Cheapest UAE Free Zone 2026 — Ranked by Total Cost
Cost is one of the most important factors when choosing a UAE free zone. Here is the definitive 2026 ranking of UAE free zones by total cost of setup, including licence fees, visa fees, and office costs.
In this guide:
Cheapest UAE Free Zones 2026 — Ranked
| Rank | Free Zone | Emirate | Year 1 Cost (est.) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RAKIC (Offshore) | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 7,000-12,000 | Registration only (no visa) |
| 2 | Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 10,000-15,000 | Licence + 1 visa |
| 3 | UAQ FTZ | Umm Al Quwain | AED 10,000-14,000 | Licence + 1 visa |
| 4 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 13,165+ | Licence + 1 visa + flexi-desk |
| 5 | Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 14,500+ | Licence + 1 visa |
| 6 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 15,000-20,000 | Licence + 1-2 visas |
| 7 | Fujairah FZ / Creative City | Fujairah | AED 12,000-18,000 | Licence + 1 visa |
| 8 | SAIF Zone | Sharjah | AED 15,000-22,000 | Licence + 1 visa |
| 9 | IFZA | Dubai | AED 18,900+ | Licence + 1 visa + flexi-desk |
| 10 | RAKIC (with visa) | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 19,000-25,000 | Licence + 1 investor visa |
What “Year 1 Cost” Includes
The estimates above typically include:
- Free zone registration / incorporation fee
- Trade licence fee for Year 1
- One investor visa application fee (where applicable)
- Flexi-desk or registered address fee for Year 1
NOT typically included: Medical fitness test, Emirates ID fee, visa stamping fees (approx. AED 2,000-4,000 additional per visa)
Cost vs Value — Cheapest Is Not Always Best
The cheapest free zones come with trade-offs:
- Banking: Ajman FZ and UAQ FTZ companies may face more difficulty opening traditional UAE bank accounts — use Wio Business as your first bank
- Address prestige: An Ajman or UAQ address may not impress international clients as much as a Dubai or Abu Dhabi address
- Activity limitations: Very cheap zones often have limited activity lists or restricted visa allocations
Best Value UAE Free Zone — Our Recommendation
For most entrepreneurs balancing cost with credibility and banking ease:
- Tightest budget: SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) at AED 13,165 with reasonable banking and Dubai proximity
- Best value for Dubai address: IFZA at AED 18,900 — most recommended free zone in UAE for SMEs
- Manufacturing: RAKEZ at AED 15,000+ with cheapest industrial space in UAE