25
UAE zones scored
8
Scoring dimensions
Top 3
Zones ranked for your profile
AI
Advisory report generated
Choosing the right UAE free zone is one of the most consequential decisions in a UAE business setup. The wrong choice — a zone that doesn't permit your activity, lacks the banking relationships you need, or imposes headcount quotas your hiring plan can't meet — can cost months and significant fees to unwind. Scout scores all 25 major UAE free zones against your specific profile: activity, sector, ownership structure, headcount, capital, and timeline. The output is a ranked shortlist with scores, cost breakdowns, and an AI-generated advisory report — not a generic comparison table.
UAE free zones differ across six dimensions that matter for business setup. Understanding these before choosing a zone prevents costly mistakes.
Activity permissions — each zone has a permitted activities list; some are sector-specific (DIFC for financial services, DMCC for commodities and a broad range)
Cost structure — licence fees, visa costs, office requirements, and mandatory insurance vary significantly across zones
Visa quotas — some zones cap visas per desk; others offer unlimited visas based on office space
Banking access — certain zones have stronger relationships with UAE banks; account opening difficulty varies
Speed — incorporation timelines range from 3 days (RAKEZ, Meydan) to 4–6 weeks (DIFC, ADGM)
Regulatory body — each zone has its own registrar and, for financial services, its own regulator (DFSA for DIFC, FSRA for ADGM, VARA for Dubai)
The 25 zones Scout scores cover all major emirates and use cases. Here is a high-level positioning of the most commonly used zones by primary use case.
DMCC (Dubai) — broadest activity permissions, strong for commodities, trading, fintech, professional services
DIFC (Dubai) — mandatory for regulated financial services in Dubai; DFSA-regulated
ADGM (Abu Dhabi) — English common law financial centre; FSRA-regulated; strong for fund management, fintech
JAFZA (Dubai) — port-adjacent, ideal for physical goods, logistics, heavy industry
DAFZA (Dubai) — airport-adjacent, aviation, perishables, high-value cargo
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) — low cost, flexible, good for SMEs and holding structures
SAIF Zone (Sharjah) — cost-effective, airport proximity, broad activities
KIZAD (Abu Dhabi) — industrial, port access, heavy manufacturing
Meydan Free Zone (Dubai) — fast setup, low cost, broad activities, no physical office requirement
Scout's zone scoring engine evaluates all 25 zones across 8 weighted dimensions — weights are adjusted based on your specific profile so the ranking reflects your priorities, not a generic average.
Tax efficiency — QFZP eligibility, CT rate, ESR exposure, withholding tax on distributions
Substance defensibility — physical office requirements, headcount thresholds, management residency
Onboarding velocity — typical incorporation timeline, bank account opening speed
Market access — mainland access rights, GCC trade privileges, e-commerce permissions
Sector alignment — zone's primary sector focus versus your activity
Geographic fit — emirate preference, proximity to clients, logistics requirements
Capital structure — minimum capital requirements, paid-up capital flexibility
Fiscal architecture — audit requirements, financial reporting obligations
How Scout works
Brief entry
Describe your business in plain English. Scout's classifier identifies the engagement type and any missing critical information.
Structured intake
AI-driven Q&A across 14–18 pillars tailored to your engagement type — jurisdiction, activity, ownership, capital, timeline.
Zone scoring
All 25 UAE zones scored deterministically across 8 dimensions. Top 3 ranked with cost, speed, and suitability breakdown.
Advisory report
Downloadable advisory report with recommended zone, regulatory approvals required, compliance checklist, and setup timeline.
How many free zones are there in the UAE?
The UAE has over 40 free zones across all seven emirates. Scout scores the 25 major zones most commonly used for business setup — covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Which UAE free zone is best for a trading business?
DMCC, JAFZA, and RAKEZ are the most common choices for trading. The right answer depends on your trading activity (physical goods vs. services), target markets, headcount, and cost ceiling. Scout scores all three against your profile.
Can a free zone company do business in mainland UAE?
Not directly — free zone companies cannot sell directly to UAE mainland customers without a mainland licence or commercial agent. For significant mainland UAE revenue, a dual-entity structure (free zone + mainland branch) is often recommended.
What is the cheapest UAE free zone to set up in?
RAKEZ, Meydan Free Zone, SAIF Zone, and IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) typically offer the lowest all-in setup costs. However, cheap setup cost should be weighed against banking access, activity permissions, and whether the zone is well-regarded by UAE banks.
How long does it take to set up in a UAE free zone?
Setup timelines range from 3–5 business days for Meydan and RAKEZ to 4–6 weeks for DIFC and ADGM. Scout's advisory report includes a milestone-by-milestone setup timeline for your recommended zone.
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