UAE business setup & corporate services
Bizpire Zone

Free Zone Company Formation

Free zone company setup

Start your UAE free zone company with full foreign ownership

A free zone company lets you own 100% of your business, set up quickly — often remotely — and choose flexible office options from a flexi-desk upwards. It is the most popular route for consultants, freelancers, e-commerce sellers, holding companies and businesses trading internationally.

As an authorised channel partner of Meydan Free Zone, Ajman Free Zone, Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone and RAKEZ, Bizpire Zone submits and tracks your application directly with the free zone and handles everything from activity selection to visas and banking.

Free zone company at a glance

Ownership
100% foreign ownership
Setup
Fast, often fully online
Office
Flexi-desk, virtual or physical office
Visas
Investor, employee and family visas
Trade
Within the free zone and internationally
Banking
UAE corporate bank account (bank approval)
Meydan Free Zone Dubai – free zone company formation
Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
Benefits

Why set up in a UAE free zone?

1

Full foreign ownership

Own 100% of your company with no local partner or sponsor required.

2

Fast, simple setup

Digital applications and clear requirements mean many licences are issued within days of a complete file.

3

Flexible workspace

Start with a flexi-desk or virtual office and upgrade to a physical office or warehouse as you grow.

4

Residence visas

Sponsor visas for yourself, your team and your family, depending on your package and office space.

5

Profit repatriation

Move capital and profits freely, with no currency restrictions.

6

Wide range of activities

Commercial, professional, e-commerce, media, trading and industrial activities — often combinable on one licence.

Our free zone partners

Authorised channel partner of leading free zones

Work directly with an authorised partner of the authority issuing your licence — fewer handovers, accurate package information and faster answers.

Authorised channel partner
Meydan Free Zone logo

Meydan Free Zone

Dubai

A Dubai address, a broad activity list and a fully digital setup — ideal for consultants, e-commerce and trading companies.

Meydan setup details →
Authorised channel partner
Ajman Free Zone logo

Ajman Free Zone

Ajman

A long-established free zone with cost-effective licences, flexible offices and warehouses, close to Dubai and Sharjah.

Authorised channel partner
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone logo

Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone

Ajman

A modern, digital-first free zone built for start-ups, freelancers and SMEs wanting a fast, affordable setup.

Authorised channel partner
RAKEZ logo

RAKEZ

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone — flexible licences and facilities for start-ups, SMEs and industrial businesses.

We also advise on and process setups in other UAE free zones. Ask us which zone fits your activity.

Licence & visa costs

Free zone licence and visa costs in 2026

Indicative starting prices for our partner free zones. Your final cost depends on your activities, number of visas, office type and any promotions running at the time.

Free zoneLicence only (no visa)Licence + 1 visaEach additional visa
Meydan Free ZoneDubaiFrom AED 12,500Up to 3 activity groups, flexi-deskFrom approx. AED 20,350Incl. establishment card & visa allocationFrom AED 3,500Employee visa · investor from AED 4,000
Ajman Free ZoneAjmanFrom AED 5,565Trade licence & registrationFrom AED 13,141Incl. establishment card, medical & Emirates IDFrom approx. AED 4,040Depends on package tier
Ajman NuVentures CentreAjmanFrom AED 4,888Up to 10 activities, lease agreementFrom AED 10,800All-inclusive visa packageOn requestUp to 7 visas per licence
RAKEZRas Al KhaimahFrom AED 6,000Up to 10 activities, fast setupFrom AED 14,000All-inclusive SME packageFrom approx. AED 3,800Per employee visa

Indicative first-year authority fees, 2026. They exclude our service fee, VAT, office upgrades and regulated-activity approvals. Prices change often — ask us for an itemised quote or use the cost estimator.

Establishment cardOne-off immigration card the company needs before any visa (approx. AED 750–2,000)
Entry permit & status changeIssued first; status change applies if you are already in the UAE
Medical testMandatory fitness test at an approved centre
Emirates ID & residencyBiometrics, Emirates ID and residence visa stamping
Typical visa costAbout AED 3,500–5,500 per person, depending on the zone and visa type
Aerial view of Meydan, Dubai – free zone business setup
Meydan, Dubai — a hub for free zone businesses
Activity list

Popular free zone business activities

Our partner free zones offer between 1,500 and 3,500+ licensed activities, and most let you combine several related activities on one licence. Here are the ones our clients choose most.

