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
Centrally located Dubai free zone offering fully digital, fast trade-licence setup from AED 12,500 with 2,500+ activities.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 12,500/yr (licence + registration)highmeydanfz.ae
- Timeline
- ~24 hours (Fawri < 60 min)highmeydanfz.ae
- Min capital
- No paid-up capital requiredhighmeydanfz.ae
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
Full foreign ownership (CCL amendment)
Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020
Strategic Impact Activities (ownership restrictions)
Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021
Corporate Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022
Refine — tap to steer
Generate your incorporation pack
Board resolution, UBO declaration, AML/KYC and checklist.
The Majlis — intros to people who've done this
Launching soon. The relationship network is being built from verified members — no placeholder profiles.
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: E-commerce, general trading, consultancy, software, media (up to 3 groups/licence)meydanfz.ae
- Needs separate approval: Certain engineering activities need third-party approval — fire-safety & general facilities engineering consultancy need pre-licence approval (Dubai Civil Defence / Municipality); building & industrial-installation inspection need post-licence approval.meydanfz.ae
- 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.
People also ask
Are you a formation, legal, or accounting firm? Get referred clients who are actively starting and running UAE businesses.