Where to set up — compared
Sharjah media-focused free zone with low entry cost from AED 5,760, up to 5 activities and instant licensing.
- Cheapest licence
- From AED 5,760 (up to 5 activities)highshamsfz.ae
- Timeline
- Instant (60 min); registration 1–3 dayshighshamsfz.ae
- Min capital
- not published
Sharjah free zone with 2,000+ activities, licence from AED 5,750 and UAE residency in 5 working days.
- Cheapest licence
- ~AED 13,165 all-inmediumformenzo.com
- Timeline
- Licence ~45 min; residency in 5 working dayshighspcfz.ae
- Min capital
- not published
Large multi-sector Ras Al Khaimah free zone offering low-cost packages from AED 6,000 with 100% foreign ownership.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 14,000/yr (licence + 1 residence visa)highrakez.com
- Timeline
- Operational within 24 hours (Biz Starter)highrakez.com
- Min capital
- No mandatory paid-up capital (most licences)mediumrakez.com
Dubai free zone known for flexible, low-cost packages sold via channel partners — 2,000+ activities, remote setup.
- Cheapest licence
- ~AED 12,900/yr (via agents)mediumfreezonecompare.com
- Timeline
- 3–5 working daysmediumarnifi.com
- Min capital
- No mandatory paid-up minimummediumradiantbiz.com
Steps — SHAMS
Laws that apply
Commercial Companies Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021
DIFC Companies Law
DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
DIFC Operating Law
DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018
ADGM Beneficial Ownership & Control Regulations 2022
BOCR 2022
ADGM Companies Regulations 2020
Companies Regulations 2020
Corporate Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022
Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT)
Cabinet Decision No. 142 of 2024
Excise Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 7 of 2017
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Activities by jurisdiction
What these zones typically licence. Each free zone publishes its own activity list — confirm yours covers your exact activity.
- Popular activities: Media, e-commerce, consultancy, tradingshamsfz.ae
- Activities per licence: Up to five business activities can be combined on one licence, even across different sectors.shamsfz.ae
- Activities: 2,000+ activities; publishing, media, e-commerce, trading, consultancyspcfz.ae
- Needs separate approval: Certain activities need external approval/NOC from competent authorities listed per activity (e.g. UAE Media Council for printing/media, Central Bank, Ministry of Health, Sharjah Municipality).spcfz.ae
- Scope: Activities fall under two licence categories — Standard and Publishing — drawn from ~1,996 approved activity codes.spcfz.ae
- Popular activities: Trading, manufacturing/industrial, media, education, consultancyrakez.com
- Activity groups per licence: A set number of activities within one category can be combined under a single licence; activities in a different category may need a separate licence. A licensee may not carry on unlicensed activities.rakez.com
- Needs separate approval: Pre-approvals, permits or NOCs from relevant government authorities are required where applicable, and HSE NOCs for high-risk materials/activities.rakez.com
- Popular activities: Consultancy, e-commerce, general trading, software, mediaifza.com
- Activity groups per licence: An IFZA licence includes up to three activity groups in the standard fee; each additional activity is charged separately. Cross-licensing across categories is allowed.ifza.com
- Needs separate approval: Regulated (“Amber”) activities require approvals from specified Dubai/UAE federal entities; the licensee must obtain and evidence the approval.ifza.com
Activities & permissions
What a licence lets you actually do — and how to add more. Confirm your specific activities with the licensing authority.
- No — only listed activities are permitted
- Yes — a business can have more than one activity
- Amend the licence (base fee AED 500)
- Yes — certain activities need special approval first
- Six: industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural, occupational
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not legal advice.
Tax & accounting
The ongoing obligations for most UAE companies — confirm what applies to your activity with the FTA.
- 9%
- AED 375,000
- AED 375,000
- 5%
- 7 years
- Revenue over AED 50,000,000
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not tax advice.
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