Ajman Free Zone company setup
Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), next to Ajman Port and within easy reach of Dubai and Sharjah, has been licensing companies since 1988. It's often considered by traders, light industry, freelancers and e-commerce businesses that don't need a Dubai address. We help you choose a licence and facility and support you through the application.
Who Ajman Free Zone suits
- Traders who need warehouse space near a port
- Light manufacturing and assembly businesses
- Freelancers and sole professionals
- E-commerce sellers and small trading companies
- Founders who don't need a Dubai address
Points to check before you apply
- Choose the facility first — the visa allocation follows the package and location
- Pick the licence type that matches your activity: business, industrial, services or sole professional
- Renew on time — Ajman Free Zone allows a grace period of only one month after the licence expires
- Corporate Tax registration is required; the 0% free zone rate needs qualifying income and audited financial statements
- Dubai's mainland permit scheme is for Dubai free zones — plan separately if most of your clients are on the mainland
How we help
We start with a short online meeting about your activities, clients, visas and banking. If Ajman Free Zone is the right fit, we prepare and submit the application, follow up on approvals, the establishment card and visas, prepare your bank account file and help with Corporate Tax registration. If another zone looks like a better fit, we'll tell you. Approvals are always decided by the free zone and government authorities.
After setup, our tax & accounting team at pbz.ae handles bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax, including the yearly free zone 0% test — see free zone accounting & tax.
Free zone rules, packages and fees change. We confirm the current requirements and send a written, itemised quote before you commit.
Sources: official Ajman Free Zone website (afz.gov.ae) — profile, licence types, company types and FAQs; Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate Tax (Articles 3 and 18); Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023; Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025; Ministerial Decision No. 84 of 2025 on audited financial statements.
Setup in four steps
Online consultation
We confirm your activities, visas and budget, and whether Ajman Free Zone is the right zone.
Documents
Passport copies, application forms and business details — mostly signed online.
Licence
The free zone approves your activities and issues the licence and establishment card.
Visas, bank & tax
Residence visas, bank account file and Corporate Tax registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ajman Free Zone the same as Ajman Media City or Ajman NuVentures?
No. Ajman has more than one free zone. Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) is the long-established zone next to Ajman Port; Ajman Media City Free Zone focuses on media and creative businesses; and Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is a newer zone with a broad activity list. We compare them for your activity.
Can I set up in Ajman Free Zone as a freelancer?
Yes. AFZ offers a sole professional licence for set professional categories, and its freelancer and pioneer packages allow a single shareholder. Visa allocations depend on the package, so we confirm them before you apply.
What documents are needed?
For an FZE or FZC, each shareholder provides a passport valid for at least six months and a photo, plus a no-objection certificate from their sponsor if they live in the UAE. Branches need the parent company's licence, memorandum and board resolution. Corporate shareholders also provide incorporation documents and a power of attorney.
Does an Ajman Free Zone company pay Corporate Tax?
It must register for Corporate Tax. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income, but only if it meets every condition — including audited financial statements — and other taxable income is taxed at 9%.
Is Ajman Free Zone right for you?
Book a short online meeting. We'll compare Ajman Free Zone with one or two alternatives for your activity and send a written quote for the option that looks most suitable.