Evidence-Aware Shortlist
This snapshot answers a narrow question: which current public named entry points are lowest? It does not rank visa-inclusive, warehouse or all-in operating packages as though they were equivalent.
| Option | Best Fit | Current Planning Evidence | What the Figure Does Not Prove | Confidence | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCFZ | Zero-visa micro-business entry | AED 4,888 official one-year package. | Residence visa and immigration services. | Verified official | Confirm activity |
| Ajman Media City | Zero-visa media/digital entry | AED 4,999 official Business Club annual package. | Visa and immigration costs. | Verified official | Compare AMC tiers |
| SRTIP | Technology/innovation zero-visa route | AED 5,500 official zero-visa package. | Renewal and optional workspace/add-ons. | Verified official | Confirm SRTIP package |
| RAKEZ Basic | Lean RAK SME licence | AED 6,000 official Basic offer. | Promotion terms, renewal and visa. | Verified official offer | Check offer eligibility |
| RAK Innovation City | Technology startup | AED 6,600 official Idea package. | Renewal and premium activities. | Verified official | Compare tech tiers |
| SHAMS / SPC | Service, media, publishing and e-commerce | AED 6,875 named annual licence packages. | Inclusions differ; visa/add-on scope must be compared. | Verified official | Compare both |
| UAQ FTZ | Zero-visa General Trading | AED 7,000 official annual package. | Configuration changes and operational add-ons. | Verified official | Confirm UAQ activity |
How to read the table: Each amount belongs to a named package or fee component. It is not a universal all-in company cost. Quote-based renewal, office, visa, facility or approval items are left explicit rather than converted into an unsupported total.
Entry Price Versus Usable Setup
A founder needing no visa and only a permitted service activity can use a lean package differently from a trader needing customs, warehouse or residence visas. Compare the same visa count, workspace and activity. The AED amount alone is not the recommendation.
Use the comprehensive ranking when renewal, three-year exposure, banking difficulty and hidden cost matter. This page intentionally remains an entry-package evidence snapshot. It should be read as a starting point for a written comparison, never as authority approval or a promise that the advertised package fits every shareholder.
What Usually Sits Outside the Entry Price
Common exclusions include visa allocation, entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, health insurance, establishment card, e-channel, extra activities, external approval, office upgrade, customs and support services. The package page or written quotation must state what is included.
Written Quote Checklist
| Check | Why It Matters | Evidence to Request |
|---|---|---|
| Exact activity wording | Similar activity names can use different licence groups or need external approval. | Authority activity code, licence type and written approval conditions. |
| Visa and immigration scope | Visa quota is not the same as an issued visa with every processing charge included. | Establishment card, e-channel, entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID and insurance. |
| Workspace or facility | Flexi-desk, office, warehouse and land products have different cost and compliance effects. | Lease, access, size, upgrade conditions, deposit, utilities and renewal. |
| Year 2 renewal | An advertised Year 1 promotion may not continue. | Line-item renewal for licence, lease, card, immigration, visas and insurance. |
| Banking readiness | A licence or visa never guarantees account approval. | Documents supplied plus the contracts, website, invoices and source-of-funds evidence you must provide. |
Common Selection Mistakes
- Calling a zero-visa package an all-in setup.
- Comparing service and General Trading licences as identical.
- Assuming every official Year 1 figure has a supported renewal.
- Ignoring future visa-upgrade cost.
- Choosing solely by AED amount without activity fit.
Related Decisions and Tools
Full cheapest-free-zones analysis | Low-cost planning guide | Calculator | Cost Index.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the lowest published package here?
ANCFZ at AED 4,888 for its named zero-visa annual configuration.
Does lowest mean best?
No. Activity, visas, office, renewal, banking and operating needs decide suitability.
Can prices change?
Yes. Confirm current authority terms and an itemised quote before payment.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Source and confidence: Named official package evidence in the live 52-record dataset, reviewed July 2026. Rankings do not imply identical inclusions. Final cost and eligibility can change with activity, visa count, workspace, shareholders, authority updates and support services. Methodology | Request a correction | Request a verified quote.