Free Zone Comparison
AMC vs AFZ 2026
If you're setting up in Ajman and wondering which free zone to pick, the answer depends on one thing: your business activity. Ajman Media City starts at AED 4,999 — the cheapest entry in Ajman — but requires at least one media-related activity. Ajman Free Zone starts at AED 5,555 with 3,500+ activities across every sector. The AED 556 difference buys you vastly more flexibility.
By Daniel Harmon, Senior Editor
AMC
Ajman
AED 4,999
Year 1 from
CheaperAFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick AMC for media and creative work. Pick AFZ for trading, manufacturing, or anything else.
- ● Choose AMC if cost is your priority — AED 556 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AMC for faster setup — 3 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Renewal pricing is where AMC shines. Its Visionary package (1 visa) renews at AED 9,999 including insurance — one of the lowest renewal figures in the UAE. AFZ's 1-visa package renews at approximately AED 9,851. Neither zone mandates annual audits, which keeps ongoing compliance costs minimal. The gap widens at 2 visas: AMC's Pioneer renewal totals AED 12,999 with insurance; AFZ's 2-visa renewal is approximately AED 14,652.
Both zones fall under the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, which means shared regulatory oversight and the 'One Click' digital licensing system. But AFZ's track record since 1988 and 25,000+ company base give it stronger bank recognition. AMC lists six banking partners (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, Wio Bank, ADIB, FAB); AFZ works with Mashreq, RAKBANK, ruya, Ajman Bank, and Emirates Development Bank. Forum discussions suggest banks scrutinize low-substance AMC setups more carefully — prepare contracts and client evidence if choosing the AED 4,999 tier.
AMC vs AFZ at a Glance
| Metric | AMC | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ajman | Ajman |
| Year 1 From | AED 4,999 🏆 | AED 5,555 |
| Renewal From | AED 4,999 🏆 | AED 5,555 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 10 | 10 |
| Processing Time | 3 days 🏆 | 5 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2018 | 1988 |
| Companies | 12,000+ | 20,000+ |
Year 1 From
AMC
AED 4,999
AFZ
AED 5,555
Renewal From
AMC
AED 4,999
AFZ
AED 5,555
Rating
AMC
4.4/5
AFZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
AMC
10
AFZ
10
Processing
AMC
3 days
AFZ
5 days
Banking
AMC
Moderate
AFZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
AMC Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Business Club Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 4,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 4,999/yr
Visionary Package (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,999/yr
Pioneer Package (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 19,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,999/yr
Innovator Package (3 Visas)
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 25,999
Year 1
Renewal: AED 17,999/yr
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Starter No Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
Starter 1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,159
Year 1
Renewal: AED 7,759/yr
Growth 2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 17,713
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,113/yr
Team 3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,267
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,467/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AMC | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose AMC if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want content creators
- ✓ Want digital agencies
- ✓ Want bootstrapped startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 556 less)
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want trading smes
- ✓ Want cost-sensitive startups
- ✓ Want light manufacturing
Pros & Cons
AMC
Pros
- ✓ Extremely low entry pricing: Business Club (0 visa) is AED 4,999/year on AMC's official packages page
- ✓ Visa packages explicitly include establishment card, residency, medical, Emirates ID, status change, and e-channel registration
- ✓ Published renewal pricing: Visionary AED 8,999; Pioneer AED 10,999; Innovator AED 14,999
- ✓ Up to 10 shareholders per license and over 1,500+ licensed activities
Cons
- ✗ Add-ons (extra visas, activities, regulated approvals) can materially change totals beyond published package prices
- ✗ Medical and Emirates ID coverage boundaries not priced line-by-line — variance vs. agent quotes possible
- ✗ Banking can be challenging for low-substance setups — banks may request proof of operations and invoices
- ✗ Mainland onshore trading restricted without a mainland route-to-market or dual license
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Official AFZ marketing for the e-commerce package starts at AED 5,555, and Virtuzone lists the same AFZ starting price, keeping AFZ among the cheapest mainstream UAE free zones.
- ✓ AFZ publicly advertises 3,500+ activities, which is broader than many low-cost free zones and useful if you need multiple activities on one license.
- ✓ Setup is genuinely fast for simple cases: multiple 2026 consultancies put license issuance at about 1–3 business days or 2–5 working days, and AFZ runs a fully digital customer portal and One-Click flow.
- ✓ Flexi/co-working formats make entry easier: market tables commonly show virtual/flexi packages for 0, 1, 2, and 3 visas, while AFZ’s freelancer hub officially allows up to 2 visas and family sponsorship.
Cons
- ✗ Public data transparency is uneven. AFZ has a cost calculator, but it does not publish a simple official 2026 package table, so buyers still depend on quotes, consultants, or portal flows to see full costs.
- ✗ Banking is easier than in some small northern-emirate setups because AFZ has partners, but it is still the longest step in practice; 2026 market sources commonly say 2–4 weeks after license issuance, with more friction for higher-risk profiles.
- ✗ Visa-related charges are not cleanly standardized in the market. Recent sources disagree on what is bundled, what excludes health insurance, and whether establishment/e-channel/security items are quoted separately.
- ✗ AFZ’s own FAQ says e-commerce license holders must add a different import/export activity or different license if they want to import goods, so the cheapest e-commerce package is not the same thing as a full trading/import setup.
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ajman free zone is cheaper for Year 1 with a visa?
AMC's Visionary package (1 visa) totals AED 13,999 in Year 1. AFZ's 1-visa package totals AED 13,451. AFZ is AED 548 cheaper for Year 1, but AMC's renewal is slightly higher at AED 9,999 versus AFZ's AED 9,851.
Can I do general trading with Ajman Media City?
AMC supports trading activities, but at least one activity must be media-related. AFZ has no such restriction and covers 3,500+ activities including general trading, manufacturing, logistics, and automotive.
Do either Ajman zone require an annual audit?
Neither AMC nor AFZ mandates audits for license renewal. You may still need audited financials for corporate tax compliance or banking purposes, but the zones themselves don't enforce it.
Which is better for a content creator or digital agency?
AMC. It's purpose-built for media, advertising, digital content, and creative businesses with packages starting at AED 4,999. AMC supports up to 10 activities per license across media and complementary sectors.
Which is cheaper, AMC or AFZ?
AMC is cheaper by AED 556 in Year 1. AMC starts from AED 4,999 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between AMC and AFZ?
AMC is based in Ajman and is best for Freelancers, Content Creators, Digital Agencies. AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Freelancers, E-commerce, Trading SMEs. AMC starts from AED 4,999 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555.
Which has easier banking, AMC or AFZ?
Both AMC and AFZ are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with AMC vs AFZ?
AMC supports up to 10 visas, while AFZ supports up to 10 visas. Both offer the same maximum visa quota.
Is AMC or AFZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose AMC if you want freelancers focus and lower costs. Choose AFZ if you need freelancers support and a Ajman address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.
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