Jurisdictions
UAE Free Zones, DIFC and Mainland
Sixteen jurisdictions, compared on what actually separates them: who you can sell to, what a licence costs, how many visas it carries and how long it takes. Five are covered in full depth; the rest carry the detail that decides between them.
Full breakdown
IFZA
One of Dubai's most accessible free zones for consultants, e-commerce and remote-first businesses — set up in days, without visiting the UAE.
- Setup from: AED 12,900 (0-visa package)
- Typical timing: 3–5 working days
Meydan
A fully digital Dubai free zone next to Downtown Dubai — the fastest route to a licence if you want to register entirely remotely.
- Setup from: AED 12,500 (0-visa) · Fawri fast-track from AED 15,000 (licence in under 60 minutes)
- Typical timing: same day to a few working days
DMCC
The UAE's largest and most recognised free zone by company count — the strongest choice for trading, commodities, crypto/blockchain businesses and family offices.
- Setup from: AED 27,000–35,000 (0-visa, licence + registration + flexi-desk)
- Typical timing: 2–4 weeks end-to-end including bank account
DIFC
The region's leading common-law financial and wealth hub — the right base for holding structures, family offices, foundations and regulated financial activity.
- Setup from: USD 8,000–18,000 registration (structure-dependent) · Prescribed Company from USD 100 to apply
- Typical timing: 5–10 business days for registration; 3–6 months if DFSA authorisation is required
Mainland UAE
Direct access to the UAE's local market and government tenders — for businesses that need to trade freely inside the country, not just from it.
- Setup from: AED 15,000–25,000 licence fee (activity-dependent)
- Typical timing: 1–3 weeks depending on activity approvals
All jurisdictions
JAFZA
Price: from AED 15,000 · Timing: 7–14 working days · Best for: trading, logistics, manufacturing, businesses needing port/warehouse access
Dubai South
Price: from AED 8,500/year · Best for: logistics, aviation, e-commerce, air-freight-dependent supply chains
TECOM
Price: from AED 15,000/year (from AED 3,520 registration-only with a leased desk) · Best for: media, tech, marketing, design, and knowledge-economy businesses
RAKEZ
Price: from AED 6,000/year · Best for: manufacturing, industrial, general trading, education, budget-conscious founders wanting scale later
RAK DAO
Price: on request · Best for: DAOs, Web3 protocols, blockchain infrastructure and digital-asset businesses seeking formal legal recognition
SHAMS
Price: from AED 5,750/year · Best for: freelancers, media, consulting, small service businesses on a budget
SPC
Price: from AED 5,750/year · Timing: from 7 working days · Best for: publishing, media, distribution, e-commerce, IT and consulting businesses
Hamriyah
Price: from AED 6,000/year (indicative) · Best for: manufacturing, industrial, businesses needing Sharjah port access
Ajman Free Zone
Price: from AED 6,500/year · Timing: 2–3 working days · Best for: startups, freelancers, budget-conscious founders
Fujairah (FFZA)
Price: from AED 5,000/year · Best for: trading businesses wanting an alternative shipping route, media/consulting on a budget
UAQ Free Zone
Price: from AED 5,500/year · Best for: trading, consulting, services and e-commerce with no physical warehousing need
Final price depends on activity, structure and visa quota — request a fixed quote.
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REF · ZONES