Compare source-labelled Year 1 costs, renewal data where available, supported three-year totals, visa configurations, office requirements, banking difficulty and hidden-cost risk. Packages are grouped by comparable configuration so license-only, visa-inclusive and facility-led offers are not ranked as if they were identical.
Executive summary
The directory covers 52 UAE free-zone profiles. This index currently publishes 30 price-reviewed priority configurations in its detailed table. A row is not called verified unless its displayed field has supporting evidence; unknown renewal and three-year values remain clearly quote-based.
Selected named-package chart
This chart visualises selected Year 1 package signals from the current evidence model. Package inclusions differ, so it must not be read as an all-in cheapest-to-most-expensive company setup ranking.
Cheapest zero-visa and license-only planning cohort
This cohort compares available starting figures for named zero-visa, starter or license-only configurations. Inclusions differ, so review the package and exclusion columns before treating two rows as interchangeable.
| Rank | Free Zone | Configuration | Year 1 | Renewal | 3-Year | Year 1 confidence | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANCFZ | Official 1-year zero-visa package | AED 4,888 | AED 4,888 current 1-year list price; renewal follows the approved price list for the selected duration | AED 14,664 official 3-year zero-visa package | Verified official price | Visa, insurance and optional services are outside the named zero-visa package. |
| 2 | Ajman Media City | Business Club 0-visa package | AED 4,999 | AED 4,999 annual renewal for the unchanged Business Club package | AED 14,997 licence cost before add-ons | Verified official price | Residence visa and immigration services are excluded. |
| 3 | Ajman Free Zone | E-commerce starter package | From AED 5,555 | Current quote required | Cannot calculate until renewal is confirmed | Indicative public price | Activity, visa allocation and current package terms require confirmation. |
| 4 | RAKEZ | Instant Licence Basic | AED 6,000 | Current quote required | Cannot calculate until renewal is confirmed | Verified official Year 1 price | Use only for the named Basic configuration, not as general RAKEZ pricing. |
| 5 | SHAMS | Standard annual package | AED 6,875 | AED 6,875 fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; terms apply | AED 20,625 documented arithmetic across three fixed annual periods; terms apply | Verified official price | The separate Media package from AED 5,750 is a different configuration. |
| 6 | SPC Free Zone | Pay-As-You-Go 1-year, 0-visa licence | AED 6,875 | Current quote required | Cannot calculate until renewal is confirmed | Verified official Year 1 price | Visa allocation and establishment-card services are add-ons. |
| 7 | UAQ FTZ | Zero-visa General Trading annual package | AED 7,000 | AED 7,000 official renewal for the same named package | AED 21,000 documented arithmetic across three annual periods | Verified official price | Do not compare with the separate one-visa UAQ Start package. |
One-visa total-package cohort
Only configurations with a clearly identified one-visa package are shown. The cohort remains small because most public sources do not publish a complete comparable renewal total.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 | Renewal | 3-Year | Included signal | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAQ FTZ | UAQ Start | AED 12,500 with 1 visa | Current quote required | Cannot calculate until renewal is confirmed | License, one residence visa and listed immigration components | Verified official Year 1; renewal requires confirmation |
| RAKEZ | All-inclusive option | AED 14,000 with 1 residence visa | Current quote required | Cannot calculate until renewal is confirmed | One residence visa in the named offer | Verified official Year 1; renewal requires confirmation |
Two-visa total-package cohort
Comparable two-visa public totals are not sufficiently supported across the current dataset. These configurations remain quote-based rather than being ranked from mixed or assumed figures.
Supported renewal and three-year figures
ANCFZ, Ajman Media City, SHAMS, UAQ FTZ, Meydan and DAFZA currently have supported renewal or multi-year planning figures for named configurations. They are not treated as interchangeable all-in packages because their inclusions and operating models differ. Use the detailed table and field-level confidence notes below.
Dubai service packages
Compare IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DAFZA and Dubai South by exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement and banking preparation. License-only signals should not be compared with office-led or regulated packages as if they were identical.
Trading, logistics, premium and regulated jurisdictions
RAKEZ, JAFZA, Hamriyah, KEZAD, Dubai South, DMCC, DAFZA, ADGM and DIFC serve very different facility and regulatory profiles. Current facility or regulatory quotations are required where no comparable public total exists.
