Free Zone Locations and Pricing:
Where to Set Up and What Drives Cost
UAE free zones sit in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and other emirates, and each prices its licence, premises and visas differently. Maven& does not quote one price for every case, because the total depends on the zone, activity, premises and number of visas. We compare zones for your case and give you an itemised quote before you commit.
- Zones compared on total first-year cost
- Every government and service fee itemised
- No surprises on premises or visas
- Get your free setup quote
- Free zone locations and pricing partner
Emirates covered
Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Free zones compared
DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis, DAFZA, RAKEZ, SHAMS and SPC.
Team from start to launch
One consultant handles your application, approvals, visas and bank account introductions.
- By emirate
Where UAE free zones are located
Dubai free zones
DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis and DAFZA, each with a different focus and premises model.
Sharjah free zones
SHAMS and SPC, focused on media, creative and publishing businesses, with a lower-cost Sharjah base.
Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ, with business, industrial and academic zones and premises from flexi-desks to industrial land.
Other emirates
Further free zones exist in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Ask us if your activity needs one.
What drives free zone pricing?
Each zone publishes its own fees, and they change. These are the factors that decide your total.
- Licence package: the number of activities, the licence duration and the zone.
- Premises: a flexi-desk, office or warehouse.
- Visas: the number of residence visas, which depends on your premises.
- Approvals: extra approvals if your activity is regulated.
- Annual costs: renewal, accounting, audit and tax filing.
- Cost drivers
Free zone cost drivers and how to keep them lean
Choose the zone on total first-year cost, not on the licence fee alone.
| Cost driver | What it depends on | How to keep it lean |
|---|---|---|
| Licence package | Number of activities, licence duration and zone | List only the activities you need now |
| Premises | Flexi-desk, office or warehouse | Start with the smallest option that supports your visa plan |
| Visas | Number of residence visas and your premises | Apply only for the visas you will use |
| Approvals | Whether your activity needs another authority | Confirm approvals before you pay |
| Annual costs | Renewal, accounting, audit and tax filing | Plan accounting from year one |
Browse the UAE free zones directory or see free zone company formation.
- Setup profiles
Three common free zone cost profiles
Setup
For consultants and online businesses
- Flexi-desk or digital setup
- Few or no employee visas
- Lowest premises cost
- Suits overseas or online clients
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Setup
For teams that need space
- Private or shared office
- Several residence visas
- Higher premises cost
- Suits client-facing teams
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Industrial Setup
For goods and manufacturing
- Warehouse or industrial unit
- Extra approvals may apply
- Highest premises cost
- Suits trading and production
Final cost depends on your activity, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How do I get an accurate free zone price?
Send us your activity, number of owners and visas, and preferred emirate. We compare zones and send an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee.
- Your activity and any approvals
- Number of shareholders and visas
- Premises you need
- Preferred emirate and zone
- Your tax and accounting needs
- Timeline for launch
- How it works
How to compare free zone prices in 5 steps
Tell us about your business
We collect your activity, owners, visa needs and preferred emirate.
Shortlist zones
We shortlist zones that allow your activity and fit your premises needs.
Compare itemised costs
We list every fee for each shortlisted zone side by side.
Choose and apply
You choose a zone and we submit the application.
Launch and plan renewals
We process visas and banking, and set up renewal and accounting reminders.
Documents required for free zone locations and pricing
Most applications need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your case.
- Passport copy of every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Approval documents, where your activity is regulated
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for free zone locations and pricing
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right activity, structure and authority
Rules differ by activity and authority. We check your activity, structure and approvals before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- FAQs
free zone locations and pricing: frequently asked questions
There is no single price. The cost depends on the zone, licence package, premises, visas and approvals, and each zone sets its own fees. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The cheapest zone depends on your activity, premises and visa needs, and prices change. A low licence fee can be offset by premises or visa costs, so compare the total first-year cost.
Some packages include a set number of visas and others charge for them separately. We list visa and establishment card costs in your itemised quote.
Yes. Free zone licences are renewed periodically, and renewal fees, premises costs and accounting are ongoing costs to plan for.
It is often possible, but it usually means cancelling or transferring the licence and reissuing documents, so costs and timing vary. We review the process for your zones before you decide.
Yes, you must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. See corporate tax registration and filing.
Free zones are spread across the emirates. Dubai has zones such as DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis and DAFZA, Sharjah has SHAMS and SPC, and Ras Al Khaimah has RAKEZ. Browse the directory.
The cost depends on your activity, premises, visas and approvals, so there is no single price. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your activity, authority, documents and approvals, and visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. We confirm your activity and structure, prepare the application, manage approvals and follow the process through to licence, visas and bank account. Final approvals are always the authority\u2019s decision. Contact us for an itemised quote.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to start with free zone locations and pricing?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a plan built around your business. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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