Quick Answer: A realistic 3-year UAE free zone budget — first-year licence, visa and office costs plus two annual renewals — ranges from roughly AED 24,000 at Sharjah’s SHAMS to AED 95,000+ at premium Dubai zones such as DMCC, depending on the zone, visa count and office type. Each worked example below shows the year-by-year maths and the assumptions behind it.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Reviewed by: UAE Free Zone Finder setup team.
These examples apply the cost-estimation rules explained in our cost estimate methodology: every figure is taken from the corresponding UAE Free Zone Finder zone guide and its cited authority fee schedule, and each example states its assumptions openly. None of the totals include banking deposits, taxes, or add-ons beyond the quoted package.
Available 3-Year Cost Examples
| Example | Emirate | Assumed setup path | Indicative 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA 3-Year Cost Example | Dubai | 1-visa consultancy package | AED ~45,800–51,000 |
| Meydan 3-Year Cost Example | Dubai | Flexi-desk package with 1 visa | AED ~43,500–45,000 |
| SHAMS 3-Year Cost Example | Sharjah | 1-visa media/creative package | AED ~24,000–28,500 |
| DMCC 3-Year Cost Example | Dubai | Package with establishment card and 1 visa | AED ~65,000–95,000+ |
| RAKEZ 3-Year Cost Example | Ras Al Khaimah | Service/trading licence with 1 visa | AED ~39,000–58,000 |
| SRTIP 3-Year Cost Example | Sharjah | Innovation/tech package with 1 visa | AED ~25,500–42,000 |
How to Read These Examples
- Year 1 covers the licence package, one residence visa (medical, Emirates ID and stamping where the guide bundles them) and the establishment card where applicable, plus the office or flexi-desk included in the package.
- Years 2–3 use the published annual renewal figure for the same package. Where an authority does not publish a separate renewal price, we assume renewal tracks the licence package rate — the assumption is flagged on the page.
- Excluded from all totals: bank minimum-balance deposits and fees, corporate tax and VAT, extra visas, office upgrades and mainland access arrangements (see the methodology for the full exclusion list).
Want the same maths for a different zone or visa plan? Request a written quote and our team will build your exact 3-year projection, or run an independent cost comparison across 40+ zones on our companion site.
All figures are indicative estimates drawn from UAE Free Zone Finder published guides and official free zone authority fee schedules. Authority fees, packages and requirements can change without notice — always confirm your exact quote with the authority before committing. This page is general guidance, not tax or legal advice.