AFZ vs RAKEZ: which free zone fits you?

AFZ

• Visa fees: AFZ publishes only partial items: labour insurance AED 265 per employee (mandatory since 1 Sep 2019, covers unpaid wages/end-of-service up to AED 20,000 per worker); company E-Channel renewal AED 1,100 per year; medical test at Al Hamidiya Health Center, Ajman (fee not stated). Entry permit, status change, residence and Emirates ID fees are not stated by AFZ. [1]
• MoA / notary / attestation fees: AED 2,000. [1]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Cost per visa: AED 3,500. [1]
• Visa fees: Employment visa package from AED 3,500 (2-year validity, ~8 business days); dependent visa packages from AED 1,505; SME package add-on visas AED 4,000 each (up to 3); SME package includes visa processing, immigration file/e-channel, Emirates ID/medical. No itemised permit/medical/EID/stamping split published. [1]
• Mandatory deposit or bank guarantee: AED 5,050. [2]
• Extras included: Coworking centre membership (Compass Coworking Centre); Access to business networking events; Eligibility for bank account opening / bank letter issued with licence; VAT registration, accounting & compliance services (asterisked, T&Cs apply); Instalment payment via Tabby (SME package); Amazon seller onboarding support (e-commerce package). [3]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Renewal grace period: 30 days. [1]
• Fee for shareholder change: AED 4,035. [2]
• Deregistration / liquidation fee: AED 2,500. [1]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Renewal costs more than the first-year price: no. [1]
• Visa validity: 2 years. [2]
• Late renewal penalty: AED 50 per day from licence expiry date; third-party fines may also accrue on immigration file and Chamber of Commerce membership. [3]
• Multi-year licence discounts: Free Zone Commercial, Service, General Trading, Individual/Professional and E-commerce licences can be issued/renewed for three years at discounted rates (T&Cs apply); SME package 'Multi-year package options available'. Discount amount not published. [3]
• Current promotions and expiry: Designated Zone package from AED 16,550 per year incl. 1 visa with 50% cashback in year two (marked 'LIMITED TIME OFFER', no end date); SME all-inclusive package AED 14,000 per year incl. 1 visa; optional AED 2,500 premium upgrade; Biz Starter package AED 6,000; E-commerce package from AED 6,000; BusinessWomen package from AED 6,000 per year. [4]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
4. [4] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Visa quota rule: Quota is fixed per facility/package. Published: Executive Offices - two resident visas; Offices (furnished) - two resident visas; Freelancer & Pioneers Hub - two residence visas plus family sponsorship (licence-types page and FAQ: one visa for Pioneers; FAQ: two for Freelancer); Warehouses and short-term warehouses (from 100 sqm) - minimum of 14 resident visas; Land (from 1,000 sqm) - quotas tailored to the investor; Business Centre - no quota published. Additional quota is location-based and subject to Immigration approval. [1]
• How to increase quota and cost: Additional quota depends on the location held; upgrade via a 'Change location' service request in the customer portal; extra visas processed subject to Immigration approval. Cost not published. [2]
• Investor / partner visa available: yes. [3]
• Employee visa available: yes. [3]
• Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [2]
• Golden Visa support: FAQ explains federal Golden Visa categories (Cabinet Resolution 8/2021, ICP); no AFZ-specific nomination or support service described. [2]
• Time in the UAE to keep a visa valid: AFZ FAQ: an investor/partner holding a valid UAE residence visa may re-enter within one year of the exit date; a visa of someone outside the UAE for six months or more can be cancelled without the original passport. [2]
• Visa process can start before the founder arrives: yes. [2]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Visa quota rule: FAQ: flexi desks (shared workstations) limited to one visa; downgrading from a physical office to a shared workstation requires cancelling excess visas. SME package page allows 1 + up to 3 additional visas on coworking. Office-based quota formula (e.g. per sqm) not published. [1]
• Max visas without dedicated office: 4. [2]
• How to increase quota and cost: Upgrade facility (shared workstation -> serviced/standard/executive office or warehouse) via lease upgrade; lease upgrade/downgrade requests accepted only 60 days before licence expiry (renewal checklist). Under SME package, additional visas at AED 4,000 each (max 3). [3]
• Investor / partner visa available: yes. [1]
• Employee visa available: yes. [4]
• Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [4]
• Golden Visa support: RAKEZ golden visa service page covers Investor, Real Estate Investor, Specialist, Humanitarian Pioneer, Specialised Talents and Entrepreneurs categories (10-year visa). [5]
• Typical visa processing time: 8 days. [4]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
4. [4] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
5. [5] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Flexi-desk access terms: Freelancer & Pioneers Hub: open 24-hour office space; Business Centre: 24-hour security and full accessibility. [1]
• Warehouse sizes: From 100 sqm (pre-built, eco-friendly and short-term warehouses); land plots from 1,000 sqm. [2]
• Cold storage available: yes. [3]
• Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [4]
• Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Shared co-working spaces; Bookable meeting rooms; Lounges with open canteen (free tea and coffee); Free Wi-Fi and laptops; 24-hour security and surveillance; Networking lounge. [5]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
4. [4] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
5. [5] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Flexi-desk access terms: 24/7 access (Compass Coworking Centre memberships). [1]
• Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [2]
• Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [3]
• Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Meeting rooms; Conference rooms (private office members); Printing credits; Lounge; Cafe; Training/event area; Storage cabinets (dedicated desk/private office). [1]

