Starts from AED 10,000 (Budget) — best for Startups and SMEs looking for the most affordable mainland license in the UAE to access the local market..
Starts from AED 7,500 (Mid-Range) — best for Film, TV, broadcast, and media production companies seeking specialized infrastructure and a dedicated industry ecosystem..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 10,000
Annual Renewal
AED 7,500
Year 1 Total
AED 7,500
Annual Renewal
AED 7,500
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
No Pre-Bundled Packages
This jurisdiction offers custom pricing based on specific requirements rather than set packages.
GoFreelance Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 7,500
NoteThis is a permit for individual freelancers. To get a visa, an Establishment Card (AED 2000) and visa fees must be paid separately.
SME / FZ-LLC Package (Estimated)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
Custom
NoteDubai Studio City does not publicly advertise bundled company packages with fixed prices. Costs are calculated based on individual fees for license, registration, and office lease. This is an illustrative example.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Ajman Department of Economic Development offers a lower starting price point at AED 10000
Ajman Department of Economic Development typically processes new licenses in ~1 days
Dubai Studio City allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Dubai Studio City is officially QFZP eligible
Both offer highly competitive, standard market positioning
Ajman Department of Economic Development wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Ajman DED targets a diverse range of investors, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large industrial companies. The department focuses on enhancing sectors such as trade, manufacturing, professional services, and real estate. The primary investor profile includes entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective and rapid business setup solutions on the UAE mainland, with full access to the local and international markets.
Key Advantages
Cost-sensitive SMEs, traders, and industrial businesses seeking full UAE mainland market access with 100% foreign ownership and a rapid, digitally-driven setup process.
Businesses in specialized sectors like Crypto/Virtual Assets or high-tech R&D seeking dedicated innovation hubs, as these license types are not available. It's also not for solopreneurs who only require a virtual office or flexi-desk facility.
Dubai Studio City targets companies and professionals in the broadcasting, film production, television, music, and entertainment industries. Its primary investor profile includes major international production houses, local filmmakers, sound and post-production studios, and industry freelancers. The zone is known for having the largest sound stages in the region, attracting large-scale film and TV productions.
Key Advantages
Dubai Studio City is the undisputed leader for businesses involved in the physical production of content—film, television, music, and large-scale broadcasting—that require state-of-the-art sound stages, backlots, and a complete, co-located industry value chain.
Businesses seeking a General Trading license, companies in the cryptocurrency sector, or startups looking for the absolute lowest-cost entry point. Its focus is purely on the media and entertainment production industry.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Ajman Department of Economic Development is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 10,000. In the broader market context, Ajman Department of Economic Development is officially positioned as "Budget".
Ajman Department of Economic Development typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 1 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Ajman Department of Economic Development, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Ajman Department of Economic Development: Subject to standard 9% UAE corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000. Dubai Studio City: 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 Department of Economic Development: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Studio City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Cost-sensitive SMEs, traders, and industrial businesses seeking full UAE mainland market access with 100% foreign ownership and a rapid, digitally-driven setup process.
Dubai Studio City is the undisputed leader for businesses involved in the physical production of content—film, television, music, and large-scale broadcasting—that require state-of-the-art sound stages, backlots, and a complete, co-located industry value chain.
