UAE free zone comparison 2026
Over 40 free zones compete for your licence. The right one depends on your activity, your visa count and, above all, whether your bank will accept it. Compare the major zones on the metrics that actually decide the outcome.
Last updated: July 2026 · Verified against Authority packages 2026Key facts
- ●Cheapest credible licences: Ajman (~AED 4,888) and SHAMS (~AED 5,750), both zero-visa entry.
- ●Cheapest Dubai-issued licences: Meydan (~AED 12,500) and IFZA (~AED 12,900).
- ●All free zones fall under 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000, with 0% only on qualifying income for a QFZP.
- ●Dubai-issued licences generally have the highest bank approval rates.
| Free zone | Emirate | From (AED) | Visas | Banking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan | Dubai | AED 12,500 | Flexible | Easy | Service, consulting, e-commerce |
| IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | Up to 6 | Easy | Service, trading, holding, tech |
| DMCC | Dubai | AED 22,000 | Scalable | Easy | Trading, commodities, crypto |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Dubai | AED 11,900 | Scalable | Easy | Tech, service, light industrial |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | Scalable | Moderate | Media, content, freelance |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 6,500 | Scalable | Moderate | Media, e-commerce, multi-activity |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | Scalable | Moderate | Trading, industrial, warehouse |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 4,888 | Scalable | Harder | Trading, service, freelance |
| JAFZA | Dubai | AED 15,000 | 50+ | Easy | Logistics, import/export |
| DIFC | Dubai | AED 50,000 | Scalable | Easy | Regulated finance, fintech |
Tap any column header to sort. Figures are indicative 2026 packages and change with promotions.
How to actually choose
Do not start from price. Start from three questions: what exactly will you invoice for, how many visas do you need, and which bank do you want. Then read price last. A licence that is AED 6,000 cheaper is a false economy if it costs you a bank account or forces a costly activity amendment three months in.
By business type
For consulting and services, Meydan and IFZA give a Dubai address with wide activity coverage. For media and content, SHAMS is the value pick. For trading and warehousing, RAKEZ offers industrial space no Dubai zone matches on price. For regulated finance, it is DIFC or ADGM. For crypto, DMCC and a small number of others. Run the free zone matcher to rank your top three in under two minutes.
The banking reality
The single most under-explained factor is banking. UAE banks apply strict onboarding, and a Dubai-issued licence with a clear activity and a resident signatory clears far more easily than a Northern Emirates or offshore structure. If you need a working corporate account quickly, weight banking difficulty above the headline licence price.
Hidden costs to price in
Renewal fees, activity amendments, visa quota upgrades tied to office space, establishment cards, and bank minimum balances all sit outside the headline number. Ask each zone for the three-year total cost of ownership, not just year one.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
Do free zone companies pay corporate tax?
Which free zone is easiest for banking?
Can I get a visa with the cheapest licence?
Sources
- Free zone authority published packages 2026 (IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, SHAMS, RAKEZ, Ajman FZ, JAFZA, DIFC)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022; Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 (QFZP qualifying income)
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