When you say the Cheapest Free Zone in Dubai, most individuals with a business interest will pay attention. Everyone wants a low-cost free zone license in Dubai. There are numerous ways for an investor to start a company in Dubai without a hassle. This guide will highlight the Cheapest Free Zones in Dubai.
Dubai’s company setup cost and living expenses are lower than in European Countries. For foreign investors, Dubai is a safe haven. Even investors from India can opt for the cheapest Free Zone company and start a business in the region. This will help them save substantial tax.
Entrepreneurs can easily set up the cheapest free zone company without any hassle in Dubai. Also, the cheapest Free Zones in UAE attract global investors to set up their low-cost companies.
This article focuses on the cheapest free zones in the UAE and the several benefits of the UAE Free Zones. Also, the blog highlights various aspects that determine the selection of the cheapest Free Zone in UAE.
Table of contents – Cheapest freezone in UAE
Even though investors choose the cheapest Free Zone License in UAE, they look for business infrastructure and support services. So, a low-cost free Zone and cheap business license will help the investors to keep their overall business setup cost low.
Which is the Cheapest Free Zone in UAE?
The Free Zones are most in demand due to the availability of the cheapest trade license in UAE. Also, the facilities they offer the entrepreneurs. One of the cheapest Free Zones in UAE is in the Emirates of Sharjah, and it is the Sharjah Media City.
The Cost of a Trade License in SHAMS starts at AED 5,800 approx. In Sharjah, there is the Sharjah Publishing City and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park that offers a similar cheapest UAE Trade License.
The popularity of SHAMS Free Zone among investors makes it the first choice for setting up a company for startups in Sharjah Emirates. Also, the cheapest Trade License will enable entrepreneurs to keep their business setup costs low.
The Free Zones in Sharjah offer the cheapest Trade License at a cost ranging between AED 5,500 to AED 6,900. The Cost of the cheapest trade license starts at AED 6,876 for a zero-visa quota at the Sharjah Publishing City.
The popularity of the SHAMS Free Zone among investors makes it the first choice for startups in Sharjah Emirates. Additionally, the cheapest Trade License will enable investors to keep their business setup costs low.
List of Top Cheapest Free Zones in UAE – 2025
An investor chooses the cheapest Free Zones in UAE by considering a lot of aspects. It includes the choice of business activities, support services, visa quotas, office and warehouse facilities, and more. Additionally, they will have a budget for covering the business setup fees.
The top cheapest Free Zones in UAE based on popularity among investors and offering low-cost business license packages in 2025 are the following:
- International Free Zone Authority – IFZA
- Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone – RAKEZ
- Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
- Ajman Free Zone
- Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park – SRTIP
- Sharjah Media City
- Sharjah Publishing City
Investors are on the lookout to keep their business setup costs low. The Free Zones in UAE have cost-effective business packages that are the best fit for startups. So, with the available infrastructure that supports business growth and multiple business activities, the Free Zone is one of the best choices for business.
To add value to the investors and at the same time keep their overall business setup cost low, the Free Zones offer a host of Business facilities. Let’s have a look at the relatively cheap free zones in UAE that offer low-cost free zone licenses:
List of Cheapest Free Zones in UAE based on the Trade license cost
The low-cost Free Zones in UAE have a zero-visa quota Company starting from AED 5,500. Depending on the visa quota and facilities the cost will go up. Here is a list of the cheapest free zones in UAE and the cost of the cheap trade license packages available.
Here is a list of the cheapest free zones in UAE and the cost of the cheap trade license packages available.
| Sl No. | Free Zones | Emirates | Trade License Cost | Visa Quota & Facilities |
| 1 | IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | Zero Visa Quota |
| 2 | SHAMS Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,800 | Zero Visa Quota, Coworking Space |
| 3 | SRTIP Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,500 | Zero Visa Quota, Services Business License |
| 4 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 6,876 | Zero Visa Quota, Coworking Space |
| 5 | RAKEZ | Ras Al-Khaimah | AED 11,440 | Zero Visa Quota, Flexi Desk type, Services Business license |
| 6 | Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | Zero Visa Quota, Shared Offices |
| 7 | Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 5,555 | Zero Visa Quota with Smart Desk |
IFZA is one of the Cheapest Free Zone in Dubai. They have a Zero Visa Quota package starting at AED 12,900. The low taxation, easy issuance of trade licenses, availability of office space, and the Dubai Address make it a favourite choice for investors.
