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The UAE Free Zone Comparison, done honestly

Setup agents love a single tempting figure. The reality is a range that depends on your activity, visas and office. Here is an itemised, ranged look at 14 major free zones so you can compare like with like.

All figures are indicative ranges compiled from public sources and cross-checked as of July 2026. Free zones change tariffs and bundle items differently, so treat these as a planning guide and confirm the exact number for your activity with an itemised quote.

At a glance

Free zoneIndicative fromBest forWatch out
Abu Dhabi Global MarketAbu Dhabi AED 5,000 Holding companies, family offices and SPVs (special purpose vehicles) Advertised licence fees (for example the AED 15,000-20,000 headline commercial licence fig
RAKEZRas Al Khaimah AED 5,500 Cost-sensitive start-ups, freelancers and solo consultants seeking the Headline promo prices (from AED 5,499-6,000) typically exclude visas, establishment card,
SHAMSSharjah AED 5,750 Freelancers and solo consultants who already have UAE residency and wa Headline package prices (e.g. 'from AED 5,750') are typically licence-only and exclude the
SPC Free ZoneSharjah AED 5,750 Publishers, media, content-creation and e-commerce businesses (SPC's c Headline promotional prices (from AED 5,750-6,875) typically exclude visa costs, establish
Dubai Design DistrictDubai AED 7,500 Design, fashion, architecture, art and interior/furniture businesses a Headline year-one package prices from zone marketing and consultancy sites almost always e
DWTC Free ZoneDubai AED 12,000 Event management, exhibition and conference organisers wanting a licen Published "from AED 12,000" or "from AED 25,050" headline prices in agent marketing typica
Meydan Free ZoneDubai AED 12,500 Solo consultants, freelancers and e-commerce operators wanting the low Headline 'from AED 12,500' pricing almost certainly excludes visas, the establishment/immi
IFZADubai AED 12,500 Solo consultants and digital freelancers wanting the lowest all-in ent IFZA does not publish retail pricing on its own website (confirmed directly) and sells exc
DIFCDubai AED 15,000 Fintech, AI and other tech startups wanting a prestigious financial-ce Headline promo prices (especially the Innovation Licence's roughly USD 1,500 licence and U
Dubai Silicon OasisDubai AED 20,000 Tech and software startups (SaaS, AI, app development) wanting a dedic Headline flexi-desk/fixed-desk prices from DTEC's marketing (AED 18,000-24,700 range) excl
Dubai CommerCityDubai AED 20,000 Online retailers, marketplace sellers (e.g. Amazon, Noon, social comme Published consultant figures for DCC packages vary substantially (e.g. Smart Desk quoted a
DAFZADubai AED 22,000 Aviation, logistics, freight-forwarding and air-cargo-linked businesse Package prices advertised by third-party agents (from AED 22,000) typically exclude the es
DMCCDubai AED 31,936 Commodities, trading, and general trading businesses wanting a globall Headline package prices (AED 30,000-50,000 range) are frequently promo/acceleration-offer
JAFZADubai AED 40,000 Import/export, re-export and general trading businesses that benefit f Package headline prices advertised by third-party consultancies often exclude visas, the e

Our read: which zone for which founder

Best value all-roundMeydan Free Zone

For most solo founders and small teams, Meydan lands the best balance of low entry price, speed and banking friendliness. The headline sits at an indicative AED 12,500 (zero visa), and a realistic year-one budget with one visa and a flexi-desk runs roughly AED 18,000 to 25,000+ once you add the establishment card (year one about AED 2,000, renewing near AED 2,200) and per-visa costs (about AED 3,500 to 5,000). Its near-instant Fawri digital licence and strong reputation for smooth bank account approval are what tip it ahead of equally cheap rivals. Watch out: the AED 12,500 figure excludes visas, the establishment/immigration card, e-channel registration and anything beyond a basic virtual desk, and the visa quota tied to desk size is described inconsistently across sources, so get a fully itemised quote and confirm the exact visa rule with Meydan before you budget for a team. All figures indicative as of July 2026.

