Compare Ajman Free Zone Authority vs Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Ajman Free Zone Authority
More Affordable
VerifiedAjmanFree Zone

Ajman Free Zone Authority

The Verdict

Starts from AED 6,000 (Budget) — best for Startups, SMEs, and freelancers seeking the most cost-effective entry into the UAE market with flexible visa and facility options..

Starting From
AED 6,000
Setup Time
1 days
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
VerifiedSharjahFree Zone

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

The Verdict

Starts from AED 11,000 (Mid-Range) — best for Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities..

Starting From
AED 11,000
Setup Time
2 days

Feature Comparison

A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.

Starting From
AED 6,000
Starting From
AED 11,000
Price Positioning
Budget
Price Positioning
Mid-Range
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 4,222
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 4,500
Health Insurance/yr
AED 700
Health Insurance/yr
AED 800
Setup Time
1 days
Setup Time
2 days
Remote Setup
Yes
Remote Setup
Yes
Bank Account Help
Yes
Bank Account Help
Yes
UAE Pass
Yes
UAE Pass
No
Max Visas (No Office)
0
Max Visas (No Office)
0
Golden Visa
Yes
Golden Visa
Yes
Dependent Sponsorship
Yes
Dependent Sponsorship
Yes
QFZP (0% Tax)
Yes
QFZP (0% Tax)
Yes
Corporate Tax 9%
Yes
Corporate Tax 9%
Yes
Audit Required
Required upon renewal
Audit Required
Mandatory for all
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
Total Activities
101
Total Activities
36
Mixed Activities
No
Mixed Activities
Yes

Cost Scenarios

Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Year 1 Total

AED 9,010

Save AED 2,990

Annual Renewal

AED 6,000

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Year 1 Total

AED 12,000

Annual Renewal

AED 12,000

Detailed Breakdown

license and registrationAED 7,010
facilityAED 0
government feesAED 2,000
third party servicesAED 0

Detailed Breakdown

license and registrationAED 11,000
facilityAED 1,000
government feesAED 0
third party servicesAED 0

License Packages

Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone

Ajman Free Zone Authority

6 Packages

Pioneers Package

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 5,000

1 Visa Included
1 Activities
Flexi Desk
Aimed at entrepreneurs aged 20-30

NoteSpecial package for young entrepreneurs.

Freelancer Package

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 6,000

0 Visas Included
1 Activities
Flexi Desk
Co-working space access

NoteAimed at solo professionals in over 40 categories.

Commercial/Service License (Explorer)

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 9,000

0 Visas Included
5 Activities
Flexi Desk

NoteBase package for trading or service activities with no visa.

Most Popular

Commercial/Service License (Startup)

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 12,000

1 Visa Included
5 Activities
Flexi Desk

NotePopular entry-level package for a founder with a visa.

Commercial/Service License (Entrepreneur)

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 15,000

2 Visas Included
5 Activities
Flexi Desk

NoteSuitable for small partnerships or a founder with one employee.

General Trading License (Startup)

Premium Tier

Annual Cost

AED 17,000

1 Visa Included
Flexi Desk
Allows trading in a wide variety of goods

NoteFor businesses that require a broad range of trading activities.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

3 Packages
Most Popular

E-Office / Virtual Office Package

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 11,000

1 Visa Included
3 Activities
Virtual Address
Eligibility to apply for one residence visa

NoteThis is the most common entry-level package for startups and solo entrepreneurs. The annual renewal cost is also AED 11,000.

Executive Office Package (2 Visa)

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 16,000

2 Visas Included
5 Activities
Private Office
Dedicated unfurnished office space (~10 sqm) Water and electricity bills included

NoteA step-up package for small teams requiring a physical office space. Several tiers exist with increasing visa quotas.

General Trading Package (7 Visa)

Premium Tier

Annual Cost

AED 35,000

7 Visas Included
Private Office
General Trading activity permitted Dedicated office space (~10 sqm)

NoteAllows for broad trading activities without restriction to specific product categories.

