Ajman Free Zone vs RAKEZ: Side-by-Side Comparison
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) is one of the cheapest paths to a UAE license, good for small trading and light industrial businesses. RAKEZ is bigger, more versatile, and offers mainland-adjacent packages plus industrial plots.
- Budget businesses
- Startups
- Small traders
- Manufacturing
- Industrial
- Trading with warehouse needs
- Budget-friendly
- Close to Dubai
- Fast processing
- Very affordable
- Excellent for manufacturing
- Large warehouses available
- Ajman address
- Smaller business community
- Banking more difficult
- Distance from Dubai
- Smaller business ecosystem
- Travel time for meetings
Still not sure which fits your business?
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Find Your Free ZoneKey differences at a glance
| AFZ | RAKEZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | ajman | ras al-khaimah |
| License from | AED 6,500/yr | AED 7,500/yr |
| Annual renewal | AED 6,500 | AED 7,500 |
| Setup time | 2-3 business days | 2-3 business days |
| Min share capital | None | None |
| Established | 1988 | 2017 |
| License types | trading, service, industrial, e-commerce, freelancer | trading, service, industrial, e-commerce, freelancer |
| Office options | flexi desk, shared office, private office, warehouse | flexi desk, virtual office, shared office, private office, warehouse, industrial unit, land lease |
Cost breakdown
AFZ
- License (starting from)
- AED 6,500/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 6,500
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 3,000
- 3 visas
- ~AED 7,500
RAKEZ
- License (starting from)
- AED 7,500/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 7,500
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 3,000
- 3 visas
- ~AED 8,000
- 6 visas
- ~AED 14,000
Which one should you pick?
Pick AFZ if
You want rock-bottom setup cost for a small trading or service license.
See full AFZ profilePick RAKEZ if
You need industrial space, mainland flexibility, or larger operations.
See full RAKEZ profileFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, AFZ or RAKEZ?
AFZ is cheaper. Its license starts at AED 6,500/year vs AED 7,500/year for RAKEZ — a difference of AED 1,000 per year at the entry tier. Actual costs depend on visa count, office type, and activity.
How long does setup take at AFZ vs RAKEZ?
AFZ advertises 2-3 business days and RAKEZ advertises 2-3 business days. Real-world timelines depend on how quickly you submit documents, pay fees, and complete KYC.
Where are AFZ and RAKEZ located?
AFZ is in Ajman (Ajman (25 min from Dubai)). RAKEZ is in Ras Al Khaimah (Ras Al Khaimah (1 hour from Dubai)).