1. [1] compasscoworking.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Documents for an individual shareholder: Passport copy valid for at least 6 months; Coloured photograph; No Objection Letter from sponsor if the applicant is a UAE resident; Visa copy or UID. [1]
• Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate partner documents: MoA or AoA, board resolution, certificate of incorporation, power of attorney, passport copy of representative/manager, registration certificate from the home-country authority; feasibility study for industrial and services enterprises. Attestation/legalisation level not stated. [2]
• Trade name rules: Name change via portal 'Company Amendments' request with a 15-day advertisement period; legal-form suffix (FZE/FZC) applies. No other naming rules published. [2]
• Refund policy if rejected: Service-request fees are non-refundable once paid; unused entry-permit fees non-refundable; guarantees (office, visa, E-Channel) refunded after cancellation within about 10 working days on request. [2]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Documents for an individual shareholder: Valid passport; Visa/Emirates ID (UAE residents only); No-objection letter from sponsor (if applicable); Tenancy contract or lease agreement; Business plan (certain activities only); DNFBP form (DNFBP activities). [1]
• Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Certificate of good standing / commercial register extract, original or copy notarised and legalised up to the UAE embassy (or attested by the relevant free zone authority); UAE mainland parent: valid DED trade licence. Board resolution signed by parent's authorised signatory; POA attested by UAE embassy where needed. [2]
• Trade name rules: Company name must match activity/nature of business (name change may be required on change of activity); branch must carry the parent company's name. [3]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: Selling online through third-party portals to clients in the UAE and abroad requires an E-commerce licence (not the Freelancer Package); an E-commerce licence holder needs a separate licence with an import/export activity to import goods. [1]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Can open mainland branch: yes. [1]
• Eligible for UAE government tenders: yes. [1]
• Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: E-commerce licence plus TDRA NOC required for online activity (website needs .ae domain; social media and app details required); NOC free, ~2 working days. Selling physically into mainland follows the general rule that free zone entities trade on the mainland only via a licensed agent/distributor or dual licence. [2]
• GCC / re-export notes: Investment Guide: UAE grants duty-free import of most GCC- and GAFTA-origin goods; manufacturers need MOIAT Value-Added Certificate (>=40% national component) and MoE Certificate of Origin to export with GCC/Arab duty benefits. [3]
• Customs duty in the zone: Goods imported into the RAKEZ free zone are exempt from customs duty if for re-export or use within the free zone; transfers between free zone entities duty-free with documentation; goods moved into UAE mainland attract 5% duty unless an exemption applies. [3]
• Customs duty exemption details: 100% customs duty exemption on machinery, equipment, raw materials and finished products imported into the free zone for re-export or use within the zone (per RAKEZ). [3]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

Not published · record checked 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Which areas of zone are designated: Al Hamra Industrial Zone - Free Zone; Al Ghail Industrial Zone - Free Zone; Al Hulaila Industrial Zone - Free Zone (designated from 4 July 2019). Not the business zones/Compass coworking areas. [1]
• The zone states that it is a Free Zone for UAE corporate-tax purposes: yes. [2]
• Qualifying activities the zone says it supports: Manufacturing of goods or materials; Processing of goods or materials; Holding of shares and other securities; Ownership, management, and operation of ships; Headquarter services to related parties; Trading of qualifying commodities; Financing and leasing of aircraft, including engines and rotable components; Logistics services; Distribution of goods or materials in or from a 'Designated Zone'. [2]
• Help with corporate tax registration: yes. [3]
• Tax residency certificate: yes. [2]
• Excise tax notes: Excise tax applies to excise goods (e.g. 100% tobacco/energy drinks, 50% carbonated/sweetened drinks) per Investment Guide; excise designated-zone status requires FTA approval (TAXP010). No RAKEZ excise designated zone confirmation found. [4]

Corporate-tax statements above come from the zone or from general FTA guidance. The schedule of Free Zones under Cabinet Resolution 54/2023 was not available to this research, and the FTA advises taxpayers to confirm their Free Zone or Designated Zone status with the Free Zone authority. The 0% rate applies only to the Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions; other income is taxed at the standard rate.

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
4. [4] tax.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

AFZ

• Substance requirements enforced by zone: No zone-specific substance rule found; AFZ FAQ reproduces federal Economic Substance Regulations guidance (Cabinet Resolution 57/2020, Ministerial Decision 100/2020). [1]
• Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Brokers and real estate; Dealers in precious metals and precious stones; Independent accountants & auditors; Legal consultancy; Company service providers. [1]
• Wage Protection System applies: yes. [1]
• Annual return and renewal documents: Trade licence renewal request via customer portal; Establishment card renewal (expiry separate from licence); E-Channel renewal (AED 1,100 per year); Lease renewal for the facility; UBO/shareholder register updates within 15 days of any change. [1]

1. [1] afz.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

RAKEZ

• Audit submission deadline: Within six months of financial year end; AED 2,500 fine for late submission. Financial year January-December under standard MoA; first year 6-18 months. [1]
• Substance requirements enforced by zone: RAKEZ publishes Economic Substance Regulations, guidance and FAQs (regulations page); for CT, QFZP status requires adequate substance (Investment Guide). No zone-specific substance enforcement detail found. [2]
• Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Legal Consultancy; Real Estate Agent; Real Estate Developer; Auditing of Accounts; Precious Metals and Stones Trading; Investment Consultancy; Company Service Providers. [1]
• Annual return and renewal documents: Corporate shareholder/parent company good standing or trade licence copy; Valid passport copies of shareholders/directors/manager (if expired); Chamber of Commerce membership renewal form (if any); Renewed lease agreement (two signed copies for physical facilities); NOCs from regulatory authorities (if applicable); Operation Fitness Certificate for warehouse/plot occupants (annual). [3]
• Data protection law applicable: Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (Personal Data Protection Law). [4]

1. [1] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24
4. [4] rakez.com · opened 2026-10-24