Best budget option (lowest entry cost)IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)

IFZA shares the lowest indicative headline in this index, commonly quoted around AED 12,900 for a zero-to-one-visa licence, and is genuinely strong for non-resident holding structures where you never take a visa. The catch is real and worth stating plainly: IFZA does not publish retail prices on its own site and sells only through third-party Professional Partners, so quoted prices vary widely between resellers. The headline excludes the establishment card, visa processing, insurance and often a security deposit, so a true first-year cost with even one visa commonly runs AED 20,000 to 22,000+, and heavier configurations are cited as high as AED 25,000 to 31,500. If you can commit to a two or three year licence you can often lock in roughly 10 to 25 percent off per year and blunt the year-two step-up. Always get a full itemised quote in writing. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for e-commerceMeydan Free Zone

For online sellers and digital storefronts that trade B2B or internationally rather than needing mainland retail, Meydan is the sharpest pick: low entry (indicative AED 12,500, zero visa), fast digital onboarding and a reputation for easier bank account approval, which matters when you need a payment gateway and merchant account live quickly. A one to three visa package with a flexi-desk realistically lands around AED 18,000 to 25,000+ in year one once the establishment card and visa costs are added. IFZA is a close second on price for e-commerce and lets you group up to three activities on one licence, but its reseller-only pricing and thinner banking reputation make Meydan the safer default. Note Meydan does not give you direct UAE mainland retail access; for that you would need a dual-licence or mainland route. Indicative ranges, July 2026.

Best for trading and logisticsJAFZA - Jebel Ali Free Zone

For import/export, re-export, general trading, freight-forwarding, warehousing and light industry, JAFZA is the standout because it sits on Jebel Ali Port (one of the world's largest container ports) and Al Maktoum International Airport, with pre-built warehousing quoted from around AED 400 per sqm and visa quotas that scale generously with facility size. It is not cheap: the licence itself can start near AED 5,000 to 8,500, but because packages are tied to a physical facility, a realistic first-year budget runs roughly AED 40,000 to 60,000 for a small flexi-desk-plus-one-visa setup and AED 40,000 to 150,000 once real office or warehouse space is involved. Third-party headline packages routinely exclude visas, the establishment card, share-capital deposit and audit fees, and can differ 25 to 40 percent between guides for a supposedly equivalent configuration, so always request a fully itemised quote. DAFZA is the alternative if your trade is specifically air-cargo-linked. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for aviation and air-cargo logisticsDAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority)

If your business is physically tied to air freight, aviation services or the airport cargo and customs corridor, DAFZA earns its premium by putting you inside that corridor with direct airport and customs-zone access, plus an optional dual-licence route to also trade in mainland Dubai via DET. Third-party packages advertise from an indicative AED 22,000, but that is licence-led: it typically excludes the establishment card (about AED 2,000 to 2,020), the Knowledge/Innovation Dirham (about AED 20), a PO box and all visa-linked immigration costs, so a true all-in year-one cost for even a one-visa setup is roughly double the headline. Visa cost estimates vary widely across sources (about AED 3,000 to 7,000 each), so get a firm quote before budgeting multiple hires. For pure sea-freight or warehousing at scale, JAFZA is the better-value neighbour. Indicative, July 2026.

Best banking reputation and international credibilityDMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

When banking ease, investor confidence and a globally recognised licence name matter more than the lowest headline, DMCC leads this index. It is repeatedly cited as the most credible free zone for opening corporate bank accounts and for supplier and buyer trust in commodities and general trading. You pay for it: indicative packages run roughly AED 19,500 to 29,500 for virtual-office and flexi-desk tiers, and a Jump Start flexi bundle including licence, desk, establishment card, one visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance is cited around AED 49,000 in year one. Headline prices are often time-limited promo or acceleration-offer prices that can sit 10 to 15 percent below the standard rate, and the establishment card (about AED 1,825/year), refundable share-capital evidence (commonly cited around AED 50,000 for certain activities) and per-visa costs are routinely excluded from headline figures. Confirm which price is quoted before comparing. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for finance and crypto/Web3DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

For crypto, Web3, blockchain, gaming and AI ventures that want an ecosystem rather than just a licence, DMCC's dedicated Crypto Centre, Gaming Centre and AI Centre offer community, mentoring and, crucially, the banking and regulatory credibility these sectors struggle to find elsewhere. Indicative crypto-oriented packages start around AED 34,000 and rise materially once you add office space, the required share-capital evidence (commonly cited around AED 50,000, refundable) and per-visa costs (about AED 4,000 to 6,000 each), and note that crypto asset activities can carry additional VARA-linked regulatory approvals and fees on top of the DMCC licence. IFZA also advertises a cheaper crypto/proprietary-trading route, but for regulated, bank-facing crypto operations DMCC's ecosystem and reputation justify the premium. Treat all crypto figures as especially volatile and confirm the current regulatory pathway before budgeting. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for tech and SaaS start-upsDubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) / DTEC

