Northern Emirates Free Zone Setup
The northern emirates run the most affordable free zones in the country. Licences start from AED 5,500, and several allow full remote registration.If cost and speed matter more than a Dubai address, these are the zones worth comparing.
Lowest Entry Costs
Freelancer permits from AED 5,500 in AFZA, SHAMS licences from AED 8,050, and UAQ FTZ packages from AED 12,500.
Remote Registration
SHAMS and UAQ FTZ both support fully remote setup, with UAQ completing straightforward cases in a single working day.
No Audit in Most Zones
Most northern emirates free zones do not mandate an annual audit, reducing ongoing administrative cost.
Facilities to Scale
Flexi desks through to warehouses and industrial land, with visa allocation scaling to your facility.
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Lower Cost, Same Free Zone Benefits
The core free zone benefits are identical wherever you register: 100% foreign ownership, zero tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation and no local sponsor. What changes between emirates is price, speed and prestige.
A SHAMS or UAQ licence costs a fraction of a comparable Dubai zone. The trade-off is brand recognition with international banks and clients, which is worth weighing if you are raising capital or selling into regulated sectors.
Four zones
Ajman Free Zone, SHAMS, Umm Al Quwain FTZ and Fujairah Free Zone.
- 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
- Zero corporate tax and zero personal income tax on qualifying income
- Licence packages from AED 5,500 for freelancer permits
- Full remote company registration available in several zones
- No mandatory annual audit in most northern emirates zones
- Multi-year packages in AFZA save up to 30% against annual renewal
- UAQ FTZ offers a dual licence option within a single entity
- A local distributor is still required to sell on the UAE mainland
Free Zones We Cover
Each of these zones has its own authority, activity list and package structure. These are the four we register companies in.
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Ajman Free Zone Business Setup
Ajman Free Zone Business Setup
Established 1988, the only downtown free zone in the UAE. Freelancer permits from AED 5,500 and multi-year packages saving up to 30%.
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SHAMS Business Setup
SHAMS Business Setup
Sharjah Media City. Licences from AED 8,050 with over 2,000 activities under one licence, and setup completed in 1 to 2 weeks.
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Umm Al Quwain Free Zone Business Setup
Umm Al Quwain Free Zone Business Setup
UAQ FTZ packages from AED 12,500 including a residence visa, with 100% remote setup and a unique dual licence option.
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Fujairah Free Zone Business Setup
Fujairah Free Zone Business Setup
East coast access on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. Strong for trading, logistics and industrial operations.
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Dubai Free Zones
Dubai Free Zones
If credibility with international banks matters more than cost, compare the fourteen Dubai zones instead.
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Offshore Jurisdictions
Offshore Jurisdictions
For holding, IP and international trade without a UAE presence, compare JAFZA, RAK ICC and Ajman Offshore.
Compare Against Mainland in the Same Emirates
If you need to invoice UAE customers directly, the mainland route in the same emirate may serve you better.
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Business Setup in Ajman
Business Setup in Ajman
Ajman DED mainland against Ajman Free Zone, compared on market access, ownership, office and cost.
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Business Setup in Umm Al Quwain
Business Setup in Umm Al Quwain
UAQ mainland against UAQ FTZ, compared on audit requirements, setup time and market access.
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Business Setup in Fujairah
Business Setup in Fujairah
The Fujairah emirate overview covering DED licence categories, legal structures and the full formation process.
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Business Setup in Ras Al Khaimah
Business Setup in Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ licence types and facility options, plus RAK ICC for offshore holding structures in the same emirate.
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Corporate Bank Account Assistance
Corporate Bank Account Assistance
Northern emirates licences can face more banking scrutiny. We prepare the documentation to improve your odds.
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Corporate Tax Registration
Corporate Tax Registration
Free zone companies must still register for corporate tax with the FTA, even where a 0% rate applies.
Which Northern Emirates Zone Fits Your Budget?
Tell us your activity, visa requirement and budget, and we will compare these zones against each other and against Dubai. Book a free consultation today.
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