Dubai free-zone trade-licence costs range from approximately AED 12,500 at Meydan to AED 50,000+ at DIFC. The difference comes down to the zone, the licence type, and the office and visa add-ons. Most published cost figures cover only the headline licence fee — the true first-year total is typically 1.5x–2x the headline.
This guide breaks down indicative 2026 trade-licence costs across major Dubai free zones, the cost components most lists miss, and three worked total-cost scenarios.
What Is a Dubai Free Zone Trade Licence?
A trade licence is the formal authorisation issued by a free-zone authority that permits a company to carry out specific commercial activities. Each Dubai free zone (DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA, DAFZA, etc.) issues its own trade licences and sets its own fee structure.
Most Dubai free zones offer four main licence types:
- Commercial / Trading – for import, export, distribution, ecommerce.
- Service / Professional / Consultancy – for service businesses.
- Industrial – for manufacturing and assembly.
- Specialised – sector-specific (financial, media, e-commerce, etc.).
Indicative Dubai Free Zone Trade Licence Costs (2026)
| Free Zone | Starting Licence (AED) | Notes |
| Meydan | ~12,500+ | Cost-conscious multi-activity |
| IFZA (Dubai Silicon Oasis) | ~12,900+ | Multi-activity, fully digital setup |
| Dubai South | ~12,000+ | Logistics, aviation, e-commerce |
| Dubai CommerCity | ~15,000+ | E-commerce, designated zone |
| Dubai Internet City | ~25,000+ | Tech, SaaS, IT |
| Dubai Media City | ~20,000+ | Media, advertising, content |
| DMCC | ~20,000+ | Commodities, trading, services |
| JAFZA | ~25,000+ | Trading, logistics, designated zone |
| DAFZA | ~25,000+ | Aviation, logistics, designated zone |
| Dubai Healthcare City | ~25,000+ | Healthcare, pharma, wellness |
| DIFC | ~50,000+ | Financial services, fintech |
Numbers are starting licence fees and exclude office, establishment card, immigration card, visas, and insurance. Confirm against the zone’s quote.
Businesses looking at premium trading and commodities-focused jurisdictions can also explore our detailed DMCC business setup guide for licensing, office requirements, and visa structures.
What the Headline Licence Cost Does NOT Include?
- Establishment card (MOHRE): ~AED 1,500/year. Required for visa sponsorship.
- Immigration card (ICP): ~AED 1,500/year. Also required for visa sponsorship.
- Office / flexi-desk: ~AED 5,000–15,000/year depending on the zone and package.
- Visa cost per person: ~AED 4,000–5,000 (entry permit + medical + Emirates ID + visa stamping).
- Basic health insurance: ~AED 1,500/year per person.
- Name reservation fee: ~AED 300–1,000.
- Activity-add fee: ~AED 1,000–2,500 per activity added after issuance.
- Initial bank deposit: AED 0–50,000 depending on the bank.
Three Worked Total-Cost Scenarios
Scenario A – Solo Founder in Meydan or IFZA, 1 Visa, Flexi-Desk
- Licence: ~AED 12,500–12,900
- Flexi-desk: ~AED 5,000
- Establishment + immigration cards: ~AED 1,500
- Visa × 1: ~AED 4,500
- Health insurance: ~AED 1,500
Indicative total: ~AED 25,000–26,000.
Scenario B – DMCC Service Company, 2 Visas, Office Package
- Licence: ~AED 20,000
- Office: ~AED 15,000
- Establishment + immigration cards: ~AED 1,500
- Visas × 2: ~AED 9,000
- Health insurance × 2: ~AED 3,000
Indicative total: ~AED 48,500.
Scenario C – JAFZA Trading Company with Warehouse, 4 Visas
- Licence: ~AED 25,000+
- Small warehouse + office: ~AED 50,000+
- Establishment + immigration cards: ~AED 1,500
- Visas × 4: ~AED 18,000
- Health insurance × 4: ~AED 6,000
Indicative total: ~AED 100,000+.
Tax Position
All Dubai free-zone entities are subject to UAE corporate tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (9% above AED 375,000). They can qualify for 0% on qualifying income under the QFZP regime (Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023; Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023).
Corporate-tax registration on EmaraTax is mandatory regardless of revenue. Flat AED 10,000 late-registration penalty applies.
VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies; voluntary above AED 187,500.
What We See Most Often (BCL Globiz Experience)?
Most clients budget the headline licence fee and underestimate the rest. A common AED 12,900 IFZA setup actually lands at AED 25,000–31,500 in true first-year cost once office, cards, visas, and insurance are added. Always price the full package, not just the licence.
Activity-add traps catch cost-driven clients. They pick the cheapest licence, find the activity list is too narrow for actual invoicing, and pay AED 1,000–2,500 per activity to expand. Map the 12-month invoicing plan to the activity list before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Dubai free-zone trade licence cost in 2026?
Starting licence fees range from approximately AED 12,500 (Meydan) and AED 12,900 (IFZA) for cost-conscious multi-activity packages, up to AED 50,000+ for DIFC. Mid-tier zones like DMCC start around AED 20,000.
What’s the cheapest Dubai free-zone trade licence?
Meydan and IFZA offer the lowest starting licence fees among Dubai free zones, from approximately AED 12,500–12,900. Dubai South Free Zone also offers competitive starting packages.
Does the trade-licence fee include visas?
No. Visas are charged separately at approximately AED 4,000–5,000 per visa, plus the establishment card (~AED 1,500) and immigration card (~AED 1,500).
How long is a Dubai free-zone trade licence valid?
Most Dubai free-zone trade licences are issued for one year and must be renewed annually. Some zones offer multi-year discounted renewal options.
Do Dubai free-zone companies pay corporate tax?
Yes. They’re subject to UAE corporate tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. They may qualify for 0% on qualifying income under the QFZP regime (Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023; Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023). Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Reach out to our experts at info@bcl.ae.
