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UAE business setup

United Arab Emirates free zones and company formation guide

The UAE is the Gulf's most mature free zone market, with more than 40 multidisciplinary zones spanning finance, commodities, logistics, media, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Investors typically choose the UAE for fast incorporation, international banking access, strong infrastructure, and sector-specific clusters.

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United Arab Emirates free zone skyline

United Arab Emirates free zone overview

The UAE is the Gulf's most mature free zone market, with more than 40 multidisciplinary zones spanning finance, commodities, logistics, media, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Investors typically choose the UAE for fast incorporation, international banking access, strong infrastructure, and sector-specific clusters.

Tax benefits

  • 100% foreign ownership in free zones
  • Potential 0% corporate tax treatment on qualifying income subject to UAE corporate tax rules
  • No personal income tax
  • Customs benefits for eligible free zone trade
  • Full repatriation of capital and profits

Business advantages

  • Large choice of free zones across all emirates
  • Strong international banking ecosystem
  • Advanced ports, airports, and logistics corridors
  • Investor and employee visa pathways
  • Recognized legal and regulatory frameworks

Visa information

Visa quota depends on the license package, facility size, activity, and authority rules. Flexi-desk packages may include limited visas while offices and warehouses usually support larger quotas.

Banking

Bank account opening is strongest when activity, source of funds, shareholder documents, and office arrangements are clearly documented. Regulated and higher-risk activities require deeper compliance review.

Licensing

Common license categories include commercial, service, industrial, e-commerce, media, professional, holding, and specialized regulated activities.

Setup process

  1. Shortlist free zone and activity
  2. Reserve trade name and select license type
  3. Submit KYC and shareholder documents
  4. Choose desk, office, warehouse, or land facility
  5. Receive initial approval and incorporation documents
  6. Apply for establishment card, visas, and bank account

Available free zones

United Arab Emirates free zones in this portal

UAE / Dubai

DMCC

Premium Dubai free zone for commodities, trade, crypto, AI, professional services, and global businesses.

Cost
AED 30,000 to AED 60,000+ typical all-in starting range
Visas
1 to 6+ visas depending on package and office size
Setup
2 to 4 weeks

UAE / Dubai

JAFZA

Dubai's flagship port-linked free zone for logistics, manufacturing, trading, and regional distribution.

Cost
AED 45,000 to AED 150,000+ depending on facility
Visas
Scales with office, warehouse, land, and facility size
Setup
2 to 6 weeks

UAE / Ras Al Khaimah

RAKEZ

Cost-effective UAE free zone for SMEs, industrial companies, trading, and service businesses.

Cost
AED 12,000 to AED 40,000+ typical starting range
Visas
0 to 6+ visas depending on package; industrial facilities can support larger quotas
Setup
3 to 10 working days for standard activities

UAE / Sharjah

SHAMS

Affordable Sharjah free zone for media, services, consulting, and digital businesses.

Cost
AED 5,750 to AED 20,000+ typical starting range
Visas
0 to multiple visas depending on package and facility
Setup
2 to 7 working days

UAE / Sharjah

SPC Free Zone

Flexible Sharjah free zone with low-cost packages and broad activity options.

Cost
AED 6,875 to AED 25,000+ typical starting range
Visas
0 visa packages to multi-visa options depending on selected bundle
Setup
1 to 5 working days for simple activities

UAE / Dubai

Dubai South

Aviation, logistics, e-commerce, and future-city free zone near Al Maktoum International Airport.

Cost
AED 15,000 to AED 60,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on license and facility size
Setup
1 to 3 weeks

UAE / Dubai

DAFZA

Premium airport-connected Dubai free zone for high-value trade, aviation, tech, and services.

Cost
AED 35,000 to AED 100,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on facility and office allocation
Setup
2 to 4 weeks

UAE / Dubai

IFZA

Popular Dubai free zone for remote setup, flexible activities, and SME packages.

Cost
AED 12,900 to AED 35,000+ typical starting range
Visas
0 to 6 visas depending on package and facility
Setup
2 to 7 working days

UAE / Dubai

Meydan Free Zone

Central Dubai free zone option for consultants, startups, e-commerce, and professional services.

Cost
AED 12,500 to AED 30,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on selected package and facility
Setup
2 to 7 working days

UAE / Ajman

Ajman Free Zone

Affordable northern Emirates free zone for trading, light industry, e-commerce, and SMEs.

Cost
AED 8,000 to AED 35,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on package and facility
Setup
2 to 10 working days

UAE / Sharjah

Hamriyah Free Zone

Industrial and maritime free zone in Sharjah with port access and land options.

Cost
AED 15,000 to AED 80,000+ depending on facility
Visas
Scales with facility size and labor plan
Setup
1 to 4 weeks

UAE / Fujairah

Fujairah Free Zone

East-coast UAE free zone for trading, logistics, maritime, and industrial businesses.

Cost
AED 12,000 to AED 50,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on office, warehouse, or facility allocation
Setup
1 to 3 weeks

UAE / Umm Al Quwain

UAQ FTZ

Low-cost northern Emirates free trade zone for startups, consultants, traders, and SMEs.

Cost
AED 8,000 to AED 30,000+ typical starting range
Visas
0 to several visas based on package and facility
Setup
2 to 10 working days

UAE / Abu Dhabi

KIZAD

Abu Dhabi industrial and logistics zone linked to Khalifa Port.