Detailed source-labelled dataset
This is the canonical detailed table for the July 2026 report. Year 1, renewal and three-year fields carry separate confidence notes so an official starting price does not imply that renewal is verified.
| Recommended Free Zone | Package | Estimated Year-1 Cost | Estimated Renewal Cost | Estimated 3-Year Cost | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Banking Difficulty | Hidden-Cost Risk | Best For | Year 1 Confidence | Last Reviewed | Source Type | Conflict Status | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCFZ | Zero Visa official 1- or 3-year package | AED 4,888 official 1-year zero-visa package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 4,888 current 1-year list price; renewal follows the approved price list for the selected duration Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority 2026 package table |
AED 14,664 official 3-year zero-visa package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority 2026 package table |
0 visas | Lease agreement included; flexi/shared desk allocation to confirm | Medium | The AED 14,664 figure is the authority-published three-year zero-visa package, not an assumption that every future renewal invoice will stay unchanged. Confirm the current approved price list before payment. | Low-budget Ajman setup, micro-businesses, general trading and small service companies. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority 2026 package table | No material public conflict recorded | |
| SHAMS | Standard annual package | AED 6,875 official Standard annual package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 6,875 fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
AED 20,625 calculated across three fixed Standard annual periods; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
Visa allocation is package-dependent; visa processing is separate unless the selected package states otherwise | Flexi-desk is listed with the Standard package; workspace and visa terms remain package-dependent | Medium | SHAMS also advertises a separate Media package from AED 5,750. Do not blend the Media and Standard configurations or assume visa-inclusive totals from the Standard licence-only row. | Media, creator, consultancy, digital service and founder-led businesses that fit the SHAMS activity list. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic | No material public conflict recorded | |
| SPC Free Zone | Pay-As-You-Go 1-year license | AED 6,875 1-year license with 0 visa Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0 visas; visa services add-on | Flexi desk package with add-on facility options | Medium | Visa allocation and establishment card add-ons can materially increase Year 1 cost. | Publishing, consulting, e-commerce, services and founder-led companies needing flexible activity packaging. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Ajman Free Zone (AFZA) | E-commerce starting package | From AED 5,555 official e-commerce starting package Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: Not officially verified as a complete setup total |
Quote-based renewal - AFZ states the amount is shown in the customer portal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal and add-ons Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0-visa e-commerce starting package; residence visas are separate and package-dependent | No physical office is required for the named e-commerce package; unlimited coworking access is listed | Case-by-case: banks assess the activity, owners, documents, source of funds and transaction profile | The AED 5,555 amount is a starting e-commerce package, not a universal AFZA setup total. Confirm activity wording, visas, immigration services, renewal and facility requirements before payment. | E-commerce founders and small digital trading businesses that can use an Ajman base and do not need a dedicated physical office in the named package. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official Ajman Free Zone e-commerce article; starting package only | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Ajman Media City | Business Club annual package | AED 4,999 Business Club 0-visa official package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
AED 4,999 annual renewal for Business Club package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
AED 14,997 3-year license cost before add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
0 visas; upgrade required for visa allocation | Co-working space listed for Business Club package | Medium | Visa-inclusive packages start higher; confirm whether immigration services, medical, Emirates ID and insurance are included before payment. | Creators, digital startups, freelancers and lean service businesses that do not need a visa in the base package. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | No material public conflict recorded | |
| UAQ FTZ | Zero-visa General Trading annual package | AED 7,000 official zero-visa General Trading annual package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 7,000 official renewal for the same named package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
AED 21,000 calculated from the published annual price across three years Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
0 visas in the published AED 7,000 configuration; visa packages are separate | Lease agreement and coworking access are listed for the published package | Medium | This row applies only to the named zero-visa General Trading package. Do not blend it with UAQ LYTE, UAQ START or visa-inclusive packages. | Cost-sensitive general trading and import/export founders who do not need a visa in the base package. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic | No material public conflict recorded | |
