Fujairah Free Zone Company Setup: Licence, Activities, Cost and Process

Founders searching for a Fujairah Free Zone licence cost usually want one number. In practice the total is built from several authority charges and the facility you choose, so this guide explains what drives the price, which activities suit Fujairah, and how it compares with other northern-emirate free zones.

Quick answer: Your year-one cost is the sum of registration and licence fees, facility rent and any residence visas. The Fujairah Government portal confirms that registration and licence fees are paid after initial approval and depend on the licence type required.

What the Fujairah Free Zone is (and how it differs from Fujairah Creative City)

The Fujairah Free Zone is run by the Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA), a local government authority established by Emiri Decree in 1987. It sits beside Fujairah Port on the UAE's east coast, outside the Strait of Hormuz, which is why it attracts trading, logistics, petrochemical and light-industrial businesses.

Fujairah Creative City is a separate free zone with its own authority, focused on media, consulting and digital activities, and is commonly used for remote setups. The UAE Government lists both as distinct Fujairah free zone authorities in its free zone directory.

If your activity involves physical goods moving through the port, start with FFZA. If you only need a service licence and residence visa, compare Creative City and other low-overhead zones too.

Who should choose Fujairah

• Trading companies importing or re-exporting goods via the east coast.
• Shipping, bunkering and logistics operators who benefit from port proximity.
• Light industrial and assembly businesses that need warehouses or land.
• Holding structures wanting a UAE free zone entity without a Dubai address.

Fujairah is less likely to suit a consultant who mainly serves Dubai clients and needs a premium business address.

Licence types and activity list

Trading licence

Covers import, export, distribution and storage of named product groups. Each group must match the activity list approved on your licence.

Service licence

Covers consulting, logistics services and other professional services permitted by the authority.

Industrial licence

For manufacturing, processing and assembly. Expect facility, environmental and safety requirements beyond a desk.

Check the exact activity wording with the authority before applying. Our UAE business activity directory can help you identify the activity names to ask about.

What drives the cost

Licence and registration fees

Charged by FFZA after initial approval. The amount depends on licence type and number of activities.

Facility

Virtual office, trading office, warehouse, open land or custom-built unit. Facility size often determines how many visas you can apply for.

Visas and other charges

Each residence visa adds entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and insurance costs. Add document attestation, notarisation and bank-account opening support if a provider handles them.

We do not publish an estimated Fujairah price here because no verified package source is listed on our platform yet. Use the free zone cost calculator to model the components, and ask every provider for a written breakdown.

Step-by-step setup and documents

The Fujairah Government portal lists two stages:

1. Initial approval — application form, business plan, coloured passport copies and specimen signatures of shareholders and manager, a bank reference (or two years' audited accounts for a corporate shareholder), NOC from a current sponsor where applicable, and a Registry Identification Code form.
2. Registration — pay registration and licence fees, then submit the registration application, notarised board resolution, power of attorney for the manager, and the notarised Memorandum and Articles of Association.

For corporate shareholders, documents usually need attestation in the home country. Read our guide to the Memorandum of Association in Dubai to understand what the MoA must contain.

Visas, flexi-desk vs office

A virtual office is the lowest-overhead option, but it may limit visa eligibility. A physical office or warehouse generally supports more visas. Confirm the visa allocation for each facility in writing before signing a lease.

Fujairah vs UAQ vs Ajman vs RAKEZ

Compare published prices from listed providers in our free zone packages and free zone company formation guide.

Companies list / directory: what it tells you

FFZA publishes a registered-companies section on its website. A directory can show which sectors already operate in the zone, but it does not confirm a company's current licence status or suitability as a supplier. Verify licences directly with the authority.

Can a Fujairah free zone company trade in the mainland?

A free zone licence generally covers activities inside the zone and abroad. Selling directly to UAE mainland customers can require a distributor, a mainland branch or another permitted route. See free zone vs mainland for the trade-offs.

Next step

List your activity, visa needs and facility type, then compare free zone packages or request a shortlist. Ask providers to separate FFZA fees from their service fee.