Foreign investors choose Dubai-based Free Zones for the ease of doing business and geographic location. Many prefer to shift their base to Dubai for lower taxation and other business benefits. IFZA Dubai is a preferred choice as it offers one of the cheapest business licenses in Dubai.
Cheapest Free Zones in Dubai
There are a few Free Zones in Dubai that offer the cheapest business license in Dubai. They are IFZA and Meydan Free Zone. The low initial business setup cost makes investors choose these free zones in Dubai.
The cheapest Business license in Dubai is starting from AED 12,900. Also, they have top-class business amenities for the investors to easily scale up their business venture.
Most of the Free Zones in Dubai come at a premium cost for setting up a business. However, there are IFZA and Meydan Free Zone in Dubai that offer unmatched business setup solutions and cheap trade licenses to set up your dream company.
Following low-cost Free Trade Zones in Dubai will provide all required business infrastructure for new investors.
1. International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
The cheapest Free Zone in Dubai is IFZA (International Free Zone Authority). IFZA offers a low-cost company license in Dubai without visas at a cost of AED 12,900. This is the cheapest and best Dubai free zone license offer in 2024.
IFZA Dubai provides the cheapest and best Free Zone Trade License in Dubai. The availability of several office spaces at the Digital Park building in Dubai Silicon Oasis makes it a startup hub. A Holding Company License is a popular business license type among foreign investors who choose IFZA.
The Free Zone offers a host of cheap startup packages across a wide range of business activities. There are services, trading, and manufacturing licenses available for investors to easily establish their startups in Dubai.
General Trading License – (1 Visa Package) – 17,500 AED Yearly (The package amount might slightly vary in actuals)
To know more about the IFZA business setup packages, click here: IFZA
2. Dubai Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone is one of the prime locations and a perfect choice for low-cost office space in Dubai. The cheapest Trade License in Meydan Free Zone is for AED 12,500. The Free Zone also provides a No Objection Certificate to open an office space anywhere in Dubai.
The NOC benefits the company owners by keeping their office rent low by taking small office space in the mainland UAE. Also, the investors can have a Dubai Address for their office at an affordable rate.
3. Dubai South Free Trade Zone
Dubai South is one of the dynamic Free Zones in Dubai. It is located near the Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport and the Jebel Ali Port. Much of Dubai’s progress is centred in the South of Dubai. Being one of the Free Zones that offer the cheapest company setup in Dubai, it is an investor’s preferred choice.
Many attractive projects such as the Jebel Ali Palm, Logistics Village expansion projects, and Dubai Industrial Park expansion projects are coming up, in Dubai South. Dubai South offers a low-cost company setup package starting from AED 12,890 for 1 visa quota.
Dubai South provides investors with a host of Value Added Services for smoothly operating their businesses. They offer Accounting, VAT Registration, Bank Account Opening, Business Center Access, Health Insurance, and more.
Cheapest Free Zones in Northern Emirates – Sharjah, RAK, Ajman
Presently, in 2025, SRTI Free Zone offers one of the cheapest business licenses for various activities such as consulting, media, and e-commerce. The Free Zone also offers the cheapest general trading license in UAE for selling multiple items.
The Free Trade Zones in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman & Umm Al Quwain are cost-effective Free Zones. The cheapest trade license from these Free Zones helps investors to keep their costs low while setting up their company in UAE.
The total cost of setting up a business includes the trade license cost, office rent expenses, administrative expenses, and visa costs.
Cheapest Free Zone License in Sharjah
The Free Zones in Sharjah offer one of the cheapest Trade License in UAE. The Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah Media City, and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park all offer affordable business packages for investors. The cheapest Free Zone License in Sharjah starts from AED 5,500 for a Zero Visa quota package.
Sharjah Free Zones offer best-in-class infrastructure to investors at a relatively lower cost compared to free zones in Dubai. The Free Zones in Sharjah are a perfect choice for setting up a startup.
1. Sharjah Publishing City
The SPC Free Zone is the best option for starting a new general trading company at the cheapest trade license cost in UAE.
This Free Zone is also a perfect choice for start-ups and entrepreneurs to set up a company at the lowest cost. SPC Free Zone is the best option for starting a new general trading company at the cheapest trade license cost in UAE.
