Regulatory guidance
Mainland vs Free Zone Comparison
Compare licensing routes against your activity, customers, workspace and ongoing obligations.
| Advantages and considerations | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Many Mainland activities permit 100% foreign ownership, subject to activity-specific and strategic-impact restrictions. | Foreign ownership is generally available under the selected free zone’s legal forms and rules. |
| Activities | Select an approved activity with the emirate licensing authority; external approvals may apply. | Activities must fall within the zone’s permitted licence scope; sectors and legal forms differ. |
| Licensing authority | The relevant emirate economic department, plus sector regulators where applicable. | The selected free zone authority, plus sector regulators where applicable. |
| Office | Premises and tenancy registration depend on the activity, emirate and eligible licensing route. | Flexi-desk, office or industrial premises depend on the zone, activity and package. |
| Residence visas | Separate immigration approvals, establishment requirements and capacity checks apply. | Capacity depends on the facility and package; visa allocation does not guarantee residency approval. |
| Operating scope | Operate within the licence and applicable emirate and sector requirements. | A free zone licence does not authorize unrestricted Mainland business. Confirm any additional permit, licence or distribution arrangement. |
| Approvals | Regulated activities may need approvals before licensing or operation. | Zone licensing does not replace any applicable sector or federal approval. |
| Renewal | Confirm licence, lease, establishment and activity-specific obligations with the authority. | Confirm licence/package, facility, immigration and regulatory renewal terms with the zone. |
| Suitability | Consider local customer access, premises and regulated activity needs. | Consider zone specialization, international operations, facilities and permitted market access. |
Current indicative licence / package components
These are existing calculator components, not all-inclusive establishment quotations. Inclusions, source category and conditions vary; visas, premises, approvals, taxes and other charges may be additional.
Mainland
Dubai Mainland — base trade licence
AED 11,500 – 15,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
Excludes office rent, visas, applicable approvals and other separately charged items.
Abu Dhabi Mainland — licensing and registration
AED 5,000 – 20,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Provisional non-official planning range. The published AED 1,200 Standard Economic Licence fee applies only to eligible structures and activities.
Not an official fee. Other licensing routes, structures and charges vary.
View sourceSharjah Mainland — base trade licence
AED 8,000 – 15,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
SEDD rules, rental-related factors and activity-specific charges may apply.
Ajman Mainland — base trade licence
AED 6,000 – 12,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
Excludes workspace, visas and approvals.
Ras Al Khaimah Mainland — base trade licence
AED 10,000 – 20,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
Excludes workspace, visas and approvals.
Fujairah Mainland — base trade licence
AED 4,500 – 12,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
Excludes workspace, visas and approvals.
Umm Al Quwain Mainland — base trade licence
AED 8,000 – 15,000
General Planning Allowance · 2026-10-20
Indicative base trade licence component.
Excludes workspace, visas and approvals.
Free Zone
SPC Free Zone — E-commerce / Publishing Licence
AED 5,750
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
1-year licence for eligible activities.
No completed residence visa. Residence procedures and additional charges are separate.
View sourceSPC Free Zone — Standard Business Licence
AED 6,875
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
1-year licence for a broader range of eligible activities.
Residence visa costs are additional.
View sourceRAKEZ — Instant Basic
AED 6,000
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
1-year licence, subject to package eligibility and conditions.
Zero completed residence visas included.
View sourceRAKEZ — Instant Lite
AED 12,000
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
Includes one residence visa according to the advertised package.
Exact package inclusions must be checked.
View sourceRAKEZ — All-Inclusive Business Setup
AED 14,000
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
Advertised with one residence visa.
Additional services and visas depend on current package conditions.
View sourceMeydan Free Zone — Basic Business Setup
AED 12,500
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
Starting price: standard licence and advertised base facility arrangement.
Zero visa allocation at this price. Residence visa processing and upgrades are additional.
View sourceDMCC — Basic Biz
AED 35,484
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
1-year package with Flexi Desk as specified by DMCC. Includes VAT and Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams.
Subject to eligibility. Visa eligibility is not a completed residence visa.
View sourceDMCC — Jump Start (Standard Flexi Desk)
AED 43,780
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
1-year package with one UAE residence visa. Includes VAT and Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams.
Subject to eligibility and package conditions.
View sourceIFZA — Zero Visa Allocation (market estimate)
AED 12,900
Third-Party Market Estimate · 2026-10-20
Approximate third-party market reference for a licence package with no completed residence visa.
Not an officially verified IFZA quotation; requires confirmation.
View sourceIFZA — One Visa Allocation (market estimate)
AED 14,900
Third-Party Market Estimate · 2026-10-20
Approximate third-party market reference with one visa allocation, not completed residency processing.
Establishment, immigration, medical, Emirates ID and insurance charges may apply. Not an official IFZA quotation.
View sourceJAFZA — Basic Service / Trading Licence Reference
AED 10,000
Official Advertised · 2026-10-20
Annual basic qualifying licence fee AED 5,000 plus one-time FZE/FZCo registration fee AED 5,000.
Not a complete formation package. Mandatory workspace, establishment charges, visas and approvals are separate.
View sourceDAFZ — Smart Office (market benchmark)
AED 40,770
Third-Party Market Estimate · 2026-10-20
Indicative first-year third-party market benchmark based on published 2026 pricing research.
Not an official binding DAFZ quotation. Workspace, registration, visa allocation, establishment and VAT treatment must be confirmed.
View source
Important Notice: All displayed prices are preliminary, indicative estimates only and may increase or decrease depending on business activity, emirate, licence type, visa requirements, office arrangements, government approvals, and prevailing fees at the time of application. Certain expenses may not be included. This estimate is not a final or binding quotation from Tasees W Enjaz. Final pricing will be confirmed after reviewing the client's requirements and verifying applicable charges.
Advantages and considerations
Mainland: consider direct local market needs and an appropriate licensed activity. Confirm premises and sector conditions before committing.
Free Zone: compare specialist ecosystems and workspace packages. Confirm actual inclusions and Mainland operating requirements.
Common questions
Is a local shareholder always required on the Mainland?
No. Many activities allow 100% foreign ownership. Confirm the exact activity, legal form and any strategic-impact restrictions.
Can a free zone company trade everywhere on the Mainland?
Not automatically. Verify the relevant emirate’s permit/licensing rules and any sector or distribution requirements.
Does a cheaper package include everything?
No. Compare facilities, visas, taxes, approvals, renewal and exclusions, not only the advertised licence component.