100% foreign ownershipLicence in daysRemote setup available
Overview
One page. Every UAE free zone.
The UAE has more than forty free zones, each with its own activities, packages, office options and rules. Choosing the wrong one can cost you in visa quotas, renewals or banking. That is why we start with your activity, clients and budget, then shortlist the zones that fit.
A free zone company is a separate legal entity licensed by the free zone authority. It can trade internationally and within its zone, hire staff, sponsor residence visas and open a UAE corporate bank account. To trade directly on the UAE mainland, you can add a mainland branch or work through a distributor.
What you get
Why founders choose a free zone
100% foreign ownership
No local partner needed. You hold every share.
Full profit repatriation
Move capital and profits abroad with no currency restrictions.
Fast, often remote setup
Many zones issue a licence within days, with digital signing.
Tax efficiency
Qualifying free zone persons can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income.
Flexible workspace
Start with a flexi-desk and scale to offices or warehouses.
Residence visas
Sponsor yourself, your team and your family under the company.
Compare free zones
Compare free zones
Filter by emirate or search by name. Prices are starting points and are confirmed in your quote.
Dubai Production City
DubaiA Dubai media and printing hub for publishing, production and creative businesses.
Best for Printing, publishing, production
From AED 36,000
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IFZA
DubaiInternational Free Zone Authority: flexible packages with a Dubai address and a wide activity list.
Best for Consultancy, trading, services
From AED 13,000
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Meydan Free Zone
DubaiA fully digital Dubai free zone with quick setup and a central Meydan address.
Best for Start-ups, e-commerce, services
From AED 13,000
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DMCC
DubaiDubai Multi Commodities Centre in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, a global hub for trade and crypto.
Best for Commodities, trading, crypto
From AED 35,000
Get a quote
JAFZA
DubaiJebel Ali Free Zone, next to Jebel Ali Port, for logistics, manufacturing and global trade.
Best for Logistics, industrial, trading
From AED 40,000
Get a quote
DAFZA
DubaiDubai Airport Free Zone, next to DXB, for premium trading and technology companies.
Best for Aviation, tech, trading
From AED 22,000
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Dubai Silicon Oasis
DubaiA technology park with offices, labs and residential space.
Best for Technology, software, R&D
From AED 19,000
Get a quote
Dubai South
DubaiNear Al Maktoum Airport and Expo City, for logistics, aviation and e-commerce.
Best for Logistics, aviation, e-commerce
From AED 12,000
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DWTC Free Zone
DubaiDubai World Trade Centre: a Sheikh Zayed Road address for events, services and virtual assets.
Best for Events, services, virtual assets
From AED 15,000
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DIFC
DubaiDubai International Financial Centre: a common-law financial hub regulated by the DFSA.
Best for Finance, fintech, holding
From AED 60,000
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ADGM
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi Global Market: an English common-law financial centre regulated by the FSRA.
Best for Finance, funds, crypto
From AED 21,000
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KEZAD
Abu DhabiKhalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, for industrial, logistics and trading operations.
Best for Industrial, logistics
From AED 10,000
Get a quote
Masdar City Free Zone
Abu DhabiA sustainability and technology cluster in Abu Dhabi.
Best for Clean tech, AI, start-ups
From AED 7,000
Get a quote
SHAMS
SharjahSharjah Media City: low-cost media, creative and freelance licences.
Best for Media, freelancers, creatives
From AED 6,000
Get a quote
SAIF Zone
SharjahSharjah Airport International Free Zone, for trading, logistics and light industry.
Best for Trading, logistics
From AED 13,000
Get a quote
Ajman Free Zone
AjmanA cost-efficient zone for trading, services and light manufacturing.
Best for Trading, SMEs
From AED 6,000
Get a quote
RAKEZ
Ras Al KhaimahRas Al Khaimah Economic Zone, with business parks for every size of company.
Best for SMEs, industrial, trading
From AED 6,000
Get a quote
UAQ Free Trade Zone
Umm Al QuwainUmm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone: budget-friendly packages for services and e-commerce.
Best for Budget setups, e-commerce
From AED 6,000
Get a quote
Fujairah Creative City
FujairahA media and creative free zone on the east coast.
Best for Media, events, creatives
From AED 21,985
Get a quote
No free zone matches your search.
Costs
What does a free zone company cost?
Your total depends on the zone, the number of activities, visas and the workspace. These are the main cost items.
| Item | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Licence & registration (from) | AED 6,000 |
| Establishment card | AED 1,000 |
| Residence visa (per person) | AED 4,000 |
| Medical test & Emirates ID (per person) | AED 1,100 |
| Flexi-desk (annual) | AED 5,000 |
| Bank account support | AED 3,000 |
Prices change with the free zone, activity and visa count. Use the estimator for your starting figure.
How it works
Free zone setup in five steps
01
Consultation
We confirm your activity, shareholders, visa needs and budget.
02
Zone & package
You choose from a shortlist of zones and packages with clear pricing.
03
Name & approval
We reserve the trade name and file for initial approval.
04
Licence issued
You sign the documents, often digitally, and the licence is issued.
05
Visas & bank
Establishment card, residence visas, Emirates ID and bank account.
Checklist
Documents you will need
- Passport copy for each shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with a white background
- UAE entry stamp or visa page (if in the UAE)
- Proof of residential address
- Short business plan or activity description (for some zones)
- Corporate documents if a company is a shareholder
Setup cost estimator
Get a free estimate
Starting estimate in AED. A specialist confirms your exact quote within one working day.
Which free zone is the cheapest?
Prices change often and depend on visas and activities. Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and RAK zones are usually the most budget-friendly. Use our estimator or ask for a side-by-side quote.
Can a free zone company work with mainland clients?
It can sell services to mainland clients in many cases and import through distributors, but direct trading on the mainland usually needs a mainland licence or branch. We will explain the options for your activity.
How many visas can I get?
The visa quota depends on the zone and the workspace you lease. A flexi-desk usually allows a small number of visas; an office or warehouse allows more.
Do I need to visit the UAE?
Licensing can often be completed remotely. You will need to visit for the visa medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Can I change free zones later?
Yes. You can move a company to another free zone or add a branch, although it involves deregistration and new licensing. Choosing the right zone at the start saves time and cost.
Services
Related services
Founders who needed this usually asked about these too.
Mainland Company Setup
Trade anywhere in the UAE, open a shop or office and bid for government contracts.
Learn more
Offshore Company Setup
Hold assets, shares and IP in a confidential, cost-efficient international structure.
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Corporate Banking
Bank selection, KYC preparation and account opening support.
Learn more
Don’t wait.
Just start.
Book a free consultation and get a clear plan for your UAE company: structure, timeline and cost.