UAE · All seven emirates

Choose the authority, not just the country.

42 free-zone routes and business districts to investigate. Ajman is one option, not a proxy for the UAE.

This is an authority discovery directory, not a complete set of incorporation guides. Districts may share a registrar. No ranking, tax exemption, banking approval or universal package price is implied.

Mainland or free zone?

Each emirate has a mainland licensing route. The Ministry links the relevant local departments for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Start with your activity and operating location.

Ministry: mainland establishment and local authorities ↗

Abu Dhabi

Free-zone route

ADGM

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Masdar City Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

KEZAD

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

twofour54

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Tawazun Council Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Dubai

Specialist humanitarian free zone

Dubai Humanitarian

For humanitarian organisations and relevant commercial suppliers. The published commercial business-centre desk package is AED 20,800 annually, including registration, licence and listed facilities; visa costs are additional. Confirm eligibility, taxes and current written terms. Price reviewed 2026-09-15.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Financial-centre route

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Use the entity-specific handbook and fee schedule. Financial services require a separate regulatory assessment.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Internet City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Outsource City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Industrial City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Media City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Studio City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Production City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Knowledge Park

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai International Academic City

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Science Park

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

DDA business district

Dubai Design District

DDA lists this business district. Confirm the specific licensing route; a district is not necessarily a separate registrar.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

DMCC

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Dubai Healthcare City

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

IFZA

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

DUQE

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Expo City Dubai

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Meydan Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Dubai South

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Sharjah

Free-zone route

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF)

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Sharjah Media City (Shams)

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Hamriyah Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Ajman

Free-zone route

Ajman Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Ajman Media City Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Ras Al Khaimah

Industrial and maritime free-zone route

Saqr Port / Free Zone (RAK Maritime City)

RAK Ports identifies this free-zone area as RAK Maritime City. Industrial land and maritime operations require an activity-specific assessment.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Registrar product

RAK ICC Global Product

A distinct RAK ICC product accessed through registered agents. Confirm the product and licence; do not confuse it with every RAK ICC offshore structure.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

RAKEZ

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Fujairah

Free-zone route

Fujairah Free Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Free-zone route

Creative City Fujairah

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Umm Al Quwain

Free-zone route

Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone

Confirm legal form, permitted activities, premises and visa requirements with this authority or operator. Specialist sectors may require additional approval.

Price: Request an itemised current quote. Licence, registration, premises, visas, renewal and compliance must be priced separately.

Authority / operator reference ↗

Before accepting a price

  • Specify your activity, legal form, shareholders and required visas.
  • Ask for the first-year total and renewal total in AED, including taxes and mandatory extras.
  • Separate refundable deposits, share capital and optional services from fees.
  • Confirm the quote expiry and cancellation charges.

Review date: 2026-09-15. Some references are older authority publications; obtain current written terms. This directory does not claim that every UAE zone has been covered.

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