FZM Solutions

Free Zone hub · 7 emirates · 45+ zones

Free Zone company setup in the UAE, Choose the right business activity.

Choose from over 45 Free Zones across the UAE's seven emirates, each offering different costs, business activities, and banking prospects. Our senior advisors assess your business model, budget, and banking requirements to recommend the most suitable jurisdiction and provide a transparent fixed-price quotation. Trusted by entrepreneurs since 2013.

  • 100% foreign ownership, No local sponsor
  • 0% corporate tax under QFZP, 0% personal income tax
  • Trade license issued within 5 business days
  • Transparent and comprehensive quote
Book a Free ConsultationEstimate the full cost
GoogleReviews★★★★★4.8/ 5 · 85+

Free, no commitment. You leave the call with a written shortlist of 2 to 3 zones.

  • 15+
    Years in UAE
  • 1,500+
    Companies Registered
  • 45+
    Free Zones covered
  • 4.8★
    85+ Google reviews

Why a Free Zone

Four reasons entrepreneurs choose a UAE Free Zone for long-term growth.

While the core benefits are similar across all Free Zones, each jurisdiction differs in terms of permitted business activities, licensing costs, office solutions, and banking reputation. This guide helps you compare these key factors and identify the Free Zone best suited to your business.

  • 100% foreign ownership

    Set up your company with 100% foreign ownership, no Emirati partner, a business-friendly tax regime, and a simple registration process. No profit and dividend repatriation

  • 0% tax under QFZP

    Qualifying Free Zone Persons keep the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Personal income tax is 0%.

  • License within 5 days

    Clean applications are issued in under a week in most zones. Residency visa and Emirates ID follow in another 5 to 10 days; corporate bank account in 2 to 6 weeks.

  • Full profit repatriation

    No currency controls. No withholding tax on dividends paid to foreign shareholders. Free movement of capital in and out of the UAE.

The 7 emirates

Same country, Seven different markets.

Licensing costs, permitted activities, and banking accessibility vary considerably across the UAE’s seven emirates. The sections below explore each jurisdiction in detail, starting with Dubai and continuing through the Northern Emirates.

Jump to:01Dubai02Sharjah03Ajman04Ras Al Khaimah05Fujairah06Umm Al Quwain07Abu Dhabi
01
Tier 1 banking

Dubai

The trade-and-services capital

Free Zones
30+
From
AED 12,500
  • Trading & E-commerce
  • Consulting & advisory
  • Fintech & crypto
  • Media & creative
  • Tech & SaaS
See all Dubai Free Zones

Dubai hosts more than 30 Free Zones, covering sectors including media, financial services, logistics, healthcare, and digital assets. As the UAE's principal commercial hub, Dubai remains the jurisdiction of choice for international investors and entrepreneurs due to its advanced infrastructure, access to skilled talent, and mature banking and regulatory environment.

  • IFZA

    Full details

    Best for: Consulting & Services · Trading

    From

    AED 12,900

    Flat-fee license, fast issuance in 2 to 3 business days, physical office available, Affordable packages.

    Full IFZA guide

  • Meydan Free Zone

    Full details

    Best for: Consulting & Services · Trading

    From

    AED 12,520

    Dubai-centric address with virtual office included, no paid-up capital requirement.

    Full Meydan guide

  • DMCC

    Full details

    Best for: Commodities · crypto · professional firms

    From

    AED 34,340

    Premium JLT address, World's premier business destination.

    Full DMCC guide

  • Dubai Internet City (TECOM)

    Full details

    Best for: Tech · SaaS · IT · software

    From

    AED 22,000

    TECOM cluster zone for technology companies, with sector-specific communities, peer networks and event programmes.

    Full Dubai Internet City guide

  • Dubai Media City (TECOM)

    Full details

    Best for: Media · marketing · production

    From

    AED 22,000

    TECOM cluster zone for media and marketing businesses, home to regional and international broadcasters and agencies.

    Full Dubai Media City guide

  • JAFZA

    Full details

    Best for: Industrial · Logistics · Import&Export · Shipping

    From

    AED 27,500

    Jebel Ali port access and customs-bonded warehousing for re-export businesses.