For SaaS, AI, app and software founders who want a genuine innovation ecosystem and start-up community rather than just a mailbox, DTEC inside Dubai Silicon Oasis is the natural home, with a low entry point via a flexi-desk two-visa licence (indicative headline around AED 18,000 to 24,700, and licence-only figures cited from about AED 12,000). Two caveats belong in any budget: those headline desk prices exclude visas, Emirates ID/medical and a refundable security deposit of about AED 4,000 to 4,500, so real year-one cash for a two-visa setup is materially higher than the advertised licence fee; and DTEC's discounted incubator-style rate is reported to apply only for roughly the first five years, after which you transition to standard DSO terms and the licence fee steps up (one source cites about AED 5,000 rising to AED 8,000). Budget for that step-up in any multi-year projection. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for scale-ups needing office and visa headroomDMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

For companies that expect to grow a team and need visa quota tied to real, scalable office space rather than a capped flexi-desk, DMCC's JLT/Uptown Dubai base offers a large existing business community, metro access and executive/serviced office tiers (indicative AED 45,000 to 90,000+) with visa quotas that scale with the space you take. JAFZA is the stronger scale-up choice specifically when the growth is warehousing, industrial or land-plot driven, since its quotas scale generously with unit size and it starts around AED 40,000 first-year. Pick DMCC when your scale-up is office-and-headcount led and you value the address and banking credibility; pick JAFZA when it is facility-and-logistics led. For both, headline package prices exclude visas, establishment cards and deposits, so model the fully landed cost per seat. Indicative, July 2026.

Best for media, creative and gamingDMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

Honest caveat first: none of the zones in this index is a dedicated media city (Dubai Media City and Shams sit outside this list), so if a prestige creative-cluster address is essential, look beyond these six. Within the index, DMCC is the best fit for gaming, digital content and creative-agency work thanks to its dedicated Gaming Centre ecosystem and its clean multi-activity licensing, which lets a creative business legally combine several revenue lines (content, consultancy, e-commerce) under one licence, at an indicative first-year cost of roughly AED 30,000 to 60,000 depending on activities, office and visas. IFZA is the budget alternative for a lean creative freelancer or small agency that does not need the ecosystem, grouping up to three activities on one licence from an indicative AED 12,900, though on reseller-only pricing. Choose DMCC for ecosystem and credibility, IFZA for lowest cost. Indicative, July 2026.

How to read this index: every figure here is an indicative range in AED as of July 2026, not a quote. The single most important thing to understand is that free zones advertise promotional, licence-only headline prices ("from AED X") that almost always exclude the costs you will actually pay: residence visas, the establishment/immigration card, e-channel or e-signature registration, medical and Emirates ID, refundable security deposits, share-capital evidence, insurance and anything beyond a basic virtual desk. As a rule of thumb across these zones, the true first-year cost with even one visa

Every zone in detail

Abu Dhabi Global Market

Abu Dhabi from AED 5,000indicative, year one

ADGM is Abu Dhabi's financial free zone on Al Maryah Island (with an extension to Al Reem Island), operating under English common law with its own courts. It is best known as a regulated hub for financial services, finte

Best for

  • Holding companies, family offices and SPVs (special purpose vehicles) wanting a common-law jurisdiction for asset holding
  • Financial services, fintech and asset/fund management firms wanting FSRA regulatory credibility
  • Tech and fintech startups seeking a lower-cost entry licence with a multi-visa allowance per desk

Watch out

  • Advertised licence fees (for example the AED 15,000-20,000 headline commercial licence figure) typically exclude the mandatory office/flexi-desk cost, establishment card fee, visa costs, security deposits and legal documentation, so all-in year-one cost is commonly 2-4x the headline licence fee alone.
  • Sources disagree sharply on the Tech Start-up Licence's validity period (some say 2 years, others 3 years, before mandatory conversion to a full commercial licence) and on its base fee (figures ranging from USD 700 to USD 1,500), so confirm current terms directly with ADGM before budgeting.
Visas
Visa quota is tied to leased office space: standard (non-financial and financial) operating companies get 2 employment visas per dedicated desk, or alternatively 1 visa per 8 sqm o
Office
Flexi-desk (shared/serviced desk) indicative cost ranges from roughly AED 15,000 to AED 60,000+ per year depending on provider (Regus, Cloud Spaces, The Executi
Restrictions
ADGM-registered companies cannot directly trade with or contract to customers on UAE mainland without routing through a distributor, agent, or a separate mainland-licensed entity;
Banking
ADGM is generally viewed favourably by UAE banks because of its common-law, FSRA-regulated framework, which is often compared to DIFC in terms of credibility. Reputable free zones
Renewal
Renewal fees are generally close to or slightly below initial registration/licence fees for the non-financial and retail categories (for example, Cate

RAKEZ

Ras Al Khaimah from AED 5,500indicative, year one

RAKEZ is positioned as one of the UAE's lowest-cost, high-volume free zones, popular with SMEs, freelancers, e-commerce and consultancy businesses seeking a cheap entry-level licence with room to scale into larger office

