Quick verdict: SHAMS is the clearest lower-cost option here when a freelancer’s activity fits its media, creative, consultancy or digital-services scope and the official Standard package is suitable. IFZA may be a stronger fit for a Dubai-based service business, but its public package figures conflict and require a current written breakdown. RAKEZ is worth considering when a founder wants a lower-cost starting route with room to add facilities or move into trading and operational activities later. The correct choice depends on the exact activity, visa requirement, office arrangement and package inclusions.
Compare equivalent packages before deciding
The headline prices below are not interchangeable. SHAMS AED 6,875 refers to its official Standard annual package. RAKEZ AED 6,000 refers to its Basic Instant Licence offer, while its AED 14,000 all-inclusive offer has a different scope. IFZA’s public zero-visa references form a range rather than one confirmed authority price. A meaningful comparison must keep the package name, visa count, office inclusion and mandatory extras visible.
IFZA vs SHAMS vs RAKEZ at a glance
| Decision factor | IFZA | SHAMS | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah | Ras Al Khaimah |
| Best-fit profile | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, digital businesses and founders who value a Dubai address | Media, creative, consultancy and digital-service founders whose activity fits the SHAMS list | Cost-sensitive service businesses, trading-led SMEs and founders who may need facilities or a broader growth path |
| Current planning package | Zero-visa public package references | Standard annual package | Instant Licence Basic or separate all-inclusive offer |
| Visa position | Zero-visa reference; visa-inclusive packages are separate | Package-dependent; visa processing is separate unless the selected package states otherwise | Basic offer has no visa; the separate all-inclusive offer lists one residence visa |
| Office or flexi desk | Flexi-desk terms and inclusions vary by written offer | The Standard package lists a flexi desk; confirm the current terms | The Basic offer lists co-working; dedicated facilities are available separately |
| Banking difficulty | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Main caution | Conflicting public package prices and unclear renewal exposure | Do not mix the Standard package with the separate lower-priced Media package | Do not present the AED 6,000 Basic offer as equivalent to the AED 14,000 all-inclusive offer |
Cost evidence: Year 1, renewal and three-year planning
This comparison uses the site’s current structured evidence records. A verified official figure is shown only when the named authority source supports that specific package. Where public sources disagree or renewal is not published, the table says so instead of assuming that renewal equals the first-year amount.
| Free zone and package | Year 1 planning figure | Renewal | Three-year total | Confidence and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA Zero-visa public references |
AED 11,900 to AED 12,900 | Quote-based renewal; confirm the current package | Quote-based; depends on the confirmed renewal | Conflicting public sources. Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required. Last reviewed July 2026. |
| SHAMS Standard annual package |
AED 6,875 | AED 6,875 for the unchanged Standard package, subject to current terms | AED 20,625, calculated as three Standard annual periods | Verified official price. Official SHAMS package page; the three-year figure is documented arithmetic. Last verified July 2026. |
| RAKEZ Instant Licence offers |
AED 6,000 Basic or AED 14,000 all-inclusive | Quote-based renewal; confirm the selected offer | Quote-based; depends on renewal and package scope | Verified official price. Official RAKEZ offer page for the named offers. Current renewal confirmation is still required. Last verified June 2026. |
Pricing note: The figures are package-specific planning data, not guaranteed final invoices. Establishment-card charges, immigration processing, medical tests, Emirates ID, insurance, additional activities, office upgrades and advisory services may sit outside an advertised package. Request an itemised current quote before payment.
Source references: official SHAMS package page, Official RAKEZ Instant Licence offer, and the public IFZA package reference recorded in the UAE Freezone Compare methodology. Report outdated wording or pricing through the corrections page.
Which package is most suitable for a freelancer?
Choose IFZA when a Dubai base is part of the requirement
IFZA can suit consultants, software and digital-service businesses that prefer a Dubai free-zone registration and have activities accepted by the authority. It should not be selected only because a public page advertises a headline amount. Ask for the exact legal activity wording, the number of activities included, flexi-desk terms, visa allocation, establishment-card cost and renewal amount in writing. The current evidence record identifies conflicting public sources, so the Year 1 range is indicative rather than an official verified package total.
Choose SHAMS when the official Standard package fits the activity
SHAMS offers the strongest cost evidence of these three for the named Standard package. It can be a practical match for media, creative, marketing, consultancy and digital-service activities that appear on its current list. A separate Media package is advertised from AED 5,750, but it must not be blended with the AED 6,875 Standard package or presented as though both have identical inclusions. Confirm the activity, flexi-desk terms, visa eligibility and any immigration charges before applying.
Choose RAKEZ when operational flexibility matters
RAKEZ can work for service businesses, technology founders, trading-led SMEs and entrepreneurs who may later need offices, warehouses or industrial facilities. The AED 6,000 Basic offer and AED 14,000 all-inclusive offer solve different needs. The Basic offer lists one shareholder, one activity and co-working without a visa, while the all-inclusive offer lists one residence visa. Ask for a complete renewal schedule and confirm which government and immigration items remain outside the selected offer.
Visa and immigration comparison
A licence package and an issued residence visa are separate cost layers unless the written package expressly combines them. IFZA’s public reference used here is a zero-visa package. SHAMS visa availability depends on the selected package and current immigration terms. RAKEZ’s Basic offer has no visa, while its separate all-inclusive offer lists one residence visa. In every case, confirm establishment-card or immigration-file charges, entry permit or status change, medical testing, Emirates ID, insurance and renewal.