| RAKEZ | Instant licence Basic / SME package | AED 6,000 Basic or AED 14,000 all-inclusive Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Basic no visa; all-inclusive option includes 1 residence visa | Co-working facility on basic; office, warehouse or facility options available | Medium | Facility, activity, visa and promotion terms can change the final amount and renewal. | SMEs, trading, light industrial, warehouse-led, e-commerce and cost-sensitive service businesses. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority offer page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| RAK Innovation City | Idea annual technology package | AED 6,600 official Idea annual package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0 visas on Idea; Seed, Startup and Growth packages list visa options | Shared desk included on Idea, Seed and Startup; dedicated desk included on Growth | Medium to high | The authority bills the packages annually but does not publish a separate renewal schedule on the cited page. Confirm the current package, activity scope, visa processing cost and renewal invoice before payment. | AI, Web3, gaming, robotics, health-tech and digital-first founders needing a Ras Al Khaimah technology-focused setup. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| IFZA | Zero-visa public package references | AED 11,900 to AED 12,900 published zero-visa Year 1 range Confidence: Conflicting public sources Checked: Not officially verified |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0 visas; visa-inclusive packages are separate | Flexi desk and inclusions vary; confirm the written offer | Medium | Sources disagree on price and inclusions. Request an itemised current quote; neither endpoint is an official IFZA tariff. | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. | Conflicting public sources | July 2026 | Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Meydan Free Zone | Regular business license | AED 12,500 regular license Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
AED 12,500 planning renewal before add-ons Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official authority cost page/blog |
AED 37,500 planning 3-year license cost before add-ons Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official authority cost page/blog |
0 visas base; visa allocation add-on | Flexi desk included; shared/dedicated office upgrade optional | Medium | Additional activity groups, visa allocations and optional services can change the final calculator output. | Dubai address-focused startups, consultants, digital businesses and entrepreneurs. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority cost page/blog | No material public conflict recorded | |
| DMCC | Standard company setup fee components | AED 34,185 published application, registration, AoA, annual licence and establishment-card components before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 22,090 annual standard licence renewal plus establishment-card components before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official DMCC Schedule of Charges; core setup and renewal components |
AED 78,365 3-year core components before office, visas, VAT/levies and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official DMCC Schedule of Charges; core setup and renewal components |
Visa entitlement depends on office/facility; visa processing is separate | A qualifying JLT/DMCC office or approved facility is required and priced separately | Medium to high | The three-year value is arithmetic from the published Year 1 components plus two published annual renewal/establishment-card component periods. It is not a complete DMCC occupancy or immigration invoice. | Premium trading, commodities, crypto-adjacent, consultancy and JLT address-led companies. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official DMCC Schedule of Charges; core setup and renewal components | No material public conflict recorded | |
| JAFZA | FZCo registration and service licence components | AED 10,000 FZCo registration plus annual service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 5,000 annual service licence renewal component before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components |
AED 20,000 3-year registration plus service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components |
Visa access depends on the selected facility; immigration fees are separate | A workstation, office, warehouse, showroom or other qualifying facility is required and priced separately | Medium to high | AED 10,000 is not a complete JAFZA setup invoice. Facility choice and annual related charges materially change Year 1, renewal and three-year outlay; trading, logistics and industrial licences also use different official fee lines. | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components | No material public conflict recorded | |
| Dubai Humanitarian (IHC) | Commercial Business Centre Desk annual package | AED 20,800 official annual Commercial Business Centre Desk package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Entitlement for up to 2 visas is listed; visa processing cost is extra | Dedicated hot desk and business-centre services included | Medium to high | The visa entitlement does not include visa processing cost. A separate official tariff lists licence-only fees with a different validity period, so UAE Freezone Compare does not combine the two configurations. | Commercial suppliers and service businesses working with humanitarian organisations and relief-sector procurement. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official Dubai Humanitarian membership package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Dubai South | Dubai South Business Hub base licence | From AED 12,500 base licence in current official Business Hub content Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - official content contains conflicting package references Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal and package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa allocation and processing are selected separately | Official content lists flexible coworking / flexi-desk options; confirm the selected package | Medium | Official Business Hub articles contain conflicting entry-price references. UAE Freezone Compare does not average them; confirm the current package and full invoice before payment. | Logistics, aviation, import/export and Dubai address companies near Al Maktoum Airport. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official Dubai South Business Hub content; conflicting entry figures noted | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| DAFZA | Scality Global monthly subscription | AED 37,200 DAFZ fees before visa/external fees Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