Best for

  • Cost-sensitive start-ups, freelancers and solo consultants seeking the cheapest legitimate zero-visa or one-visa UAE free zone licence
  • SMEs, e-commerce and media businesses needing 1 to 4 visas without requiring a large physical office footprint
  • Businesses wanting to pair a free zone licence with Ras Al Khaimah's lower real estate and living costs relative to Dubai

Watch out

  • Headline promo prices (from AED 5,499-6,000) typically exclude visas, establishment card, security deposits, medical tests, Emirates ID, corporate tax registration and often bank account assistance fees, so the real first-year cost for a company needing even one visa is usually double to triple the advertised entry price
  • Visa quota is tied to office/facility size, not purchasable as an unlimited add-on, so growth plans requiring many visas may force an early and costly office upgrade
Visas
Visa quota at RAKEZ is facility-driven rather than fixed per licence: shared flexi-desk/coworking packages typically support roughly 0-3 visas depending on licence type (service li
Office
Flexi-desk (shared coworking/smart-office access) is the entry-level option bundled into most RAKEZ packages; quoted as a package-inclusive line item (roughly A
Restrictions
RAKEZ licences permit trading, consultancy, e-commerce, media, industrial, freelance and educational activities, generally restricted to operating from the free zone or internation
Banking
RAKEZ-registered companies can generally bank with UAE institutions that maintain free-zone relationships, including RAKBANK (RAKEZ's own emirate-affiliated bank), ADIB, Mashreq, N
Renewal
Renewal cost patterns reported across sources are broadly flat versus year one for the core SME/Biz Starter tiers (e.g. zero-visa renewal around AED 6

SHAMS

Sharjah from AED 5,750indicative, year one

SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) markets itself as a low-cost, fast, fully digital free zone geared toward media, content creation, e-commerce, consultancy and creative-sector freelancers and SMEs, positioning on price and spe

Best for

  • Freelancers and solo consultants who already have UAE residency and want a low-cost zero-visa licence
  • Media, content-creation, marketing and digital-service founders needing a fast, fully remote UAE setup
  • E-commerce and small trading operators wanting 100% foreign ownership without a large upfront visa commitment

Watch out

  • Headline package prices (e.g. 'from AED 5,750') are typically licence-only and exclude the establishment/immigration card, e-channel/immigration deposit, per-visa costs and office space, so an all-in first-year figure is often 2 to 4 times the advertised headline for any visa-bearing setup
  • The one-off e-channel/immigration deposit (indicatively AED 7,150) includes a refundable AED 5,000 component; confirm refund conditions and timing before treating this as a sunk cost
Visas
Visa entitlement scales with the package purchased rather than strictly with desk size: packages are sold as explicit visa-quota tiers (0, 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 6, up to reported maximum
Office
Flexi-desk or shared co-working space becomes mandatory once any visa is attached to the licence; indicative annual cost ranges roughly AED 1,600 to 15,000 depe
Restrictions
SHAMS licences permit service, trading, media/creative and light industrial activities, with up to five business activities combinable on one licence (additional activities beyond
Banking
Corporate bank account opening for SHAMS companies is workable but not guaranteed. UAE banks apply full due diligence, and freelancer-only or zero-visa setups face the most frictio
Renewal
Licence renewal is generally quoted as comparable to the first-year licence fee, indicatively AED 5,750 to 13,995 (roughly AED 7,500 to 12,000 for sta

SPC Free Zone

Sharjah from AED 5,750indicative, year one

A low-cost, sector-flexible free zone originally focused on publishing and media but now marketed for e-commerce, consulting and general trading, competing mainly on price against Meydan, SHAMS and IFZA.

Best for

  • Publishers, media, content-creation and e-commerce businesses (SPC's core sector focus and where promotional pricing is concentrated)
  • Freelancers, consultants and solo founders wanting a low headline-cost licence with 0-1 visas and no physical office requirement
  • Startups and SMEs prioritising low year-one and renewal cost over brand prestige with banks or large mainland clients

Watch out

  • Headline promotional prices (from AED 5,750-6,875) typically exclude visa costs, establishment card, e-channel registration and any deposits; the realistic all-in cost for a 1-visa setup is closer to AED 13,000-16,000
  • Visa quota claims conflict across sources, ranging from 'unlimited on flexi-desk' (SPC's own marketing, T&Cs apply) to fixed tiers of 1-2 visas per standard flexi-desk package; get the exact quota confirmed in writing on the offer letter
Visas
Visa entitlement is tied to the workspace/package tier rather than a single fixed formula, and sources conflict here so treat with caution. SPC's own marketing states 'unlimited vi
Office
Flexi-desk (shared workspace) is bundled into most licence-plus-visa packages rather than sold as a pure standalone line item in most quotes reviewed; where iso
Restrictions
SPC licences permit a very broad activity list (sources cite over 2,000 activities, up to about 5 activities per licence), spanning media, publishing, e-commerce, consulting, techn
Banking
Renewal
Year-two renewal is generally lower than the year-one headline price because one-off government setup charges (e-channel registration, initial immigra

