Sijil · Free Zone vs Mainland
Free zone or mainland? Compare your real Year 1 cost
Pick your activity and visa count and get two quotes from the same engine behind our client dossiers: the best free zone package and the closest mainland licence, with the source of every number on the card.
The difference at a glance
| Factor | Free zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually lower: dozens of packages compete | Indicative, scoped per activity |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership in most activities | 100% foreign ownership in most activities |
| Where you trade | Inside the free zone and abroad; UAE mainland trade needs a local distributor or a dual licence | Anywhere in the UAE, no restrictions |
| Premises | Flexi-desk and shared options in most zones | Physical premises in the emirate; rules vary by emirate and licence |
| Visas | Allocation tied to package or office size | Allocation tied to office size |
| Customs | Most free zones are bonded: imports into the zone carry no duty | Standard 5% customs duty on imports |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying free zone income (QFZP conditions apply) | 0% up to AED 375,000, then 9% |
Frequently asked questions
For most service and e-commerce activities, free zone packages start lower. The tool above quotes both sides from live package data: numbers update as packages change, and every price carries its confidence label.
Yes, two ways: through a locally appointed distributor, or a dual licence that opens a mainland branch for the free zone company. Some activities are mainland-first, like retail: the tool flags those when it computes.
Partner free zone packages carry verified numbers with a known source. Mainland figures are starting prices until a licensed agent confirms them: that is why the card says starting price where it does.
Yes: the quote includes the licence, visa, E-channel, immigration file and medical insurance for the visa count you pick: the same line items our client dossiers use.
Indicative comparison from sijil.ae package data (verification dates live on the zone pages). Final quotations come from the free zone or the licensing authority. This tool tracks options, it is not legal advice.