Dependent sponsorship is not automatic. It normally requires the sponsor’s valid residence status and compliance with current immigration conditions. Use the UAE free-zone visa cost calculator for a planning breakdown, then request current authority figures for the applicant’s circumstances.
Office and address requirements
None of these three should be described as universally “no office required.” IFZA flexi-desk terms vary by package. SHAMS lists flexi-desk access with its Standard package, subject to current terms. RAKEZ lists co-working with the Basic offer and provides separate facility options. The required premises can change with the activity, visa allocation, regulatory approval or bank onboarding profile.
Bank-account difficulty
UAE Freezone Compare currently labels all three options as Medium banking difficulty for a typical low-risk freelancer. The free zone name alone does not determine approval. Banks review the activity, shareholder residency, source of funds, expected transactions, customer and supplier geography, contracts, invoices, website and business rationale. A Dubai address does not guarantee a smoother or successful application.
Before applying, prepare a concise business plan, matching website and email domain, signed client contracts or pipeline evidence, source-of-funds documents, expected transaction profile and identification/address records. Check your likely risk level with the banking difficulty checker and review the business bank-account document checklist.
Hidden-cost checklist
- Additional activity or activity-amendment charges.
- Establishment card, immigration file or e-channel registration where applicable.
- Entry permit, in-country status change, medical test and Emirates ID.
- Health insurance and any profession-specific cover.
- Flexi-desk, co-working, office or facility upgrades.
- Extra shareholder, manager or authorised-signatory charges.
- External approval for regulated or restricted activities.
- Licence, office and visa renewal at the end of the first period.
- Banking preparation, certified documents or translation.
- Amendment, cancellation and liquidation charges.
See the full UAE free-zone hidden-cost guide before comparing headline licence fees.
Documents to prepare
The exact list depends on the authority, activity and shareholder profile. A typical individual application may require a passport copy, passport photograph, contact details, residential-address evidence, proposed company names, selected activities and visa-status documents. Residents may also need a current visa or Emirates ID copy and, where applicable, a no-objection document. Regulated activities, corporate shareholders and applicants with complex ownership will require more.
Common comparison mistakes
- Comparing different packages: a zero-visa licence is not equivalent to an all-inclusive visa package.
- Assuming renewal equals Year 1: use a three-year total only when renewal is supported by evidence.
- Choosing an activity by informal description: confirm the exact authority activity wording.
- Treating visa eligibility as visa inclusion: establish which immigration costs are actually in the quote.
- Assuming bank approval: build a clear documentation and transaction profile before applying.
- Ignoring the exit cost: ask about amendments, cancellation and liquidation before signing.
Best-fit recommendation by use case
| Use case | First option to investigate | Why | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative, media or digital service with a tight budget | SHAMS | Official Standard package evidence and activity alignment | Exact activity, visa extras and Standard versus Media package scope |
| Dubai-based consultancy or service business | IFZA | Dubai registration and professional/service positioning | Current written package, renewal, activity count and flexi-desk terms |
| Service business that may add trading or facilities | RAKEZ | Broader operational and facility pathway | Basic versus all-inclusive offer, renewal and excluded government costs |
| One residence visa required immediately | Compare SHAMS and RAKEZ itemised offers | Package structure matters more than the headline licence amount | All immigration, ID, medical, insurance and establishment-card items |
| Bank account is the main concern | Assess all three against the business profile | No zone guarantees approval | Activity risk, contracts, source of funds, website and transaction profile |
Alternatives worth comparing
Depending on the activity and budget, also compare SPC Free Zone, Ajman Media City, ANCFZ and Fujairah Creative City. Use the free-zone finder to generate a shortlist, or compare IFZA vs SHAMS, IFZA vs RAKEZ and RAKEZ vs SHAMS directly.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the lowest-cost verified package in this comparison?
For the named packages shown here, RAKEZ publishes a Basic Instant Licence offer at AED 6,000 and SHAMS publishes a Standard annual package at AED 6,875. They are not equivalent: the package names, activity scope, visa position and inclusions differ. The lower headline amount is not automatically the lower usable setup cost.
Does IFZA have a verified freelancer price?
The current evidence record uses an AED 11,900 to AED 12,900 zero-visa range from multiple public consultant sources and labels it “Conflicting public sources.” Obtain an itemised current IFZA offer before relying on a figure.
Does the SHAMS AED 6,875 Standard package include a visa?
Visa processing should be treated as separate unless the selected written package expressly includes it. Confirm visa allocation, establishment-card or immigration-file charges, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and status change before payment.
Is the RAKEZ AED 6,000 offer the same as the AED 14,000 offer?
No. The Basic offer is a separate one-shareholder, one-activity, co-working offer without a visa. The all-inclusive offer has a different scope and lists one residence visa. Compare the written inclusions rather than only the price.
Will choosing IFZA make bank approval easier?
No bank approval can be promised for IFZA, SHAMS or RAKEZ. The bank assesses the full company and shareholder profile. A clear low-risk activity, credible website, contracts, source-of-funds evidence and coherent transaction plan usually matter more than a marketing claim about the free zone.
How should I choose between the three?
Start with the exact activity and required visas, then compare equivalent written packages by Year 1 cost, renewal, office arrangement and exclusions. Use SHAMS as a first check for aligned creative or service activities, IFZA for a Dubai-based professional route, and RAKEZ when broader operational growth matters. The final decision should follow the current itemised quotes.
Methodology, review status and corrections
Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Last reviewed: July 2026
Package figures are displayed with their evidence level. Official prices apply only to the named package and do not prove that every required setup item is included. Where public sources conflict or renewal is unavailable, the page uses a range or quote-based label instead of presenting an unsupported total.
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