Quick answer: Every price on UAE Freezone Compare is checked against official free zone or government sources first, cross-confirmed against at least one independent source wherever possible, labelled with a visible confidence level, and re-reviewed on a scheduled cycle plus whenever a zone announces a policy change. Figures we cannot confirm are labelled indicative or “requires verification” — they are never presented as verified.
How we verify UAE free zone prices
Free zone quotes vary widely depending on package, visa count, office type and inclusions, so a single advertised number is rarely the full story. Our verification process works like this:
- Official sources first. We check the free zone authority’s own website, published fee schedules and authority PDFs. An official fee schedule outranks any consultant or aggregator figure.
- Independent cross-checks. Wherever possible we confirm the same package and configuration against at least one additional independent source — a second official page, a verified advisor quote, or a documented partner quotation for the identical setup.
- Same-configuration rule. We only treat two figures as comparable when they describe the same package, visa count, office type and inclusions. When sources report different numbers for different configurations, we record them as separate data points rather than averaging them.
- Conflicts are documented, not hidden. When two reliable sources genuinely conflict, we keep the more conservative (lower) figure for planning, note the conflict, and downgrade the confidence label.
- Every figure carries a label and a review date. Cost pages show the confidence level and when the data was last checked, so you can judge how much weight to give it.
What “verified” vs “indicative” means
Prices on this site use four confidence labels:
| Label | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| High | Official or strongly source-backed data for the same package and configuration. | Safe for budgeting; still confirm inclusions before paying. |
| Medium | Public package data or a partner quote exists, but some inclusions or renewal assumptions still require confirmation. | Use for shortlisting; request an itemised quote. |
| Low | Planning estimate based on limited public evidence or historical benchmarks. | Treat as a range only; verify before committing. |
| Requires verification | A current authority or partner quote is needed before payment. | Do not budget from this figure alone. |
In plain terms: “verified” means we have official or multi-source confirmation for that exact configuration; “indicative” means the figure is a reasonable planning estimate that must be confirmed with the authority or a licensed advisor before you pay.
How often cost data is updated
- Scheduled review cycles. Core commercial pages — zone profiles, cost breakdowns, comparisons and rankings — are re-reviewed during scheduled content cycles. Each page shows its “Last reviewed” date.
- Policy-change triggers. When a free zone announces a fee, visa or policy change, the affected pages are re-checked and updated as a priority.
- Corrections. Anyone can submit a correction via our corrections page. Credible corrections are reviewed and, if confirmed, applied with a fresh review date.
- Historical benchmarks. Where no current source exists, we may show a historical benchmark clearly labelled as such — it is never presented as current pricing.
Commercial relationships and disclosure
UAE Freezone Compare is an independent private comparison platform. We are not a UAE government entity, free zone authority, law firm, bank or immigration authority. Here is how commercial relationships work — and how they are kept away from editorial decisions:
- We may receive referral fees from selected business setup partners if a user chooses to proceed through them. Referral relationships do not control our rankings and never change a published price or confidence label.
- Rankings and recommendations are based on documented factors: Year 1 cost, renewal cost, 3-year planning cost, visa flexibility, activity fit, banking difficulty, office requirements, setup timeline, hidden-cost risk and suitability for the user’s stated needs.
- Sponsored or partner placements, where they exist, are labelled as such.
- We do not sell ranking positions, do not claim government endorsement, do not invent prices or approval odds, and do not publish fake reviews or testimonials.
Details: Partner Revenue Disclosure · Editorial Policy · Disclaimer.
How we calculate 3-year totals
Where a zone publishes enough component data, we show a 3-year planning total: Year 1 all-in cost plus Year 2 and Year 3 renewals (licence renewal, office or flexi-desk renewal, visa renewals on their actual cycle, and establishment card renewal where applicable). If renewal evidence is insufficient, we say so instead of guessing — see our cost guides for zone-by-zone 3-year breakdowns.
Frequently asked questions
Are the prices on this site final quotes?
No. All figures are planning numbers. Free zone pricing depends on activity, visa count, office requirement and shareholder structure, and can change without notice. Always request a current, itemised quote from the authority or a licensed advisor before paying.
What does “all-in” mean in your cost tables?
It means the total of the mandatory Year 1 components we track: licence, establishment card, visa fees, mandatory workspace where required, and standard government charges. Optional extras such as insurance upgrades, additional visas or PRO services are listed separately.
Why do two pages sometimes show different prices for the same zone?
Usually because they describe different configurations — a 0-visa freelance package versus a 1-visa company package, for example. We separate configurations rather than averaging them. If you spot a genuine inconsistency, please submit a correction.
How can I tell how confident you are in a specific figure?
Every cost page carries a confidence label (High, Medium, Low, Requires verification) and a review date. Figures without official or multi-source backing are labelled Medium or Low even when they come from a single reputable consultant.
Do partners or sponsors influence which zones you recommend?
No. Referral relationships must not override editorial methodology. Recommendations weigh documented cost, renewal, visa, activity, banking and suitability factors, and sponsored placements are labelled.
How do I report an outdated or wrong price?
Use our corrections page. Include the zone, the page URL and your source if you have one. Confirmed corrections are applied and the page review date is refreshed.
Last reviewed: October 2026 by the UAE Freezone Compare research team. Related: Pricing and Ranking Methodology · Research Methodology · Data Methodology · Cost Calculator Methodology.