Dubai Design District

Dubai from AED 7,500indicative, year one

Government-backed (Dubai Holding / Dubai Development Authority) creative, media and technology free zone cluster, d3 for design/fashion/art, Dubai Media City for broadcasting/publishing/content, and Dubai Internet City f

Best for

  • Design, fashion, architecture, art and interior/furniture businesses and studios (d3's core niche)
  • Media production, broadcasting, publishing, PR, advertising and content agencies (Dubai Media City)
  • Technology, software, IT services, AI and telecom businesses (Dubai Internet City)

Watch out

  • Headline year-one package prices from zone marketing and consultancy sites almost always exclude visa costs, the establishment/immigration card, security deposits, medical insurance and bank account fees, so budget substantially above the advertised licence fee.
  • Source figures for nearly every cost line (office space, establishment card, per-visa all-in cost) diverge widely between the official DDA/TECOM channels and third-party consultancies. Treat all numbers here as indicative ranges and reconfirm current fees directly with DDA (dda.gov.ae) or the specific community (dmc.ae, dic.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com) before quoting a client.
Visas
Visa allocation is tied to physical workspace size/type rather than a flat quota: sources consistently describe a sliding scale where a flexi-desk or hot-desk typically permits aro
Office
Flexi-desk / shared or hot-desk costs are quoted very inconsistently across sources, roughly AED 5,250 to AED 20,000 per year (one detailed d3 breakdown showed
Restrictions
DDA/TECOM zones are activity-clustered: d3 licences cover design, fashion, luxury goods, art, interior/furniture, e-commerce, beauty, events and related creative/marketing services
Banking
TECOM/DDA communities (Media City and Internet City operating since the early 2000s, d3 since the early 2010s) are among the more established and recognisable free zone brands in D
Renewal
Year-one figures widely advertised by zones and consultancies are promotional and typically exclude visas, establishment card, and deposits, so the tr

DWTC Free Zone

Dubai from AED 12,000indicative, year one

DWTC Free Zone is the free zone run by the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority itself, centred on the DWTC complex on Sheikh Zayed Road. It is positioned as a relatively low-cost, centrally-located alternative to DIFC, co

Best for

  • Event management, exhibition and conference organisers wanting a licence tied to the same authority that runs the Dubai World Trade Centre venue itself
  • Professional and consultancy service firms wanting a central Dubai (Sheikh Zayed Road / World Trade Centre) address without DIFC-level cost
  • General trading and e-commerce businesses wanting one licence covering 1,200-plus activities rather than juggling multiple free zones

Watch out

  • Published "from AED 12,000" or "from AED 25,050" headline prices in agent marketing typically exclude visas, the establishment card, refundable security deposit and sometimes office/desk cost; always ask for the fully-loaded first-year total in writing.
  • Figures conflict meaningfully across sources (entry package quoted anywhere from about AED 12,000 to about AED 31,500), so this cost band should be treated as indicative only and re-verified with DWTC or a licensed agent before quoting a client a firm number.
Visas
Visa quota is tied to workspace size/type rather than a flat per-licence number. Flexi-desk packages are consistently reported as capped at up to 2 investor/employee visas. Moving
Office
Flexi-desk (shared/hot-desk workspace with limited access hours, typically bundled into the flexi-desk licence package) supports a visa quota of up to 2 investo
Restrictions
Free zone entities, including DWTC-registered companies, cannot trade directly with UAE mainland customers without additional arrangements (a mainland branch, distributor or specif
Banking
DWTC companies can open UAE corporate bank accounts, but market feedback and setup-agent commentary consistently place DWTC in the "medium" tier for banking ease, alongside other m
Renewal
License renewal is generally reported as comparable to, or in the same order of magnitude as, the first-year licence fee (one source cites a flat rene

Meydan Free Zone

Dubai from AED 12,500indicative, year one

A low-cost, fully digital Dubai free zone (part of the Meydan Group) that markets itself on fast (as little as 60-minute "Fawri") licence issuance, broad activity lists (1,800+ activities), and easy bank account referral

Best for

  • Solo consultants, freelancers and e-commerce operators wanting the lowest possible entry cost with a fast (Fawri, near-instant) digital licence
  • Small teams needing 1-3 visas without committing to a physical office
  • Founders prioritising bank account approval ease and digital onboarding over a prestige address

