Ajman
Ajman Free Zone company setup
One of the most affordable routes to a UAE trade licence
Get a fixed quote
Four fields. We reply within one working day.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109
Ownership
100% foreign
Licence issued
2–5 working days
Established
Operating since 1988
Minimum share capital
None for most activities
Physical office
Not required for base package
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income
About Ajman Free Zone Authority
Ajman Free Zone has been operating since 1988 and remains one of the cheapest legitimate ways to hold a UAE trade licence and residence visa. It suits founders whose priority is a lawful UAE presence at the lowest sustainable cost.
The zone offers commercial, professional, industrial and e-commerce licences, with packages structured around visa count. Renewal costs are predictable, which matters more than headline setup price over a three-year horizon.
As with the other northern emirates, the main considerations are distance from Dubai and slightly more scrutiny during corporate bank account opening.
Good fit for
- First-time founders testing a business idea
- Small trading and e-commerce operations
- Consultants who need a visa at minimum cost
- Businesses where renewal cost matters more than prestige
Consider alternatives if
- Companies needing a Dubai address for client credibility
- Businesses anticipating complex banking requirements
What it costs
The figures below cover the Ajman Free Zone licence and the related government fees. The biggest variable is visa count — each residence visa adds both an allocation cost on the licence and a per-person processing cost.
| Item | From |
|---|---|
| Licence only, no visa allocation | AED 5,500 |
| Licence with 1 visa allocation | AED 11,000 |
| Licence with 2 visa allocations | AED 14,500 |
| Establishment card | AED 1,000 |
| Residence visa, per person | AED 3,300 |
| Annual renewal, licence onlyRenewal is priced close to first-year cost | AED 5,500 |
These are indicative 2026 market ranges, shown so you can budget realistically. Government fees change and every case differs — we send a fixed written quote covering your exact activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.
Facility options and visa allowance
Smart office
Up to 2 visasThe lowest-cost package. Shared facilities.
Executive office
Up to 5 visasPrivate office within the free zone.
Warehouse
Scales with area visasAvailable for trading and light industrial use.
Popular activities
A selection of what Ajman Free Zone permits. The full list runs to hundreds of activities — ask us about yours.
- General trading
- E-commerce
- Management consultancy
- Import and export
- Light industrial and assembly
- IT services
- Marketing services
How long it takes
Typical timings with complete documents. Regulated activities needing external approval take longer.
Name reservation
1 working dayThree trade name options submitted.
Application and approval
1–2 working daysShareholder documents reviewed by the authority.
Licence issuance
1–2 working daysLicence and incorporation documents issued after payment.
Establishment card
2–4 working daysRequired before visa applications.
Residence visa
10–15 working daysEntry permit through to Emirates ID.
What you need to provide
Everything on this list, for each shareholder and director.
- Passport copy for every shareholder and director (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photograph against a white background
- Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business plan — required for financial, consultancy and regulated activities
- Existing UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are already in the country
- No Objection Certificate from your current sponsor, if you hold a UAE residence visa
Ajman Free Zone questions
Is Ajman Free Zone a legitimate option or a shortcut?
It is a fully legitimate federal free zone that has been operating since 1988. The licence carries the same legal standing as any other UAE free-zone licence. The lower cost reflects the emirate, not the quality of the licence.
What does renewal cost?
Renewal is priced close to the first-year figure, which is one of the zone's advantages — some zones discount year one heavily then raise renewal sharply. Budget roughly the same amount annually.
Compare other free zones
Ready to set up in Ajman Free Zone?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We'll send a fixed written quote with every government fee itemised.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109