Ajman Free Zone company setup, costs and visas
A budget zone founded in 1988 that has modernised its online services. A solid option for trading and services when cost matters more than the prestige of the address.
Ajman Free Zone in numbers
Estimate as of 27 Jul 2026. The zone publishes no tariff. This figure is our market estimate; the zone confirms the fee in writing when you apply.
Who Ajman Free Zone fits and who it doesn’t
Ajman Free Zone is one of the country’s oldest zones (established 1988) and it has stayed deliberately cheap. That single fact shapes who it serves. It fits cost-led traders, e-commerce sellers, consultants and small service firms that need a valid UAE licence, a bank-ready entity and residence visas without paying Dubai-address premiums. Its position at Ajman Port also makes it workable for light industrial, warehousing and re-export operators who move goods.
It does not fit companies that sell on address prestige (a Dubai or DIFC letterhead) or regulated activities such as fintech, funds or insurance, which belong in specialised financial zones. Founders who expect a large visa allocation on the cheapest package will also be disappointed: quota follows the facility you rent.
What the estimated AED 5,555 includes and what sits beyond it
Ajman Free Zone publishes no price list, so AED 5,555 is our market estimate for licence and registration on an entry package, typically zero- or single-visa on a flexi arrangement. It does not cover the full cost of a working company. Budget the items below before you set it against a Dubai quote.
| Item | In the AED 5,555 estimate? | Typical extra |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence + registration | Yes | n/a |
| Establishment / immigration card | Usually no | about AED 2,000 |
| Each residence visa (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, residence visa issuance) | No | about AED 5,500 per person (our estimate) |
| Physical office or warehouse | No | rent on top |
| Corporate Tax registration | No (mandatory anyway) | see below |
The biggest swing is visas and physical space. A pure licence stays near the headline; the moment you add two or three visas and a desk, the real first-year figure moves well above it. Model it with our setup-cost calculator.
Office, visas and Corporate Tax in Ajman Free Zone
Ajman Free Zone does not require a physical office, so entry founders usually take a flexi‑desk or smart-office package. Visa quota then scales with the facility: a flexi arrangement carries a small allocation, while a leased office or warehouse unlocks more. Each residence visa runs its own track (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and residence visa issuance) so per-head costs add up quickly as the team grows.
Ajman Free Zone vs the obvious alternatives
Two comparisons matter. Against Ajman Media City (from AED 4,999), Ajman Free Zone is estimated to cost slightly more but is broader: 1,500+ activities and real port-side warehousing versus a leaner media-and-services catalogue. If you move goods, AFZ wins; if you are a virtual consultancy chasing the lowest sticker, Media City can undercut it.
Against RAKEZ (from AED 6,000), the trade-off is visas and industry. RAKEZ packages with visas start at AED 12,000 for one visa, and it runs full industrial parks; Ajman is estimated to cost a little less to open, issues in about 2–4 days and is leaner on quota. Choose AFZ when the priority is a low-cost, no-office start near a port; choose RAKEZ when you need people or a factory. Compare the full field on our free-zone index.
How to set up a company in Ajman Free Zone
Activities and trade name
Choose the licensed activities and reserve a trade name. The activities decide which approvals you need, how banks read your file and whether your income can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate.
Documents and KYC
Passports, application forms and a clear account of where the money comes from. Free zone companies can be 100% foreign-owned, so no local sponsor is needed.
Licence and establishment card
The zone issues the licence (typically 2–4 business days). The immigration establishment card comes next and opens visa processing.
Visas and bank account
Each visa holder needs an entry permit, a medical test and an Emirates ID. The corporate bank account is opened in parallel and is usually the slowest step.
Ajman Free Zone: questions founders ask
How much does an Ajman Free Zone company really cost?
Does Ajman Free Zone require a physical office?
How many visas can I get with Ajman Free Zone?
Ajman Free Zone or RAKEZ: which is better?
How does AFZ differ from Ajman’s newer micro-zones?
Will banks work with an Ajman licence?
Where does the AED 5,555 figure come from?
Can this company do business on the UAE mainland?
Does 0% corporate tax apply here?
This is general information on UAE rules. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice for your situation. Rules and government fees change; we confirm the position for your facts in writing before you act.