Watch out

  • Headline 'from AED 12,500' pricing almost certainly excludes visas, the establishment/immigration card, e-channel registration and any physical desk beyond a basic virtual address, ask for a fully itemised quote before comparing to other zones.
  • Visa quota tied to desk/office size is inconsistently described across sources (some say flexi-desk caps out at 1-2 visas, others say up to 6 visas are possible with no office at all), confirm the exact current rule with Meydan directly for your specific package before budgeting for a team.
Visas
Visa quota scales with office/desk choice rather than being fixed: flexi-desk arrangements are commonly cited as supporting roughly 1-2 visas, small offices 2-4, medium offices 4-8
Office
Flexi-desk/shared workspace: indicative AED 3,000 to 6,000 a year as a standalone add-on, though many entry packages bundle a virtual or flexi-desk address into
Restrictions
As with all UAE free zones, a Meydan Free Zone company cannot trade directly with the UAE mainland market, it must use a local distributor/agent or set up a separate mainland branc
Banking
Meydan Free Zone is consistently cited by setup agents as one of the easier Dubai free zones for corporate bank account approval, partly because its digital KYC at registration pro
Renewal
Sources broadly agree renewal is somewhat cheaper than the true year-one cost because year one carries one-off setup items (trade name reservation, in

IFZA

Dubai from AED 12,500indicative, year one

IFZA is Dubai's highest-volume, lowest-headline-price free zone, popular with solo consultants, digital/e-commerce businesses and small teams who prioritise fast, low-cost setup over "prestige zone" banking relationships

Best for

  • Solo consultants and digital freelancers wanting the lowest all-in entry cost on a 0-1 visa licence
  • Holding companies and non-resident investors who do not need a UAE residence visa
  • Small teams of roughly 2-6 staff wanting to scale visa count on a flexi-desk without renting a private office

Watch out

  • IFZA does not publish retail pricing on its own website (confirmed directly) and sells exclusively through third-party "Professional Partners", which is why quoted package prices vary so widely across resellers, always get a full itemised quote in writing
  • The advertised headline price (commonly AED 12,900) excludes establishment card, visa processing, insurance and often a security deposit, true first-year cost with even one visa commonly runs AED 20,000-22,000+, nearly double the headline figure
Visas
Visa quota at IFZA is sold as a package tier (0, 1, 3, 6 as standard slots) rather than strictly tied to desk square footage, which is unusual among Dubai free zones. A standard fl
Office
Flexi-desk is the default and is bundled into every standard licence package; sources describing it as a standalone product quote roughly AED 5,760-12,000/year
Restrictions
IFZA companies cannot trade directly with UAE mainland customers without either appointing a mainland distributor to handle delivery and fulfilment, or setting up a dual-licence/ma
Banking
Renewal

DIFC

Dubai from AED 15,000indicative, year one

DIFC is Dubai's flagship financial free zone: an English common-law jurisdiction with its own courts, positioned for regulated financial services, fintech and professional/holding structures rather than as a low-cost mas

Best for

  • Fintech, AI and other tech startups wanting a prestigious financial-centre address and DFSA-adjacent ecosystem at subsidised entry cost via the Innovation Licence
  • Regulated financial services firms (asset managers, brokers, fund managers, family offices) needing DFSA licensing and English common-law courts
  • Holding companies, SPVs and family-office wealth structures using the low-cost Prescribed Company regime for passive asset or share holding

Watch out

  • Headline promo prices (especially the Innovation Licence's roughly USD 1,500 licence and USD 250 to 300 a month flexi-desk) exclude establishment card, immigration file, visa costs, data protection fee and typing/PRO charges, all of which are compulsory add-ons, not optional extras
  • Cost figures across public sources vary hugely for the same non-regulated commercial licence (registration quoted anywhere from AED 20,000 to 44,000, annual licence AED 14,700 to 30,000+), so any single-number quote should be treated with suspicion until confirmed directly with DIFC or a DIFC-registered agent
Visas
DIFC ties visa quota to office footprint rather than a flat per-licence number. The commonly cited rule of thumb is approximately 1 visa per 80 square feet of leased office space,
Office
Physical office presence is mandatory in DIFC for all trading/employing entities; virtual offices are not accepted. Flexi-desk/coworking: available mainly to In
Restrictions
DIFC licences are generally restricted to financial services, professional services and a defined set of non-financial or innovation activities; it is not set up for general tradin
Banking
DIFC entities are generally viewed favourably by UAE and international banks, since DIFC's English common-law framework, its own courts, and (for regulated entities) DFSA supervisi
Renewal
Year-one cost is materially inflated versus renewal years because it bundles one-time items (company registration/incorporation fee, establishment car

