Compare Dubai Auto Zone vs Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Dubai Auto Zone
VerifiedDubaiFree Zone

Dubai Auto Zone

The Verdict

Starts from AED 37,700 (Premium) — best for Automotive, logistics, and industrial trading companies requiring proximity to Jebel Ali Port and a robust logistics infrastructure..

Starting From
AED 37,700
Setup Time
10 days
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
More Affordable
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 37,700
Starting From
AED 11,000
Price Positioning
Premium
Price Positioning
Mid-Range
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 4,600
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 4,500
Health Insurance/yr
AED 700
Health Insurance/yr
AED 800
Setup Time
10 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
Mandatory for all
Audit Required
Mandatory for all
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
Total Activities
12
Total Activities
36
Mixed Activities
Yes
Mixed Activities
Yes

Cost Scenarios

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

Dubai Auto Zone

Year 1 Total

AED 37,700

Annual Renewal

AED 23,200

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Year 1 Total

AED 12,000

Save AED 25,700

Annual Renewal

AED 12,000

Detailed Breakdown

license and registrationAED 16,200
facilityAED 15,000
government feesAED 1,500
third party servicesAED 5,000

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

Dubai Auto Zone

1 Packages
Most Popular

Trading License Package with Smart Desk/Office

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 52,636

1 Visa Included
7 Activities
Flexi Desk
Registration Fee License Fee

NoteThis is an estimated starting package cost. Actual quotes depend on specific activities, office size, and visa requirements. Total setup costs for a small business typically range from AED 40,000 to AED 60,000.

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.

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Budget Priorities

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority offers a lower starting price point at AED 11,000

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Setup Speed

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority typically processes new licenses in ~2 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)

Dubai Auto Zone

Brand Prestige

Dubai Auto Zone carries a premium market perception and positioning

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority

Lean Startups

Hamriyah 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
No
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
No
Tourism Hospitality License
No

About Each Zone

Executive summaries and competitive positioning

Dubai Auto Zone

Dubai Auto Zone (DAZ) is a specialized cluster within Jafza targeting the automotive and spare parts industry. It is designed for companies involved in trading, logistics, distribution, and light manufacturing of vehicles, machinery, and spare parts. The primary investor profile includes international automotive brands, re-exporters, wholesale auto-parts traders, and logistics companies requiring extensive storage and world-class logistics infrastructure.

Key Advantages

Dominate the market from the Middle East's largest dedicated automotive and spare parts hub.
Leverage unparalleled sea-air logistics with direct access to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport.
Operate within a complete automotive ecosystem featuring showrooms, warehouses, and industrial plots.
Maximize profitability with 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation.
Ideal Target

Automotive, logistics, and industrial trading companies requiring proximity to Jebel Ali Port and a robust logistics infrastructure.

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

Dubai Auto Zone

Hidden Costs
Mandatory health insurance for all visa holders
High minimum balance for corporate bank accounts
Separate fees for external government approvals depending on activity

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

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 11,000. In the broader market context, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".

Hamriyah Free Zone Authority typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 2 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.

Dubai Auto Zone: 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.

Dubai Auto Zone: 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.

Automotive, logistics, and industrial trading companies requiring proximity to Jebel Ali Port and a robust logistics infrastructure.

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