UAE Licensing Authorities
The free zones, mainland departments and offshore registries we form companies through. Each page covers what that authority licenses, how long it takes, and what a setup starts at.
Free zones
ADGM
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, with English common law jurisdiction.
From AED 35,000
Ajman Free Zone
Ajman
Ajman has quietly improved over the last few years. Its activity list spans trading and professional services, and the zone is under 30 minutes from central
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)
Dubai
DAFZA is location-driven: it sits directly beside Dubai International Airport, so if your business depends on the quick movement of goods, it makes logistics
DIFC
Dubai
If you are in regulated finance, this is usually where you end up. Asset managers, advisors and fintech are what DIFC is built for.
From AED 40,000
DMCC
Dubai
DMCC is the most commonly recommended premium zone, and for good reason. It hosts a large mix of trading, commodities, and service businesses.
From AED 20,000
Fujairah Creative City
Fujairah
Fujairah Creative City is a freezone geared toward media, creative, and consulting businesses on the UAE's east coast.
From AED 9,000
IFZA
Dubai
IFZA is in Dubai Silicon Oasis and has grown into one of the most active zones for free zone company formation in Dubai, covering over 1,500 business
From AED 16,050
JAFZA
Dubai
JAFZA is built for larger operations, manufacturing, shipping, and bulk trading, anything that needs port access.
From AED 25,000
Meydan Free Zone
Dubai
Meydan sits in the heart of Dubai, close to the racecourse. The Dubai address works in your favour when partners or clients look up your company details
RAKEZ
Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ covers both free zone and industrial operations, and handles more activity types than most zones in its price range.
From AED 6,000
Sharjah Media City (Shams)
Sharjah
Set up in Sharjah Media City (Shams) for media, consulting, e-commerce or tech. We handle the licence and bank introductions, priced up front.
From AED 5,750
UAQ FTZ
Umm Al Quwain
UAQ FTZ sits in Umm Al Quwain and is one of the most affordable routes to a freezone licence in the UAE.
From AED 8,650
Mainland
ADDED (Abu Dhabi Mainland)
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Runs the Tamm digital platform.
From AED 25,000
Ajman DED (Mainland)
Ajman
Set up an Ajman DED mainland company with 100% foreign ownership, from AED 25,000. Lower costs than Dubai, real market access.
From AED 25,000
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
Dubai
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the mainland licensing authority for Dubai. A mainland licence lets the company trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government work. The cost depends on the activity, the premises and the approvals each activity needs, so it is priced per application on a call rather than off a grid.
Fujairah DED (Mainland)
Fujairah
Set up a Fujairah mainland company from AED 25,000. We handle the licence, visas and bank introductions. Since 2007, 1,400+ companies started.
From AED 25,000
RAK DED (Mainland)
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah's Department of Economic Development offers competitive mainland licensing with a growing base of manufacturing and technology firms.
SEDD (Sharjah Mainland)
Sharjah
The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) licenses mainland companies in Sharjah, a cost-conscious emirate with a large industrial and manufacturing
From AED 25,000
UAQ DED (Mainland)
Umm Al Quwain
Set up a UAQ mainland company with 100% ownership and low-cost DED licensing. We handle it end to end, get your exact price in one free call.
From AED 25,000
Offshore
Ajman Offshore
Ajman
Ajman offshore registry. Holding and international structures only, no UAE trading, no residence visas.
JAFZA Offshore
Dubai
Jebel Ali offshore registry. The premium option; stronger standing with banks.
RAK ICC
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre, the emirate offshore registry (distinct from RAKEZ, which is the free zone).