    Full JAFZA guide

  • DIFC

    Full details

    Best for: Financial services · family offices · fintech

    From

    AED 50,000

    Common-law jurisdiction with independent courts, required for regulated financial activities.

    Full DIFC guide

  • Expo City Dubai

    Full details

    Best for: Teams that need visas · green businesses

    From

    AED 12,520

    Published all-in packages with a shared desk and up to 6 visas at no allocation fee, on the former Expo 2020 site.

    Full Expo guide

Not sure which Dubai zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
02
Tier 2 banking

Sharjah

Industrial value, cultural depth

Free Zones
6
From
AED 5,750
  • Light manufacturing
  • Publishing & education
  • Media freelancers
  • Trading
See all Sharjah Free Zones

Sharjah balances lower overheads with quick-access ports on both the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Strong on light manufacturing, publishing, education and freelancer-friendly media licenses.

Not sure which Sharjah zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
03
Tier 3 banking

Ajman

Budget-first, low overhead

Free Zones
4
From
AED 4,888
  • Services & consulting
  • Trading
  • Light industrial
  • Budget-led setups
See all Ajman Free Zones

Ajman is where Entrepreneurs go when budget is the first constraint. Strong on services, trading and light industrial, with limited brand prestige with global banks, but workable with the right structuring.

Not sure which Ajman zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
04
Tier 2 banking

Ras Al Khaimah

Pragmatic industry, smart pricing

Free Zones
3
From
AED 6,000
  • Manufacturing
  • Trading
  • Asset holding
  • International services
See all Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones

RAK is a strong-value choice for industrial activities and asset-holding structures. RAKEZ alone hosts more than 14 000 companies, and pricing is consistently lower than central Dubai.

  • RAKEZ

    Full details

    Best for: Industrial · trading · services · education

    From

    AED 6,000

    Five zones under one regulator: entry-level to industrial plots, smooth banking.

    Full RAKEZ guide

  • RAK DAO (Digital Assets Oasis)

    Best for: Web3 · DAOs · virtual-asset businesses

    From

    AED 9,000

    World's first dedicated Free Zone for digital-asset companies, with its own specialist regulatory framework.

  • RAK INNOVATION CITY

    Full details

    Best for: Gaming · Robotics · Healthtech · Artificial Intelligence

    From

    AED 6,600

    Sector-focused community with attractive entry pricing for innovation businesses.

    Full RAK Innovation City guide

Not sure which Ras Al Khaimah zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
05
Tier 3 banking

Fujairah

East-coast ports, creative niches

Free Zones
2
From
AED 6,000
  • Maritime & bunkering
  • Trading
  • Media
  • Holding
See all Fujairah Free Zones

Fujairah is the UAE's east-coast emirate, facing the Indian Ocean. Useful for bunkering, maritime and any business that benefits from a non-Strait-of-Hormuz port.

Not sure which Fujairah zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
06
Tier 3 banking

Umm Al Quwain

Quiet, compact, cost-disciplined

Free Zones
1
From
AED 5,500
  • Services
  • Consulting
  • Trading
  • Asset holding
See all Umm Al Quwain Free Zones

UAQ Free Trade Zone is small but predictable, with fixed pricing, low overhead, and a fast issuance process. Best for service businesses that do not need a high-prestige address.

Not sure which Umm Al Quwain zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call
07
Tier 1 banking

Abu Dhabi

Capital strength, regulated finance

Free Zones
5
From
AED 9450
  • Financial services
  • Industrial & logistics
  • Government tenders
  • Family wealth
See all Abu Dhabi Free Zones

Abu Dhabi Free Zones cluster around two strengths: federal-grade compliance (ADGM) and industrial scale (KEZAD). Best fit for regulated finance, government-adjacent business, and heavy industry.

Not sure which Abu Dhabi zone fits?

30-min call. Written shortlist by end of day.

Book the call

Talk to an advisor

One call, three zones, one fixed-price quote.

Book a 30-minute strategy call. We shortlist 2 to 3 zones for your activity, compare them on price, banking and visa profile, and send the quote within 24 hours.

