Compare Free Zones to Choose the Right Setup for You
Every free zone in Dubai runs differently, from setup speed and visa allocation to workspace options, costs, scalability, and overall support. Comparing them side by side helps you understand what truly affects your setup, saving time, avoiding hidden costs, and choosing a model that fits your long-term plans. A clear comparison gives you the confidence to decide where your business can perform best, before you take the next step.
UAE’s only 100% digital FZ
Office Hubs
Business licenses issued in under 60 minutes through a 100% digital process,including onboarding, payment, and e-sign verification from anywhere in the world
Setup takes between 3 days - 6 weeks depending on activity type, using a hybrid process that combines online submission with in-person verification and signature.
Standard setup takes around 3 -5 days ; regulated or industrial licenses may take 4 – 6 weeks due to multiple approvals and mandatory site visits.
Partly digital process with online submission and sector approvals; manual lease and compliance checks can extend timelines to 1 – 2 weeks.
Manual, multi-step setup involving in-person compliance interviews and KYC checks, taking 4 – 6 weeks or longer for highly regulated sectors.
No physical presence is required at any stage, as all setup, renewals, amendments, and visa processes are handled through a secure online portal.
Processes are around 60–70% digital with at least one in-person visit typically required for lease signing and passport verification.
Less than 30% of the process is digital, with in-person documentation, customs registration, mandatory warehouse and safety inspections required.
70% of the process is online, though sector approvals and signature verification may still require the applicant’s presence.
Around 40% is digital, but physical attendance is mandatory for compliance reviews, due diligence, and bank onboarding.
Not tied to visa allocation, flexi-desks are optional and are available for all business types.
Flexi-desks allowed, but physical offices are generally required, with visa quotas tied to size and minimum one-year leases common for all setups.
A warehouse or land lease is mandatory and directly linked to license registration for operational approval.
Dedicated office space is compulsory, with sector-specific requirements such as studios, labs, or coworking areas depending on the business activity.
Premium offices in prime locations, mandatory under long-term, high-rent leases.
Flexible quotas, up to six visa allocations per flexi-desk, with no mandatory upgrade for extra staff.
Tied to office size, typically one visa per 9 sqm; a larger space is required for expansion.
Fixed to physical space; increases only after warehouse or facility expansion.
Based on space use and compliance restrictions, and any increase requires prior sector approval.
Restricted by space ratio, and additional visa quotas demand a significant lease expansion and regulatory approval.
Pricing is all-inclusive and clearly stated, with no hidden charges and the ability to estimate the total through an online cost calculator before paying.
Moderate transparency: initial packages may exclude admin, lease, or insurance fees.
Costs vary widely due to rent, utilities, fit-out, inspections, and customs codes, resulting in several hidden expenses.
Sector-specific permits and approvals such as media or content licenses add to the setup, renewal and maintenance costs.
Premium pricing applies with significant compliance and audit fees that increase annual operational expenses.
Easy to add new business activities digitally, with one free* amendment in the first year, and can add extra staff without renting larger offices.
Expansion usually triggers mandatory lease upgrades and more space requirements.
Upsizing depends on obtaining additional warehouse or facility leases, as scalability is tied to available land or storage capacity.
Expansion is permitted within the approved activity scope but limited by workspace size and type.
Growth needs larger or multiple leases; rent and compliance costs restrict flexibility.
Operates 24/7 with a physical office that offers a seamless single digital dashboard for licenses, renewals, visas, and banking, with an average first response under 60 seconds, inspired by Dubai Police’s 2 min 24 s benchmark.
Hybrid service combining digital and manual processes; responsive portals but fragmented departmental coordination.
Manual, paperwork-heavy procedures with additional customs and logistics steps that are time-consuming and separate from the licensing flow.
Sector communities are active and supportive, although regulatory scrutiny can slow down approvals and renewals.
Service is premium but bureaucratic, with extensive due diligence requirements that lengthen processing and response times.
Located in central Dubai with quick access to Downtown and Business Bay, offers a low-traffic environment close to major business hubs.
Urban clusters typically situated in busy business districts with moderate-to-heavy traffic and mixed transport access.
Peripheral locations near key logistics corridors such as JAFZA and Al Maktoum Airport, which are convenient for freight but far from the city centre.
Clustered near skilled talent pools such as Dubai Internet City or Healthcare City.
Premium zones occupy prime city areas, featuring prestigious addresses but higher congestion and rental costs.
An integrated ecosystem with partnerships across government, banking, logistics, digital tools, CRM, and legal services supporting business growth.
Standard SME-focused partnerships with limited accelerator or startup support.
Industrial free zones focus on logistics and trade alliances, including storage, shipping, and customs partnerships.
Sector hubs nurture collaboration through creative and technology incubators, accelerators, and direct industry networks.
Premium zones offer access to finance, legal, and corporate service providers within established business communities and global networking events.
Ideal for digital nomads, consultants, and global entrepreneurs seeking either remote flexibility or to maintain an active business base in Dubai.
Designed for SMEs and trading firms that require a regular physical office presence.
Best for trading, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and import-export operations.
Suited to creative, media, tech firms, and content creators.
Most suitable for established corporates, financial institutions, family offices, and headquarters operations.
Unmatched digital convenience and speed, better for service-based or light-trade businesses with flexible visa options, no mandatory office requirement, and the ability to add or remove licensed activities, rather than large-scale physical operations.
Provides stable infrastructure and hybrid processes but requires higher commitment to physical office space and longer lead times for scaling.
Delivers strong logistics and warehousing capabilities but demands significant upfront investment, manual compliance, and longer setup timelines.
Combines a collaborative ecosystem with creative freedom but comes with sector-specific rules and limited flexibility to diversify beyond permitted activities.
Ensures global credibility and access to elite networks but at the cost of higher setup expenses, rigorous compliance, and long-term lease obligations.