2. Sharjah Media City
The cheapest free zone in UAE is the Sharjah Media City Free Zone, known as SHAMS which is located at the Emirates of Sharjah. Low-cost company licenses and visas are the highlights of this Free Zone. It also provides the cheapest general trading license in UAE.
3. Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park
The Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP) is one of the latest Free Trade Zones in Sharjah. It offers Low-Cost Trade licenses to entrepreneurs. SRTIP aims at providing a perfect solution for young business enthusiasts to easily scale up their business initiatives.
The Free Zone provides Startup Accelerator and Business Incubator programs for funding startups in their initial stages of operations. The incentives at SRTIP enable entrepreneurs to easily test and launch their startups.
Cheapest Free Zones in Abu Dhabi
There are a few Cheapest Free Zones in Abu Dhabi that will help investors to set up their companies at a lower cost. Abu Dhabi is a growing business and economic hub of the UAE with immense potential for companies to invest and operate their business.
Following are a few Free Zones that offer the cheapest business license in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
1. Kezad Free Trade Zone
The Kezad Free Zone in Abu Dhabi offers the cheapest trade license at AED 9,450 to investors. The Free Zone offers entrepreneurs a host of business incentives and benefits in setting up their company in Kezad.
2. Masdar City Free Zone
Masdar City Free Zone is one the most energy-friendly and sustainable Free Zones in the region. The Free Zone has associated with many energy management companies to create a perfect ecosystem for startup and research projects.
Investors can opt for an all-inclusive startup package with up to 5 business activities, a trade license fee, and shared desk space for AED 19,000.
3. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone offers a host of business benefits for investors aiming to set up their company in the Middle East. They offer a one-stop shop environment for entrepreneurs and offer one of the cheapest business licenses in the UAE.
The ADAFZ has a wide range of business infrastructure ranging from office spaces, warehousing units, commercial offices, fully furnished offices, and more. The proximity to the Abu Dhabi International Airport makes the Free Zone one of the best choices for foreign investors to set up their companies.
Other Cheapest Free Zone License in UAE
Free zones in other emirates such as Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman are also offering some cheapest license packages. Some of such free zones are:
1. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Freezone (RAKEZ)
RAKEZ is a cost-effective business hub with customized solutions for business establishments to set up your dream company. RAKEZ offers affordable business set-up packages, modern facilities, and first-class services. It has the state of the art infrastructure and hi-tech facilities for industrial growth and development.
Commercial Licence – Allowed to conduct 5 similar activities from the chosen category – 14,800 AED Yearly. (The package amount might slightly vary in actual).
Check out the Company Registration cost for RAKEZ here.
2. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ)
The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone is the best free zone in UAE for start-ups and SMEs. Its proximity to Dubai, access to international ports, and top-class infrastructure are making it an investor’s favourite.
The Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone has been operating as an autonomous Freezone since its inception in 2014. Due to its low-cost business setup packages, UAQ Free Zone is expected to have rapid adoption in the coming years.
Commercial License (2 Visa Packages) – 20,500 AED Yearly [The package amount will vary in actual]
Read more on the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone here.
3. Ajman Media City Free Zone
Ajman Media City is one of the most affordable free zones in the UAE. This free zone also offers investors a range of business activities and business license types at the lowest cost.
The Ajman Media City has various office types such as shared, customized, Flexi-desk, etc., with world-class infrastructure. Ranging from trading licenses to special license categories such as media and creative activities, it has all for the entrepreneurs.
It is considered a top-notch hub for media and entertainment companies to set up the office. Also, Ajman Media City offers the cheapest trade license in UAE to media agencies and creative people who are looking for a profitable business establishment.
Commercial License (1 Visa Package) – 11,952 AED Yearly [The package amount will vary in actuals]
Many investors go behind the cheapest Free Zone license with not much thought. However, sometimes, the cheapest license packages will have some riders. Most of the cheapest license packages in UAE are Zero Visa Quota packages.
For adding Visa Quotas and expanding the company by taking office spaces in future, going with a full-fledged company package will be beneficial for the investor in the long run.
The most important components in the business setup are deciding your business activity, business license types, and the perfect location. So, depending on the specific business requirements, the investor can choose with the assistance of experienced business consultants.
For all your queries on low-cost business setup in UAE & cheapest trade license in UAE contact us right away!
