Free zone comparison
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: licence, visas and cost compared
Two northern-emirates zones that go from a coworking desk to industrial land. RAKEZ publishes package prices; Ajman Free Zone publishes service fees but not new-licence prices.
- 1988Year Ajman Free Zone launched
- 3,000+Business activities RAKEZ licenses
- Since 2015Working from Deira
- ItemisedWritten quote before anything starts
Written by Tabish Ahmed, Senior ManagerReviewed by Auj Afreen Ahmad, Founder and Chief Executive OfficerLast updated
The short answer
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: how do licence, visas and cost compare?
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) and Ajman Free Zone both offer full foreign ownership and premises from shared desks to warehouses and land. RAKEZ also issues non-free zone licences and publishes package prices, such as AED 14,000 a year with one visa. Ajman Free Zone publishes service fees but not new-licence prices.
Side by side
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: how do the published facts compare side by side?
RAKEZ lists 3,000+ business activities, offers a mainland option through non-free zone and dual licences, publishes promotional package prices and limits flexi-desks to one visa. Ajman Free Zone, launched 1988, publishes per-service starting prices but not new-licence or package prices, publishes no non-free zone licence, and sets visa quotas by package and location.
From each zone's own website, checked in November 2026. Where something is not published, the table says so.
RAKEZ and Ajman Free Zone compared on published facts
| Factor | RAKEZ | Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) | Ajman Free Zone Authority, launched 1988, granted independent status by the Ruler of Ajman |
| Location | Ras Al Khaimah: Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila industrial zones; Al Nakheel and Al Hamra business zones | Ajman, close to Ajman Port and to Dubai and Sharjah international airports |
| Free zone licence types | Commercial, educational, e-commerce, general trading, individual/professional, industrial, media, professional, service; freelancer permit | Business (commercial), industrial, services, sole professional (freelancer), e-commerce and Pioneers; offshore also listed |
| Mainland option | Non-free zone licences, which also need a RAK DED licence; a dual licence is offered | No non-free zone licence published |
| Activities | 3,000+ business activities; packages bundle up to 10 mix-and-match activities | Activity list published; package prices are not |
| Premises | Coworking, flexi facilities, standard, executive and shell-and-core offices, warehouses, land for development | Business centre, freelancer and pioneers hub, e-commerce and AI robotics hubs, offices, executive offices, warehouses from 100 sq m, land on 20+ year leases, onsite accommodation |
| Visa rules published | Flexi-desks limited to one visa (FAQ); SME package: one visa plus up to three more | Visa quota depends on the package and location |
| Fees published | Promotional package prices and visa service cards | Per-service 'Starting Price' cards; new-licence and package prices not published |
Licences
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: which licence types and activities does each offer?
RAKEZ has the wider menu: commercial, educational, e-commerce, general trading, industrial, media, professional and service licences, a freelancer permit, non-free zone and dual licences, and up to 50 shareholders. Ajman Free Zone issues business, industrial, services, sole professional and e-commerce licences, plus Pioneers and offshore options, and its sole professional licence covers 40 freelance categories.
RAKEZ has the wider menu. Here is how it compares with Ajman Free Zone (AFZ).
| Factor | RAKEZ | Ajman Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone licence types | Commercial, educational, e-commerce, general trading, industrial, media, professional and service | Business, industrial, services, sole professional and e-commerce; its FAQ also lists Pioneers and offshore options |
| Freelance option | Freelancer permit for media, education, IT and analyst professionals | Sole professional licence covering 40 freelance categories; freelancer licence with up to two visas |
| Pioneers licence | Not stated | One visa, for the owner |
| Mainland work | Non-free zone licences, which also require a licence from the RAK Department of Economic Development. A dual licence pairs a free zone licence with a branch licence, so one business can work in the free zone and on the mainland | Not stated |
| Legal forms | Not stated | FZE or FZC, or a branch of a local or foreign company |
| Shareholders | Up to 50 | One on freelancer and Pioneers licences, per its FAQ |
If you will manufacture, check land, power and customs needs before choosing. RAKEZ says its industrial zones have government-supplied power, gas and water. Ajman Free Zone's eco-friendly warehouses sit close to Ajman Port and Customs. Ask each zone to confirm the utilities for your process in writing.
Premises and visas
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: what offices, warehouses and visa allocation does each offer?
Both scale from a shared desk to industrial land. RAKEZ says a flexi-desk is limited to one visa, while its SME package allows one residence visa plus up to three more at AED 4,000 each. Ajman Free Zone offers warehouses from 100 sq m and land on 20+ year leases, with visa quotas set by package and location.
