How many free zones are there in the UAE?

There are over 45 officially recognised free zones in the UAE spread across all seven emirates, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi hosting the largest number.

Which UAE free zone is best for e-commerce?

IFZA, Meydan, and Dubai CommerCity are popular choices for e-commerce businesses due to competitive pricing, broad activity lists covering online retail and fulfilment, and proximity to logistics hubs.

Do UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership?

Yes. All UAE free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a local UAE sponsor or partner.

Is UAE Free Zone Directory official government advice?

No. UAE Freezone Compare is an independent private comparison platform. Use this page for planning and confirm final requirements with the relevant authority, bank, licensed advisor or government channel.

Can prices, visa rules, activities or banking requirements change?

Yes. Free zone packages, renewal fees, visas, office requirements, activity approvals, banking review and government charges can change. Request a current verified quote before payment.

What should I confirm before choosing a UAE free zone?

Confirm the exact activity wording, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, establishment card, renewal exposure, hidden fees, banking suitability and source-backed price confidence.

All UAE Free Zones 2026 - Browse 52 Zones by Emirate

Setup Cost

From AED 15,000

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; official authority licensing and facility context; current itemised quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Aviation Services Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Aerospace Manufacturing Air Cargo

Setup Cost

USD 5,800 official initial Category B fees before office and visas

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority fee schedule. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Residence visas and immigration services are separate and depend on the office and entity route

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Timing depends on entity category, activity and regulatory review, document readiness, office evidence and any immigration steps. Confirm the current route before relying on a schedule.

Asset Management Investment Banking Wealth Management Private Equity

Setup Cost

AED 7,000 official current UAQ FTZ zero-visa General Trading annual package; not a separate legacy ABRFZ price

Price confidence: Verified official price for the current UAQ FTZ successor route. Source type: Official UAQ FTZ package article; ABRFZ retained only as a historical-name profile. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

0 visas in the published AED 7,000 configuration; visa packages are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Current UAQ FTZ processing time depends on activity approval, document readiness, the selected package and immigration steps.

Setup Cost

From AED 5,555 official e-commerce starting package

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

0-visa e-commerce starting package; residence visas are package-dependent

Min. Capital

Confirm for the selected legal form and activity

Setup Time

Digital application; timing depends on payment, documents and authority approval

E-commerce Commercial Trading Industrial and Manufacturing Services

Setup Cost

AED 4,999 official Business Club annual package with zero visas

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Business Club includes zero visas; visa-inclusive packages are priced separately

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Media Production Digital Marketing Content Creation Social Media Management

Setup Cost

From AED 4,888

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority 2026 package table. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

0 visas in the published AED 4,888 and AED 14,664 configurations; 1-10 visa packages are listed separately

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading Import & Export Manufacturing Industrial Production

Setup Cost

AED 5,250 to AED 8,500 public zero-visa / freelance entry range; provider terms differ

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

0-visa entry offers are public; visa-inclusive authority packages are priced separately

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Media Production Film & Television Production Broadcasting Radio Broadcasting

Setup Cost

Quote-based after licence, office or facility route and DAFZ package review

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity, office or facility route and authority review

Aviation Services Aircraft Parts Trading Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Aerospace Technology

Setup Cost

USD 20,000 official non-retail Private Company Year 1 fee components before office and add-ons

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority March 2026 handbook. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Residence visas and immigration services are separate and depend on the office and entity route

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after activity pathway, documents and regulatory review

Asset Management Investment Banking Private Equity Venture Capital

Setup Cost

From AED 18,500

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official DMCC Schedule of Charges; core setup and renewal components. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa entitlement depends on the selected office/facility; immigration fees are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Gold Trading & Refining Diamond Trading Precious Metals Precious Stones

Setup Cost

Quote-based - no current separate registrar or package has been substantiated

Price confidence: Quote-based. Source type: Official current UAE Ministry registrar list reviewed; no separate current registrar/package substantiated. Last reviewed: Not verified.

Visa Options

Quote-based - no separate current visa quota is substantiated

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based - confirm the current legal authority, activity, premises and immigration route before estimating timing.

