Cheapest Free Zone License in UAE: 2026 Cost Comparison
Compare current published starting packages across Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai and Umm Al Quwain — then look beyond the headline licence price to understand visas, immigration costs, workspace and renewal implications.
Among the publicly advertised packages checked for this comparison, Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone currently publishes the lowest starting licence price. The cheapest headline licence is not automatically the cheapest complete company setup.
What is the cheapest free zone licence in the UAE?
Based on the current published offers reviewed for this comparison, the lowest starting licence price is AED 4,888 at Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone. SHAMS and SPC Free Zone currently publish selected packages from AED 5,750, while RAKEZ publishes a Basic Package at AED 6,000.
Compare the same type of package
A zero-visa licence should not be compared directly with a package that already includes residency, Emirates ID and medical costs.
Check what is included
Ask whether the published figure includes the licence, establishment or immigration file, workspace, visa allocation and other mandatory setup items.
Budget beyond year one
A low introductory package can lose its advantage if renewal, activity amendments, additional visas or workspace upgrades cost significantly more later.
Cheapest UAE free zone packages compared
These are published starting packages checked in August 2026. They are not interchangeable: some apply to specific licence categories and some include substantially more than others.
| Free zone | Emirate | Published from | Package compared | Useful context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCFZ | Ajman | AED 4,888 | Business Licence Starting package | A strong headline-price option when comparing lean entry packages. Authority offer |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | Media Package Activity-specific | Relevant where the Media Package covers the required business activity. Authority offer |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | E-commerce licence Activity-specific | Worth comparing for eligible e-commerce, publishing or media activities. Authority offer |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | Basic Package Starting package | A low-entry option in Ras Al Khaimah — not Dubai. RAKEZ setup guide · Authority offer |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | Regular LLC-FZ, 0 visa allocation Dubai | Useful when having a Dubai free zone setup is a specific requirement. Meydan setup guide · Authority offer |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | AED 12,500 | UAQ Start Visa-inclusive | Includes one investor visa, Emirates ID, medical fitness, basic medical insurance, co-working space and bank-account assistance. Authority offer |
Published package prices were checked in August 2026. Always confirm the current authority offer and receive an itemised quotation for your exact activity, visa count and shareholder structure before proceeding.
The cheapest licence is not necessarily the cheapest setup with a visa
A zero-visa licence can look much cheaper because the residency process sits outside the headline figure. If UAE residence is part of your plan, compare the full amount needed to reach licence, visa, medical and Emirates ID completion.
For example, Ajman NuVentures separately advertises a Business Licence + Visa package at AED 10,800, while UAQFTZ currently advertises its UAQ Start package at AED 12,500 with one investor visa and several residency-related items included.
Before choosing a “visa package”, check for:
Full inclusions- Visa allocation or actual visa processing
- Establishment or immigration file requirements
- Entry permit and status-change costs where applicable
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID
- Health insurance where required
What can increase the final free zone company setup cost?
Headline licence prices are useful for shortlisting, but they do not always represent the amount required to get the exact company structure you need.
Ask for an itemised quotation so that government or authority fees, mandatory costs and optional services are clearly separated. For a broader breakdown of the cost structure beyond promotional packages, see our UAE free zone company setup cost guide.
Business activity
Some published offers apply only to particular activity groups. Regulated activities or additional activities can change the package.
Visa requirements
Zero-visa, visa-allocation and fully processed residency packages are different products and should be compared separately.
Immigration and establishment items
An establishment card, immigration file or related processing may sit outside a headline licence fee depending on the authority and package.
Workspace
Your activity, visa quota and free zone can affect whether a flexi-desk, co-working space, private office or other premises are required.
External approvals
Certain business activities can require additional approval or supporting documentation before licensing.
Renewal and future changes
Compare the cost of renewal, adding visas, changing activities or upgrading workspace — not only the first-year entry price.
Do not confuse the cheapest UAE option with the cheapest Dubai option
Many lower-priced published packages are outside Dubai. That is not necessarily a disadvantage, but the emirate should be part of your decision rather than an afterthought.
If Dubai is a firm requirement, see First Elite Global's Dubai free zones guide or Dubai free zone company setup service.
