Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)

Ajman Free Zone is often described only as cheap, which undersells it. Opened in 1988, it is among the oldest free zones in the country and sits on the waterfront next to Ajman Port, with a long history of trading houses, small factories and storage businesses. Its campus mixes office towers, warehouse rows and light-industrial units.

Since 2021, AFZ has been run by the Ajman Free Zones Authority, an umbrella body that also oversees Ajman Media City Free Zone and the newer NuVentures Centre. The legal basis is an Ajman Amiri decree of 2014 that governs the free zone. The authority is led by director general Ismail Al Naqi and has been growing quickly: in March 2026 the state news agency reported that registered companies rose more than 200% in 2025 compared with the year before, alongside a 17% rise in revenue.

Those numbers reflect aggressive pricing and easy online processes. Agents commonly quote licence-only packages from around AED 5,500, and AFZ licences often allow several activities. Note, though, that the authority does not publish a full public price list, so every price you see online, including the estimates here, comes from consultants or promotional campaigns.

The real difference from desk-only zones is the physical stock. AFZ rents warehouses, small factory units and offices in buildings such as its C1 tower, so a company can start with a flexi-desk and later take storage or production space without moving zones. Its position beside the port and major roads is useful for traders shipping regionally.

In 2026 the authority also signed cooperation agreements with federal bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, as part of national programmes such as Make it in the Emirates. These are not directly visible to small founders, but they show the zone positioning itself for manufacturing as well as trade.

AFZ visa allocation follows your facility. A virtual address generally carries no visa, a flexi-desk around two or three, a smart desk about six and a proper office ten or more. Warehouses and factory units can support larger teams, subject to approval.

Each visa goes through entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and residence stamping, typically valid for two years. Family sponsorship is possible once salary rules are met.

If you plan to hire quickly, compare the cost of a bigger facility against renting several flexi-desks, because the visa ceiling is often the real limit, not the licence.

Shareholders who already live in the UAE on another visa do not have to take an AFZ visa at all. Many founders start licence-only to keep year-one costs down, then add the establishment card and visas once revenue arrives.

Ajman free zone companies can open accounts with UAE banks, but expect detailed compliance questions. Trading companies should prepare supplier and customer lists, sample invoices and proof of funds. Having a resident shareholder with an Emirates ID makes the process smoother. Some banks are more familiar with AFZ companies than others, so ask your adviser which banks have recently accepted similar businesses.

A practical tip for AFZ traders: route your first few supplier payments and customer receipts through the new account in a regular, documented way. Banks review early activity closely, and steady flows that match your stated business are the best protection against a later account review or freeze.

The zone lies next to Ajman Port on the creek, close to Ajman's city centre and corniche. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Emirates Road (E611) give fast access to Sharjah, Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.

Sharjah International Airport is around 20 to 30 minutes away, and Dubai International roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic through Sharjah.

Because the zone is inside Ajman city rather than out in the desert, staff can find rental flats nearby in Al Nuaimiya, Al Rashidiya and Al Jurf at prices well below Dubai. Ajman's taxis and buses serve the area, and many workers commute from Sharjah's northern districts.