How much does each free zone cost?
Free zones price their licenses very differently. A Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah zone can start below AED 6,000, a Dubai zone such as IFZA or Meydan near AED 12,500, and a premium hub such as DMCC much higher. The cheapest zone is only the right one if its license lets you serve your customers.
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA company setup cost | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| DMCC company setup cost | AED 35,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Commodities, gold, tea, coffee, crypto and tech companies that want a premium address and banking reputation. |
| Meydan company setup cost | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
| DAFZA company setup cost | AED 23,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Air cargo, logistics, aviation, electronics and pharmaceutical traders that need an airport-linked address. |
| Shams company setup cost | AED 5,750 to 6,900 | Media, creative, content and consultancy businesses that want a low-cost Sharjah free zone license. |
| RAKEZ company setup cost | AED 5,510 to 6,010 | Small businesses, traders and manufacturers that want a low-cost license with room to grow into industrial space. |
| SPC Free Zone company setup cost | AED 4,999 to 6,875 | E-commerce, publishing, consultancy and trading businesses that want low fees and a fast, digital license. |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
Which Startex free zone packages have a price?
Our packages start from AED 5,000 without a visa, and the zones below have a published Startex price. DMCC and DAFZA are quoted per activity because office size, sector and visas change the price.
| Zone | Startex package, no visa | Government fees |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA | From AED 12,400 without a visa | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| DMCC | Quoted per activity | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 without a visa | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| DAFZA | Quoted per activity | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| Shams | From AED 5,750 without a visa | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| RAKEZ | From AED 5,510 without a visa | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
| SPC Free Zone | From AED 5,750 without a visa | Shown on each zone page, apart from our fee |
Every quote splits the fees paid to the authority from our service fee. Browse the setup packages to see what each includes.
How do you choose a free zone?
Start with the customers, then the cost. A free zone license is issued by the zone and works inside the zone and abroad, so onshore sales need a distributor, a dual license or a mainland permit. After that, compare these four things:
- Entry price and what it includes. Check whether the flexi desk, establishment card and visa quota are in the package.
- Visa quota. The number of visas depends on the package and office size, so ask for the figure in writing.
- Activities. Make sure the zone allows every activity you plan, including controlled ones.
- Address and reputation. A Dubai or premium address helps with some banks and clients, and costs more.
Still comparing free zone, mainland and offshore? Our decision table shows ownership, trading rights, office, visas and tax side by side.
How long does free zone setup take?
Most free zone licenses are issued in days, not weeks, once documents are complete. Visas and the bank account take longer.
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| License issued | Under an hour to 10 working days, depending on the zone | The free zone authority |
| Establishment card | About week 2 | Immigration |
| Residence visa, per person | 1 to 3 weeks | GDRFA and ICP |
| Corporate bank account | Several weeks | The bank |
Fee ranges were checked in October 2026 against each zone's published information and current package schedules. Official sources: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), DMCC and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any free zone.