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Dubai from AED 20,000indicative, year one

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is Dubai's dedicated technology and innovation free zone, with DTEC (Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus) operating as its startup-and-coworking arm aimed at early-stage tech founders; it combi

Best for

  • Tech and software startups (SaaS, AI, app development) wanting a dedicated innovation ecosystem and startup community
  • Founders who want a low-cost entry point with a 2-visa flexi-desk licence before committing to a larger office
  • E-commerce and digital services businesses that do not need mainland retail presence

Watch out

  • Headline flexi-desk/fixed-desk prices from DTEC's marketing (AED 18,000-24,700 range) exclude visas, Emirates ID/medical costs, and the refundable security deposit (AED 4,000-4,500) - the real year-one cash outlay for a 2-visa setup is materially higher than the advertised licence fee alone.
  • DTEC's discounted licence-fee structure is reported to apply only for the first 5 years, after which the company transitions to standard DSO Free Zone terms and the licence fee rises (one source cites roughly AED 5,000 rising to AED 8,000) - budget for this step-up in multi-year cost projections.
Visas
Visa entitlement is tied to workspace type/size rather than a flat per-licence number. DTEC's own coworking packages state: flexi-desk = 2 visas per desk; fixed/dedicated desk = 3
Office
Flexi-desk (hot desk): approx. AED 18,000-19,500/year for a DTEC flexi-desk package, quoted by DTEC's own coworking page and multiple consultancies (figures see
Restrictions
DSO/DTEC licences are free zone licences: companies cannot trade directly in Dubai mainland without a mainland distributor, a dual-licence arrangement, or (as of the UAE's March 20
Banking
DSO/DTEC does not rank among the free zones UAE banks recognise most readily (that tier is generally DMCC, DAFZA, JAFZA and Dubai South, per multiple consultancy sources). DSO/DTEC
Renewal
Renewal costs are generally described as similar to or somewhat lower than year-one setup costs once one-off registration items (establishment card pr

Dubai CommerCity

Dubai from AED 20,000indicative, year one

Dubai CommerCity (DCC) is a purpose-built free zone dedicated to e-commerce and digital trade, jointly developed by TECOM Group and Dubai CP World (DP World), offering licensing, flexi-desk to dedicated office space, and

Best for

  • Online retailers, marketplace sellers (e.g. Amazon, Noon, social commerce) and D2C brands wanting a Dubai base with e-commerce-specific infrastructure
  • Businesses needing bonded logistics, fulfilment or warehousing support built around online order volumes
  • Digital service providers (marketing, IT, consultancy) serving e-commerce clients who want a lower-cost flexi-desk entry point

Watch out

  • Published consultant figures for DCC packages vary substantially (e.g. Smart Desk quoted anywhere from about AED 20,000 to 41,000 depending on licence type and bundled items), so treat all figures as indicative ranges only and always request an itemised quote before committing.
  • Promotional package prices typically exclude per-visa immigration/stamping fees, medical testing, Emirates ID, security deposits and any warehouse/logistics space, all of which can add materially to the year-one total.
Visas
Visa quota is tied to office/desk size and package tier rather than a simple fixed per-desk formula: the Smart Desk (flexi-desk) package is commonly quoted with a 2-visa quota, whi
Office
Flexi-desk (branded "Smart Desk", shared workspace, roughly 7.5 sqm equivalent) is bundled into entry packages rather than sold standalone, with all-in consulta
Restrictions
DCC licences (E-commerce, Trade, Service, General Trading, Industrial, Freelance) restrict operations to within the free zone and its digital/online trading remit; direct trading o
Banking
DCC is a newer, niche free zone focused purely on e-commerce. UAE banks generally apply the same KYC and economic-substance checks to DCC companies as to other Dubai free zones: a
Renewal
Multiple consultant sources indicate renewal fees typically run at roughly 80 to 90 percent of the initial first-year package cost, since year one inc

DAFZA

Dubai from AED 22,000indicative, year one

DAFZA is a premium, aviation and logistics-anchored free zone physically located at Dubai International Airport, positioned as a higher-prestige alternative to budget-oriented zones like IFZA or SPC, historically favoure

Best for

  • Aviation, logistics, freight-forwarding and air-cargo-linked businesses that benefit from being physically inside the Dubai Airport cargo/logistics corridor
  • Trading and general trading companies wanting a premium-positioned address with direct airport and customs-zone access
  • Established SMEs or multinational regional HQs/branches that value DAFZA's long track record and infrastructure over rock-bottom setup cost

