A residence visa is one of the main reasons people set up in UAE free zones. But the total visa cost is more than just the visa fee — there are medical tests, Emirates ID, deposits, and insurance. Here's the real total cost per person.
Visa Cost Breakdown Per Person
Entry permit: AED 300-1,000. Status change (if already in UAE): AED 500-700. Medical fitness test: AED 300-500. Emirates ID: AED 370 (2 years) or AED 570 (3 years). Visa stamping: AED 500-1,000. Security deposit (refundable): AED 1,000-3,000 (some zones waive this). Health insurance: AED 500-5,000/year (mandatory). Total per person: AED 3,000-8,000 depending on zone and insurance level.
Cost by Free Zone
IFZA: approximately AED 5,200 per visa. Shams: approximately AED 4,500-5,500 per visa. DMCC: approximately AED 5,500-7,000 per visa. RAKEZ: approximately AED 4,500-5,500 per visa. JAFZA: approximately AED 6,000-8,000 per visa. DIFC: approximately AED 7,000-10,000 per visa. Dubai South: approximately AED 5,000-6,500 per visa. Costs include zone processing fees which vary significantly.
How Many Visas Can I Get?
Visa allocation depends on your office type and zone. Virtual office/flexi desk: typically 1-3 visas. Shared office: 3-6 visas. Private office: 6-20+ visas. Warehouse: 5-50+ visas based on size. Some zones like DMCC and IFZA offer flexible packages where you can add visas up to your allocation limit.
Reducing Visa Costs
Choose zones with all-inclusive packages (IFZA, Shams). Use basic health insurance (AED 500-700/year). Avoid unnecessary premium services. Apply for multiple visas simultaneously. Some zones offer discounts for 2+ visa packages. Consider RAKEZ or UAQ for the cheapest overall visa costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest free zone visa in the UAE?
RAKEZ and UAQ Free Zone offer some of the cheapest visa processing at approximately AED 4,000-4,500 per person including medical and Emirates ID. Shams and Ajman are also competitive at AED 4,500-5,500. Adding basic health insurance brings the total to AED 5,000-6,000.
Is health insurance mandatory for a free zone visa?
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residence visa holders. Minimum coverage as per DHA requirements starts around AED 500-700/year for basic plans. Many free zones include basic health insurance in their visa packages.
How long does it take to get a free zone visa?
Typically 2-3 weeks from application to stamped visa. The process: entry permit (1-3 days), medical test (1 day), Emirates ID biometrics (1 day, card arrives in 1-2 weeks), visa stamping (1-3 days). You can start working from the day your entry permit is approved.
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