AED 34,200 annual subscription before external fees Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
AED 105,600 DAFZ fees before visa/external fees Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
1 visa entitlement; visa fee excluded | Flexible working space subscription | Medium to high | Pricing covers DAFZ fees only; external government fees and visa costs remain separate. | Premium Dubai airport-linked trading, aviation, logistics and professional companies. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority package page | No material public conflict recorded | |
| ADGM | Non-financial Category B official fee schedule | USD 5,800 official initial Category B fees before office and visas Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
USD 5,300 official annual renewal before office and visas Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority fee schedule |
USD 16,400 official 3-year fee components before office and visas Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority fee schedule |
Residence visas and immigration services are separate | A registered office or qualifying lease is required; premises cost is excluded | Medium to high | The published total applies to a non-financial Category B entity. Financial, retail, tech-startup and special-purpose structures use different official fee categories. | Finance, holding, investment, fintech and professional companies needing Abu Dhabi framework. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority fee schedule | No material public conflict recorded | |
| 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 Checked: July 2026 |
USD 12,000 annual licence before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority March 2026 handbook |
USD 44,000 incorporation plus three annual licence periods before office and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority March 2026 handbook |
Residence visas and immigration services are separate | A registered DIFC office is required; rent and fit-out are excluded | Medium to high | Retail, innovation, financial and regulated entities use different fee schedules. The public total shown here must not be applied to those categories. | Finance, professional services, fintech and regulated firms needing DIFC framework. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority March 2026 handbook | No material public conflict recorded | |
| Masdar City | Startup / Business One official packages | AED 7,000 Startup or AED 17,500 Business One Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Startup base package; Business One includes one residence visa | Business One includes Flexi Desk Lite; other packages have their own facility terms | Medium | Package inclusions differ materially. Renewal is not inferred from the published Year 1 amount and must be confirmed before a three-year total is calculated. | Clean energy, sustainability, technology and Abu Dhabi innovation-led companies. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| KEZAD | Free Zone Business Start-Up 1-visa package | AED 9,450 one-year 1-visa package including VAT Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
AED 22,575 official 3-year 1-visa package including VAT Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
Published packages for 1 to 4 visas | Shared workstation or dedicated office is listed in the startup solution | Medium to high | The AED 22,575 amount is a published three-year package, not a Year 1 figure multiplied by an assumed renewal. Industrial, warehouse and land-led configurations require separate quotations. | Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, warehouse and large facility-led businesses. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| SAIF Zone | Warehouse Business Support offer | AED 48,000 published 125 sqm warehouse support offer; current availability to confirm Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm facility, licence and current offer terms Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on facility and renewal terms Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa allocation and immigration costs require confirmation | Published warehouse options begin at 125 sqm | Medium | This is a facility-led offer page, not a general SAIF licence-only price. Confirm current availability, inclusions, payment plan and renewal before committing. | Trading, aviation-linked logistics and Sharjah airport-oriented companies. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official SAIF Zone warehouse support offer page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Hamriyah Free Zone | Basic licence public component | AED 11,000 basic licence component; facility and other setup costs priced separately Confidence: High-confidence public consensus Checked: |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Depends on facility | Warehouse, land, office or industrial facility | Medium | Industrial approvals and facility needs can alter totals. | Industrial, manufacturing, trading and warehouse-led companies in Sharjah. | High-confidence public consensus | June 2026 | Public consultant sources; official FAQ may block automated fetches | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| twofour54 | CMA business licence for up to 5 activities with a twofour54 workspace | Official Year 1 licence and FZ-LLC registration components are currently waived (AED 0 for these components); workspace, visas and other charges are separate Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
CMA publishes AED 12,500 business-licence renewal for up to 5 activities and states the first renewal is waived; workspace and other charges remain separate Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official Creative Media Authority fee schedule and cost calculator |
Quote-based 3-year total - confirm workspace, visa, waiver eligibility and post-waiver licence charges Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
CMA publishes separate residency-visa and Emirates ID components; eligibility depends on the legal form and workspace | An office is required for the CMA business route; twofour54 offers hot desks, coworking and private workspace options | Medium | Do not treat the waived licence and registration components as a zero-cost company setup. Workspace is required and immigration, insurance, extra activities and specialist production requirements can materially change the total. | Media, production, gaming and creative businesses needing an Abu Dhabi industry ecosystem. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official Creative Media Authority fee schedule and cost calculator | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Dubai Media City | GoFreelance freelance package | AED 7,500-7,520 GoFreelance package; visa separate Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa is separate; official page lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600 | Freelance community access; a company office is not included | Medium to high | The current official page shows AED 7,500 in its headline and AED 7,520 in its FAQ. This is a media freelance package, not a full company licence; confirm the current invoice, renewal, permitted activity and banking fit before payment. | Premium Dubai media, marketing, content and production companies. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Dtec service / trade licence membership package | AED 24,675 service or AED 27,675 trade in the official DSO guide Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 21,375 service or AED 24,375 trade published for each succeeding year Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official DSO 2024 business setup guide; indicative fee schedule |
AED 67,425 service or AED 76,425 trade calculated from the published Year 1 and succeeding-year figures Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official DSO 2024 business setup guide; indicative fee schedule |
Dtec membership includes visa access; confirm the applicant and immigration configuration | Annual Dtec coworking membership/rent is included in the published package components | Medium | The official guide labels the fees indicative and asks applicants to obtain a quotation. The three-year values are arithmetic totals from the published Year 1 plus two succeeding-year amounts, not independent authority quotes. | Technology, software, IT consultancy and Dubai innovation-focused companies. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official DSO 2024 business setup guide; indicative fee schedule | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Dubai CommerCity | Smart Desk service / consultancy package | AED 21,995 to AED 28,945 public Smart Desk range; inclusions conflict Confidence: Conflicting public sources Checked: Not officially verified |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current licence, workspace and immigration charges Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - renewal and package inclusions are not consistently published Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
2-visa quota; visa processing is not established as included | Smart Desk / shared workspace of about 7.5 sqm | Medium to high | A visa quota is eligibility, not proof that visa processing is paid. A retired Talent Pass brochure is not used. Compare an itemised current invoice before payment. | Service, consultancy and e-commerce businesses that value the Dubai CommerCity ecosystem and understand the workspace-led cost structure. | Conflicting public sources | July 2026 | Multiple public consultant sources; current authority quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ) | Trakhees free-zone licence issuance component | AED 600 commercial, AED 550 professional or AED 600 industrial licence-issuance component; other fees apply Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current licence, facility and related charges Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on the full licence and facility invoices Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa allocation and immigration services depend on the selected facility and licence | A qualifying DUCAMZ facility or lease is required and priced separately | Medium to high | This is a Trakhees licence-issuance service component, not a complete DUCAMZ setup price. Confirm the current development-zone classification, facility, activity and full payment advice before payment. | Vehicle trading, automotive import/export and related businesses operating from the Dubai Cars & Automotive Zone. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official PCFC Trakhees March 2026 service-fee schedule; partial component | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Dubai Healthcare City | Commercial licence application and registration components | AED 5,050 published one-time application and registration components before licence and facility costs Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - licence, permits and premises depend on activity Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on licence, permits, premises and renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visas and professional/facility permits are separate | A lease reservation, lease agreement, purchase agreement or title deed is a prerequisite | Medium to high | AED 5,050 is not a complete setup total. Clinical segment, facility, professional licensing and regulatory requirements can materially increase the invoice. | Healthcare, wellness, education and supporting businesses that need the DHCC regulatory ecosystem. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official DHCC commercial licensing service page; partial fee components | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Dubai Internet City | GoFreelance freelance package | AED 7,500-7,520 GoFreelance package; visa separate Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa is separate; official page lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600 | Freelance community access; a company office is not included | Medium to high | The current official page shows AED 7,500 in its headline and AED 7,520 in its FAQ. This is a technology freelance package, not a full company licence; confirm the current invoice, renewal, permitted activity and banking fit before payment. | Technology, SaaS, IT, software and regional headquarters companies. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | GoFreelance freelance package | AED 7,500-7,520 GoFreelance package; visa separate Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Visa is separate; official page lists an optional one-year visa at AED 4,600 | Freelance community access; a company office is not included | Medium to high | The current official page shows AED 7,500 in its headline and AED 7,520 in its FAQ. This is a freelance package, not a full company licence; confirm the current invoice, renewal, activity and banking fit before payment. | Independent education, training, coaching and human-capital professionals using the Dubai Knowledge Park freelance route. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official GoFreelance programme page with conflicting current amounts | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Fujairah Creative City | Zero-visa trade licence / freelance entry offers | AED 5,250 to AED 8,500 public zero-visa / freelance entry range; provider terms differ Confidence: Conflicting public sources Checked: Not officially verified |
Quote-based renewal - one consultant proposal shows AED 5,250 annually, but no comparable official renewal schedule is public Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - renewal and provider inclusions require confirmation Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0-visa entry package; visa-inclusive authority packages are priced separately | A one-year lease or flexi arrangement appears in some consultant offers; confirm the current authority package | Medium | The public figures are provider offers, not an official authority tariff. Sources differ between trade-licence and freelance wording, discounts and support inclusions, so compare an itemised current authority or partner quote. | Freelancers, creators, digital businesses, consulting and content-led companies seeking a lower-cost Fujairah entry route. | Conflicting public sources | July 2026 | Multiple public consultant sources; official package structure available; current authority quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package |
Hidden-cost warnings
- Establishment card and immigration-file charges
- Medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance
- Office, flexi desk, warehouse, deposit and utility costs
- Activity, shareholder and visa amendments
- Renewal, cancellation and liquidation fees
- Consultant service fees and external approvals
Prices can change based on authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirements, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Always request a current written quote before payment.
Source and conflict methodology
Where public sources disagree, UAE Freezone Compare does not average the numbers. We separate packages by visa count, inclusions, office requirement, source type and renewal assumptions. Rows marked “Conflicting public sources” require a current quote before payment. Read the full methodology and request a correction.
Monthly changes
Content review: July 2026. Underlying price-evidence review: July 2026. Future versions will only record a monthly change when a source or package has actually changed.
Download the dataset and chart
Cite and embed this report
Suggested citation: UAE Freezone Compare, UAE Free Zone Cost Index 2026, July 2026. Include the package name, visa count, confidence label and source type when quoting a price.
You may embed the chart with attribution and a followed source link. Do not remove the package-scope warning or present the figures as interchangeable all-in totals.
<figure>
<a href="https://www.uaefreezonecompare.com/reports/uae-free-zone-cost-index/">
<img src="https://www.uaefreezonecompare.com/wp-content/uploads/ufzc-reports/uae-free-zone-cost-index-july-2026.png" alt="Selected UAE free zone entry packages - UAE Free Zone Cost Index July 2026" width="800" loading="lazy">
</a>
<figcaption>Source: UAE Freezone Compare, UAE Free Zone Cost Index 2026. Package inclusions differ; confirm current pricing before payment.</figcaption>
</figure>Corrections and contact
If you represent a UAE free zone or have updated official pricing, send corrections to info@uaefreezonecompare.com.
Cost Index FAQs
Does an official Year 1 price verify renewal?
No. Renewal has its own confidence label and remains quote-based unless separately supported.
Why are some packages not ranked?
License-only, visa-inclusive, facility-led and regulated packages are not directly comparable.
Are quote-based rows incomplete?
They are intentionally conservative where a current authority or partner quote is required.
Request a current written quote
Free quote support: UAE Freezone Compare is not only a comparison site. We help shortlist suitable UAE free zones and request the best available market quote for your activity, visa count and budget - with no service charge from us.
Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Content reviewed: July 2026
Price evidence reviewed: July 2026
How to cite and reuse this research
UAE Freezone Compare keeps free-zone comparison, cost, banking, visa and methodology pages separate so founders can verify planning assumptions before speaking to a consultant, authority or bank.
When referencing this research, cite UAEFreezoneCompare.com, preserve the visible confidence labels, and link to the resources hub, methodology or UAE free-zone cost index as relevant.
UAE Freezone Compare is an independent planning resource, not a UAE government authority, free-zone authority, bank, law firm, tax adviser or immigration adviser.