Cost
AED 30,000 to AED 200,000+ depending on land and facility
Visas
Scales with facility and labor plan
Setup
3 to 8 weeks depending on project

UAE / Abu Dhabi

Masdar City

Abu Dhabi innovation free zone for clean tech, sustainability, R&D, and professional services.

Cost
AED 15,000 to AED 50,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on package and office size
Setup
1 to 3 weeks

UAE / Abu Dhabi

ADGM

International financial center in Abu Dhabi for finance, fintech, holding, SPVs, and professional services.

Cost
AED 20,000 to AED 100,000+ depending on structure and regulation
Visas
Depends on office and employment needs
Setup
1 to 8+ weeks depending on regulated status

UAE / Dubai

DIFC

Dubai's leading financial center for regulated finance, fintech, wealth, funds, and professional services.

Cost
AED 40,000 to AED 200,000+ depending on structure and regulation
Visas
Depends on leased space and business requirements
Setup
2 to 12+ weeks depending on regulated status

UAE / Dubai

Dubai Internet City

Dubai technology cluster for software, digital platforms, telecoms, and regional tech headquarters.

Cost
AED 25,000 to AED 100,000+ depending on office
Visas
Depends on office or workspace lease
Setup
2 to 4 weeks

UAE / Dubai

Dubai Media City

Dubai media cluster for production, publishing, advertising, events, and creative services.

Cost
AED 25,000 to AED 90,000+ depending on office
Visas
Depends on office and workspace lease
Setup
2 to 4 weeks

UAE / Dubai

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Dubai technology and innovation district for startups, hardware, software, and R&D.

Cost
AED 18,000 to AED 60,000+ typical starting range
Visas
Depends on package and facility
Setup
1 to 4 weeks

Cost comparison

UAE setup cost snapshot

Free zoneIndicative costVisa quotaSetup timeBest for
DMCCAED 30,000 to AED 60,000+ typical all-in starting range1 to 6+ visas depending on package and office size2 to 4 weeksCommodities, Trading, Crypto and Web3
JAFZAAED 45,000 to AED 150,000+ depending on facilityScales with office, warehouse, land, and facility size2 to 6 weeksLogistics, Manufacturing, Automotive
RAKEZAED 12,000 to AED 40,000+ typical starting range0 to 6+ visas depending on package; industrial facilities can support larger quotas3 to 10 working days for standard activitiesManufacturing, Trading, Education
SHAMSAED 5,750 to AED 20,000+ typical starting range0 to multiple visas depending on package and facility2 to 7 working daysMedia, Consulting, E-commerce
SPC Free ZoneAED 6,875 to AED 25,000+ typical starting range0 visa packages to multi-visa options depending on selected bundle1 to 5 working days for simple activitiesPublishing, Media, Consulting
Dubai SouthAED 15,000 to AED 60,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on license and facility size1 to 3 weeksAviation, Logistics, E-commerce
DAFZAAED 35,000 to AED 100,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on facility and office allocation2 to 4 weeksAviation, Electronics, Luxury goods
IFZAAED 12,900 to AED 35,000+ typical starting range0 to 6 visas depending on package and facility2 to 7 working daysConsulting, Trading, E-commerce
Meydan Free ZoneAED 12,500 to AED 30,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on selected package and facility2 to 7 working daysConsulting, E-commerce, Trading
Ajman Free ZoneAED 8,000 to AED 35,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on package and facility2 to 10 working daysTrading, E-commerce, Light manufacturing
Hamriyah Free ZoneAED 15,000 to AED 80,000+ depending on facilityScales with facility size and labor plan1 to 4 weeksManufacturing, Maritime, Oil and gas
Fujairah Free ZoneAED 12,000 to AED 50,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on office, warehouse, or facility allocation1 to 3 weeksTrading, Maritime, Logistics
UAQ FTZAED 8,000 to AED 30,000+ typical starting range0 to several visas based on package and facility2 to 10 working daysConsulting, Trading, E-commerce
KIZADAED 30,000 to AED 200,000+ depending on land and facilityScales with facility and labor plan3 to 8 weeks depending on projectManufacturing, Logistics, Food
Masdar CityAED 15,000 to AED 50,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on package and office size1 to 3 weeksClean tech, Renewable energy, R&D
ADGMAED 20,000 to AED 100,000+ depending on structure and regulationDepends on office and employment needs1 to 8+ weeks depending on regulated statusFinancial services, Fintech, Funds
DIFCAED 40,000 to AED 200,000+ depending on structure and regulationDepends on leased space and business requirements2 to 12+ weeks depending on regulated statusBanking, Insurance, Wealth management
Dubai Internet CityAED 25,000 to AED 100,000+ depending on officeDepends on office or workspace lease2 to 4 weeksSoftware, Telecom, Cloud
Dubai Media CityAED 25,000 to AED 90,000+ depending on officeDepends on office and workspace lease2 to 4 weeksMedia, Advertising, Publishing
Dubai Silicon OasisAED 18,000 to AED 60,000+ typical starting rangeDepends on package and facility1 to 4 weeksTechnology, Electronics, R&D

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Low-cost options often include SHAMS, SPC, IFZA, Ajman Free Zone, and RAKEZ, but the best choice depends on visas, activity, renewal fees, and banking needs.
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