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If you are looking for an affordable, fast, and straightforward way to set up a business in the UAE, Ajman Free Zone is one of the best options available right now.
For entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking the most cost-effective way to establish a company in the UAE, Ajman Free Zone stands out as the clear winner. Offering trade licenses starting from as low as AED 5,500 per year, AFZ has become the go-to destination for startups, freelancers, and SMEs that want a legitimate UAE business presence without the premium price tags of Dubai and Abu Dhabi free zones.
At Silver Oak, we are an authorized agent for Ajman Free Zone, helping businesses register quickly, choose the right license, and get fully set up from day one.
Ajman Free Zone, also known as AFZA, was established in 1988 and is one of the UAE’s most established and affordable free trade zones. It is suitable for startups, small trading businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking affordable entry into the UAE market.
Despite its affordability, AFZ does not compromise on the essentials, it provides visa allocation, dedicated office options, and a strategic location just 25 minutes from Dubai.
It is a practical choice for businesses that want a real UAE company, with a proper trade license, visa eligibility, and a corporate bank account, at a cost that makes sense for small businesses and first-time investors.
You can include up to 5 activities on a single license. Here are the main license types available:
Commercial / Trading License For businesses involved in importing, exporting, and distributing goods, including electronics, textiles, consumer products, and industrial goods. This is the most popular license type in AFZ.
Service License For businesses providing professional services such as business consultancy, financial advisory, marketing, IT consulting, accounting, and management services.
Industrial License For businesses involved in manufacturing, including food and beverages, packaging, textiles, electronics, and industrial goods. AFZ has dedicated manufacturing facilities to support different scales of production.
E-Commerce License AFZ supports trading and e-commerce businesses. An e-commerce license allows you to run online retail operations through B2C and B2B channels, one of the fastest growing business categories in the UAE.
Freelancer License For individuals who want to work independently and offer professional services, without setting up a full company. The freelancer license is a cost-effective way to operate legally in the UAE as a self-employed professional.
Offshore License For foreign businesses or individuals who want a UAE registered company for international operations and tax planning purposes, without a physical presence requirement.
Ajman Free Zone supports a wide range of business activities across multiple industries:
Select from over 2,000 business activities available in the AFZ activity list. Our team helps you identify the right activity codes for your specific business.
Virtual Office A virtual office gives your business a professional UAE address and access to administrative services without paying for physical office space. This is the most affordable option and is suitable for freelancers, online businesses, and consultants.
Flexi Desk A shared desk space with access to internet, meeting rooms, and office facilities. The flexi-desk option is the most affordable and is sufficient for most service-based and online businesses.
Dedicated Office Space Private office units of different sizes for businesses that need their own space. Can be customized based on your requirements.
Warehouse and Industrial Space For manufacturing and trading businesses that need storage or production facilities, AFZ offers warehouse units and industrial land plots.
The Ajman Free Zone business setup cost typically starts from AED 5,000 and can go beyond AED 15,000 per year depending on the license type, visa eligibility, and office requirements.
Here is a general cost breakdown:
License Fees
Registration Fees
Office Space
Visa Costs
Annual Renewal
Total Estimated Setup Cost The total cost for setting up in Ajman Free Zone ranges from approximately AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 depending on your license type, office choice, and number of visas. Contact Silver Oak for an accurate quote based on your specific requirements.
Setting up in Ajman Free Zone is a straightforward process. Here is how it works:
Step 1: Choose Your Business Activity Select from over 2,000 business activities available in the AFZ activity list. You can include up to five activities on a single license. Consult with the AFZ business setup team if you are unsure which activities best describe your business.
Step 2: Choose Your License Type Based on your activity, select the right license, trading, service, industrial, e-commerce, or freelancer.
Step 3: Choose Your Office Setup Decide between a virtual office, flexi-desk, or physical office based on your budget and operational needs.
Step 4: Submit Your Documents Required documents include passport copies of all shareholders, passport-sized photographs, a completed application form, and a business plan summary. Our team prepares and organizes all documents for you.
