Ajman Free Zone or Dubai mainland

The widest gap in this directory: the lowest-cost free-zone lane against the onshore Dubai route. Address, trading rights and premises all differ.

Side by side

Package figures cover their stated inclusions only. Activity eligibility, the full first-year cost and renewal still need confirmation for your case.

Last updated 6 September 2026. Each figure comes from the same source as its guide page.
Metric	Ajman Free ZoneFree zone · updated 4 Sep 2026	Dubai MainlandMainland · updated 6 Sep 2026
From, no visa	Ajman Free Zone AED 5,555 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland AED 14,000 Licence only · plus 5% of rent
From, one visa	Ajman Free Zone AED 11,000 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland Priced by owners, not visas Visa costs are separate
From, two visas	Ajman Free Zone AED 17,171 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland Priced by owners, not visas Visa costs are separate
Lowest available price	Ajman Free Zone AED 5,555 starting price	Dubai Mainland AED 14,000 Licence only · plus 5% of rent
Licence issued in	Ajman Free Zone <24h	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Residency visa in	Ajman Free Zone 1–3 calendar days	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Renewal price	Ajman Free Zone Same as package price	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Licence types	Ajman Free Zone Services, Commercial, Industrial, Free Lancer, E-Commerce, General Trading	Dubai Mainland Commercial, Professional, Industrial
Facility options	Ajman Free Zone Virtual Office, Office, Warehouse, Land, Retail	Dubai Mainland Confirm the premises are suitable for the exact activity before signing a lease or paying for fit-out. Ejari registration alone does not establish activity approval. 2 moreShow less Ejari registration: DLD publishes AED 177.75 through the app/website and AED 220 through a trustee. Confirm company-tenant channel eligibility; rent, deposits and fit-out are separate. The trustee fee components total AED 219.75 with 5% VAT on the partner fee, while DLD prints AED 220. Confirm the payable amount.
Visa options	Ajman Free Zone Investor or partner visa against the licence for shareholders 3 moreShow less Employment visas against the facility and package you hold Dependant sponsorship after the primary residency is issued Plan roughly ten days in the country for residency steps, longer than the Dubai lane	Dubai Mainland Visa eligibility, quota, documents and fees have not been verified for your scenario; confirm separately from company licensing.
Remote paperwork	Ajman Free Zone Yes	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Activity guides catalogued	Ajman Free Zone 525	Dubai Mainland 9

Check before choosing

Ajman Free Zone

Anyone who needs a Dubai address on the licence, invoices and bank record
Founders on a tight trip, since residency steps on the ground run longer than IFZA
Activities restricted to warehouse or land facilities when you only want a desk package

Read the Ajman Free Zone guide

Dubai Mainland

Choosing a licence before defining the actual activity and operating requirements
Comparing a quoted package without its premises, visa and renewal assumptions

Read the Dubai Mainland guide

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