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UAE Free Zone Cost Calculator Guide 2026 — Estimate Your Total Setup Cost
Use this guide to calculate the total first-year cost of setting up a UAE free zone company. Covers all components: licence, visa, bank, and admin fees.
In this guide:
UAE Free Zone Cost Components
- Registration/formation fee: One-time fee paid in year 1 only; AED 3,000-15,000 depending on free zone
- Trade licence fee: Annual; AED 5,750-50,000 depending on free zone and activities
- Office/desk fee: Annual; AED 0 (some zones) to AED 20,000+ for flexi-desk
- Visa fees (per visa): AED 3,000-6,000 per investor visa (entry permit + medical + Emirates ID + stamp)
- Government fee pass-through: AED 500-2,000 (municipality fees, immigration fees)
- Bank account setup: Usually free; some banks charge AED 500-1,000
Year 1 Cost Estimate by Free Zone (1 Shareholder, 1 Visa)
- SPC Free Zone: AED 5,750 (licence) + AED 5,500 (visa) = AED 11,250 total year 1
- SHAMS: AED 8,500 (package includes 1 visa) = AED 8,500 total
- Ajman Free Zone: AED 9,000-12,000 (package includes 1 visa) = AED 9,000-12,000 total
- RAKEZ: AED 12,000-16,000 (package includes 1 visa) = AED 12,000-16,000 total
- IFZA: AED 13,900-22,900 (package varies) = AED 13,900-22,900 total
- DMCC: AED 20,000 (registration) + AED 15,000 (licence) + AED 5,000 (visa) = AED 40,000+ total
Annual Renewal Cost (Year 2+)
- Year 2+ costs: Similar to year 1 minus the one-time registration fee
- Savings year 2: AED 3,000-15,000 less than year 1 (no registration fee)
- Visa renewal: Every 2 years; AED 2,000-4,000 per visa renewal
Additional Costs to Budget For
- Accounting/bookkeeping: AED 3,000-12,000/year for professional accountant
- UAE CT filing: AED 1,500-5,000/year with a tax consultant
- Health insurance (mandatory): AED 1,500-5,000/year per person
- Registered agent (some free zones): AED 1,000-3,000/year
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