Step 5: Pay the Required Fees Pay the license, registration, and office fees. Our team gives you a clear and transparent breakdown of all costs before you pay anything.
Step 6: Receive Your Trade License Most standard licenses are issued within 24 to 48 hours after approval. Once your license is issued, your company is officially registered and ready to operate.
Step 7: Apply for Visas and Emirates ID Apply for investor and employee visas through the AFZ authority. Our PRO team handles all visa applications, medical tests, and Emirates ID processing.
Step 8: Open a Corporate Bank Account All licenses include a digital trade license certificate, access to AFZ business services, and the ability to open a corporate bank account in the UAE. Silver Oak assists with the full bank account opening process.
Silver Oak is an authorized agent for Ajman Free Zone, meaning we have a direct relationship with the AFZ authority and can process your company registration faster and more efficiently than going through the process alone.
What we handle for you:
Once your Ajman Free Zone company is set up, you need to maintain proper financial records and meet your compliance obligations. Silver Oak provides complete financial support for AFZ companies:
Accounting and Bookkeeping We maintain accurate financial records for your AFZ Company keeping your books organized, up to date, and compliant with UAE regulations.
VAT Registration and Filing If your business meets the VAT registration threshold, we handle the full registration process and manage your quarterly VAT return filing with the Federal Tax Authority.
Corporate Tax Compliance Under the UAE corporate tax framework, qualifying free zone companies may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is subject to corporate tax at 9% on profits exceeding AED 375,000. Our team assesses your qualifying free zone person status and handles your corporate tax registration and return filing correctly.
Annual Audit Many free zones require audited financial statements for annual license renewal. We provide complete audit services for Ajman Free Zone companies, making sure your financials are accurate and your license renewal goes smoothly.
Ajman Free Zone is one of the most affordable and practical ways to establish a legal business presence in the UAE, with fast approvals, 100% foreign ownership, visa eligibility, and costs that work for startups and small businesses.
As an authorized agent for Ajman Free Zone, Silver Oak handles everything from your initial registration to ongoing accounting, VAT, corporate tax, and compliance giving you one reliable partner for your entire business journey.
Contact us today for a free consultation and a clear cost breakdown for your Ajman Free Zone business setup.
Ajman Free Zone is a special economic zone in Ajman, UAE, that allows 100% foreign ownership, fast business registration, tax benefits, and visa eligibility for investors and employees. It is suitable for startups, small trading businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking affordable entry into the UAE market.
The main license types are commercial trading, service, industrial, e-commerce, freelancer, and offshore licenses. You can include up to five business activities on a single license. Our team advises you on the right license for your specific business.
Setup packages start from AED 5,000 per year for a basic license. Total costs including office space and visas typically range from AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 depending on your requirements. Contact Silver Oak for a clear and accurate quote.
Most standard licenses are issued within 24 to 48 hours after approval. The full setup process including visas and bank account typically takes two to four weeks.
No. Ajman Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership for all nationalities. You do not need a UAE national partner or sponsor.
Yes. Ajman Free Zone companies can apply for UAE residence visas for business owners and employees. The number of visas you can apply for depends on your license package and office type. Our team advises on the best package for your visa needs.
Minimum share capital requirements vary by business type and license, generally ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 100,000. Many license types have no minimum capital requirement. Our team confirms the exact requirements for your specific business.
Yes. AFZ companies benefit from 0% personal income tax, 0% import and export duties, and potentially 0% corporate tax on qualifying income if you meet the conditions for qualifying free zone person status under UAE corporate tax law.
Ongoing costs include annual license renewal, office space renewal, visa renewals, and accounting and compliance costs. Annual license renewal is typically 50% to 100% of the initial license fee. Our team manages all renewal deadlines and sends you advance reminders so you never miss a date.
Silver Oak Auditing and Accounting Corporate Services Provider is the one-stop shop for your business needs in the UAE.
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