Free Zone Comparison
HFZA vs FFZA
If you're a manufacturer choosing between the UAE's two deep-water port zones outside Dubai, this is the matchup. Hamriyah at AED 12,000 costs nearly half of Fujairah's AED 21,500. That said, Fujairah's port sits outside the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic advantage for East Africa and Indian Ocean trade that Hamriyah can't replicate.
HFZA
Sharjah
AED 12,000
Year 1 from
CheaperFFZA
Fujairah
AED 21,500
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick Hamriyah unless you need Fujairah's Indian Ocean shipping lane.
- ● Choose HFZA if cost is your priority — AED 9,500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose HFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Hamriyah has the bigger industrial ecosystem by far — 6,500 companies versus Fujairah's estimated 2,000, with dedicated zones for food processing, oil and gas, maritime services, and metals. Halliburton signed a drilling tool calibration facility there in 2024. Fujairah's tenant community is smaller but strategically positioned near India, East Africa, and the broader Indian Ocean corridor — a genuine advantage if your supply chain bypasses the Persian Gulf entirely.
The cost gap reinforces Hamriyah's position. AED 12,000 for a zero-visa package versus AED 21,500 at Fujairah — that's AED 9,500 saved, enough to cover a first employee visa with change left over. Both require audited financials for renewal. Hamriyah adds dual licensing through Sharjah's mainland framework; Fujairah doesn't. One quirk to watch: Fujairah renewals all fall in January regardless of your incorporation date, which can create proration headaches in your first year.
HFZA vs FFZA at a Glance
| Metric | HFZA | FFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Fujairah |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,000 🏆 | AED 21,500 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,000 🏆 | AED 16,200 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 | ★ 3.7/5 |
| Max Visas | 50 🏆 | 10 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1995 | 1987 |
| Companies | 6,500+ | 2,000+ |
Year 1 From
HFZA
AED 12,000
FFZA
AED 21,500
Renewal From
HFZA
AED 12,000
FFZA
AED 16,200
Rating
HFZA
4.0/5
FFZA
3.7/5
Max Visas
HFZA
50
FFZA
10
Processing
HFZA
10 days
FFZA
10 days
Banking
HFZA
Moderate
FFZA
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
HFZA Packages
Sharjah · 4 packages
Business Center Package 1 (Zero-Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
Business Center Package 1 (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 15,785
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,000/yr
4-Visa Office Package (2 Visas Processed)
Up to 2 visas · Private Office
AED 23,870
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,300/yr
General Trading 7-Visa Package
Up to 7 visas · Private Office
AED 58,995
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,500/yr
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
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HFZA | FFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose HFZA if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial & heavy industry
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export trading
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 9,500 less)
Choose FFZA if you...
- ✓ Want logistics & supply chain
- ✓ Want industrial & manufacturing
- ✓ Want maritime & port-linked businesses
- ✓ Want oil & gas services
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Pros & Cons
HFZA
Pros
- ✓ Entry package from AED 11,000/year with 1-visa provision — competitive for industrial zones
- ✓ Scalable visa tiers: e-office packages from AED 20,000–35,000/year with up to 7 visas
- ✓ Industrial facilities: warehouses from AED 85,000–150,000 with office space included
- ✓ Industrial land plots starting from 2,500 sq m for manufacturing and assembly
Cons
- ✗ Published package prices exclude visa-related costs and P.O. box (~AED 1,000/year) — budget accordingly
- ✗ Package pricing can differ across brokers; always confirm directly with HFZA
- ✗ Sharjah location lacks the prestige of a Dubai address for client-facing businesses
- ✗ Industrial/regulated sectors may require additional approvals and inspections
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
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 zone has better port access — Fujairah or Hamriyah?
Both offer deep-water port access. Fujairah sits on the Indian Ocean coast outside the Strait of Hormuz — strategic for East Africa and South Asia routes. Hamriyah connects to the Persian Gulf via Sharjah's seaport, 30 minutes from Dubai and closer to GCC shipping networks.
Which zone is closer to Dubai?
Hamriyah is approximately 30 minutes from Dubai by car. Fujairah is 1.5-2 hours away. If you need regular in-person meetings with Dubai-based partners, Hamriyah's proximity is a significant operational advantage.
Does Hamriyah offer dual licensing while Fujairah doesn't?
Yes. Hamriyah offers dual licensing through Sharjah's mainland framework, enabling simultaneous free zone and mainland operations. Fujairah Free Zone does not offer a dual license — mainland operations require a separate structure.
Why do Fujairah renewals happen in January for everyone?
FFZA renewals occur in January regardless of when you incorporated. If you set up mid-year, your first renewal period is shorter than 12 months, which can create proration issues. Budget accordingly and confirm the exact calculation with FFZA.
Which is cheaper, HFZA or FFZA?
HFZA is cheaper by AED 9,500 in Year 1. HFZA starts from AED 12,000 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 HFZA and FFZA?
HFZA is based in Sharjah and is best for Manufacturing, Industrial & Heavy Industry, Logistics. FFZA is based in Fujairah and is best for Logistics & Supply Chain, Industrial & Manufacturing, Maritime & Port-Linked Businesses. HFZA starts from AED 12,000 while FFZA starts from AED 21,500.
Which has easier banking, HFZA or FFZA?
Both HFZA and FFZA 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 HFZA vs FFZA?
HFZA supports up to 50 visas, while FFZA supports up to 10 visas. HFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is HFZA or FFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose HFZA if you want manufacturing focus and lower costs. Choose FFZA if you need logistics & supply chain support and a Fujairah address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.