Hamriyah Free Zone vs Dubai Commercity: Which UAE Free Zone Should You Choose?
Choosing between Hamriyah Free Zone and Dubai Commercity? This data-driven comparison covers licence costs, setup speed, banking, visa quotas, and 3-year total cost to help you decide.
- 💰 Cheaper Year 1: Hamriyah Free Zone (AED 15,000 vs AED 27,545)
- ⚡ Faster Setup: Hamriyah Free Zone (14 days vs 14 days)
- 🏦 Easier Banking: Dubai Commercity
- 💼 Best 3-Year Value: Hamriyah Free Zone (saves AED 35,045 over 3 years)
Cost Comparison: Hamriyah Free Zone vs Dubai Commercity
| Cost Item | Hamriyah Free Zone | Dubai Commercity |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Licence | AED 15,000 | AED 27,545 |
| Annual Renewal | AED 13,000 | AED 24,000 |
| Visa Quota (Base Package) | 1 visa(s) | 2 visa(s) |
| Investor Visa Cost | AED 3,500 | AED 4,000 |
| Setup Time | 14 days | 14 days |
| Banking Ease | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Easy |
| 3-Year Total (Licence + 1 Visa) | AED 44,500 | AED 79,545 |
When to Choose Hamriyah Free Zone
- ✅ You want a lower Year 1 cost (saves AED 12,545)
- ✅ You have existing relationships or activity-specific reasons for this zone
When to Choose Dubai Commercity
- ✅ You prioritise easier bank account opening
- ✅ You need more visa slots (base package includes 2)
- ✅ Your specific business activity is better supported here
Bottom Line
Hamriyah Free Zone wins on 3-year total cost by AED 35,045. However, cost is just one factor — also consider your specific business activity, whether you need UAE banking access quickly, and how many visas you’ll need in year 1. Use our cost calculator to model your exact scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Hamriyah Free Zone to Dubai Commercity later?
Yes — you can close one free zone company and open another in a different zone. However, this involves dissolving the first company, which can take 1–3 months and incur additional costs. It’s better to choose the right zone from the start using our Zone Finder Quiz.
Do both zones offer flexi-desk/virtual office?
Most UAE free zones offer flexi-desk packages (shared workspace address) as their entry-level option. Virtual office (address only, no physical access) is available at some zones. Confirm the exact package options directly with each zone before signing up.
Which zone is better for UAE bank account opening?
Dubai Commercity has a lower banking difficulty score, suggesting a more straightforward account opening process. However, individual outcomes vary — nationality, business activity, and source-of-funds documentation all affect bank approval rates.