+971 52 761 2909WhatsAppOffice 1908 · JLT, Dubai
Book my 30-minute consultationGet Instant quotation

Compare | Choose | Setup

Every zone in the country, in one table.

Explore over 20 Free Zones across all seven emirates. A brief consultation with one of our advisors is all it takes to identify the best fit for your business.

Comparison of 20 UAE Free Zones across 7 emirates: emirate, banking-tier reception, best-fit activity and entry-level 2026 license price.
ZoneEmirateBankingBest forFrom
IFZADubaiTier 1Consulting & Services · TradingAED 12,900
Meydan Free ZoneDubaiTier 1Consulting & Services · TradingAED 12,520
DMCCDubaiTier 1Commodities · crypto · professional firmsAED 34,340
Dubai Internet City (TECOM)DubaiTier 1Tech · SaaS · IT · softwareAED 22,000
Dubai Media City (TECOM)DubaiTier 1Media · marketing · productionAED 22,000
JAFZADubaiTier 1Industrial · Logistics · Import&Export · ShippingAED 27,500
DIFCDubaiTier 1Financial services · family offices · fintechAED 50,000
Expo City DubaiDubaiTier 1Teams that need visas · green businessesAED 12,520
SHAMS (Sharjah Media City)SharjahTier 2Freelancers · agencies · content businessesAED 5,750
SAIF ZoneSharjahTier 2Trading · logistics · light industryAED 16,500
Hamriyah Free ZoneSharjahTier 2Petrochemicals · manufacturing · foodAED 15,000
Sharjah Publishing CitySharjahTier 2Publishing · printing · distributionAED 14,000
Ajman Free ZoneAjmanTier 3Trading · services · small industrialAED 5,555
Ajman Media CityAjmanTier 3Freelancers · media · ITAED 4,999
Ajman NuventuresAjmanTier 3Freelancers · media · ITAED 4,888
RAKEZRas Al KhaimahTier 2Industrial · trading · services · educationAED 6,000
RAK DAO (Digital Assets Oasis)Ras Al KhaimahTier 2Web3 · DAOs · virtual-asset businessesAED 9,000
RAK INNOVATION CITYRas Al KhaimahTier 2Gaming · Robotics · Healthtech · Artificial IntelligenceAED 6,600
Fujairah Free ZoneFujairahTier 3Maritime · trading · light industryAED 6,000
Fujairah Creative CityFujairahTier 3Media · marketing · freelancersAED 7,500
UAQ Free Trade ZoneUmm Al QuwainTier 3Services · consulting · tradingAED 5,500
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones)Abu DhabiTier 1Manufacturing · logistics · agritechAED 9,450
twofour54Abu DhabiTier 1Media · production · gamingAED 14,000
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)Abu DhabiTier 1Financial services · family officesAED 47,000
Masdar City Free ZoneAbu DhabiTier 1Cleantech · sustainability · R&DAED 13,500
Prices are entry-level license packages for 2026 and may vary with activity, visa count and office option. Government fees included. Tier 1 / 2 / 3 banking reflects the typical reception by Tier-1 UAE banks (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB) for a clean-profile applicant.
Get a personalised shortlistEstimate the cost

By activity

Which Free Zone fits your business? Eight activities, our default picks.

These are the Free Zones we most frequently recommend for specific business activities. However, every recommendation is validated against your unique business model, projected revenue streams, banking profile, and long-term objectives before we issue a final quote. After all, standard recommendations are only a starting point not a final decision.

  • Consulting & professional services

    Default:
    IFZA· from AED 12,900
    Alternates:
    Meydan · SHAMS

  • E-commerce & online retail

    Default:
    Meydan· from AED 12,520
    Alternates:
    IFZA · RAKEZ

  • Fintech, crypto & web3

    Default:
    DMCC· from AED 34,340
    Alternates:
    RAK DAO · ADGM

  • Media, creative & production

    Default:
    SHAMS· from AED 5,750
    Alternates:
    twofour54 · TECOM Media City

  • Tech, SaaS & development

    Default:
    DIC (TECOM)· from AED 22,000
    Alternates:
    IFZA · DMCC

  • Trading & general commerce

    Default:
    JAFZA· from AED 27,500
    Alternates:
    DMCC · Hamriyah

  • Maritime, logistics, shipping

    Default:
    RAK Maritime· from AED 18,000
    Alternates:
    JAFZA · Hamriyah

  • Manufacturing & industrial

    Default:
    KEZAD· from AED 18,000
    Alternates:
    Hamriyah · RAKEZ

Cost spectrum

From AED 4,888 to AED 50,000. Explore what each level of investment includes.

