Cheapest free zone in Dubai, UAE

Cheapest free zone in UAE

UAE Freezones are popular among global investors. The Cheapest free zones in UAE attract global investors to set up their low-cost companies. The Free zones in UAE offer a whole lot of infrastructure, trade licenses, and business support to the investors. There are more than 45 Freezones in UAE. However, only a few free zones in UAE offer cheapest trade licenses. Depending on the business activities the investors can choose the right Free Zone.

Aurion will assist you in choosing the right company license from the best and cheapest Free Zones in the UAE. For example, a Media Company is advisable to be registered in any of the Media City Freezones. Some of the Major media free trade zones in UAE are Dubai Media City, Fujairah Creative Zone, and Sharjah Media City.

Which is the Cheapest Free Zone in UAE?

There are various factors to be considered when choosing the cheapest Free Zone in UAE to establish a company. It includes the location of the free zone, followed by the business activities chosen, office space requirements, etc. At the present time, the cheapest Free Zone in UAE is Sharjah Media City (SHAMS). Sharjah Media City offers a Media License at the cost of AED 5,750.

There are numerous business license types and business activities available for investors across the Free Zones of the UAE. The Free Trade Zones in the Northern Emirates also offer the cheapest business license in UAE to investors for setting up a company. Generally, investors are always looking for ways to keep the company setup cost low. The cheapest company license in 2022 is offered by Free Zones in Ajman, Sharjah & Dubai. Following is the list of the top 5 cheapest free zones in UAE.

1. International Free Zone Authority – IFZA
2. Sharjah Media City – SHAMS
3. RAKEZ
4. Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
5. Dubai CommerCity

List of Cheapest Free Zones in UAE based on the Trade license cost

The below table consists of some of the cheapest free zones from various emirates in the UAE.

Compared to other free zones, IFZA is the cheapest free zone in Dubai. Also, it is one of the most cost-effective Free Zone in UAE. Thus, it offers investors low-cost business licenses and world-class infrastructure.

Similarly in the Emirate of Sharjah, there are SHAMS and SPC that offer the cheapest trade licenses to investors in UAE. As per the 2021 free zone cost, Shams Free Zone was the cheapest free zone in Sharjah Emirate.

But in 2022, SPC Free Zone offers cheap business licenses for various activities such as consulting, media, e-commerce, etc. SPC Free Zone also offers the cheapest general trading license in UAE for selling multiple items.

Let’s have a look at the relatively cheap freezones in UAE that offer low-cost free zone licenses:

Which are the Cost-Effective Free Zones in UAE?

There are few cost-effective free zones in UAE that offer attractive company formation packages and the cheapest trading license for investors.

The Free Trade Zones in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman & Umm Al Quwain are cost-effective Free Zones considering company setup costs and other various reasons. The total cost of setting up a business includes the trade license cost, office rent expenses, administrative expenses, and visa costs.

Free Zones in the northern Emirates offers the cheapest start-up packages in UAE. Also, the cost of a business license will be relatively lower than Free Trade Zones in Dubai. However, there are free zones such as IFZA and Meydan that offer the cheapest Free Zone license in Dubai.

Additionally, investors can obtain cheaper company licenses from SHAMS, Sharjah Publishing City, Ajman Media City, and RAKEZ. Also, these free zones provide business infrastructure for budding entrepreneur to setup their company with ease and minimal documentation.

Cheapest Free Zones in Dubai

Free Trade Zones in Dubai offer a wide range of business setup packages for global investors. The cheapest Business license in Dubai is starting from AED 11,900. So, it is a perfect choice to start a business venture in Dubai at lower initial setup costs.

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). It offers a free-for-life resident visa and a 1-year free Flexi desk. IFZA also offers a low cost company license in Dubai without visas at a cost of AED 11,900. Presently, this is the cheap and best Dubai free zone license offer in 2022.

Benefits for the Investors

• Fast and easy business setup and company management
• A wide and comprehensive range of business activities such as Consultancy, Services, and Trading.
• 100% Foreign Ownership
• Ability to Setup a Limited Liability company and get the LLC Suffix after the company name
• 100% exemption from corporate and income tax
• No foreign currency restrictions
• There is no physical office requirement
• No share capital requirement
• Ability to incorporate holding companies

Type of licenses available in IFZA

• Consultancy License – Ideal for professional services such as management consultants, HR Consultants, etc.
• Service License- Suited for production, transformation, and distribution of service companies
• Trading License- Best fit for a company that trades specific goods
• General Trading license – For companies that trade a wide range of items. IFZA offers the Cheapest General Trading license packages in Dubai.
• Industrial License- Best fit for companies involved in importing raw materials, production, manufacturing, packaging, exports, etc.
• Holding license – Enables the holding of standalone assets and/or shares of other company

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 Free Zone also provides a No Objection Certificate to open an office space anywhere in Dubai.