Both zones scale from a shared desk to industrial land.
| Factor | RAKEZ | Ajman Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Premises | Coworking at its Compass Coworking Centre, flexi facilities, standard, executive and shell-and-core offices, warehouses and land for development | Business centre, freelancer and e-commerce hubs, offices, warehouses from 100 sq m, land on leases of 20 years or more, and onsite accommodation |
| Visa quota | FAQ: a flexi-desk is limited to one visa; moving from an office down to a shared workstation means cancelling any extra visas | Each package carries its own visa allocation; the quota depends on the location |
| SME package | Includes coworking access; one residence visa plus up to three more at AED 4,000 each | Not stated |
| One visa for yourself | Desk-based options that include a residence visa | Desk-based options that include a residence visa |
| Shareholders on other visas | Shareholders need not hold a RAKEZ visa | Not stated |
RAKEZ's flexi-desk and SME package statements are not obviously consistent, so confirm the quota for your exact package. For a growing team, ask each zone what premises you need for your target number of visas, and what the upgrade costs.
Fees
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone cost: what does each zone publish?
RAKEZ publishes promotional package prices, such as its All Inclusive Business Set-Up package at AED 14,000 a year with ten activities, one residence visa and coworking access. Ajman Free Zone does not publish new-licence or package prices; it quotes them on request and shows 'Starting Price' service cards, such as AED 2,400 for a new residency visa.
| Fee | AED | Charged by | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Inclusive Business Set-Up package | 14,000 | Authority | rakez.com |
| BusinessWomen Package | 6,000 | Authority | rakez.com |
| Straight to Business in 24 Hours – set up your company for only AED 6,000 | 6,000 | Authority | rakez.com |
| Package upgrade (premium services) | 2,500 | Authority | rakez.com |
Figures from the authority’s own fee page, last checked 17 October 2026. Some exclude VAT. This is not the whole cost: visas, office, our fee and any approvals are separate. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
RAKEZ's All Inclusive Business Set-Up package is AED 14,000 a year with ten activities, one residence visa and coworking access, and RAKEZ states 'same renewal price guaranteed'. These are promotional package prices, not an itemised tariff. VAT treatment is not stated.
| Fee | AED | Charged by | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Renewal | 4,878 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
| E Channel – New | 2,300 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
| Certificate of Incorporation | 1,000 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
| Memorandum of Association (MOA) | 1,000 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
| Establishment Card – New | 750 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
| Additional Visa Quota | 350 | Authority | afz.gov.ae |
Figures from the authority’s own fee page, last checked 17 October 2026. Some exclude VAT. This is not the whole cost: visas, office, our fee and any approvals are separate. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
Ajman Free Zone does not publish new-licence or package prices; they are quoted on request, and its cost calculator is a form. Its service cards show a 'Starting Price' for each item, such as AED 2,400 for a new residency visa and AED 600 for immigration security approval, with VAT shown on the invoice.
For Ajman Free Zone the licence cost is not published, so a fair comparison needs an AFZ quote for the same activities, premises and visas as the RAKEZ package. Our written quote shows authority and government fees separately from Aizaa's fee. Try the cost calculator or read business setup cost.
Fit
Which founder fits RAKEZ, and which fits Ajman Free Zone?
RAKEZ fits founders who want mainland trading from the same authority through non-free zone or dual licences, or a published package price now. Ajman Free Zone fits founders shipping through Ajman Port, young founders and freelancers using its single-shareholder freelancer or Pioneers options, and holding structures needing an offshore licence. Neither sells directly to Dubai's mainland.
These are patterns we see, not a ranking.
- You want mainland trading from the same authority: RAKEZ issues non-free zone and dual licences. Ajman Free Zone does not publish an equivalent.
- You want a published package price now: RAKEZ publishes package prices. Ajman Free Zone quotes the licence on request.
- Shipping goods through a port: Ajman Free Zone sits next to Ajman Port. RAKEZ's industrial zones are spread across Ras Al Khaimah. Map your supply route first.
- Young founder or freelancer: Ajman Free Zone's sole professional (freelancer) licence and Pioneers package are single-shareholder options, and it runs a Freelancer & Pioneers Hub for freelancers and graduates. RAKEZ offers a freelancer permit. See freelance licence.
- Holding or non-resident structure: Ajman Free Zone lists an offshore licence. For other routes, see offshore company.
- Clients mainly in Dubai: a free zone company in either zone still cannot sell to Dubai's mainland directly. Compare a Dubai mainland licence.
Shared rules
What do RAKEZ and Ajman Free Zone have in common?
Both offer full foreign ownership, and both free zone licences stop at the mainland boundary: UAE sales go through a licensed agent, representative, distributor or parent company, or a mainland branch or company. Dubai's 2025 resolution letting DET license free zone companies to work in Dubai covers Dubai free zones only, not Ras Al Khaimah or Ajman.
Both offer full foreign ownership, and both free zone licences stop at the mainland boundary. RAKEZ's own FAQ is direct: a free zone entity cannot trade in the UAE mainland, and may sell within the UAE only through an agent, representative, distributor or parent company licensed for that activity. The UAE Government portal describes the same routes, plus a mainland branch or company.
Dubai's 2025 resolution allowing DET to license free zone companies to work in Dubai covers Dubai free zones. It does not apply to companies licensed in Ras Al Khaimah or Ajman.