RAKEZ is in Ras Al Khaimah — not Dubai
RAKEZ stands for Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Its published AED 6,000 Basic Package can make it worth comparing for cost-conscious founders, but it should be evaluated as a Ras Al Khaimah setup.
If the company address, customer perception, physical operations or proximity to a particular emirate matters to your business, include that requirement before comparing prices.
Read more about RAKEZ company formation.
How to find the cheapest free zone for your actual business
Start with what the company must be able to do. Once those requirements are fixed, compare only the free zones and packages that genuinely satisfy them.
What will the company actually do?
Match the exact business model to an available activity instead of choosing a package first.
How many visas do you need?
Separate zero-visa, one-visa and team requirements before comparing quotes.
Does the emirate matter?
Decide whether you specifically need Dubai or can consider Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah or Umm Al Quwain.
What workspace will you require?
Check whether a flexi-desk is enough or whether your activity and operations require more space.
Where will you do business?
Consider where customers, suppliers and physical operations will be located before selecting the jurisdiction.
What happens after year one?
Compare renewal, amendments, additional visas and workspace upgrades as part of the decision.
From shortlist to the right licence structure
Instead of choosing only from a promotional headline price, build the comparison around your activity, visa requirements, location and operating plans.
Define the setup
Share your intended activity, shareholders, visa count, preferred emirate and workspace requirements.
Compare suitable options
Shortlist free zones that fit the business rather than comparing unrelated entry packages.
Review the full quote
Separate authority or government costs, required setup items and optional services so you know what you are paying for.
Proceed with formation
Complete the required documentation, licence application and any selected post-licence steps such as residency support.
Cheapest UAE free zone FAQs
The right answer depends on whether you are comparing licence-only costs or a complete setup with residency and other requirements.
What is the cheapest free zone license in UAE in 2026?
Among the current published packages checked for this comparison, Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone advertises a starting business licence price of AED 4,888. The final cost depends on your activity, visa requirements, shareholders and any additional services or authority requirements.
Is AED 4,888 the full cost of setting up a UAE company?
Not necessarily. It is a published starting licence price. If you need UAE residency, additional immigration processing, specific activities, workspace upgrades or other services, the complete setup cost can be higher.
What is the cheapest free zone option if I need a UAE residence visa?
Compare visa-inclusive packages rather than zero-visa licence prices. Ajman NuVentures currently advertises a Business Licence + Visa package at AED 10,800. UAQFTZ advertises UAQ Start at AED 12,500 including one investor visa, Emirates ID, medical fitness test, basic medical insurance and other listed inclusions. Confirm the current package and your eligibility before applying.
Is RAKEZ a Dubai free zone?
No. RAKEZ is the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone and is located in Ras Al Khaimah. If a Dubai free zone address is important to you, compare Dubai options separately.
Can I set up a UAE free zone company without a residence visa?
Yes, zero-visa company packages are available from a number of free zones. Whether that is appropriate depends on whether you already hold UAE residency, intend to live in the UAE, need employee visas, and how you plan to operate the company.
Does every UAE free zone company automatically pay 0% Corporate Tax?
No. The UAE Free Zone Corporate Tax regime allows a Qualifying Free Zone Person to benefit from a 0% rate on Qualifying Income when the relevant conditions are met. Taxable income that does not meet the Qualifying Income definition can be subject to the 9% rate. Tax treatment should therefore be assessed separately from the licence price.
Should I choose the cheapest free zone or the cheapest Dubai free zone?
First decide whether Dubai is actually required. Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain can have lower published entry packages, while a Dubai free zone may be preferable where location, address or operational requirements make Dubai important to the business.
What should I ask for before paying for a free zone package?
Ask for an itemised quotation showing the licence, included activities, visa allocation or visa processing, immigration or establishment items, workspace, external approvals, optional services and the expected renewal structure. That makes different free zone quotations much easier to compare properly.
Find the lowest-cost setup that actually fits your business
Send First Elite Global your business activity, number of shareholders, visa requirements and preferred emirate. We can help you compare suitable free zone routes rather than choosing on the headline licence price alone.
