Business setup in Ajman

Ajman is one of the smaller emirates and sits right beside Sharjah, within reach of the Dubai and Sharjah airports. It is often chosen by traders, small manufacturers and freelancers who want a UAE licence at a lower starting price than most Dubai zones.

There are two main routes: a mainland licence from the Ajman Department of Economic Development, or a company in Ajman Free Zone. The sections below cover how each works and the points that matter most when you compare Ajman with its neighbours.

How does an Ajman trade license from DED work?

Ajman DED describes the basic path as reserving the trade name, getting initial approval from the economic department and then applying for the new licence. Foreign applicants also need federal identity approval, high-risk activities need sector approvals, the lease is authenticated through the municipality, fees are paid electronically and companies sign a memorandum of association.

In December 2025 DED announced Go Business, an integrated service that turns licence issuance into five digital steps: log in with UAE PASS, reserve the trade name, register the activity details with an automatically drafted memorandum, pay electronically and receive the licence. Commercial licences renew every year, and renewing before expiry avoids fines.

What does Ajman Free Zone offer for company formation?

Ajman Free Zone is adjacent to Ajman port with access to the Dubai and Sharjah airports. It issues commercial, industrial and sole-professional (freelancer) licences, and company forms include a free zone establishment (FZE), a free zone company (FZC) and branches of a local or foreign company. Its listed spaces include executive offices, a business centre, warehouses, land leases and on-site accommodation, and it runs themed hubs for freelancers, e-commerce and AI and robotics. The starting price in this site's directory is AED 5,555.

Is the Ajman free zone license cost lower than Dubai?

Ajman Free Zone's AED 5,555 starting price is below the typical free zone licence range of AED 6,500–15,000 (October 2026), and below the AED 10,500–18,000 typical for a Dubai mainland licence. A starting price is for the entry package, so add a residence visa at AED 3,400–6,500 typical, an establishment card at AED 1,500–2,500 and any desk or office.

Ajman mainland or free zone, which fits?

A DED mainland licence is for businesses that sell to customers across the UAE and need a premises with an authenticated lease. Ajman Free Zone suits traders and small manufacturers who value port and warehouse access and plan to sell mostly outside the zone or through distributors. Trading directly with the UAE mainland from a free zone usually needs a distributor or an extra licence.

How to set up in Ajman

1. 1

   Choose mainland or Ajman Free Zone

   Based on whether your customers are inside the UAE market or you need warehouse and port access.

2. 2

   Reserve the trade name and get initial approval

   Mainland applicants do this with Ajman DED; free zone applicants apply to the zone.

3. 3

   Prepare the premises or desk

   Mainland needs an authenticated lease; the free zone offers offices, hubs and warehouses.

4. 4

   Pay, receive the licence and apply for visas

   Visa steps such as medicals and biometrics still need attendance in person.

Things to weigh up

• An Ajman address may not suit clients who expect a Dubai or Abu Dhabi location.
• Commuting from Dubai to Ajman can be slow at peak times.
• The AED 5,555 figure is an entry package, so check which activities, visas and desk are included.
• Mainland trading from an Ajman Free Zone company usually needs a distributor or an additional licence.