Free Zone Comparison
HFZA vs JAFZA
Hamriyah at AED 12,000 versus JAFZA at AED 40,211 — both offer deep-water port access for manufacturers and traders. The difference: JAFZA gives you Jebel Ali and Dubai's logistics ecosystem. Hamriyah gives you Sharjah pricing and a smaller but established industrial community.
HFZA
Sharjah
AED 12,000
Year 1 from
CheaperJAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose HFZA if cost is your priority — AED 28,211 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose HFZA for faster setup — 10 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Both offer deep-water port access for industrial operations, but the scale differs. JAFZA's Jebel Ali Port handles 23.8% of Dubai's foreign trade with a 40-year logistics network. Hamriyah connects to Sharjah's seaport — smaller but established, serving 6,500 companies across manufacturing, oil and gas, and maritime services. Hamriyah's AED 12,000 entry saves AED 28,211 against JAFZA's AED 40,211.
Banking tilts toward JAFZA with an 'Easy' rating and six formal partners versus Hamriyah's 'Moderate' rating. JAFZA scales to 50 visas; Hamriyah matches with up to 50 on industrial facilities. Hamriyah adds dual licensing through Sharjah's mainland framework — a feature JAFZA offers through Dubai DED. Both require annual audits. The practical calculation: if your supply chain runs through Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA's premium is a logistics cost, not a luxury. If you manufacture in Sharjah and ship through a Sharjah port, Hamriyah saves you AED 28,000+ annually while delivering comparable industrial infrastructure.
HFZA vs JAFZA at a Glance
| Metric | HFZA | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,000 🏆 | AED 40,211 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,000 🏆 | AED 32,910 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.0/5 |
| Max Visas | 50 | 50 |
| Processing Time | 10 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 1995 | 1985 |
| Companies | 6,500+ | 11,000+ |
Year 1 From
HFZA
AED 12,000
JAFZA
AED 40,211
Renewal From
HFZA
AED 12,000
JAFZA
AED 32,910
Rating
HFZA
4.0/5
JAFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
HFZA
50
JAFZA
50
Processing
HFZA
10 days
JAFZA
21 days
Banking
HFZA
Moderate
JAFZA
Easy
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
JAFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
Service License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
General Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 49,329
Year 1
Renewal: AED 39,710/yr
General Trading + Showroom/Office
Up to 5 visas · Private Office
AED 102,565
Year 1
Renewal: AED 79,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HFZA | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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 28,211 less)
Choose JAFZA if you...
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial
- ✓ Want large enterprises
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
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
JAFZA
Pros
- ✓ UAE's first and most established free zone — nearly 40 years of track record with 10,000+ companies
- ✓ Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, for seamless import/export
- ✓ Strong banking credibility — well-known to all major UAE banks with typical account opening in 2-4 weeks
- ✓ Wide range of facility types: flexi desks, offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units
Cons
- ✗ Higher Year 1 costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 30,000+ for a basic trading license with 1 visa
- ✗ Physical office or facility mandatory — no virtual office option available
- ✗ Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai — inconvenient for client-facing service businesses
- ✗ Setup process slower than newer free zones — 2-4 weeks typical for license issuance
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 is cheaper, HFZA or JAFZA?
HFZA is cheaper by AED 28,211 in Year 1. HFZA starts from AED 12,000 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211. 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 JAFZA?
HFZA is based in Sharjah and is best for Manufacturing, Industrial & Heavy Industry, Logistics. JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. HFZA starts from AED 12,000 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211.
Which has easier banking, HFZA or JAFZA?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). HFZA is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with HFZA vs JAFZA?
HFZA supports up to 50 visas, while JAFZA supports up to 50 visas. Both offer the same maximum visa quota.
Is HFZA or JAFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose HFZA if you want manufacturing focus and lower costs. Choose JAFZA if you need trading & import/export support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.