Compare International Humanitarian City vs Fujairah Free Zone
International Humanitarian City
The Verdict
Starts from AED 20,800 (Mid-Range) — best for Humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and commercial companies (logistics, suppliers) that directly support the aid and development sector..
Fujairah Free Zone
The Verdict
Starts from AED 15,000 (Mid-Range) — best for Logistics, trading, and manufacturing companies seeking port and airport access..
International Humanitarian City
Fujairah Free Zone
Feature Comparison
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Cost Scenarios
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 20,800
Annual Renewal
AED 20,800
Year 1 Total
AED 28,025
Annual Renewal
AED 20,000
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
License Packages
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
International Humanitarian City
4 PackagesBusiness Centre Package (Humanitarian/NPO)
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 11,250
NotePrice is for Non-Profit Organizations. Visa costs are additional. Minimum usage of 10 hours per week.
Standard Office Package (Humanitarian/NPO)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 18,274
NotePrice is for Non-Profit Organizations. Package includes a 20 sqm (approx 215 sqft) office. Visa costs are additional.
Business Centre Package (Commercial)
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 20,800
NotePrice is for Commercial entities supporting the humanitarian sector. Visa costs are additional.
Standard Office Package (Commercial)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 32,064
NotePrice is for Commercial entities. Package includes a 20 sqm (approx 215 sqft) office. Visa costs are additional.
Fujairah Free Zone
2 PackagesVirtual Office Package (0 Visa)
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 15,000
NoteBase package for establishing a legal presence without requiring physical space or visas.
Flexi Desk Package (1-2 Visas)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 18,000
NoteThis is a facility-only cost; license and registration fees are additional. Total setup cost is higher.
Who Wins Where?
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Budget Priorities
Fujairah Free Zone offers a lower starting price point at AED 15,000
Setup Speed
Fujairah Free Zone typically processes new licenses in ~2 days
Visa Capacity
Fujairah Free Zone allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Tax Optimization
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Brand Prestige
Both offer highly competitive, standard market positioning
Lean Startups
Fujairah Free Zone wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Detailed Feature Breakdown
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
About Each Zone
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
International Humanitarian City
IHC is a specialized free zone targeting the global humanitarian aid and development sector. Its primary members are United Nations (UN) agencies, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and commercial companies that supply goods and services for emergency and relief operations. The investor profile is unique, focusing on entities dedicated to disaster preparedness and response, logistics, and sustainable development goals.
Key Advantages
Humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and commercial companies (logistics, suppliers) that directly support the aid and development sector.
Fujairah Free Zone
Fujairah Free Zone targets a diverse range of industries, with a primary focus on trading, logistics, manufacturing, and oil and gas support services. [5, 2] Its strategic port location makes it an ideal hub for import/export, distribution, and global container shipping. [9, 5] The primary investor profile includes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and multinational corporations seeking a cost-effective base with robust infrastructure for global trade and manufacturing operations. [16, 2]
Key Advantages
Logistics, trading, and manufacturing companies seeking port and airport access.
Ask The Experts
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Fujairah Free Zone is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 15,000. In the broader market context, Fujairah Free Zone is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Fujairah Free Zone typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 2 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Fujairah Free Zone, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
International Humanitarian 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 Free 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.
International Humanitarian City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Fujairah Free Zone: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and commercial companies (logistics, suppliers) that directly support the aid and development sector.
Logistics, trading, and manufacturing companies seeking port and airport access.