Starts from AED 7,500 (Premium) — best for Established tech companies, multinationals, and specialized freelancers seeking a prestigious address and strong ecosystem..
Starts from AED 11,000 (Mid-Range) — best for Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 7,500
Annual Renewal
AED 7,500
Year 1 Total
AED 12,000
Annual Renewal
AED 12,000
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
GoFreelance Permit
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 7,500
NoteThis is a freelance permit, not a full company license. An Establishment Card (AED 2,000) is required to apply for a visa.
Flexi-Desk / Hot-Desk Package
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 27,020
NoteEstimated cost including License Fee (15,020), Registration (3,500), Establishment Card (2,000) and Hot Desk facility (~6,500). Some sources indicate the license fee is reduced when taking a desk facility.
E-Office / Virtual Office Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 11,000
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 TierAnnual Cost
AED 16,000
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 TierAnnual Cost
AED 35,000
NoteAllows for broad trading activities without restriction to specific product categories.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority offers a lower starting price point at AED 11000
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority typically processes new licenses in ~2 days
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Dubai Internet City carries a premium market perception and positioning
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Dubai Internet City targets companies in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. Its primary focus is on software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. The ideal investor profile ranges from innovative tech startups and entrepreneurs to multinational technology corporations seeking a strategic base for their regional operations.
Key Advantages
Best for established B2B technology companies and ambitious startups in software, cloud, AI, and IT services that prioritize ecosystem value, networking with global giants, and a prestigious address to attract clients and talent.
Businesses involved in general trading, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, or those requiring a license for crypto/virtual assets, as these activities are not supported.
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
Hamriyah Free Zone is the undisputed choice for heavy industrial, manufacturing, maritime, and petrochemical companies that require direct deep-water port access, large-scale facilities, and a dedicated industrial ecosystem.
Technology startups, crypto or virtual asset companies, tourism operators, or professional service consultancies seeking a prestigious city-center address and a dense networking environment.
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 Internet 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. 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 Internet City: 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.
Best for established B2B technology companies and ambitious startups in software, cloud, AI, and IT services that prioritize ecosystem value, networking with global giants, and a prestigious address to attract clients and talent.
Hamriyah Free Zone is the undisputed choice for heavy industrial, manufacturing, maritime, and petrochemical companies that require direct deep-water port access, large-scale facilities, and a dedicated industrial ecosystem.
