Cost Items Beyond the UAE Licence Fee
Summary
A licence fee is usually only one line in what an authority publishes. Free zones and government bodies list further items such as office or facility leases, visas, annual renewal, name reservation, regulatory approvals and, later, termination charges. This guide describes which categories are published, without quoting amounts, because the published schedules are mostly undated and can change.
Cost categories that appear in official material
Licence term and renewal
- DMCC’s schedule of charges lists licence renewal packages under its licensing services.
- DMCC’s renewal guidance says companies must renew on or before the licence expiry date and that penalties apply otherwise.
- JAFZA’s renewal service page says licences must be renewed yearly, that renewal can be requested within three months before expiry, and that a fine applies for late renewal. Its fees vary by licence type and number of activities.
- RAKEZ’s renewal service page says prices vary by licence type, activity, facility and other factors.
Office, desk or facility lease
- DMCC’s setup page says office space ranges from a flexi-desk to multi-storey space, and that the setup cost depends on the licence duration and whether office space is included.
- DMCC’s renewal guidance asks for a tenancy contract or Ejari number during renewal.
- RAKEZ’s renewal page lists signed lease agreements for physical facilities (office, warehouse or land) among renewal requirements.
- JAFZA’s termination page refers to lease termination and utility clearances for leased premises.
Visas and residency
- u.ae says work permits and residence visas in free zones are obtained through the respective free zone authority, and the number of visas available depends on factors such as the package signed up for.
- DMCC says visa services are available, with quantity determined by office size and licence type.
- Meydan’s company formation page lists medical and Emirates ID assistance and residence visa processing as post-formation services with their own charges.
- u.ae’s work permits page states that fees depend on the company’s classification category, and that renewal of a work permit requires paying applicable fees.
Establishment card, quotas and work permits (MOHRE)
- The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) publishes a service page on work permit quotas for establishments.
- It says the service is free through the MOHRE website or app apart from government fees, that business centres may charge a commission, and that conditions include a valid trade licence. It also lists a valid Taq’eem report among the conditions.
- This applies to establishments registered with MOHRE. Free zone companies may deal with their free zone authority instead, as u.ae notes for visas.
Name reservation and registration
- Meydan lists name reservation as a formation step.
Optional or follow-on services
- DMCC’s schedule of charges groups items under headings including licensing services, visa services, company services, employment letters and NOCs, permits, registration services, leasing services and miscellaneous services.
- Meydan’s page lists VAT registration and bookkeeping among services with separate charges.
Termination costs
- JAFZA’s termination page lists a licence termination fee, a different fee for complete termination of FZE or FZCO companies, and fines where a licence has expired.
- RAKEZ’s de-registration page lists a cancellation fee plus external agency fees, such as immigration and the Department of Economic Development where applicable.
What it costs
This guide does not state fee amounts. DMCC’s schedule of charges carries no date or version and says charges can change without prior notice, and most other zone pages shown here are likewise undated. Use the comparison tool on this site to see the cost items side by side, and confirm amounts with the authority before relying on them.
Common pitfalls
- Comparing a headline licence fee from one zone with an all-inclusive package from another. DMCC notes its cost depends on licence duration and whether office space is included.
- Forgetting that visa numbers depend on the package or office size, as u.ae and DMCC state.
- Missing renewal timing. JAFZA’s page notes a renewal window and a late fine, and DMCC and JAFZA both refer to penalties.
- Overlooking exit charges. RAKEZ and JAFZA both publish termination or de-registration fees plus clearances.
- Treating undated fee tables as current.
Check the authority
Figures and rules change. Check the current fee schedule with the relevant free zone authority, MOHRE and the UAE government portal at u.ae before committing to a setup.
Figures and details in this guide are as stated on the cited official pages as of 6 October 2026.
Sources
- https://dmcc.ae/business/set-up-a-new-business
- https://dmcc.ae/members/support/schedule-charges
- https://www.meydanfz.ae/blog/company-formation-meydan-free-zone
- https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/renew-license/
- https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/terminating-your-license-at-jafza/
- https://rakez.com/en/service-cards/renewals/license-renewal-freezone
- https://rakez.com/en/service-cards/de-registration-and-exit-procedures/de-registration-physical-facility
- https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/services/work-permit-quotas-for-establishments-2022
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/Sector-of-employment/employment-in-the-private-sector/work-permits
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/Doing-business/doing-business-in-free-zones/recruiting-in-free-zones
This information is general; rules and fees can change. Check current details with the relevant authority.
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