Compare IFZA and Hamriyah Free Zone by Year 1 cost, renewal cost, visa options, banking difficulty, activity fit and best use case for UAE free zone company setup in 2026.
Quick verdict
Choose IFZA for a Dubai-based flexible licence suited to consulting, services, e-commerce, technology and startups with clear packages and medium banking difficulty. Choose Hamriyah Free Zone if you need a Sharjah-based free zone with light industrial, warehousing, manufacturing or trading capacity — particularly where a physical facility is part of your operational requirement.
Cost comparison table
| Factor | IFZA | Hamriyah Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 cost | AED 14,900 (1-visa all-in — licence, visa, govt fees; 1+2-source estimate, 2026) | Indicative — confirm current package with the zone. Estimated AED 15,000–25,000 range (1-visa, based on multiple consultant sources 2026). Official pricing not published — requires a direct quote from Hamriyah Free Zone Authority. |
| Renewal cost | AED 17,100 (1-visa; 2-source estimate) | Indicative — confirm renewal with Hamriyah Free Zone Authority directly |
| 3-year total | ~AED 49,100 (estimate: Year 1 AED 14,900 + Yr2–3 AED 17,100 each — indicative) | Quote-based — cannot be reliably estimated without current official pricing |
| Visa options | 0–3 visas (standard packages; higher quota available) | Indicative — quota depends on facility type; confirm with the zone |
| Banking difficulty | Medium | Medium (Sharjah industrial zone — confirm banking readiness for your activity before setup) |
| Price confidence | 1+2-source estimate (Year 1); 2-source estimate (renewal) | Indicative — confirm current package with the zone |
| Source type | IFZA.com package page cross-confirmed by two independent consultant sources | Multiple independent consultant sources (indicative range only — not official) |
Decision factors
| Choose IFZA if | You need a Dubai address for consulting, services, e-commerce, technology or publishing with flexible visa options, clear package pricing and established banking access. |
|---|---|
| Choose Hamriyah Free Zone if | You need a Sharjah-based free zone with support for light industrial, warehousing, port access, manufacturing or physical-facility trading — and are able to obtain a direct official quote before committing. |
| IFZA office/workspace | Flexi-desk available with standard packages. Confirm office allocation as it affects visa quota and banking substance checks. |
| Hamriyah facilities | Hamriyah offers warehouses, factory units, plots and executive office space in a Sharjah coastal industrial zone. The facility type determines visa allocation. Confirm current availability and pricing directly with the authority. |
| Hidden costs — both zones | Establishment card, medical exam, Emirates ID, health insurance, amendments and cancellation fees apply. For Hamriyah, also confirm port access, storage, utility and facility lease costs as these are not always included in base licence figures. |
| Documents required | Passport, photo, shareholder details, activity description. For Hamriyah industrial activities, business plan or project scope may be required. |
Source notes
IFZA Year 1 AED 14,900 is a 1+2-source estimate based on IFZA.com package information cross-confirmed by two independent consultant sources (2026). Renewal AED 17,100 is a 2-source estimate. Hamriyah Free Zone pricing is indicative: official pricing is not publicly listed and requires a direct quote from the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (hfza.ae). The AED 15,000–25,000 range is a multi-source indicative estimate only and may not reflect current packages, facility tiers or promotional pricing. Confirm current Year 1 and renewal pricing directly with the authority before any planning decision. UFZC treats every price and visa count on this page as a planning input until a current written quote confirms it.
IFZA business setup source | Hamriyah Free Zone Authority official source
Best alternatives
IFZA | Hamriyah Free Zone | RAKEZ | SAIF Zone | SHAMS | Cheapest UAE free zones
FAQs
| Is Hamriyah cheaper than IFZA? | Hamriyah pricing is not publicly listed. The indicative range of AED 15,000–25,000 overlaps with IFZA’s AED 14,900. The actual cost depends on facility type, activity and current package — obtain a Hamriyah quote before comparing on cost. |
|---|---|
| Which is better for trading with a warehouse? | Hamriyah is purpose-built for industrial, trading and warehousing with port access. IFZA supports trading activities but is primarily structured around flexi-desk and small-office setups. For warehouse-led operations, Hamriyah is the more appropriate choice — subject to confirming current facility availability and pricing. |
| Can I do e-commerce from Hamriyah? | Hamriyah permits e-commerce activities. However, if your e-commerce does not require warehousing or physical goods handling, a lower-cost zone like IFZA, SHAMS or SPC may be more cost-effective. Confirm activity fit with the zone before setup. |
Internal links
IFZA profile | Hamriyah Free Zone profile | Cost calculator | Methodology | Hidden costs | Banking checker | IFZA vs RAKEZ | RAKEZ vs Hamriyah | IFZA vs SAIF Zone
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Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Last reviewed: August 2026
Prices and fit notes are reviewed using public authority information, available package pages, fee schedules, partner quotations and manual research. Pricing can change based on activity, visa count, office requirement, shareholder structure and authority approval.