Business Setup in Ajman
Ajman licence cost 2026: Ajman Free Zone and Ajman DED fees from AED 6,500, visa costs per person, renewal figures, permitted activities and timelines, with fixed quotes from verified firms.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
Business setup in Ajman costs from about AED 6,500 for a zero-visa Ajman Free Zone licence and AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 with one residence visa. Setup takes 2 to 5 working days, and Ajman's renewal fees are among the lowest in the UAE.
- Licence from
- AED 6,500
- With one visa
- AED 12,000 – 18,000
- Setup time
- 2 – 5 working days
- Renewals
- Among the UAE's lowest
Ajman is the smallest emirate and competes squarely on cost. Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) offers packages that undercut Dubai equivalents by a wide margin, and Ajman DED mainland licences are cheaper still than most emirates' onshore routes because commercial rents are a fraction of Dubai's.
The zone suits businesses whose economics are dominated by licence and renewal cost rather than address prestige: small traders, service providers, e-commerce operators, and companies whose customers never visit an office. Ajman Free Zone also has genuine industrial capability, with warehouses and land near Ajman Port.
Where Ajman is weaker is banking friction and perception with some enterprise clients. Both are manageable but should be tested. If your business depends on a Dubai address in client conversations, price a Dubai zone against Ajman on total three-year cost before deciding.
| Item | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment card | 1,800 – 2,200 | One-off per company, needed before any visa |
| Immigration deposit | 2,000 – 3,000 | Refundable, per company in most cases |
| Investor / partner visa (2 yr) | 4,000 – 5,500 | Entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID |
| Employee visa (2 yr) | 3,800 – 5,000 | Plus labour contract and deposit where applicable |
| Medical test and Emirates ID | Included above | Around AED 1,200 of the total |
| Extra visa quota slot | 1,000 – 2,500 | Above the package allocation, subject to facility |
| Structure | Renewal (AED/yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AFZ zero-visa licence | 5,750 – 8,500 | No establishment card renewal needed |
| AFZ flexi-desk, one visa | 9,500 – 14,000 | Licence, flexi-desk and card renewal |
| AFZ standard, two visas | 15,000 – 22,000 | Visa renewals fall in the visa year, not annually |
| Ajman DED mainland | 8,000 – 12,000 + rent | Tenancy renewal is the largest variable |
| Scenario | Structure | Year-one total (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, no visa | AFZ zero-visa licence | 6,500 – 9,000 |
| Consultant, one visa | AFZ flexi-desk | 12,000 – 18,000 |
| Trading, two visas | AFZ standard package | 20,000 – 27,000 |
| Local services shop | Ajman DED + small unit | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Warehouse operation | AFZ industrial + 200 sqm | 60,000 – 110,000 |
Ajman Free Zone vs Ajman DED
| Factor | Ajman Free Zone | Ajman DED mainland |
|---|---|---|
| From (AED/yr) | 6,500 | 9,000 + rent |
| Ownership | 100% foreign | 100% on most activities |
| Onshore UAE trade | Via distributor | Yes |
| Premises | Flexi-desk included | Tenancy required |
| Visa quota | Up to 3 on flexi-desk | Area-based |
| Setup time | 2 – 5 days | 5 – 8 days |
What Ajman Free Zone packages include
- Trade licence with multiple activities in one group
- Flexi-desk or smart office satisfying the address requirement
- Visa quota of one to three on standard packages
- Access to warehousing and land near Ajman Port for industrial licences
- Discounted multi-year licence options that reduce renewal admin
- E-commerce and freelance permits at the lower end of the price range
Renewal economics — the real Ajman advantage
First-year prices across the UAE are discounted to win business. The number that determines your five-year cost is the renewal. Ajman Free Zone renewals typically sit AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 below comparable Dubai zones, which compounds meaningfully for a small business.
Always ask any provider for the year-two invoice in writing before paying year one. A package that is AED 1,000 cheaper today and AED 4,000 more expensive every year afterwards is a poor trade.
Activities Ajman Free Zone licences commonly cover
Ajman groups activities so several related lines can sit on one licence. The groups below cover the majority of applications; regulated activities such as financial services, healthcare and education need the relevant federal or emirate approval on top.
