Free zones in Sharjah, Ajman, and RAK dominate the budget end. These zones offer legitimate UAE trade licenses and visas at a fraction of Dubai prices. The trade-off is weaker brand recognition and potentially harder banking with Dubai-based banks.

ANCFZ (Ajman) AED 4,888
AMC (Ajman) AED 4,999
UAQ FTZ (UAQ) AED 5,500
SRTIP (Sharjah) AED 5,500
ADGM (Abu Dhabi) AED 5,505
AFZ (Ajman) AED 5,555
SPC (Sharjah) AED 5,750
SHAMS (Sharjah) AED 5,750
RAKEZ (RAK) AED 6,000
Masdar (Abu Dhabi) AED 7,000
DKP (Dubai) AED 7,500
d3 (Dubai) AED 7,500
COMTECH (Sharjah) AED 8,500
twofour54 (Abu Dhabi) AED 8,605
KIZAD (Abu Dhabi) AED 9,450

Best Value Dubai (Under AED 15,000)

If you need a Dubai address for credibility or banking, several zones offer entry under AED 15,000. These provide stronger brand recognition and easier corporate bank account opening compared to northern-emirate alternatives.

DKP AED 7,500
d3 AED 7,500
DUCAMZ AED 11,000
Gold & Diamond Park AED 11,500
DUQE AED 12,500
Meydan FZ AED 12,500
Dubai South AED 12,500
DMC AED 12,542
IFZA AED 12,900
DFC AED 13,375

About These Prices

All prices shown are the lowest available package from each free zone, typically a zero-visa or minimal package. Adding residency visas increases costs by AED 4,000-6,000 per person (government fees, medical, Emirates ID, and mandatory health insurance). Prices are verified as of February 2026 — contact each free zone directly for the most current rates. Some zones run periodic promotions that may offer lower entry points.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE in 2026?

The most affordable UAE free zones start from around AED 4,888/year for a zero-visa license. ANCFZ (Ajman), AMC (Ajman), and UAQ FTZ (UAQ) consistently rank as the cheapest options. These prices typically include the trade license and flexi desk but exclude visa processing costs.

Can I set up a UAE free zone company for under AED 10,000?

Yes. Several free zones offer zero-visa license packages under AED 10,000, including ANCFZ, AMC, UAQ FTZ, SRTIP, ADGM, AFZ, SPC, SHAMS, RAKEZ, Masdar, DKP, d3, COMTECH, twofour54, KIZAD. However, these packages do not include residency visas. Adding one visa typically costs AED 4,000-6,000 extra for government fees, medical, and Emirates ID.

What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai specifically?

Among Dubai-based free zones, DKP at AED 7,500/year is the cheapest, followed by d3 at AED 7,500/year . Dubai free zones generally cost more than Sharjah, Ajman, or RAK zones but offer stronger brand recognition and easier banking.

Are cheap free zones reliable for banking and visas?

Budget free zones are fully licensed UAE authorities and issue valid trade licenses and residency visas. However, banking can be harder with lesser-known zones — Dubai-based banks sometimes require additional documentation for licenses from northern emirates. We recommend checking each zone's banking difficulty rating before committing.

What hidden costs should I watch for with cheap free zone packages?

Common add-on costs include: establishment card (AED 1,000-2,500), visa processing per person (AED 3,000-5,000), mandatory health insurance (AED 700-1,500/year per visa), office or flexi desk upgrades, and PRO/typing services. Always compare the total Year 1 cost with at least one visa, not just the license fee.

Which cheap free zone is best for freelancers?

For freelancers, ANCFZ, AMC, UAQ FTZ offer dedicated freelancer license packages with low entry costs. SHAMS and Creative City Fujairah are particularly popular for media, consulting, and IT freelancers.

Do I need a physical office with a cheap free zone?

Most budget free zones include a flexi desk or virtual office in their license package — no physical office lease required. This keeps costs low while still providing a registered UAE business address for visa and banking purposes.

How much does a UAE free zone with one visa cost in total?

With one residency visa, the cheapest all-in Year 1 costs start around AED 12,000-15,000 depending on the zone. This includes license, flexi desk, establishment card, visa processing, medical exam, Emirates ID, and basic health insurance. The cheapest Dubai option with one visa is typically around AED 20,000-25,000 all-in.