Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)
A low-cost, SME-friendly hub minutes from Dubai and Sharjah.
Overview
Established in 1988, Ajman Free Zone is one of the UAE's older free zones, positioned as a low-cost, SME-friendly hub with quick licensing and easy proximity to Dubai and Sharjah. It offers a wide activity range and packaged deals — including pioneer and freelance packages — aimed at startups, traders and small businesses seeking affordability.
Key benefits
- Low setup costs with bundled 'pioneer' and freelance packages
- 100% foreign ownership; 0% corporate/personal income tax; 100% repatriation
- Exemption from import/export duties
- Quick trade-license issuance (often 1–3 working days)
- Clear visa-quota tiers for budget planning
- Strategic location near Dubai, Sharjah, ports and airports
Business activities & licenses
Ajman FZ supports a range of license types and activities, including:
- Trading / commercial & general trading
- Service / professional
- Industrial
- Freelance
Ownership & visas
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
Marketed visa-quota tiers — e.g. zero-visa vs one-visa general trading packages — with higher quotas via larger facilities.
Cost & timeline
Indicative from ~AED 5,000 (pioneer) and ~AED 6,000 (freelance); trade/industrial from ~AED 12,000; general trading ~AED 14,000–17,000.
License in roughly 1–3 working days, plus visa processing.
Prices are indicative starting points, not quotes. Government and free-zone fees change frequently — we confirm current, all-in figures before you commit.
Is Ajman FZ right for you?
Cost-sensitive startups, freelancers, SMEs and traders who want an affordable, quick-to-launch license with flexible visa tiers and good access to the Dubai/Sharjah market.
What makes Ajman FZ different
- One of the UAE's earliest free zones (established 1988).
- Clearly-tiered visa-quota packages aid budget planning.
Compare alternatives
How Ajman FZ compares
| Free zone | Emirate | License from* | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman FZ This page | Ajman | AED 5,000/yr | License in roughly 1–3 working days, plus visa processing | Low budget · SMEs |
| IFZA → | Dubai | AED 12,900/yr | License in ~3–5 working days (fast-track available) | Consultants · E-commerce |
| Meydan → | Dubai | AED 12,500/yr | A few days to ~1 week (digital process) | Agencies · Consultants |
| RAKEZ → | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000/yr | Registration as fast as 1 day; full setup with visas ~1–3 weeks | Low budget · Industrial |
* Indicative license-only starting points for budgeting — not quotes. Compare all 17 zones
Ajman FZ — frequently asked questions
01How much does it cost to set up in Ajman FZ?＋
Indicative from ~AED 5,000 (pioneer) and ~AED 6,000 (freelance); trade/industrial from ~AED 12,000; general trading ~AED 14,000–17,000. These are indicative figures for budgeting — Incorporate Dubai will confirm current, all-in pricing for your activity and visa needs.
02Can I own 100% of my Ajman FZ company?＋
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
03How many visas can I get with Ajman FZ?＋
Marketed visa-quota tiers — e.g. zero-visa vs one-visa general trading packages — with higher quotas via larger facilities.
04How long does Ajman FZ setup take?＋
License in roughly 1–3 working days, plus visa processing. Timelines depend on document readiness, visa processing and bank onboarding.
05Who is Ajman FZ best for?＋
Cost-sensitive startups, freelancers, SMEs and traders who want an affordable, quick-to-launch license with flexible visa tiers and good access to the Dubai/Sharjah market.