The cheapest free zone in the UAE (2026)
All 9 UAE free zones ranked by published licence and visa-count scenarios. The lowest licence-only comparison is Ajman NuVentures at AED 4,888. Final authority line items, eligibility and availability are confirmed in writing after review and before payment. هذه الصفحة بالعربية
What is the cheapest Dubai free zone licence with one visa?
The cheapest Dubai free-zone setup with one residence visa in 2026 is IFZA at AED 17,615 (published scenario) — covering the licence, registration, service fee and the complete visa block (entry permit, status change, medical and Emirates ID). Meydan Free Zone has Dubai’s lowest entry price at AED 12,500, but that is licence-only; adding a visa takes it above IFZA’s figure. If a Dubai address is not essential, the same one-visa setup costs AED 10,800 at Ajman NuVentures Centre — about AED 6,800 less. Every zone’s 0, 1, 2 and 3-visa ladder is shown in the leaderboard below, so you can compare the real cost at your actual visa count, not the teaser price.
01 All 9 UAE free zones, ranked by published scenario
Ranked by the zero-visa, first-year published scenario. The 1-visa column shows the same package with one residence visa included — the number most founders actually need.
| # | Free zone | Emirate | 0 visas | 1 visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajman NuVentures Centre | Ajman | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 |
| 2 | Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | AED 4,900 | AED 12,500 |
| 3 | SRTIP | Sharjah | AED 5,500 | AED 12,500 |
| 4 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | AED 13,165 |
| 5 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | AED 14,000 |
| 6 | Masdar City | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 | AED 17,500 |
| 7 | Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 24,450 |
| 8 | IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | AED 17,615 |
| 9 | DMCC | Dubai | AED 35,484 | — |
All prices in UAE dirhams (AED), published scenario for a 1-year licence, verified 24 June 2026 and confirmed in writing before any filing. DMCC is quoted licence-only. See the full cost comparison →
02 Cheapest free zone by emirate
| Emirate | Cheapest zone | Published scenario from |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman | Ajman NuVentures Centre | AED 4,888 |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Creative City | AED 4,900 |
| Sharjah | SRTIP | AED 5,500 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAKEZ | AED 6,000 |
| Abu Dhabi | Masdar City | AED 7,000 |
| Dubai | Meydan (0 visas) · IFZA (with visa) | AED 12,500 |
A licence from any emirate gives the same 100% foreign ownership and 0% personal income tax, and you can live and work anywhere in the UAE on its visa. If you don’t specifically need a Dubai trade address, the Northern Emirates cost roughly a third of Dubai.
03 “Cheapest” changes with your visa count
Rankings shift once visas are included — so always compare at your visa count, not the headline price:
- Ajman NuVentures stays #1 at both 0 visas (AED 4,888) and 1 visa (AED 10,800).
- IFZA overtakes Meydan in Dubai with a visa: AED 17,615 vs AED 24,450 — a saving of AED 6,835.
- Masdar City edges past IFZA at 1 visa (AED 17,500 vs 17,615) if an Abu Dhabi address works for you.
- Two-visa founders: Ajman (AED 16,200) and Fujairah Creative City (AED 17,580) stay the value leaders, with SPC close behind at AED 17,660.
Price your exact setup — visas, activity and licence term — in the free cost calculator, or answer 4 questions to get your best-fit zone.
04 What a real “cheapest” price must include
Most “cheapest free zone” lists quote a bare licence fee that quietly doubles by the time you file. A genuine published scenario includes:
- Authority + registration fees — the free zone’s own charges, in full.
- The service fee — shown inside the price, not added later.
- The complete visa block — entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping, if visas are included.
- No renewal traps — you should know year 2 before you pay for year 1.
Every price on this page meets that standard: it’s the number you pay, shown with a validity date confirmed in writing after review. That’s the Formenzo verification method.
05 Advertised “from” price vs the published scenario
Most lists that crown a “cheapest free zone” quote a licence-only teaser that quietly grows once the mandatory establishment card and residence visa are added. Here is what those same 2026 packages actually cost published scenario with one visa — the figure you really pay:
| Free zone | Advertised “from” | published scenario, 1 visa | What the teaser leaves out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 | Establishment card + full visa block |
| IFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,900 | AED 17,615 | E-channel deposit + visa block |
| Meydan (Dubai) | AED 12,500 | AED 24,450 | Full visa block, medical & Emirates ID |
| RAKEZ (RAK) | AED 6,000 | AED 14,000 | Immigration card + visa block |
The right-hand column is the same itemised published scenario we review before your secure portal shows the confirmed figure and its validity date — final authority line items, eligibility and availability are confirmed in writing after review before payment. That is why Ajman NuVentures stays the UAE’s cheapest at AED 10,800 with a visa, while the cheapest Dubai option with a visa is IFZA at AED 17,615 — not the AED 12,500 headline you see advertised.
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Open the cost calculator →Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE in 2026?
Ajman NuVentures Centre has the lowest published licence-only scenario at AED 4,888. Its published one-visa scenario is AED 10,800. These are comparison scenarios; final authority line items, eligibility and availability are confirmed in writing after review.
What is the cheapest UAE free zone with a residence visa?
Across the published one-visa scenarios, Ajman NuVentures Centre is AED 10,800. Fujairah Creative City and SRTIP follow at AED 12,500. Check activity fit and review the written final authority itemisation before payment.
What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
Meydan has the lowest published Dubai licence-only scenario at AED 12,500. IFZA has the lowest published one-visa scenario at AED 17,615. They are comparison scenarios, not universal visa fees.
What is the cheapest free zone in Sharjah?
SRTIP has the lowest published Sharjah licence-only scenario at AED 5,500, followed by SPC Free Zone at AED 5,750.
How should I read a published scenario?
A published scenario compares a stated licence and visa count. It is not an individual authority-fee schedule; final authority line items, eligibility and availability are confirmed in writing after review and before payment.
Why can a published scenario cost more than an advertised from-price?
An advertised from-price may be licence-only, while a selected scenario may include a different visa count or scope. Compare like for like, then rely on the written final authority itemisation before payment.
Do cheap free zones still give 100% foreign ownership?
Yes — every UAE free zone, including Ajman at AED 4,888, gives 100% foreign ownership and 0% personal income tax. The price difference is location and facilities, not rights.
Founder guides: Indian founders · Filipino founders · Pakistani founders · UK founders · full Dubai cost guide
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