UAE free zones such as Ajman, RAKEZ and Sharjah start from around AED 4,888 all in for a zero visa licence, and Dubai free zones are priced per zone. Packages rise with the zone, the number of activities and the visa allocation. We give you a fixed quote with the free zone fees itemised separately from our professional fee.
Licensing
Dubai Free Zone Company Setup
Full ownership, fast setup and packaged costs across 30 plus free zones.
Fixed price quoted up front
Mainland and every free zone
Licence, visas, banking, one team
Most licences in days, not weeks
Free zone company setup in Dubai registers your company inside one of the emirate's designated economic zones, each with its own authority, licence list and package pricing. Free zones give full foreign ownership, a fast and predictable process, and bundled packages that combine the licence, a desk and a visa allocation into one price.
The trade off is scope. A free zone licence is designed for business conducted with customers outside the UAE, inside the same zone, or through a distributor. If most of your revenue will come from selling directly to UAE mainland customers, that structure adds a step later, which is why the jurisdiction decision should follow your customers rather than the headline price.
The basics
What is a Dubai free zone company?
Each free zone is a separate jurisdiction with its own registrar, rules and licence categories. Dubai has more than 30, including IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DAFZA, JAFZA, Dubai South, DIFC and Dubai Internet City, and each one leans towards particular sectors: commodities, media, technology, logistics, finance or general trading.
Free zone companies benefit from full foreign ownership and no personal income tax. They fall under the 9% corporate tax regime, though a qualifying free zone person may access a 0% rate on qualifying income where the substance and transaction conditions are met. Most zones accept a flexi desk rather than a full office, which is what keeps the entry cost low.
Why it works
What are the benefits of a Dubai free zone company setup?
100% foreign ownership
No local partner and no local service agent. The company is yours outright from day one.
Fast, predictable setup
Many zones issue a licence within a few working days once documents are complete, because everything sits with one authority.
Packaged pricing
Licence, desk and visa allocation are bundled, so your first year cost is known up front with fewer moving parts.
Flexi desk accepted
Most zones satisfy the office requirement with a shared desk, which removes the largest fixed cost of a mainland setup.
Tax efficiency
No personal income tax, and a qualifying free zone person may access a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Sector clustering
Choosing the zone that matches your sector puts you next to your customers, suppliers and the regulator that understands your activity.
Compare
Free zone versus mainland
| Factor | Free zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Selling to UAE mainland | Via distributor or branch | Direct |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | Up to 100% on most activities |
| Office requirement | Flexi desk accepted | Physical office with Ejari |
| Setup speed | Days | Slightly longer |
| Entry cost | Lower | Higher |
| Visa quota | Fixed by package | Scales with office size |
Scope
Popular free zone licence categories
Zones group activities into a handful of licence categories. Most businesses fall into one of these.
- Trading and general trading
- Consultancy and professional services
- E-commerce and online retail
- Media, marketing and design
- Technology, software and IT services
- Logistics, freight and shipping
- Holding company for shares and assets
- Education, training and coaching
Cost
How much does a Dubai free zone company setup cost?
Free zone packages start lower than mainland because the desk replaces a leased office. What moves the price is the zone itself, the number of activities on the licence and the number of visas in the package. A zero visa package is the cheapest entry point, and each visa added increases both the package tier and the per person processing cost.
What makes up the cost
- Free zone authority registration and licence fee
- Flexi desk or office facility charge
- Establishment card and visa allocation
- Medical, Emirates ID and stamping per visa
- Our professional fee, quoted as a fixed amount up front
Paperwork
What documents are required?
- Passport copies for every shareholder and the manager
- Passport size photographs on a white background
- Three proposed company names in order of preference
- A short description of the intended business activity
- Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- Curriculum vitae for certain professional and consultancy licences
- Board resolution and corporate documents where a company is the shareholder
- No objection certificate if you are already sponsored in the UAE
The process
How do you get a Dubai free zone company setup?
01
Choose the right zone
We match your activity, budget and visa needs to the zones that actually fit, rather than defaulting to whichever pays the largest commission.
02
Reserve the company name
We submit your preferred names to the authority and clear the one that passes their naming rules.
03
Submit the application
We prepare the application, activity selection and shareholder documents and file them with the free zone registrar.
04
Initial approval and payment
The authority issues initial approval, then package and government fees are settled.
05
Licence and lease issued
Your trade licence, incorporation certificate and flexi desk or office lease are issued together.
06
Establishment card and visas
We process the establishment card, then residence visas including medical, Emirates ID and passport stamping.
07
Corporate bank account
We prepare a bank ready file, match you to suitable banks and support you through compliance to a live account.
Why Layerz
One team, fixed pricing, no surprises
We advise on the structure that fits your activity and customers rather than the package that is easiest to sell. You get a fixed quote with government fees itemised separately, a dedicated advisor from first call to licence, and the same team afterwards for visas, banking, accounting and renewals.
Get a free consultation Faq
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on cost, ownership, documents and timelines.
Ask us anything Ask us anything-
1. How much does a free zone company cost in Dubai?
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2. Which free zone is best in Dubai?
There is no single best zone. IFZA and Meydan are cost effective general purpose options, DMCC suits commodities and trading, DAFZA and JAFZA suit logistics, DIFC suits financial services and Dubai Internet City suits technology. We recommend based on your activity, budget and visa needs. -
3. Can a free zone company do business in mainland Dubai?
Not directly in most cases. To sell into the mainland market you would typically appoint a distributor or register a mainland branch. If most of your customers are UAE based, we will usually recommend a mainland licence instead. -
4. How many visas can I get with a free zone licence?
The allocation is set by your package and facility. A flexi desk commonly allows between one and six visas, and taking a physical office in the zone increases the quota. -
5. Do free zone companies pay corporate tax?
Free zone companies fall within the UAE corporate tax regime, but a qualifying free zone person may access a 0% rate on qualifying income where the substance and transaction requirements are met. Other income is taxed at 9% above the threshold.
Sources
- UAE Government, free zones u.ae
- Federal Tax Authority, Corporate Tax tax.gov.ae
Enquire about your dubai free zone company setup
Tell us what you are planning and we will reply with the right structure and a fixed quote.