Free Zone Comparison
FFZA vs AFZ
Among northern emirates free zones, Ajman Free Zone is the clear budget pick — AED 5,555 for a zero-visa license versus Fujairah Free Zone's AED 21,500. That's AED 15,945 more at FFZA, nearly four times the price. The trade-off: FFZA sits next to the Port of Fujairah with Indian Ocean shipping access that Ajman's port infrastructure cannot replicate.
FFZA
Fujairah
AED 21,500
Year 1 from
AFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
AFZ for budget setup. FFZA only if your supply chain needs east-coast port access.
- ● Choose AFZ if cost is your priority — AED 15,945 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose FFZA if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose AFZ for overall quality — rated 4.1/5
- ● Choose AFZ for faster setup — 4 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
AFZ stamps visas in 2-4 days — among the fastest in the UAE. FFZA issues licenses in about an hour but visa processing adds 1-2 weeks. AFZ's fully digital portal handles setup from application to payment. For banking, AFZ partners with Mashreq Bank, RAKBANK, ruya, Ajman Bank, and Emirates Development Bank — five options. FFZA lists Emirates NBD, Mashreq, FAB, RAKBANK, ADCB, and Wio Bank — six partners, but a Fujairah address can trigger extra substance checks from banks.
AFZ supports up to 8 visas and offers 3,500+ activities including general trading and manufacturing. FFZA supports up to 10 visas with industrial and maritime activities — including tobacco and alcohol trading that most zones prohibit. AFZ does not require an annual audit. FFZA requires audits from Year 2, adding AED 3,000-8,000 in compliance costs. For pure cost optimisation, AFZ wins by a wide margin. For port-linked industrial operations on the Indian Ocean, FFZA is the only option in the northern emirates.
FFZA vs AFZ at a Glance
| Metric | FFZA | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Fujairah | Ajman |
| Year 1 From | AED 21,500 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 16,200 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.1/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 8 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 4 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1987 | 1988 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 25,000+ |
Year 1 From
FFZA
AED 21,500
AFZ
AED 5,555
Renewal From
FFZA
AED 16,200
AFZ
AED 5,555
Rating
FFZA
3.7/5
AFZ
4.1/5
Max Visas
FFZA
10
AFZ
8
Processing
FFZA
10 days
AFZ
4 days
Banking
FFZA
Moderate
AFZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
FFZA Packages
Fujairah · 4 packages
Virtual Office — No Visa
No visa · Virtual
AED 21,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,200/yr
Flexi Desk — 1 Visa
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 37,349
Year 1
Flexi Desk — 2 Visas (Modeled)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 44,993
Year 1
Warehouse License — 100 sqm + 4 Visas
Up to 4 visas · Warehouse
AED 115,101
Year 1
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Kickstarter (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
1 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,451
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,851/yr
2 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 21,852
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,652/yr
Physical Office Package (3 Visas)
Up to 3 visas · Private Office
AED 30,710
Year 1
Renewal: AED 19,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | FFZA | 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 | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose FFZA if you...
- ✓ Want logistics & supply chain
- ✓ Want industrial & manufacturing
- ✓ Want maritime & port-linked businesses
- ✓ Want oil & gas services
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want budget startups
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 15,945 less)
Pros & Cons
FFZA
Pros
- ✓ Published facility rents improve budgeting: Virtual Office from AED 12,000/year, Flexi Desk from AED 18,000/year
- ✓ Warehouse leasing from AED 230/sqm/year — competitive for industrial operators
- ✓ Strategic east-coast position near Port of Fujairah with Indian Ocean access for trade/logistics
- ✓ Fast licensing: FFZA markets license issuance within ~1 hour after documentation and payment
Cons
- ✗ Commonly quoted AED 21,500 starter often includes refundable deposits (~AED 5,000) affecting cash flow
- ✗ Visa onboarding includes multiple cost layers: FFZA fee + e-channel + medical + Emirates ID + insurance
- ✗ Renewals occur in January regardless of incorporation date — can create proration issues
- ✗ Distance from Dubai/Abu Dhabi adds operational friction for teams needing frequent in-person meetings
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Among the UAE's cheapest free zone options — 0-visa starter licenses from AED 5,555
- ✓ Huge activity catalog with over 3,500 business activities
- ✓ Digital-first: fully digitized setup and customer portal
- ✓ All-inclusive packages covering license, lease, establishment card, visa, medical, and Emirates ID
Cons
- ✗ Visa quotas depend on business package and facility — cheapest options limit hiring flexibility
- ✗ Refundable deposits can affect cash flow: AED 20,000 office guarantee and AED 3,000 per person in some cases
- ✗ Medical reports accepted only from Al Hamidiya Health Center in Ajman
- ✗ Bank accounts facilitated but not guaranteed — standard vetting and compliance checks apply
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a visa cost at each zone?
AFZ charges approximately AED 3,600 per visa including medical and Emirates ID. FFZA charges approximately AED 6,444 per visa — nearly double. On a 2-visa setup, you pay AED 5,688 more at FFZA.
Can either zone access the Dubai mainland?
Neither offers direct mainland trading. Both require a local distributor, agent, or separate mainland branch permit. AFZ is closer to Dubai (about 30 minutes) while FFZA is a 2+ hour drive.
When do FFZA renewals happen?
FFZA renewals fall in January regardless of when you incorporated — this creates proration issues for mid-year setups. AFZ renewals follow your license anniversary date, which is more predictable for budgeting.
Which is cheaper, FFZA or AFZ?
AFZ is cheaper by AED 15,945 in Year 1. AFZ starts from AED 5,555 while FFZA starts from AED 21,500. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between FFZA and AFZ?
FFZA is based in Fujairah and is best for Logistics & Supply Chain, Industrial & Manufacturing, Maritime & Port-Linked Businesses. AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Budget Startups, Trading, E-commerce. FFZA starts from AED 21,500 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555.
Which has easier banking, FFZA or AFZ?
Both FFZA 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 FFZA vs AFZ?
FFZA supports up to 10 visas, while AFZ supports up to 8 visas. FFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is FFZA or AFZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose FFZA if you want logistics & supply chain focus and a Fujairah address. Choose AFZ if you need budget startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.