UAE Free Zones Comparison

Choosing a free zone is one of the most important steps when setting up a company in the UAE. There are over 45 free zones across the country, each offering different benefits, pricing, and requirements. This article compares the most popular ones to help you choose wisely

Key Comparison Criteria

Popular UAE Free Zones

IFZA (Dubai)

• Cost: from 12,900 AED

• Visa quota: up to 6 visas

• Office: not required (Flexi Desk)

• Setup time: 5–7 days

• Notes: simple registration, remote option available.

  
  

Meydan (Dubai)

• Cost: from 12,500 AED

• Visa quota: up to 6 visas

• Office: not required (Flexi Desk)

• Setup time: 5–7 days

• Notes: suitable for SMEs, online registration.

  
  

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah)

• Cost: from 6,000 AED

• Visa quota: up to 4 visas

• Office: office or Flexi Desk required

• Setup time: 7–10 days

• Notes: low cost, strong reputation.

  
  

SHAMS (Sharjah)

• Cost: from 5,750 AED

• Visa quota: up to 6 visas

• Office: not required

• Setup time: 3–5 days

• Notes: suitable for media and e-commerce.

  
  

Dubai Media City

• Cost: from 7,500 AED

• Visa quota: up to 2 visas

• Office: not required (Flexi Desk)

• Setup time: 3–5 days

• Notes: good for freelancers

  
  

Dubai Internet City

• Cost: from 7,500 AED

• Visa quota: up to 2 visas

• Office: not required (Flexi Desk)

• Setup time: 3–5 days

• Notes: good for freelancers.

  
  

DMCC (Dubai)

• Cost: from 30,000 AED

• Visa quota: up to 6 visas

• Office: physical office required

• Setup time: 10–14 days

• Notes: prestigious zone, financial hub.

  
  

DWC (Dubai South)

• Cost: from 12,000 AED

• Visa quota: up to 3 visas

• Office: not required

• Setup time: 7–10 days

• Notes: ideal for logistics and aviation.

Recommendations

For startups and online business: SHAMS or IFZA

For logistics and trading: RAKEZ or DWC

For financial and crypto firms: DMCC

For maximum flexibility and remote setup: IFZA, Meydan

Need Help Choosing the Right Free Zone?

Contact BalancePro — we’ll help you choose the best-fit free zone based on your goals, budget, and activity type.

Helpful Resources

For anyone considering business setup in the UAE, these institutions are key sources of information and regulation:

UAE Ministry of Economy

Federal Tax Authority

Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DED)

Dubai Chamber of Commerce