Freezone Atlas

Find the lowest-cost free zone for your company

See what each free zone charges in year one, visas included, straight from its own price list.

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Lowest published year-one cost

Residence visas
  1. SPCSharjah · E-Publishing licenceAED 4,999
  2. SHAMSSharjah · Media packageAED 5,750
  3. RAKEZRas Al Khaimah · Instant Licence BasicAED 6,000
  1. RAKEZRas Al Khaimah · Instant Licence LiteAED 12,000
  2. SPCSharjah · Standard licenceAED 14,290
  3. SHAMSSharjah · Freelance package (1 visa)AED 15,520
  1. RAKEZRas Al Khaimah · All-inclusive packageAED 18,000
  2. SPCSharjah · Standard licenceAED 18,785
  3. MeydanDubai · Trade licence≈ AED 24,200
  1. RAKEZRas Al Khaimah · All-inclusive packageAED 22,000
  2. SPCSharjah · Standard licenceAED 23,280
  3. MeydanDubai · Trade licence≈ AED 30,050

Checked 18 October 2026

See the full breakdown

UAE free zone cost comparison

UAE free zones: licence price, year-one cost with one visa, visa capacity
Free zoneLicenceYear one with 1 visa*Visas
MeydanDubaiFrom AED 12,500Trade licence, including flexi workspace and up to 3 activity groups≈ AED 18,350Up to 6 visa allocations per licence
RAKEZRas Al KhaimahFrom AED 6,000Instant Licence Basic: one shareholder, one activity, coworking access, no visaAED 12,000All-inclusive package: 1 visa included, up to 3 more at AED 4,000 each
SPCSharjahFrom AED 4,999E-Publishing licence packageAED 14,290Unlimited visa allocation on a flexi-desk, paid per visa
SHAMSSharjahFrom AED 5,750Media package: zero-visa licence, multiple shareholdersAED 15,520Up to 12 visas on a shared desk facility
DMCCDubaiFrom AED 35,484Basic Biz package, inclusive of VAT and Knowledge & Innovation DirhamsAED 43,780Standard flexi desk or co-working: eligible for three residency visas
IFZADubaiNot publishedNot published: IFZA sells through its Professional PartnersNot publishedNot published on ifza.com

*Lowest-priced package or combination published on the zone's own site, for one founder visa. Excludes items the zone does not price publicly (medical, Emirates ID and insurance unless stated). Checked 18 October 2026.

Where these numbers come from

  • Official price lists only, linked on every zone page
  • Checked 18 October 2026
  • No free zone pays to be listed. How we make money

Guides

GuideMainland or free zone?Ownership, where you can trade, offices and tax, side by side. GuideWhat a visa really costsAllocation, permit, medical, Emirates ID: the published fees. GuideCorporate tax in a free zoneWhen 0% applies, and when it is 9%.

Questions

What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?

Among the 6 zones we track, SPC publishes the lowest licence price: AED 4,999 (E-Publishing licence package). With one residence visa, the lowest published year-one total is RAKEZ at AED 12,000. Prices checked 18 October 2026; confirm with the authority before paying.

Which UAE free zone has the lowest published licence price?

Of the zones we track, SPC publishes the lowest starting price: AED 4,999 (E-Publishing licence package). The cheapest option with a visa is different; use the cost calculator.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?

Yes. Free zone companies can be fully foreign-owned, and since Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 (consolidated in No. 32 of 2021) most mainland activities can be too, apart from activities of strategic impact.

Can a free zone company sell to customers in mainland UAE?

Not directly, as a rule. The UAE government portal says a free zone company must work through a licensed mainland distributor or set up a mainland branch or company, unless it holds the required mainland licences or approvals.

Are free zone companies tax free?

No. They are within UAE Corporate Tax. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions; other income is taxed at 9%.