Setup Cost

AED 600 commercial, AED 550 professional or AED 600 industrial Trakhees licence-issuance component; other fees apply

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official PCFC Trakhees March 2026 service-fee schedule; partial component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa allocation and immigration services depend on the selected DUCAMZ facility and licence

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

AED 21,995 to AED 28,945 public Smart Desk range; conflicting inclusions

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; current authority quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Smart Desk sources reference a two-visa quota; visa processing fees are separate unless the current quote states otherwise

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

E-commerce Online Retail B2B Marketplace B2C Marketplace

Setup Cost

AED 7,500-7,520 GoFreelance package; visa separate

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Visa is separate; the official programme lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after space, activity and authority review

Fashion Design Luxury Fashion & Couture Interior Design Architecture

Setup Cost

Quote-based after activity, facility, clinical or commercial pathway review

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DHCC commercial licensing service page; partial fee components. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visas, facility permits and professional licences are separate and activity-dependent

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity classification, facility route and authority review

General Hospitals Specialist Clinics Medical Centers Dental Clinics

Setup Cost

AED 3,500 official DDA FZ-LLC registration component; activity licence and facility costs priced separately

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DDA FZ-LLC registration service; partial setup component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa allocation depends on the selected district facility; immigration fees are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

From AED 15,000

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DDA FZ-LLC registration service; partial setup component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Higher Education Universities Colleges Research Institutes

Setup Cost

Quote-based after technology activity, workspace and TECOM route review

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa is separate; the official programme lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity, workspace and authority review

Software Development IT Consulting Cybersecurity Cloud Computing

Setup Cost

AED 7,500-7,520 GoFreelance package; visa separate

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa is separate; the official programme lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Corporate Training & Development HR Consulting E-learning Platforms Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

Setup Cost

Quote-based after media activity, workspace and TECOM route review

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa is separate; the official programme lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity, workspace and authority review

Broadcasting Film & Television Production Radio Broadcasting Journalism & News Media

Setup Cost

From AED 13,500

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DDA FZ-LLC registration service; partial setup component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Media Production Publishing Printing Packaging

Setup Cost

Quote-based after science activity, workspace, lab or facility route review

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DDA FZ-LLC registration service; partial setup component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa allocation depends on the selected district facility; immigration fees are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity, workspace, lab or facility route and authority review

Life Sciences Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Research & Development Clinical Trials

Setup Cost

AED 24,675 Dtec service or AED 27,675 Dtec trade Year 1; indicative official guide

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Dtec membership includes visa access; exact immigration configuration must be confirmed

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Electronics Manufacturing Semiconductor Technology IT Services Software Development

Setup Cost

From AED 12,500 Dubai South Business Hub base licence; confirm current package

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official Dubai South Business Hub content; conflicting entry figures noted. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa allocation and processing are selected separately

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Logistics & Freight Aviation & Aerospace Aircraft Maintenance E-commerce Fulfillment

Setup Cost

From AED 15,000

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official DDA FZ-LLC registration service; partial setup component. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Film Production Television Studios Broadcast Media Animation

Setup Cost

From AED 20,000

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; current Ministry registrar context; itemised JAFZA/TEXMAS quote required. Last reviewed: July 2026 public-source review.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Textile Trading Fabric Manufacturing Garments Fashion Retail

Setup Cost

AED 12,000 official professional or commercial licence component; total to confirm

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority On-Demand licensing page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Selected separately in the On-Demand configuration

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Events & Exhibitions MICE Industry Hospitality Consulting

Setup Cost

Quote-based complete setup; AED 205 security-approval application fee is one component

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official Fujairah Free Zone registration and services pages; partial fee only. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Package and facility dependent; confirm the current immigration allocation

Min. Capital

Confirm for the selected legal form and activity

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading Import & Export Oil & Gas Services Petroleum Products Trading

Setup Cost

Quote-based complete setup; AED 205 security-approval application fee is one component

Price confidence: Quote-based. Source type: Authority quote required. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Package and facility dependent

Min. Capital

Confirm by legal form

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Trading Manufacturing Assembly Distribution

Setup Cost

AED 15,000 to AED 40,000+ public licence/setup references; licence type and infrastructure scope differ

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; official authority investment context; tailored FOIZ quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Workforce and immigration requirements depend on the licensed energy operator and facility

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

From AED 25,000

Price confidence: Verified official JAFZA licence components; complete Gold & Diamond Park setup requires confirmation. Source type: Official JAFZA company-formation and licence-renewal fee tables; Gold & Diamond Park NOC required. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Flexible

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Gold Trading Diamond Trading Jewelry Manufacturing Gemstone Trading

Setup Cost

From AED 8,000

Price confidence: High-confidence public consensus. Source type: Public consultant sources; official FAQ may block automated fetches. Last reviewed: .

