Cheapest UAE free zones, ranked
| # | Free zone | Emirate | Licence from* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | ~AED 5,500 | General trading & services on a budget |
| 2 | SHAMS | Sharjah | ~AED 5,750 | Media, e-commerce, freelance |
| 3 | UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | ~AED 5,750 | Cheapest with warehouse/land options |
| 4 | Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | ~AED 6,000 | Media & consultancy, remote-friendly |
| 5 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | ~AED 6,000 | Industrial & SME, wide activity list |
| 6 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | ~AED 6,875 | Fast dual-licence & e-commerce |
*Indicative starting licence fees (licence-only, no visa). Packages change and depend on activity, visas and offers — confirm current pricing.
→ Add visas & office to see your all-in cost in the calculator
Cheapest for e-commerce
SHAMS and SPC (Sharjah) — low-cost e-commerce licences from ~AED 5,750, flexi-desk included.
Cheapest for freelancers
SHAMS and Fujairah Creative City offer budget freelance/media permits with a flexi-desk.
Cheapest for general trading
Ajman Free Zone and RAKEZ — wide activity lists and warehouse options at low cost.
The hidden costs that make "cheap" expensive
A low licence price is only the headline. Check the all-in first-year total:
- Establishment / immigration card (~AED 1,500–2,500) once you take any visa
- Each residence visa ~AED 3,800–5,500 (entry permit + medical + Emirates ID)
- Office upgrades beyond the included flexi-desk
- Extra activities added to the licence
- Annual renewal — the "from" price is per year, not one-off
Cheapest free zone — FAQs
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
The lowest-cost licences are in Ajman, Sharjah (SHAMS/SPC), Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah — trade licences can start from about AED 5,500–6,900 with a flexi-desk and no visa. The exact figure depends on your activity, visa count and any current offers.
What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
Within Dubai, IFZA and Meydan are usually the most affordable, with packages from about AED 12,500. For a lower Dubai-address alternative many founders compare these against nearby Sharjah and Ajman zones that cost less.
What is the cheapest free zone for e-commerce?
SHAMS and SPC in Sharjah are popular low-cost choices for e-commerce, often with an e-commerce activity and a flexi-desk in the package from around AED 5,750–6,900.
Can I get a UAE free zone licence without a visa?
Yes. A licence-only (zero-visa) package is the cheapest option — you skip the establishment card and per-visa fees. Add a visa later (~AED 3,800–5,500) when you need UAE residence.
What hidden costs should I watch for?
Beyond the headline licence: the establishment/immigration card, per-visa costs, medical and Emirates ID, office upgrades beyond a flexi-desk, extra activities, and renewal fees each year. Always confirm the all-in first-year total, not just the licence price.
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Last updated: September 2026 · Maintained by the My Business Setup editorial team