Corporate tax basics. UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. A free zone company that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, including adequate substance, can apply 0% to qualifying income; other taxable income is taxed at 9%. RAKEZ's FAQ also says its companies must submit audited financial statements from RAKEZ-approved auditors. Ask Ajman Free Zone for its own audit requirement.
Next step
How does Aizaa help you choose between RAKEZ and Ajman Free Zone?
Aizaa starts with a free 30-minute call on your activities, premises, visas and supply route, then gives a fixed, written, itemised quote before anything starts, with government fees shown separately from its fee. One named person stays on your file from licence to visas and the bank file. Banks decide on accounts and authorities on visas.
- A free 30-minute call on your activities, premises, visas and supply route.
- A fixed, written, itemised quote before anything starts, with government fees shown separately from our fee.
- One named person on your file from licence to visas and the bank file.
What we will not promise: banks decide on accounts and the authorities decide on visas. We cannot guarantee either. See bank account opening.
Questions
RAKEZ vs Ajman Free Zone: common questions
Anything else? Ask on WhatsApp and the person who handles it will answer.
Is RAKEZ or Ajman Free Zone cheaper?
We cannot say from published figures. RAKEZ publishes package prices, such as AED 14,000 a year for its All Inclusive package with one visa. Ajman Free Zone does not publish new-licence or package prices and quotes them on request. Compare two itemised quotes for the same activities, premises and visas before deciding.
Can a RAKEZ company trade on the UAE mainland?
A RAKEZ free zone entity cannot trade directly on the mainland; RAKEZ says it must sell through an agent, representative, distributor or licensed parent company. RAKEZ also issues non-free zone licences, which need a RAK Department of Economic Development licence as well, and a dual licence that adds a branch licence for mainland work.
How many visas does a RAKEZ flexi-desk allow?
RAKEZ's FAQ says flexi-desks are limited to one visa, and a company moving down to a shared workstation must cancel extra visas. Its SME package, which includes coworking, allows one visa plus up to three more at AED 4,000 each. Confirm the quota for the exact package and premises in writing before you apply.
How does visa allocation work in Ajman Free Zone?
Ajman Free Zone says each business package carries its own number of visas, and that the quota depends on the location you lease. Extra visas need immigration approval. AFZ's service cards show 'Starting Prices', such as AED 2,400 for a new residency visa and AED 350 for additional visa quota.
What licence types does Ajman Free Zone offer?
Ajman Free Zone lists business, industrial, services, sole professional and e-commerce licences, and its FAQ also lists Pioneers and offshore options. Companies can be formed as an FZE, an FZC, or a branch of a local or foreign company. The sole professional licence covers 40 freelance categories.
Where are RAKEZ and Ajman Free Zone located?
RAKEZ operates across Ras Al Khaimah, with the Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila industrial zones and the Al Nakheel and Al Hamra business zones. Ajman Free Zone is in Ajman, close to Ajman Port and to Dubai and Sharjah international airports. Both offer premises from shared desks to warehouses and land.
Sources
Where these facts come from
The official pages we checked. Rules and fees change; we confirm the current position before we advise you.
- RAKEZ zones, facility types, 3,000+ activities, free zone and non-free zone formations — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- RAKEZ free zone and non-free zone licence types, freelancer permit, dual licence — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- RAKEZ FAQ: no direct mainland trade, 50 shareholders, flexi-desk one visa, non-free zone needs RAK DED licence, audited statements by approved auditors, shareholder visas — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- RAKEZ SME package: AED 14,000, ten activities, one visa plus up to three more, coworking, same renewal price — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- RAKEZ business starter package — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- RAKEZ new employment visa VIP service card — RAKEZ: rakez.comChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ business, industrial and sole professional licences, 40 freelance categories, company types — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ premises: business centre, hubs, offices, warehouses from 100 sq m, land on 20+ year leases, onsite accommodation, eco-friendly warehouses near Ajman Port — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ launched 1988, independent status, location near Ajman Port and airports — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ FAQ: licence list (industrial, commercial, services, Pioneers, freelancer, e-commerce, offshore), visa allocation by package and location, freelancer and Pioneers visas — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ new residency visa starting price — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ immigration security approval starting price — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- AFZ additional visa quota starting price — Ajman Free Zone: afz.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Free zone companies: mainland access through a licensed distributor, a mainland branch or company, or the required approvals — u.ae (UAE Government portal): u.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025: DET may license Dubai free zone establishments to operate in Dubai outside the zone — Dubai Media Office: mediaoffice.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Corporate tax: 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income, 9% above; applies from financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023 — u.ae (UAE Government portal): u.aeChecked 3 November 2026
- Qualifying Free Zone Persons: 0% on qualifying income, 9% on other taxable income, substance conditions — Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, Articles 3 and 18, Ministry of Finance: mof.gov.aeChecked 3 November 2026
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