Ajman NuVentures Free Zone at a glance
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is a newer, low-cost Ajman free zone aimed at start-ups, consultants and digital freelancers. Market guides list its zero-visa licence at under AED 5,000, among the lowest in the UAE.
Who is ANCFZ suitable for?
- Digital freelancers
- Consultants
- Start-ups on the tightest budget
Industries commonly considered
Freelancing, Consultancy, IT Services, Marketing Agency. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
ANCFZ company formation cost
Indicative band Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.
Year-one budget: Depends on visas and desk. Renewal: Annual licence renewal.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at ANCFZ
The authority (Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with ANCFZ and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Consulting | Service / professional licence |
| Digital and creative services | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
| E-commerce | E-commerce licence |
| Freelance services | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use ANCFZ’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in ANCFZ
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against ANCFZ’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at ANCFZ: a few working days, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
Office requirements at ANCFZ depend on the licence type and how many visas you need. Packages commonly bundle a flexi-desk or shared desk for smaller set-ups, while larger teams and trading activity usually need a dedicated office — confirm the current options.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At ANCFZ: Linked to package. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally moderate in their familiarity with ANCFZ entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
UAE corporate tax applies to free zone companies too: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, unless the entity is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, which can access 0% on qualifying income if strict conditions are met and 9% on the rest. Every free zone entity must register for corporate tax. Whether ANCFZ income qualifies depends on your activity, customers and substance. Our tax guide explains the tests.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence renewal. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Among the lowest advertised zero-visa licence prices in the UAE
- Start-up and digital-freelancer focus
- Simple setup for consultants and creators
- Ajman-level running costs
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- Newer zone with less public track record — confirm current fees and activities
- Check bank and client acceptance of an Ajman NuVentures licence
ANCFZ vs mainland
A ANCFZ licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| ANCFZ | Ajman Free Zone | RAKEZ | SHAMS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ajman | Ajman | Ras Al Khaimah | Sharjah |
| Best for | Start-ups, consultants & digital freelancers | Multi-sector, trading & industrial | Multi-sector, industrial & SME | Media, consulting & digital services |
| Licence cost | Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure) | From AED 5,565 (zero-visa) · AED 13,141 with one visa | From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa | From about AED 5,750–6,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,300 with one visa |
| Setup time | A few working days | About one week | 2–5 working days | A few working days |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Good |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Published fees | Published fees | Published fees |
Ajman Free Zone · RAKEZ · Sharjah Media City (Shams) · UAQ Free Trade Zone · Compare any zones
ANCFZ company formation: FAQs
What is ANCFZ company formation?
ANCFZ company formation means registering a company under Ajman NuVentures Free Zone's rules in Ajman. Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is a newer, low-cost Ajman free zone aimed at start-ups, consultants and digital freelancers. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in ANCFZ?
Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure). This is an indicative planning band rather than the authority's price list — request a written quote for your activity.
Can foreigners own 100% of a ANCFZ company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with ANCFZ's authority.
What licences are available in ANCFZ?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For ANCFZ the activities most associated with it include consulting, digital and creative services, e-commerce; these typically map to: Confirm the licence category with the authority; E-commerce licence; Service / professional licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through ANCFZ?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at ANCFZ: Linked to package.
What documents are required for ANCFZ company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does ANCFZ require an office?
Office requirements at ANCFZ depend on the licence type and how many visas you need. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a ANCFZ company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of ANCFZ?
Among the lowest advertised zero-visa licence prices in the UAE; Start-up and digital-freelancer focus; Simple setup for consultants and creators. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in ANCFZ?
Choose your activity and check it against ANCFZ's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: a few working days, subject to the authority.
Is Ajman NuVentures the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
Market guides list its zero-visa licence from about AED 4,888, which is among the lowest. Confirm the live figure and what is included, then weigh price against banking and client acceptance.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | Not yet verified in this edition — use only the domain published by the authority; we do not link unverified sites. |
| Licensing / operating authority | Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone |
| Fee data status | Indicative band — Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for ANCFZ
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.