The short answer
On published government fees, the lowest entry licences we hold are in the northern emirates: Ajman Free Zone (about AED 5,565 zero-visa), Shams (about AED 5,750–6,900), RAKEZ (about AED 6,010) and SPC (about AED 6,875). The lowest Dubai-issued licences are Meydan (about AED 12,500) and IFZA (about AED 12,900). Reviewed July 2026.
Cheapest UAE free zones: published fees compared
| Free zone | Emirate | Zero visa | One visa | Three visas (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 5,565 | AED 13,141 | AED 23,242 |
| Sharjah Media City (Shams) | Sharjah | AED 5,750–6,900 | AED 14,300 | AED 21,300–26,300 |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,010 | AED 12,010 | AED 19,010–24,010 |
| Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) | Sharjah | AED 6,875 | AED 14,325 | AED 21,325–26,325 |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 20,670 | AED 27,670–32,670 |
| IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | AED 21,450 | AED 28,450–33,450 |
| DMCC | Dubai | AED 35,484 | AED 43,780 | AED 50,780–55,780 |
| DIFC | Dubai | AED 104,079 | AED 108,579 | AED 115,579–120,579 |
Three-visa figures are an estimate: one-visa price plus two extra visas at an indicative AED 3,500–6,000 each (Ajman’s three-visa figure is published). Government fees only.
Advertised lower, but not verified
These zones are advertised at low prices in market guides, but we lack a confirmed schedule, so they are not ranked above:
- JAFZA — Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra
- SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) — From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides)
- Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) — Packages advertised from about AED 8,800
- Ajman NuVentures Free Zone — Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure)
- Creative City Fujairah — Zero-visa licence indicative from about AED 5,530 (unconfirmed — quote required)
Confirm the live figure and what it includes before relying on it.
Three realistic scenarios
| Scenario | Where published fees are lowest |
|---|---|
| Solo consultant, no residence visa needed | Zero-visa licence: Ajman Free Zone, RAKEZ, Shams, SPC, then Meydan and IFZA |
| Founder who needs a residence visa | One-visa packages: RAKEZ about AED 12,010, Ajman Free Zone about AED 13,141, Shams about AED 14,300, SPC about AED 14,325, Meydan about AED 20,670, IFZA about AED 21,450 |
| Small team of three | Use the estimator — extra visas change the ranking |
Why the cheapest licence isn’t always the cheapest outcome
- Activity fit. A cheap zone that does not list your activity costs more than a dearer zone that does.
- Banking. Banks decide case by case; some zones are more familiar to them. See the banking guide.
- Client perception. Some clients prefer a Dubai address.
- Renewal and amendments. Year-two fees and change fees matter.
- Mainland sales. If you need UAE customers, a free zone may need a second licence — compare Dubai mainland.
- Package exclusions. Desk type, visas and establishment card may not be included.
How to compare quotes
- Fix the briefSame activity, same visa count, same desk type for every quote.
- Split the feesAsk for government fees and service fees separately.
- Ask what is excludedEstablishment card, medical, Emirates ID, bank minimums, renewals.
- Check year twoRenewal and amendment schedule.
- Verify with the authorityConfirm the activity code and live fee on the official site.
Sources and verification
Government-fee figures compiled from public guides and zone schedules, reviewed July 2026; they are not quotes. See each zone page for its official link and fee-data status.
Cheapest free zone in the UAE: FAQs
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
On published government fees, Ajman Free Zone, Shams, RAKEZ and SPC are at the bottom of the range for a zero-visa licence; Meydan and IFZA are the lowest Dubai-issued ones. Advertised prices from other zones are unverified.
What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
Meydan (about AED 12,500) and IFZA (about AED 12,900) on published zero-visa government fees. See the Dubai list.
Is the cheapest free zone good enough?
It can be, if it lists your activity and banks and clients are comfortable with it. Compare the whole first-year cost.
What is the cheapest way to get a UAE residence visa through a company?
A one-visa package in a low-cost zone; published examples are in the table. Approval is never guaranteed — see the visa guide.
Are there hidden costs?
Commonly: extra visas, desk upgrades, establishment card, bank minimums, renewals and professional fees. Ask for exclusions in writing.
Get a written quote
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.