"What's the cheapest free zone?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer: it depends on whether you need a visa, how many activities you want, and whether a Dubai address matters. Here is how the budget options compare in 2026.
The short list
| Free zone | Emirate | Licence only (est.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Media City (AMCFZ) | Ajman | from ~AED 5,000 | Freelancers, creators |
| Ajman NuVentures (ANCFZ) | Ajman | from ~AED 4,900 | Startups, solo founders |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | from ~AED 5,500 | Trading, e-commerce |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | from ~AED 5,600 | Traders, light industry |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | from ~AED 5,750 | E-commerce, many activities |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | from ~AED 5,750 | Media, influencers |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | from ~AED 6,000 | Budget visa packages, industry |
These are typical "from" prices before promotions. Free zones change fees and run offers often, so always check the live price on each free zone page.
The cheapest with a visa is a different list
A licence-only price can be misleading. Once you add an establishment card, a visa allocation, the entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID, the order can change. Zones with low visa costs — RAKEZ is a good example — can end up cheaper overall even if their licence-only price is slightly higher.
That's why our current RAKEZ licence + 1 visa offer from AED 7,724 is so competitive.
What "from" prices usually leave out
- Establishment card — needed before any visa
- Visa costs — allocation, entry permit, change of status
- Medical test and Emirates ID for each visa holder
- Extra activities beyond the package limit
- Office upgrades if you need more visas than a flexi-desk allows
Our cost calculator adds all of these so you can see a realistic first-year total.
Cheapest Dubai options
If you need a Dubai-issued licence, IFZA and Meydan are usually the lowest-cost routes, starting around AED 12,500–13,000. You pay more than in the northern emirates, but some clients and banks prefer a Dubai address.
How to avoid paying twice
- Pick the right activities first. Changing activities later costs an amendment fee.
- Plan your visa quota. Upgrading a flexi-desk later can cost more than starting with the right package.
- Check banking. A cheap licence is little use if you can't open an account for your activity.
Not sure which is cheapest for your business? Search your activity and sort by price — you'll only see zones that actually license it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
Ajman's AMCFZ and ANCFZ, UAQ FTZ, SPC, SHAMS and RAKEZ are usually the lowest-cost, from roughly AED 4,900–6,000 for a licence without a visa. With one visa, RAKEZ is often among the cheapest.
Are cheap free zones legitimate?
Yes. These are official government-backed free zones. Lower prices usually reflect location and brand, not legitimacy.
About the author
Freezone King Advisory Team is the business-setup advisory team at Freezone King, a Sky Palace Tourism company. We help founders compare UAE free zones and handle licences, visas, banking and tax end to end.