- General and specialised trading, import and re-export
- E-commerce and online retail, including marketplace selling
- Management, marketing, IT and engineering consultancy
- Media, design, content production and advertising services
- Contracting support, maintenance and technical services
- Light manufacturing, assembly and packaging in industrial units
- Logistics, freight forwarding and warehousing near Ajman Port
- Freelance permits for individual professionals
Who this option suits best
- Cost-focused founders and freelancers
- Small trading companies with international suppliers
- E-commerce sellers with no showroom requirement
- Light industrial and storage operations near Ajman Port
- Businesses optimising long-term renewal cost
Step-by-step process
- 1
Select licence type and activities1 day
Commercial, professional, e-commerce or industrial, with activities grouped to avoid extra fees.
- 2
Reserve the trade name1 day
Submitted to Ajman Free Zone or Ajman DED.
- 3
Submit documents and pay1 – 2 days
Passport, photo, proof of address and application form; payment triggers issuance.
- 4
Receive licence and lease agreement1 – 2 days
Trade licence, incorporation certificate and flexi-desk lease are issued together.
- 5
Establishment card2 – 4 days
Immigration registration for the company.
- 6
Residence visa and Emirates ID7 – 14 days
Entry permit, medical, biometrics and stamping.
Documents required
- Passport copies (valid 6+ months) for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with white background for each applicant
- Proof of address or a recent utility bill / bank statement
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business activity list and a short business description
- Emirates ID and visa copy or entry stamp if you are already in the UAE
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Licence issuance | 2 – 5 working days |
| Establishment card | 2 – 4 working days |
| Residence visa | 7 – 14 working days |
| Bank account | 2 – 6 weeks |
Ajman's headline prices usually exclude the establishment card and immigration deposit. Compare with-visa totals, and ask for the year-two renewal figure.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Ignoring bank acceptance
Fix: Confirm which banks the provider has recently onboarded for Ajman entities.
Choosing Ajman when clients expect a Dubai address
Fix: Price the three-year difference; sometimes the Dubai premium is worth it.
Buying the wrong activity group
Fix: Adding a second group later costs more than selecting correctly at the start.
Assuming onshore trade is permitted
Fix: An Ajman Free Zone licence needs a distributor or mainland entity to sell onshore.
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notifications for relevant activities such as holding, IP, headquarters and distribution.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ajman Free Zone licence cost?
Is Ajman the cheapest emirate for business setup?
Can I get a visa with an Ajman company?
Can an Ajman company trade in Dubai?
How long does Ajman setup take?
Does Ajman allow 100% foreign ownership?
People also ask
Is Ajman Free Zone good for e-commerce?
Yes. It offers a dedicated e-commerce licence at a low price point, suitable for sellers using UAE or overseas fulfilment.
Can I open a UAE bank account with an Ajman licence?
Yes, though some banks apply extra scrutiny. Strong documentation and a clear business model resolve most cases.
What is the cheapest UAE free zone overall?
Sharjah's SHAMS and Ajman Free Zone are consistently the two lowest-cost options in the UAE.
Are Ajman renewals cheap?
Yes — renewals typically run AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 below comparable Dubai zones, which is the emirate's strongest long-term advantage.
Founder checklist
- Confirm the exact activity codes you need before paying any fee
- Compare at least three verified providers on total year-one cost, not licence cost alone
- Check the visa quota attached to your chosen facility (flexi-desk vs office)
- Ask what is excluded: establishment card, e-channel deposit, medical, Emirates ID, PRO fees
- Confirm bank-account support and which banks the provider actually opens with
- Register for corporate tax within the deadline after licence issuance
- Diarise your licence renewal date and UBO/ESR filing dates
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Every listed provider holds a valid UAE trade licence and publishes fixed prices
- Costs reviewed against 2026 published government schedules
- Written and reviewed by advisers who have processed UAE licences and residence visas
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- Ajman Department of Economic DevelopmentAjman mainland licence categories and fees
- Ajman Free Zone AuthorityOfficial free zone licence and visa quota information
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
Topics covered
Get fixed quotes from verified providers
Tell us what you need once. Verified UAE formation firms reply with fixed, itemised pricing — usually within 15 minutes.