Seven emirates, seven calculations.
A licence costs less in Ajman than in Dubai — but the bank does not ask about the price, it asks about substance. We incorporate where activity, budget and bankability line up.
Exit Palm incorporates in all seven emirates of the UAE. Dubai suits consulting, trading and finance; Abu Dhabi suits foundations and family offices via ADGM; Ras Al Khaimah suits industry and holdings via RAK ICC; Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain suit cost-efficient licences. As of 09/2026.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates; each keeps its own commercial register and hosts its own free zones with distinct activity catalogues, fees and visa quotas.
Updated: 01/09/2026
All seven at a glance
| Emirate | Free zones & authorities | Cost level | Typically for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DIFC, DET (mainland) | medium to high | Consulting, trading, finance, holding, real estate |
| Abu Dhabi | ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City, ADDED (mainland) | high | Foundations, family offices, industry, energy |
| Sharjah | SHAMS, SAIF Zone, Hamriyah | low to medium | Media, manufacturing, logistics |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAKEZ, RAK ICC | low to medium | Industry, warehousing, holding structures |
| Ajman | Ajman Free Zone, Ajman Media City | low | Small businesses, e-commerce, freelancers |
| Fujairah | Creative City, Fujairah Free Zone | low | Media, consulting, trade via the east-coast port |
| Umm Al Quwain | UAQ Free Trade Zone | low | Simple trading and service licences |
Classification as of 09/2026. What a structure actually costs depends on activity, visa count and office solution — you get the range for your case through the first estimate.
What really separates the emirates
Legal system
DIFC (Dubai) and ADGM (Abu Dhabi) operate under common law with their own English-language courts. That is why foundations, trusts and fund structures are set up there rather than in the other zones.
Visa quotas
In free zones the number depends on the package and the space booked; on the mainland on office size. Anyone bringing in six or more people should plan the space from the start.
Office requirement
A flexi-desk is enough in most free zones. Mainland requires an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. For corporate tax substance, a bare desk can be too little.
Bankability
Banks assess the zone and the local nexus. DMCC, DIFC, ADGM and mainland open doors faster than very cheap zones without physical presence.
Distance and logistics
Medical, biometrics and authority appointments happen in the emirate of the licence. Living in Dubai and incorporating in Fujairah means planning trips.
Reputation
For some clients and partners the address matters. That is not a legal criterion but a real one — and the only reason we recommend a more expensive zone.
Specifics that tip the decision
ADGM and DIFC are separate legal jurisdictions with common law, their own courts and internationally recognised foundation and trust legislation. For succession planning, family offices and regulated financial services there is rarely a way around them.
RAK ICC is a pure holding register without operations and without visas. It works as a parent over operating free zone or mainland companies — not as a trading entity.
Designated zones have separate VAT rules for goods: supplies within those zones can, under conditions, be treated as made outside the UAE. That does not apply to services.
And the cheapest licence is rarely the cheapest structure. Saving a few thousand at setup and then waiting three months for a bank account is no saving at all.
Frequently asked questions
Which emirate is cheapest to incorporate in?
Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah are lowest at setup, Abu Dhabi and the financial centres highest. Whether that is right for you is decided by the bank and the activity catalogue, not the price. The first estimate calculates the range for your activity.
Do I have to live in the emirate where I incorporate?
No. Residence and licence location can differ — a RAKEZ licence with a Dubai residence is common. Authority appointments, however, take place in the emirate of the licence.
What is the difference between DIFC and ADGM?
Both are common-law financial centres with their own courts — DIFC in Dubai, ADGM in Abu Dhabi. ADGM applies English law directly, DIFC has its own codified rulebook. Both suit foundations and family offices; costs and processing times differ.
What is RAK ICC for?
Holding and shareholding structures without operations in the UAE. No visas, no office, but affordable and flexible — often as a parent over an operating free zone company.
Can I hold licences in several emirates?
Yes, and it is common: a free zone company for international business and a mainland licence for the local market. Each licence has its own costs, deadlines and obligations.
Do I get visas in every emirate?
In principle yes, but quotas differ significantly. Small packages cover one to three people; larger quotas require space — on the mainland strictly by square metres.
Does the emirate change the tax position?
No. Corporate tax and VAT are federal law and apply equally in all seven emirates. Differences only arise via QFZP status, which is tied to the free zone and to substance.
In which emirate does your structure add up?
We compare zones, quotas and bankability against your activity — and recommend one, with reasons. 15 minutes, free of charge.