Free-zone pricing is not a single number; it is a five-rung ladder. Same regulatory regime, very different signals to banks, customers and the tax authority.

  1. 1
    Entry
    AED 4,888
    Ajman Nuventures

    Budget-led setups, services, light trading.

  2. 2
    Value
    AED 12,520
    Meydan (Dubai)

    Most common entrepreneur choice: Dubai address at low license.

  3. 3
    Balanced
    AED 12,900
    IFZA (Dubai)

    Dubai address with virtual office included.

  4. 4
    Premium
    AED 34,340
    DMCC (Dubai)

    Banking-friendly, JLT address, due-diligence comfortable.

  5. 5
    Regulated
    AED 50,000
    DIFC (Dubai)

    Required for licensed financial services and family offices.

Estimate your full cost in 60 seconds

Process

Quote in 24 h, license in days, bank account in weeks.

The same five-step path for every Free Zone in the country, executed by the same senior advisor from first call to working IBAN.

  1. 01

    Day 1

    Free 30-minute call

    We map your activity, target market and budget against the right zone. You leave the call with a written shortlist of 2 or 3 zones.

  2. 02

    Day 2

    Fixed-price quote in 24 h

    One PDF, all-in: license, lease, visas, bank introduction, government fees.

  3. 03

    Day 3 to 5

    Trade license issued

    Trade-name reservation, activity codes, initial approval, Memorandum of Association (remote or in JLT), then the trade license, typically 3 to 5 working days.

  4. 04

    Day 5 to 10

    Residency visa & Emirates ID

    Establishment card → entry permit → status change → medical, biometrics, Emirates ID. Scheduled and accompanied step by step, for you and your family.

  5. 05

    Day 10 to 18

    Corporate bank account

    Pre-vetted Tier-1 banks (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, WIO, RAKBank). File prepared, compliance call briefed, IBAN issued in 2 to 6 weeks.

Why FZM Solutions

Strategic advisory and ongoing support.

From the initial consultation, you will work directly with a Dedicated Senior advisor responsible for assessing your objectives, identifying the most suitable jurisdiction, managing the incorporation process, and overseeing all related regulatory and administrative procedures. The same advisor will continue to support you on an ongoing basis as your business grows and evolves.

  • 01

    Dedicated Senior Advisor

    You will work directly with a Dedicated Senior advisor from day one. Your advisor will assess your requirements, identify the most suitable jurisdictions, manage the entire application process, and remain your long-term point of contact for ongoing guidance and support.

  • 02

    Simple & fast process

    One advisor from license to bank account.

  • 03

    Free advice

    Free 60-min consultation to find the right zone for your activity, no commitment.

  • 04

    Multilingual

    Our advisors speak English, Arabic, French, Urdu and Hindi, all in-house.

  • 05

    Since 2013

    We have helped 1 500+ business owners set up in the UAE since 2013.

  • 06

    Meet us in JLT

    Office 1908, Jumeirah Bay X2. Drop in, or book a video call online.

  • 07

    All 7 emirates

    45+ Free Zones across the country, not a single zone.

  • 08

    Supporting services

    Visa, banking, accounting, VAT, family sponsorship.

Meet us in person

Come and meet us in JLT, in person.

Office 1908, 19th floor, Jumeirah Bay X2, Cluster X, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Walk-ins welcome, or call us first to make sure your advisor is in the building.

+971 52 761 2909WhatsApp
Book a 30-min call

Find your quick link

Six paths past the homepage, straight to what you need.

Free-zone FAQ

Free-zone questions, answered straight.

Which UAE Free Zone is the cheapest ?