Watch out

  • Package prices advertised by third-party agents (from AED 22,000) typically exclude the establishment card fee (~AED 2,000 to 2,020), Knowledge/Innovation Dirham (~AED 20), PO box, and all visa-linked immigration costs, so the real all-in year-one cost for even a 1-visa setup is roughly double the headline licence-only figure.
  • Visa cost estimates vary widely across sources (AED 3,000 to 7,000 per visa), so obtain a firm quote before budgeting for multiple hires.
Visas
Visa entitlement scales with leased space rather than a flat per-licence quota. Reported ratios: offices under 40 sqm allow approximately 1 visa per 12.5 sqm; offices of 40 sqm or
Office
Flexi-desk/smart-desk: from approximately AED 12,000 to 23,000 per year depending on visa entitlement (bundled into package pricing rather than sold standalone
Restrictions
Free zone licensed companies cannot trade directly with the UAE mainland without an additional mainland distributor or a dual-licence arrangement via Dubai's Department of Economy
Banking
DAFZA's affiliation with Dubai Airport and its established, 25+ year track record generally make it viewed favourably by UAE banks compared with newer or high-volume budget free zo
Renewal
Renewals are generally somewhat cheaper than year one because one-off costs (registration fee, first-time establishment card premium, initial visa pro

DMCC

Dubai from AED 31,936indicative, year one

A large, government-owned multi-sector free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers/Uptown Dubai, historically built around commodities trading (gold, diamonds, tea, coffee) and now marketed as a general-purpose hub with dedicated

Best for

  • Commodities, trading, and general trading businesses wanting a globally recognised licence for supplier and buyer credibility
  • Crypto, Web3, gaming, and AI startups seeking DMCC's dedicated ecosystem centres (Crypto Centre, Gaming Centre, AI Centre) with community and mentoring support
  • Businesses that weight banking ease and international brand recognition above lowest headline price

Watch out

  • Headline package prices (AED 30,000-50,000 range) are frequently promo/acceleration-offer prices; the standard listed price can be 10-15 percent higher, and the promo window is time-limited, so confirm which price is quoted before comparing zones.
  • Establishment card (~AED 1,825/year), refundable share capital evidence (commonly cited around AED 50,000 for certain activities), and per-visa costs (medical, Emirates ID, typing) are routinely excluded from headline package prices and must be added to get a true landed cost.
Visas
Visa entitlement is tied to workspace, not a flat per-company number. A standard flexi-desk typically supports up to 2-3 residency visas depending on the package purchased (Basic B
Office
Flexi-desk: DMCC's own schedule of charges lists Flexi-Desk at approximately AED 16,000-19,000 per year; bundled setup packages that combine a flexi-desk with l
Restrictions
DMCC licenses trading, service, industrial and dual/special categories (including General Trading at a higher annual fee, cited around AED 50,000+), but excludes prohibited activit
Banking
Renewal
Year-one cost is inflated by one-off items that do not recur: application fee (~AED 1,035), registration fee (~AED 9,020) and Articles of Association

JAFZA

Dubai from AED 40,000indicative, year one

JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) is one of the UAE's largest, oldest (est. 1985) and most industrially oriented free zones, built around Jebel Ali Port and close to Al Maktoum International Airport. It is best known

Best for

  • Import/export, re-export and general trading businesses that benefit from proximity to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport
  • Logistics, freight-forwarding, warehousing and supply-chain operators needing large-scale storage or yard space
  • Manufacturing and light industrial operators needing production facilities and utilities within the zone

Watch out

  • Package headline prices advertised by third-party consultancies often exclude visas, the establishment card, share-capital deposit and audit fees, and can differ by 25-40 percent between guides for what is described as an equivalent configuration, so always request a fully itemised quote before comparing zones.
  • JAFZA licences do not permit direct mainland trading by default; factor in the cost of a distributor arrangement, dual licence, or separate mainland entity if UAE local-market sales are part of the business plan.
Visas
Visa quota is tied to facility type and size rather than a single fixed number, and JAFZA's own guide confirms these tiers directly: (1) Workstation/flexi-desk: a maximum of 2 visa
Office
Flexi-desk (workstation) at Jafza One business centre: indicatively AED 15,000-25,000 per year, providing a hot desk, business address and meeting-room access;
Restrictions
A JAFZA free zone licence does not by default permit direct trading with the UAE mainland/local market; mainland sales typically require either a local distributor/agent arrangemen
Banking
JAFZA is one of the UAE's oldest and most established free zones (founded 1985) and generally carries strong credibility with UAE banks compared with newer or purely digital free z
Renewal
Annual renewal is mandatory, and JAFZA's own guidance states that renewal fees are generally the same as the original licence fee schedule (indicative

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