Setting up a trading or import/export company and want a UAE licence with a residence visa without overpaying? Here are the real all-in prices across every UAE free zone, compared honestly. No sales calls.
For a UAE general-trading or import/export company, the strongest picks are RAKEZ (AED 14,000) — purpose-built for trading with warehousing and industrial space — and SPC Free Zone (AED 13,165), with one of the widest trading activity lists. Ajman (AED 10,800) is the cheapest all-in for a lean trading licence. For physical goods and storage choose RAKEZ; for the lowest cost, Ajman. Licence-only starts at AED 4,888. Every price is all-in — licence, government fees and the visa block.
| Free zone | Emirate | All-in, 1 visa | Licence only | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free ZoneCheapest | Ajman | AED 10,800 | AED 4,888 | Lowest-cost trading licence |
| RAKEZBest for trading | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 14,000 | AED 6,000 | Warehousing & industrial |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 13,165 | AED 5,750 | Widest trading activities |
| Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | AED 12,500 | AED 4,900 | Light trading |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | AED 12,500 | AED 5,500 | Tech-product trading |
| IFZA | Dubai (DSO) | AED 17,615 | AED 12,900 | Dubai trading address |
All-in = trade licence + government fees + the residence-visa block. Prices are live Formenzo figures for 2026 and exclude optional add-ons. Verify your exact number — including extra visas and activity — with the free calculator.
It comes down to whether you hold physical stock (warehousing) or run a lean, paper-trading licence at the lowest cost.
Ajman (AED 10,800). The cheapest all-in company with a visa — ideal for a lean general-trading or paper-trading licence with no warehousing needed.
RAKEZ (AED 14,000). Built for trading and industry with affordable warehousing and industrial land — the natural home if you store and move physical goods.
SPC (AED 13,165). One of the longest trading activity lists in the UAE, so you can trade across many product categories under one licence.
IFZA, Dubai (AED 17,615 / 1 visa). A Dubai Silicon Oasis trading address; licence-only is AED 12,900.
One honest number per zone — licence, government fees and the visa block included. No "from AED X" teasers that triple on the call.
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Open the free calculator →Ajman Free Zone, at AED 10,800 all-in with one residence visa (AED 4,888 licence-only). For warehousing and industrial space, RAKEZ (AED 14,000) is the strongest trading pick.
Yes. A UAE free-zone general-trading or import/export licence lets you import, export and re-export goods. For physical storage you'll want a zone with warehousing such as RAKEZ; for paper trading, Ajman is enough.
Only if you hold stock. Many traders run a “paper-trading” model with no warehouse — Ajman or SPC with a flexi-desk works. If you store goods, RAKEZ offers affordable warehousing alongside the licence.
A general-trading licence lets you trade most non-restricted goods; a specific activity (e.g. “foodstuff trading”) is narrower and sometimes cheaper. SPC and RAKEZ carry broad lists — use the free calculator to match your goods.
Yes — every figure is all-in: trade licence, government fees and the residence-visa block, with no hidden charges. Licence-only (zero-visa) setups start from AED 4,888.
