UAE Free Zones
Every UAE Free Zone compared: costs, visa quotas, industry focus, setup time. Find the right zone for your activity — or get a personalized recommendation from our consultants.
Understanding UAE Free Zones
A UAE Free Zone is a designated jurisdiction offering companies 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, 100% repatriation of profits, and streamlined business setup. Each zone is administered by its own regulatory authority (e.g. DMCC Authority, JAFZA Authority) and typically specializes in industries — commodities, media, healthcare, aviation, logistics.
Free Zones differ from Mainland (DET-licensed) companies in three key ways. First, trade is generally restricted to within the zone or internationally, not the local UAE market. Second, government tenders are not available. Third, office requirements and visa quotas follow zone-specific rules. For the right business, a Free Zone delivers faster setup and lower cost than Mainland.
13 Most Popular UAE Free Zones
Covering 85%+ of new Free Zone registrations. Click any card for the detailed zone guide.
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Free Zone Cost Calculator
Pick your activity, visa count and office type — we compare Year-1 cost across 8 popular zones and highlight the best fit.
Key Advantages of UAE Free Zones
Free Zone Cost & Setup Comparison
Year-1 basic package starting prices. Industry-specific zones may charge premium.
| Zone | Emirate | Year 1 from | Industry focus | Visa quota* | Setup time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC | Dubai | AED 35,500 | Commodities, trading, crypto | 6 visas | 7-10 days | Details |
| IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | SMEs, services, e-commerce | 6 visas | 5-7 days | Details |
| JAFZA | Dubai | AED 11,500 | Logistics, manufacturing, port trade | 12+ | 15-20 days | Details |
| ADGM | Abu Dhabi | AED 35,000 | Financial services, fintech | 3 visas | 20-30 days | Details |
| Meydan FZ | Dubai | AED 12,500 | Trading, e-commerce | 6 visas | 7 days | Details |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | Media, creative | 3 visas | 3-5 days | Details |
| Ajman FZ | Ajman | AED 7,500 | Freelancer, SME, trading, services | 10 visas | 1 day | Details |
| DAFZA | Dubai | AED 31,000 | Aviation, cargo | 6 visas | 10-15 days | Details |
| DIC | Dubai | AED 22,000 | Tech, IT, software | 6 visas | 5-7 days | Details |
| DIFC | Dubai | AED 35,000 | Banking, legal, funds | 4 visas | 30-45 days | Details |
| KIZAD | Abu Dhabi | AED 9,450 | Industrial, manufacturing | 12+ | 20-30 days | Details |
| Dubai South | Dubai | AED 12,540 | Logistics, aviation, e-commerce | 6 visas | 7-10 days | Details |
| DSO | Dubai | AED 12,900 | Silicon, tech manufacturing, R&D | 6 visas | 7-14 days | Details |
* Visa quota = the maximum number of visas allowed per package in this zone. Each visa is charged separately (typically AED 3,500–6,500 per visa).
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UAE Free Zone — Frequently Asked Questions
A UAE Free Zone is a designated economic jurisdiction within the UAE that offers companies 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, 100% repatriation of profits, and streamlined licensing. Each zone is administered by its own authority and specializes in industries like commodities (DMCC), media (SHAMS), aviation (DAFZA) or financial services (DIFC, ADGM).
There are currently 56 operational Free Zones across all 7 emirates. Dubai hosts the largest concentration (30 zones), followed by Abu Dhabi (5), Sharjah (3), and 1-2 each in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah.
Entry-level Free Zone packages start from AED 5,750/year (SHAMS) to AED 7,500/year (Ajman FZ), AED 12,500/year (Meydan FZ) and AED 12,900/year (IFZA). Mid-tier zones include Dubai South at AED 12,540 and DSO at AED 12,900. Premium zones like DMCC start at AED 35,500, ADGM and DIFC from AED 35,000. Add AED 4,500-6,500 per visa and bank account minimum balance of AED 50,000-100,000.
Free Zone companies generally cannot sell directly to UAE consumers without a Mainland distributor agent. Sales must be either within the Free Zone, between Free Zones, or for export. To access the local UAE retail/B2C market, you need a Mainland (DET-licensed) company instead.
Most modern Free Zones issue licenses in 5-10 working days through digital portals. Premium zones like DIFC and ADGM take 20-45 days due to regulatory review. Add 2-4 weeks for the corporate bank account, and 10-14 days for the investor visa and Emirates ID.
The right zone depends on your industry, budget, visa needs, and target market. DMCC suits trading and crypto. IFZA and Meydan are best-value for SMEs. DIFC fits regulated finance. JAFZA pairs with deepwater port for logistics. SHAMS is the cheapest for solo media professionals. Book a free 20-minute consultation for a personalized recommendation.
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