Why Choose a Free Zone in the UAE?
UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and streamlined licensing. With 40+ free zones across the country, choosing the right one can save you thousands of dirhams.
Below we compare the 10 most affordable free zones based on license costs, visa packages, and total startup costs for 2026.
1. IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) — From AED 5,750
Based in Dubai, IFZA has become one of the most popular choices for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. Their Freelancer package starts at just AED 5,750 and includes a license, flexi-desk, and one visa allocation.
- Location: Dubai (Fujairah jurisdiction)
- License + Visa Package: from AED 11,750
- Activities: 1,500+
- Best for: Consultants, freelancers, e-commerce
2. RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) — From AED 6,000
RAKEZ offers some of the most competitive packages in the UAE with a strong reputation. License starts from AED 6,000 with options for commerce, service, and industrial activities.
- Location: Ras Al Khaimah
- License + Visa: from AED 12,000
- Activities: 1,000+
- Best for: Trading companies, manufacturing, SMEs
3. Ajman Free Zone — From AED 6,500
One of the oldest and most established free zones, Ajman Free Zone offers affordable packages with fast processing.
- Location: Ajman
- License + Visa: from AED 13,000
- Processing: 2-3 days
- Best for: Trading, services, e-commerce startups
4. SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) — From AED 5,900
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone offers one of the cheapest setups with 1,500+ business activities and packages starting from AED 5,900.
- Location: Sharjah
- License + Visa: from AED 12,500
- Up to 100 visa quotas available
- Best for: Media, consulting, publishing, general trading
5. SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) — From AED 5,750
SHAMS is popular for freelancers and media professionals with packages starting from AED 5,750.
- Location: Sharjah
- 100% online setup
- Best for: Freelancers, content creators, media companies
6-10. More Affordable Options
6. UAQ Free Zone — From AED 7,000. Great for import/export businesses.
7. Hamriyah Free Zone (Sharjah) — From AED 8,000. Industrial and trading focus.
8. KIZAD (Abu Dhabi) — From AED 9,000. Government-backed, excellent for logistics.
9. ADGM (Abu Dhabi) — From USD 2,000. Financial services and fintech hub.
10. DMCC (Dubai) — From AED 15,000. World's #1 free zone, premium but worth it for commodities and trading.
Comparison Table
| Free Zone | License From | With Visa From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | AED 5,750 | AED 11,750 | Freelancers, consultants |
| SHAMS | AED 5,750 | AED 12,000 | Media, freelancers |
| SPC | AED 5,900 | AED 12,500 | General trading |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,000 | AED 12,000 | Trading, manufacturing |
| Ajman FZ | AED 6,500 | AED 13,000 | Trading, e-commerce |
| UAQ FZ | AED 7,000 | AED 14,000 | Import/export |
| KIZAD | AED 9,000 | AED 16,000 | Logistics, industrial |
| DMCC | AED 15,000 | AED 25,000 | Commodities, trading |
How PS Business UAE Helps You Choose
With 8+ branches and partnerships across 40+ free zones, PS Business UAE helps you find the perfect free zone based on your business activity, budget, and goals. Our team handles the complete process from license to visa to bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest free zone in UAE?
IFZA and SHAMS are currently the cheapest at AED 5,750 for a license. However, total costs including visa are typically AED 11,000-13,000.
Can I get a visa with a free zone license?
Yes, most free zone packages include visa allocation. A single-person company can typically get 1-3 visas, while larger setups can get up to 100+ visas.
Can a free zone company do business in UAE mainland?
Free zone companies cannot directly sell to UAE mainland customers. However, they can trade internationally and within the free zone. Dual licensing options are now available in some free zones.