💼Consultancy & professional

  • Management consultancy
  • Business consultancy
  • Marketing consultancy
  • HR consultancy
  • IT consultancy
  • Engineering consultancy

📦Trading

  • General trading
  • Foodstuff trading
  • Electronics trading
  • Auto spare parts
  • Textiles & garments
  • Building materials

🛒E-commerce

  • Online retail store
  • Marketplace seller
  • Social media e-commerce
  • Portal & app-based trading
  • Subscription commerce

💻Technology & IT

  • Software development
  • Web & app development
  • IT services & support
  • AI & blockchain
  • Cyber security consultancy
  • Gaming & metaverse

📣Media & marketing

  • Digital marketing
  • Advertising services
  • Social media management
  • Event management
  • Content & video production
  • Photography

🏛️Holding & investment

  • Holding company
  • Investment in commercial enterprises
  • Business management services
  • Family office

🎓Education & training

  • Training centre
  • Coaching & mentoring
  • E-learning
  • Language courses

🎨Freelance & creative

  • Graphic design
  • Interior design
  • Fashion design
  • Copywriting
  • Translation services

🏭Industrial & logistics

  • Light manufacturing
  • Packaging
  • Warehousing
  • Logistics & freight
  • Assembly & processing

Some activities, such as financial services, healthcare and education, need external approvals. Send us your activity and we’ll confirm the exact activity code and best free zone.

Free zone or mainland?

Is a free zone company right for you?

Free Zone CompanyMainland Company
Ownership100% foreign ownershipFull foreign ownership for many activities; some need a UAE partner
Where you tradeInside the free zone and internationally; selling directly to the UAE mainland usually needs a distributor or extra permitAnywhere in the UAE, including government contracts
OfficeFlexi-desk and virtual options availableRegistered physical office (Ejari) required
Setup speedUsually faster, often remoteCan take longer if external approvals are needed
Best forConsultants, freelancers, e-commerce, holding and international trading companiesRetail, contracting and businesses serving UAE customers directly

General guidance only — rules vary by activity and authority. See the full comparison or read about mainland setup.

How it works

Your free zone setup in 6 steps

Free consultation

We discuss your activity, shareholders, visas and budget, then recommend the best-fit free zone.

Itemised quote

You receive a written quote showing every government fee, service fee and exclusion.

Name & activity approval

We reserve your trade name and confirm your business activities with the free zone.

Application & documents

We prepare your application, shareholder KYC and company documents and submit them through our partner channel.

Licence & establishment card

Your trade licence, certificate of incorporation and establishment card are issued.

Visas, bank & tax

We process visas, medical and Emirates ID, introduce you to banks, and handle VAT and corporate tax registration.

Documents usually required

  • Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Proof of residential address
  • Current UAE visa or entry stamp (if in the UAE)
  • For corporate shareholders: company documents and board resolution

Requirements vary by free zone and activity — we send you an exact checklist.

What our service includes

  • Free zone and activity selection
  • Trade name reservation and initial approval
  • Application, KYC and legal documents
  • Licence, incorporation certificate and establishment card
  • Investor and employee visas, medical and Emirates ID
  • Bank account introductions
  • VAT and corporate tax registration
  • Renewal reminders and ongoing support
FAQs

Free zone company formation questions

How long does it take to set up a free zone company?

Many free zone licences are issued within a few working days of a complete application. Activities that need extra approvals take longer. We give you a timeline with your quote.

Can I set up a free zone company without visiting the UAE?

Yes, many free zones allow fully remote setup. You will need to be in the UAE for visa medicals, Emirates ID biometrics and usually some bank meetings.

Can a free zone company trade with the UAE mainland?

Free zone companies trade freely within their zone and internationally. Selling directly to mainland customers usually requires a local distributor or an additional permit, depending on the activity and emirate.

How many visas can I get?

Your visa allocation depends on the free zone, package and office space. We explain the options before you choose.

Do free zone companies pay corporate tax?

Free zone companies must register for corporate tax. Qualifying free zone persons may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet the conditions. We review your situation and handle registration.

Which free zone is best for my business?

It depends on your activity, budget, visa needs and where your customers are. As an authorised channel partner of Meydan, Ajman Free Zone, Ajman NuVentures Centre and RAKEZ, we compare options and recommend the best fit.

Get started

Ready to start your UAE company?

Tell us about your plans and we will recommend a route with an itemised quote.

OfficeWarsan Residency, Al Barsha Heights (Tecom), Dubai, UAE