Who Wins Where?

A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Budget Priorities

Ajman Free Zone Authority offers a lower starting price point at AED 6,000

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Setup Speed

Ajman Free Zone Authority typically processes new licenses in ~1 days

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Visa Capacity

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space

Tie

Tax Optimization

Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)

Tie

Brand Prestige

Both offer highly competitive, standard market positioning

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Lean Startups

Ajman Free Zone Authority wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison

Agricultural License
No
Agricultural License
No
Commercial Trade License
Yes
Commercial Trade License
Yes
Crypto Virtual Assets License
No
Crypto Virtual Assets License
No
E Commerce E Trader License
Yes
E Commerce E Trader License
Yes
Freelance Permit
Yes
Freelance Permit
Yes
General Trading License
Yes
General Trading License
Yes
Holding Company License
Yes
Holding Company License
No
Industrial Manufacturing License
Yes
Industrial Manufacturing License
Yes
Innovation And Tech License
Yes
Innovation And Tech License
No
Professional Services Consultancy License
Yes
Professional Services Consultancy License
Yes
Tourism Hospitality License
Yes
Tourism Hospitality License
No

About Each Zone

Executive summaries and competitive positioning

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Ajman Free Zone targets a diverse range of industries with a primary focus on trading, industrial activities, e-commerce, and professional services. It is particularly known for its cost-effective business setup packages, making it a popular choice for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and entrepreneurs looking for a competitive operational base with excellent logistics and port access.

Key Advantages

Ultimate Affordability: Positioned as one of the UAE's most cost-effective free zones, offering startup and SME packages that dramatically lower market entry barriers.
Prime Logistical Hub: Strategically located at the Arabian Gulf's entrance, adjacent to Ajman Port and just 20-30 minutes from Sharjah and Dubai international airports.
Rapid 24-Hour Setup: Incorporate your company with remarkable speed, with trade licenses and initial approvals often processed and issued within just one business day.
Comprehensive Facilities: Choose from a complete range of scalable solutions, from affordable flexi-desks to executive offices, warehouses, and industrial land plots.
Ideal Target

Startups, SMEs, and freelancers seeking the most cost-effective entry into the UAE market with flexible visa and facility options.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Hamriyah Free Zone is optimized for heavy industry, oil and gas, petrochemicals, maritime trade, manufacturing, and logistics. It targets a wide range of investors from SMEs to large multinational corporations seeking 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and robust infrastructure for import, export, and manufacturing activities within the MENA region and beyond.

Key Advantages

Unrivaled Maritime Access: Leverage a 14-meter deep-water port and 7-meter inner harbor, ideal for global logistics and shipping.
Unmatched Industrial Scale: Operate from the UAE's second-largest industrial free zone, spanning over 30 million square meters.
Specialized Industry Hubs: Gain a competitive edge in dedicated zones for Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, and a purpose-built Food Park.
Total Business Control & Tax Freedom: Benefit from 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate and personal taxes, and full repatriation of profits.
Ideal Target

Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities.

Things to Watch Out For

Hidden costs and common objections — with honest rebuttals

Ajman Free Zone Authority

Hidden Costs
Mandatory E-Channel registration fee for any company requiring visas.
Visa processing fees are separate from license package costs.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Hidden Costs
Mandatory audit report for renewal after year 2 (or a waiver fee)
Visa costs are separate from the advertised package price
Refundable security deposits for facilities and employee visas

Ask The Experts

Common questions answered transparently with real data

Ajman Free Zone Authority is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 6,000. In the broader market context, Ajman Free Zone Authority is officially positioned as "Budget".

Ajman Free Zone Authority typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 1 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Ajman Free Zone Authority, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.

Ajman Free Zone Authority: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Hamriyah Free Zone Authority: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.

Ajman Free Zone Authority: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Hamriyah Free Zone Authority: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.

Startups, SMEs, and freelancers seeking the most cost-effective entry into the UAE market with flexible visa and facility options.

Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities.