Dubai
Compass.Estimate my budget
Company setup

Free zone or mainland: how to choose

The right setup depends first on your clients and where you work, then on the number of visas and your budget. Here are the criteria, and what the options really cost.

Five questions to decide

These are the criteria the Dubai Compass comparator uses to rank offers. They guide your review; activity eligibility is always confirmed with the licensing authority.

Your situationMainlandFree zone
Your clients are in the UAEMainland deserves review: it is the framework designed for trading on the local market.A free zone is still possible, but check whether serving the local market requires an extra licence or permit.
Your clients are internationalPossible, but structure and premises depend on the licence.The simplest case to compare: many offers publish a starting price.
You work on site (shop, project site, clients visiting)Plan for premises and approvals suited to the activity.Check that the activity can be carried out outside the zone, and on what terms.
You need several visasCategory, establishment card and visa capacity to confirm with the licence.Some packages allow a single visa only: check capacity before signing.
Your budget is tightCost depends on activity, legal form and premises: ask for an estimate.Published starting prices range from 3,999 AED to 43,780 AED, excluding visas and government fees depending on the offer.

The most common blocker

Define the actual activity, market and premises. Ask for permitted activity codes, legal structure and visa quota. In Dubai, a free-zone company operating on the mainland may need a DET licence or permit. In another emirate, check approvals with the relevant economic authority.

Invest in Dubai ↗

Mainland in Dubai

Dubai · Mainland

Dubai Mainland · DET

Estimate based on activity

Licence, structure and location to be defined

Formation under a Department of Economy and Tourism licence. Activity, legal structure, premises and approvals determine the cost.

  • Assess local-market operations
  • Applications through Invest in Dubai
  • Structure and premises depend on the licence
Visa
Confirm category, establishment card and visa capacity.
Renewal
Quote licence, premises and renewal fees separately.
Taxes
A single licence fee is not a complete company formation budget.
Watch out
Validate premises and approvals specific to your activity.
Questions to ask before signing
  • Which legal structure and licence allow my activity?
  • Are premises, Ejari or external approvals required?
  • What is the total budget including immigration and renewal?

Invest in Dubai · Mainland ↗ Checked on 2026-10-12

The cheapest free zone in each emirate

Published starting prices checked on 12 October 2026. The lowest price is not always the best fit: compare what is included.

EmirateOfferPublished priceWhat the price covers
DubaiMeydan Free Zone12,500 AEDStandard licence · visa charged separately
Abu DhabiKEZAD — Start-up 1 provision visa9,450 AED9,450 AED for 1 year, including VAT. Published alternatives: 17,800 AED / 2 years; 22,575 AED / 3 years.
SharjahSPC Free Zone — E-commerce / Publishing5,750 AEDLicence from 5,750 AED / year for publishing and e-commerce. Standard from 6,875 AED / year.
AjmanAjman Media City · Business Club4,999 AED4,999 AED per year · company without a visa
Ras Al KhaimahRAKEZ · Biz Starter6,000 AED6,000 AED advertised · confirm period and renewal price
Umm Al QuwainUAQ Free Trade Zone · LYTE5,500 AEDLicence without residency from 5,500 AED; confirm contractual duration.
FujairahCreative City Fujairah · Media3,999 AEDPublished promotional price; confirm package duration. The general page advertises one-year licences.

See all 19 offers in detail (in French) ↗

Price your own move.

Company, visa, health, housing and school: a two-year estimate based on your profile, in 5 minutes.

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