Free Zone Comparison
JAFZA vs RAKEZ
JAFZA at AED 40,211 versus RAKEZ at AED 6,000 — a sixfold price gap. JAFZA earns it with Jebel Ali Port access, customs-bonded warehousing and a 40-year logistics network. But if you don't need physical port infrastructure, you're paying AED 34,000 for a brand name.
JAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 34,211 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose JAFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose RAKEZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
JAFZA's AED 40,211 entry is more than six times RAKEZ's AED 6,000 — the widest price gap in UAE free zones. JAFZA earns this through infrastructure: Jebel Ali Port access, customs-bonded warehousing, industrial land plots, and a nearly 40-year logistics network with 11,000 companies. RAKEZ's infrastructure is lighter — flexi desks, coworking, and smaller warehouse facilities in Al Ghail and Al Hulaila without direct port access.
Banking mirrors the divide. JAFZA rates 'Easy' — one of only three UAE free zones at that level. RAKEZ sits at 'Moderate' with six banking partners. JAFZA scales to 50 visas on warehouse operations; RAKEZ caps at 4 under standard packages. JAFZA requires physical office space; RAKEZ does not. RAKEZ also offers dual licensing for mainland RAK operations, which JAFZA matches through its Dubai DED partnership but at significantly higher cost. For import-export businesses that ship containers, JAFZA's port infrastructure has no substitute at any price. For service businesses, consultants, and e-commerce operators, RAKEZ delivers a functional license at a fraction.
JAFZA vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | JAFZA | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 40,211 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 32,910 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 50 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 21 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Easy 🏆 | Moderate |
| Established | 1985 | 2017 |
| Companies | 11,000+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
JAFZA
AED 40,211
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
JAFZA
AED 32,910
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
JAFZA
4.0/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
JAFZA
50
RAKEZ
4
Processing
JAFZA
21 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
JAFZA
Easy
RAKEZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
RAKEZ Packages
RAK · 4 packages
Biz Starter Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 6,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 6,000/yr
SME Business Set-Up (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,320
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,320/yr
SME Business Set-Up (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 18,640
Year 1
Renewal: AED 18,640/yr
SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 27,280
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,280/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | JAFZA | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose JAFZA if you...
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial
- ✓ Want large enterprises
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 34,211 less)
Pros & Cons
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
RAKEZ
Pros
- ✓ Lowest entry point in the UAE — Biz Starter promotion at AED 6,000 with 24-hour setup
- ✓ All-inclusive SME bundle at AED 14,000 includes trade license + 1 UAE residence visa, with same renewal price guaranteed
- ✓ Predictable visa add-ons: up to 3 additional visas at AED 4,000 each
- ✓ Massive activity catalog: 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors
Cons
- ✗ Mandatory annual audit for all companies — ongoing cost even for small firms
- ✗ Minimum share capital of AED 10,000 for FZ-LLC; higher for regulated activities
- ✗ AED 6,000 Biz Starter may be restricted to UAE-based entrepreneurs
- ✗ Bank accounts still subject to standard due diligence despite partner facilitation
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, JAFZA or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 34,211 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 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 JAFZA and RAKEZ?
JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. JAFZA starts from AED 40,211 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, JAFZA or RAKEZ?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). RAKEZ is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with JAFZA vs RAKEZ?
JAFZA supports up to 50 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. JAFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is JAFZA or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose JAFZA if you want trading & import/export focus and a Dubai address. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.