Starts from AED 7,500 (Mid-Range) — best for Film, TV, broadcast, and media production companies seeking specialized infrastructure and a dedicated industry ecosystem..
Starts from AED 19,600 (Mid-Range) — best for Media, creative, and consulting professionals who value a simple, all-inclusive package with flexi-desk 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 19,600
Annual Renewal
AED 17,500
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
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.
Freelancer
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 17,500
NoteIdeal for individual professionals and freelancers. The establishment card is included but its government fee is separate.
Baby Business
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 21,500
NoteSuitable for small startups planning to hire a few employees.
Business Pro
Premium TierAnnual Cost
AED 25,000
NoteAimed at established SMEs with a small team.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Fujairah Creative City offers a lower starting price point at AED 19600
Fujairah Creative City typically processes new licenses in ~2 days
Fujairah Creative City allows up to 15 visas without requiring a physical office space
Dubai Studio City is officially QFZP eligible
Both offer highly competitive, standard market positioning
Fujairah Creative City 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 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.
Fujairah Creative City targets a wide range of creative, media, events, and consulting industries. Its primary investor profile consists of freelancers, startups, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking a low-cost, flexible, and remote setup without the need for a physical office in the UAE. It is particularly popular for service-based and digital businesses.
Key Advantages
Fujairah Creative City is the ideal choice for service-based entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital startups who prioritize the lowest possible cost, a fully remote setup process, and minimal ongoing compliance (no audit).
Businesses involved in heavy physical trading, logistics, or manufacturing that require warehouses, industrial units, or a VAT Designated Zone status for goods movement.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Fujairah Creative City is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 19,600. In the broader market context, Fujairah Creative City is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Fujairah Creative City typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 2 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Fujairah Creative City, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
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. Fujairah Creative City: Subject to standard 9% UAE corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.
Dubai Studio City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Fujairah Creative City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
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.
Fujairah Creative City is the ideal choice for service-based entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital startups who prioritize the lowest possible cost, a fully remote setup process, and minimal ongoing compliance (no audit).
