Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIFC | Non-retail Private Company official fee schedule | USD 20,000 incorporation plus first annual licence before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
USD 12,000 annual licence before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
USD 44,000 incorporation plus three annual licence periods before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
Residence visas and immigration services are separate | A registered DIFC office is required; rent and fit-out are excluded | Verified official price | Official authority March 2026 handbook | No material public conflict recorded | July 2026 |
| What is included | The official non-retail Private Company schedule lists USD 8,000 incorporation and a USD 12,000 annual commercial licence. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Office or lease, data-protection fee where applicable, establishment card, immigration and visas, DEWS, regulated permissions and advisory costs. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Retail, innovation, financial and regulated entities use different fee schedules. The public total shown here must not be applied to those categories. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Finance, professional services, fintech and regulated firms needing DIFC framework. |
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.
DIFC Free Zone Cost 2026 – License, Visa, Renewal & Hidden Fees
Figures are indicative and may change based on business activity, visa count, office requirement, shareholder structure, authority approval, and free zone updates. Request the current verified quote before committing.
Price confidence: Verified official price | Last pricing review: July 2026 | Source type: Official authority March 2026 handbook
| Cost Item | Estimated Amount | Included in Package? | Required? | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License fee | Quote-based | Package dependent | Yes | Confirm exact activity and package scope. | Needs confirmation |
| Registration fee | Indicative or bundled | Sometimes | Yes | May be bundled in year-one setup offers. | Quote-based |
| Name reservation | Indicative or bundled | Sometimes | Usually | Depends on authority process. | Quote-based |
| Initial approval | Indicative or bundled | Sometimes | Usually | May depend on activity risk. | Quote-based |
| Establishment card | Indicative | Usually no | If visas needed | Required for most immigration files. | Quote-based |
| Flexi desk / office | Package dependent | Varies | Usually | Affects visa options and renewal cost. | Needs confirmation |
| Investor visa | AED 3,000-5,500 | Usually no | If residency needed | Medical, Emirates ID and insurance can apply. | Indicative public price |
| Employee visa | AED 3,000-5,500 | Usually no | If hiring | Quota depends on package and office. | Indicative public price |
| Medical test | Indicative | No | For visas | Paid during visa processing. | Indicative public price |
| Emirates ID | Indicative | No | For visas | Government fee depends on duration. | Indicative public price |
| Health insurance | Quote-based | No | For visas | Depends on applicant and emirate. | Quote-based |
| Bank account support | Quote-based | No | Optional | No provider can guarantee approval. | Quote-based |
| Activity amendment | Quote-based | No | Optional | Applies if activity changes after setup. | Needs confirmation |
| Shareholder amendment | Quote-based | No | Optional | Applies if ownership structure changes. | Needs confirmation |
| Renewal fee | Often similar to license fee | No | Yes | Promotional setup fees may not repeat. | Quote-based |
| Cancellation/liquidation | Quote-based | No | If closing | Authority, immigration and document fees can apply. | Needs confirmation |
Year-One Cost Explanation
Year-one cost usually combines license, registration, name reservation, initial approval, establishment card if visas are needed, office or flexi desk allocation, and any visa processing costs.
Renewal Cost Explanation
Renewal pricing may differ from launch offers. Confirm license renewal, office renewal, establishment card renewal, visa renewals and amendment fees before choosing a low headline setup price.
Visa Cost Section
Investor and employee visa costs can include entry permit, status change, medical test, Emirates ID, stamping and insurance. The final cost depends on visa duration and applicant profile.
Office and Flexi Desk Cost Section
Office requirements affect visa options, bank account credibility and renewals. Check whether flexi desk, shared desk, private office or warehouse space is required for the activity.
Hidden Cost Checklist
- Establishment card and immigration file
- Medical test and Emirates ID
- Health insurance
- Office or flexi desk upgrades
- Activity amendment and shareholder amendment
- Bank account support
- Cancellation or liquidation
What Is Included
Common inclusions can include license processing, registration support and basic free zone documentation, but inclusions differ by authority and package.
What Is Not Included
Bank approval, visa medical costs, Emirates ID, insurance, mainland trading permissions, customs registration and third-party professional fees are usually separate unless clearly listed in the quote.
Related on UAE Freezone Compare: DIFC Free Zone | DIFC vs DMCC 2026 | DIFC vs Meydan Free Zone 2026 | DIFC vs Masdar City Free Zone 2026 | DIFC vs ADGM 2026
Starting price
This is a planning figure, not a guaranteed final government or authority fee. Request the current breakdown before choosing a package. UAE Freezone Compare does not charge you a service fee for quote support.
Source and Data Requirement
Cost data is reviewed using public authority information, official package pages, available fee schedules, partner quotations and manual research. Request the current verified quote before committing.
FAQs
| Is this the final price? | No. Final pricing depends on activity, visas, office, shareholders and authority approval. |
|---|---|
| Can renewal cost change? | Yes. Promotions and bundled first-year offers may not apply at renewal. |
| Does this include bank account opening? | No. Bank account support is optional and approval is always subject to bank review. |
Calculate total cost | Compare cheapest free zones | View methodology