Compare Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone and Ajman Free Zone for Import/Export & International Trade setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone vs Ajman Free Zone for Import/Export & International Trade: Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone starts at AED 17,000 (80% bank approval) and Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Ajman Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 17,000 | 5-15 days | Difficult | Airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics | |
| AED 5,555 | 1-3 days | Moderate | Competitive setup costs, fast processing, flexible visa options |
Airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics
August 2025: Masarif profile refresh notes processing time from ~14 working days
February 2024: Abu Dhabi International Airport renamed to Zayed International Airport
2012: ADAFZ established as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports
Company setup in Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone starts from AED 17,000 per year.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone processes company registrations in 5-15 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 80%. Banking difficulty is rated Difficult.
Most UAE free zones including Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Ajman Free Zone wins on 4 of 4 dimensions. We recommend Ajman Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone if airport-adjacent free zone for aviation and logistics.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
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Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
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