Ajman Nuventures at AED 4,888 for an entry license with no visa allocation. SHAMS in Sharjah offers a media license from AED 5,750 (single shareholder, zero visa). The trade-off is brand prestige with global banks: for most Entrepreneurs, IFZA at AED 12,900 with a Dubai address is the better value-for-money entry point. Any quote below AED 11,000 typically excludes establishment-card or government fees, so ask for a line-item breakdown before you sign.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE Free Zone company?

Yes. UAE Free Zones permit full foreign ownership, allowing investors to establish, operate, and transfer their companies without the need for a local sponsor or Emirati shareholder. The company remains entirely under your ownership and control from incorporation through to any future sale or transfer.

How does 0% corporate tax actually work in a Free Zone?

Free Zone companies that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria (substance, qualifying income, transfer-pricing compliance) keep the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard 9% federal rate. We structure activity and contracts to stay inside the QFZP envelope wherever possible.

Can a Free Zone company trade in the UAE Mainland?

Not directly. Free Zone companies invoice the Mainland via a local distributor, a Mainland branch, or a Dual License (where available, e.g. DMCC × DET). If most of your revenue is UAE Mainland B2C, a Mainland company is usually the cleaner structure. See our /company-formation-in-dubai/ page for that path.

How long does the full Free Zone setup take?

Trade license: 2 to 7 working days in most zones (1 day in eligible IFZA / Meydan packages). Residency visa and Emirates ID: 5 to 10 days after the license. Corporate bank account: 2 to 6 weeks depending on the bank and activity. Realistic end-to-end timeline: 30 to 45 days from signed quote to operational company with a working IBAN.

Do I need a physical office in a Free Zone?

Most zones offer flexi-desk or virtual-office packages that satisfy the licensing requirement without a dedicated office. As the company grows beyond 6 to 10 employees, zones require a dedicated office, so we plan the transition and shortlist co-working spaces inside the zone if you want to scale flexibly.

How do Free Zone companies open a UAE corporate bank account?

Successful bank account opening starts with proper pre-assessment and preparation. We review your business activity, source of funds, shareholder profile, and anticipated transaction flows against the compliance requirements of multiple banking institutions before any application is submitted. The banks most commonly used by our clients include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, Wio, and RAKBANK.

Can I move my company between Free Zones later?

Yes, most zones allow inbound and outbound transfers. The legal entity is continued (not liquidated), so contracts, history and banking relationships transfer with it. We have done this many times when an entrepreneur outgrows their initial zone, e.g. SHAMS → DMCC for a media business scaling into commodities advisory.

Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore: how do I choose?

Free Zone: best for international services, E-commerce, holdings, regulated finance. Mainland: best for UAE-domestic B2C, government contracts, retail. Offshore: best for pure asset-holding with no UAE operations. We map this trade-off live during the initial consultation, usually in under 20 minutes, and get expert recommendations.

Is the Free Zone license enough to get a residency visa?

Yes. Every Free Zone trade license includes one or more residency visa allocations (1 visa as standard, scalable to 6+ depending on the package). The visa lasts 2 years and is renewable indefinitely as long as the license remains active. Family-member visas (spouse, children, parents) are sponsored under the same establishment card.

Other questions? Book a 30-minute call and ask them directly.

From the blog

Background reading, written by the same advisors.

GoogleReviews
4.8
85+ Reviews

  • Highly recommended. A professional team, prompt on every detailed query and seamless on every requirement, trade license, corporate tax, bank account, residence ID, medical.

    Maha Badr

  • Simply impeccable. They didn't just meet deadlines, they anticipated them, with quick and effective solutions even in complex situations.

    Largo Home

  • Very efficient. Company formation, employment contract, residency visa, and all the prerequisites handled. Friendly and professional throughout.

    Maciej Kolodziejczyk
View All on Google

Ready to incorporate

One advisor.From company formation to corporate banking.

A 30-minute consultation is all it takes to receive a tailored proposal, a transparent quotation, and a written roadmap delivered the same day. You will deal directly with an experienced advisor throughout the process.

Book a free 30-minute consultationEstimate my cost first
  • Response instantly
  • Five languages spoken
  • Independent. Not a license reseller.
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