It is highly beneficial for the investor as there are numerous low-cost office spaces in the UAE mainland. Depending on the business requirement and budget, the investor can choose their office space.

The Free Zone is adjacent to Meydan Racecourse and inside the Meydan Hotel making it a perfect hub for international investors. Above all, Meydan Free Zone offers a wide range of business activities and license types for foreign investors at a low cost. Also, this free zone enables business leaders to socialize and network while collaborating for work.

3. Dubai CommerCity

Dubai CommerCity is another new Free Trade Zone in UAE that provides entrepreneurs with ample business infrastructure and world-class amenities. Located in proximity to the Dubai International Airport, the Free Zone is a hub for international trading companies. The Free Zone is ideal for businesses where logistics is an integral part of the business operation.

The Free Zone also offers business license packages for multi-years (2, 3 & 5 years). It offers more than 2000 plus business activities for foreign investors. The Free Zone offers the proper support and business amenities for investors to quickly scale up their business ventures.

Why are Freezones in Dubai a popular Choice for Investors?

The Freezones in Dubai offers a host of benefits for its investors. There are various factors that determine the popularity of a Free zone in Dubai.

The most important features are

• 100% ownership of the business entity
• profit repatriation
• tax-free environment
• secure banking system
• world-class infrastructure
• fast and easy business setup
• cheap free zone licenses and availability of visas

Investors prefer cheapest free zones in Dubai for general trading, consultancy, and service companies. Dubai is the center for all international business operations. Also, The location of the Dubai International Airport is a key attraction for services and consultancy businesses. Furthermore, the ability to travel globally is a direct benefit of setting up your business in Dubai.

When it comes to the business setup cost, Free Zones in Dubai are surely at a premium. However, Cost-effective Free zones in Dubai offer unmatched business setup solutions and cheap trade licenses to set up your dream company.

Cheapest Free Zone License in Sharjah

The Free Zones in Sharjah offer investors a range of business license packages. Cheapest Free Zone License in Sharjah starts from AED 6,500 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.

1. Sharjah Publishing City

Sharjah Publishing City is a dynamic Free Trade Zone in the Emirates of Sharjah. It offers a host of low-cost office packages and low-cost visas for investors. 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.

The Coworking facilities and office desk facilities are perfect for investors to launch their businesses seamlessly. Also, the Free Zone is a hub for networking activities and business meetups. The Free Zone supports investors by providing the right platform to kick-start their business ventures without any hassle.

2. Sharjah Media City

The cheapest free zone in UAE is Sharjah Media City Free Zone located at the Emirates of Sharjah. SHAMS Free Zone offers a standard trade license for AED 8,050 for Zero Visa Quota. The investors can choose up to 3 related business activities and use the Flexi-Desk facility for a nominal fee on a monthly basis.

Sharjah Media City is one of the fastest-growing Free Trade Zone in Sharjah. Low-cost company licenses and low-cost Visas are the highlights of this Free Zone. As a result, Sharjah Media City is the cheapest free zone in UAE.

This Free Zone offers Cheapest Business Licenses in UAE across diverse categories. It is a perfect Free Zone for media, freelance, startups, consultancies, etc. The low-cost license package is an add-on for new investors to easily start their company in the Free Zone. It also provides the cheapest general trading license in UAE.

Other Cheapest Free Zone License in UAE

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.

RAKEZ offers an easy, fast business setup and a customer-friendly environment for investors. There are more than 14000 companies from 100+ countries registered in RAKEZ. It has 5 Freezone parks that are tailor-made for investor requirements. RAKEZ consists of a business park, industrial parks, and an academic zone.

RAKEZ has provisions for Freezone and Non-Freezone company formation. It also offers a wide range of cheapest trade licenses and industrial facilities. Additionally, the easy access to global markets through the seaports & airports is making RAKEZ a preferred destination for investors.

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 favorite.

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.

Types of Licenses issued by the Um Al Quwain Free Trade Zone

• Commercial
• Consultancy
• Industrial
• Services
• Freelance permits
• General Trading

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.

Types of company licenses in the Ajman Media City Freezone

• Freezone Establishment (FZE)
• Free zone Company (FZCO)
• Branch of a Foreign Company
• A subsidiary of a Foreign Company
• Branch of a UAE Company

Benefits of the Ajman Media City Freezone

• 100% Foreign Ownership
• 100% Repatriation of Capital and Profits
• No Corporate or Income Tax
• Multiple Business Activities in One Licence
• Quick and Fast License Issue (2 days)
• Quick and Simple Registration Process

Commercial License (1 Visa Package) – 11,952 AED Yearly [The package amount will vary in actuals]

Click here to know more about Ajman Media City Freezone.

The most important components in the business setup are deciding your business activity, business license types, and the perfect location. Hence, UAE is the perfect place to establish your business and gain global access easily.

For all your queries on low-cost business setup in UAE & cheapest trade license in UAE contact us right away!

Contact: Aurion Business Consultants