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Heavy Manufacturing Steel Fabrication & Processing Metal Manufacturing Shipbuilding & Repair

Setup Cost

From AED 12,900

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading E-commerce Import & Export Wholesale Distribution

Setup Cost

AED 20,800 official annual Commercial Business Centre Desk package; visa processing extra

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official Dubai Humanitarian membership package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Package lists entitlement for two visas; visa processing charges are additional

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

From AED 18,000

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa access depends on the selected facility; establishment card and immigration costs are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading Import & Export Distribution & Storage Warehousing

Setup Cost

AED 9,450 one-year 1-visa package including VAT

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Published 1- to 4-visa startup packages

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Heavy Industry Port Logistics Container Handling Aluminum Processing

Setup Cost

AED 9,450 official KEZAD one-year 1-visa starter reference; Khalifa Port facility costs separate

Price confidence: Verified official KEZAD starter price; complete Khalifa Port facility setup requires confirmation. Source type: Official KEZAD package page; current starter-package component, not a port-facility total. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

1 visa in the published KEZAD starter reference; port and industrial configurations vary

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Port Logistics Container Handling Warehousing Cold Chain Logistics

Setup Cost

AED 7,000 Startup or AED 17,500 Business One

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Business One includes 1 visa; Enterprise lists a 3-visa quota

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after package, documents and authority approval

Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technology Photovoltaics Wind Energy

Setup Cost

From AED 12,500

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading E-commerce Business Consulting Professional Services

Setup Cost

AED 6,600 official Idea annual package with zero visas and shared desk

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Idea includes zero visas; Seed, Startup and Growth packages list different visa terms

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Tech & IT Services Software Development E-commerce Digital Media

Setup Cost

From AED 10,000

Price confidence: Verified official 2026 operating-permit components; complete company and facility cost requires confirmation. Source type: Official RAK Ports Tariff 2026; activity-specific operating permits only. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Shipbuilding Ship Repair Marine Engineering Offshore Platforms

Setup Cost

AED 13,500 official current RAKEZ package with business licence, 1 residence visa and Compass coworking lease

Price confidence: Verified official price for the current RAKEZ successor route. Source type: Official RAKEZ promotion; legacy RAK Media profile mapped to the current authority route. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

1 residence visa in the published current RAKEZ package

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

From AED 6,000

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority offer page. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Manufacturing & Industrial Production General Trading Import & Export Logistics & Warehousing

Setup Cost

From AED 7,500

Price confidence: Verified official price for the current RAKEZ successor route. Source type: Official RAKEZ package page plus official Ministry integration record. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

0 visas on the current RAKEZ Basic package; industrial and visa-inclusive routes are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Industrial Manufacturing General Trading Import & Export Professional Services

Setup Cost

AED 48,000 published 125 sqm warehouse support offer; current availability to confirm

Price confidence: Indicative public price. Source type: Official SAIF Zone warehouse support offer page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Visa allocation and immigration fees require confirmation for the selected facility-led package

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading Import & Export Manufacturing Light Industrial

Setup Cost

AED 6,875 Standard; Media from AED 5,750

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Package-dependent; the Standard licence row does not by itself establish visa-processing inclusions

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Media Production Content Creation Social Media Management Broadcasting

Setup Cost

Quote-based - official establishment decree does not publish a complete setup package

Price confidence: Quote-based. Source type: Official Sharjah government establishment decree; current licensing quote required. Last reviewed: Not verified.

Visa Options

Quote-based - no current public visa or staffing tariff

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based - current timing depends on authority licensing, facility, staffing and immigration requirements.

Setup Cost

AED 10,000 to AED 25,000 public licence-fee range; clinical and facility scope differs

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; official licensing context available; current authority quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Facility, staff and specialty dependent

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Hospitals Medical Clinics Specialty Care Centers Dental Clinics

Setup Cost

AED 6,875 1-year license with 0 visa

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Book Publishing Academic Publishing Digital Publishing E-books & Online Content

Setup Cost

From AED 5,500 official Year 1 package

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Published 0-, 1- and 2-visa package examples; other quotas require confirmation

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after documents, activity review and authority approval

Research & Development Technology Innovation Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning

Setup Cost

Official licence and registration fee components currently waived; workspace and other costs separate

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official Creative Media Authority fee schedule and cost calculator. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

CMA publishes separate residency-visa and Emirates ID components; eligibility depends on legal form and workspace

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package, workspace and authority review dependent

Media Production Film Production Television Broadcasting Radio Production

Setup Cost

AED 7,000 official zero-visa General Trading annual package

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

0 visas in the published AED 7,000 configuration; visa packages are priced separately

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

General Trading Import & Export Manufacturing Light Industrial Production

All UAE Free Zones

What Are UAE Free Zones?

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How to Choose the Right UAE Free Zone

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Free Zones