By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
A Fujairah trade license costs from about AED 5,600 a year at Fujairah Creative City for a zero-visa service licence, around AED 9,000 to 15,000 at Fujairah Free Zone, and from about AED 17,000 all in for a mainland licence with one visa. Visas add roughly AED 4,000 to 7,500 each. This guide compares costs, renewal fees, licence types, and setup steps.
Fujairah Trade License Cost at a Glance
| Option | Licence cost per year (AED, indicative) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fujairah Creative City (FCC) | From about 5,600 (zero visa) | Media, consulting, freelancers, service businesses |
| Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ) | About 9,000 to 15,000 for service; 12,000 to 20,000 for trading | Trading, logistics, port-linked businesses |
| Fujairah mainland (Department of Economic Development) | From about 17,000 all in with one visa; licence fee varies by activity | Selling directly in the UAE, government contracts |
| Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) | Project based | Oil, energy, and storage companies |
| Each residence visa | About 4,000 to 7,500 | All options |
These are market estimates from 2026 provider packages. Fees change often, so always get an itemised quote.
Fujairah Licence Options Explained
Fujairah gives you three main routes:
- Fujairah Creative City: a low-cost free zone for media, creative, consulting, and service activities. It does not allow physical goods trading.
- Fujairah Free Zone: the emirate’s older free zone, next to Fujairah Port, suited to trading, logistics, and light industry.
- Fujairah mainland: licensed through the Fujairah government, with Fujairah Municipality approving the trade name and activity. A mainland licence lets you trade directly across the UAE.
The official Fujairah government business guide explains the mainland and Creative City steps. For a deeper look at each zone, read our guides to Fujairah Free Zone company formation and Fujairah Creative City company formation.
Fujairah Creative City License Cost
Fujairah Creative City is often the cheapest way to get a UAE licence on the east coast.
| Package | Indicative cost (AED per year) |
|---|---|
| Zero-visa service or freelance licence | From about 5,600, often 7,000 to 10,000 depending on offer |
| Freelance package with 1 visa | From about 9,300 plus visa fees |
| Company (FZE or FZ-LLC) with visas | About 15,000 to 35,000 depending on visa count |
Key points:
- No physical office required; a virtual address or flexi-desk is usually included
- No paid-up share capital and generally no annual audit on most packages
- Service activities only, with no trading in physical goods
- Visa allocations depend on the package
See Creative City for current offers.
Fujairah Free Zone License Cost
Fujairah Free Zone suits companies that move goods or need port access.
| Cost item | Indicative cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Service or consultancy licence | 9,000 to 15,000 a year |
| Trading licence | 12,000 to 20,000 a year |
| Industrial licence | 20,000+ a year, plus facility costs |
| Flexi-desk | About 5,000 to 18,000 a year, by package |
| Establishment and immigration card | About 3,000 |
| Each extra activity | About 1,000 to 2,500 |
| First year with 1 visa | About 20,000 to 32,000 |
Office or warehouse size usually decides how many visas you can get.
Fujairah Mainland License Cost
A mainland licence costs more to run but gives you full access to the UAE market.
| Cost item | Indicative cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade licence and initial approvals | Varies by activity; total setup from about 17,000 with one visa |
| Trade name reservation and approvals | A few hundred to a few thousand |
| Office rent (required) | From about 15,000 to 40,000 a year for small offices |
| Investor visa | About 4,000 to 7,000 |
| Employee visa | About 3,500 to 5,000 per person |
| Special approvals for regulated activities | Varies |
Mainland companies need a physical office with a registered tenancy contract, and some activities need approval from other authorities first.
Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) Licence Cost
FOIZ is a specialist zone for oil storage, refining, bunkering, and energy services around Fujairah’s port. It does not sell small packages. Costs depend on land leases, tank storage, and project approvals, so most applicants are established energy companies working with the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone directly. If you only trade petroleum products from an office, a Free Zone or mainland trading licence is usually more practical.
Who Should Choose a Fujairah Trade Licence?
From the files we handle, Fujairah works best for:
- Freelancers and consultants who want a low-cost licence and a UAE residence visa
- Media, events, and marketing agencies in Creative City
- Traders and logistics companies that need port access on the Gulf of Oman
- Budget-conscious startups that do not need a Dubai address
- Local businesses serving the east coast, including Dibba, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba
If your clients expect a Dubai address or you need frequent meetings in Dubai, compare the extra cost of a Dubai free zone before deciding.
Fujairah Free Zone vs Mainland: Which Costs Less?
| Point | Creative City | Free Zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry licence cost | Lowest | Medium | Higher |
| Office | Virtual or flexi-desk | Flexi-desk, office, or warehouse | Physical office required |
| Trade physical goods | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sell directly to UAE customers | Usually via a distributor or online | Usually via a distributor | Yes |
| Government tenders | Generally no | Generally no | Yes |
| Ownership | 100% foreign | 100% foreign | 100% foreign for most activities |
If you mainly serve clients abroad or online, a free zone licence is cheaper. If you plan to sell to UAE shops or government entities, the mainland usually pays for itself.
Fujairah Trade License Renewal Cost
- Creative City: usually the same as or close to the package price, often from about AED 5,600 a year
- Free Zone: from about AED 8,000 a year for service licences, plus office and card renewals
- Mainland: licence renewal plus office rent, tenancy renewal, and any approvals
- Visas: renewed every 2 years in most cases, with medical and Emirates ID fees
Multi-year licences in the free zones can lower the yearly cost. Renew before expiry, because late renewal brings fines and can block visa services.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
- Establishment card and e-channel or immigration registration
- Medical tests and Emirates ID for each visa
- Dependant visas for family members
- Corporate bank account opening and minimum balances
- Bookkeeping, VAT, and corporate tax registration
- Document attestation for corporate shareholders
Read about the establishment card in the UAE, or use our business setup cost calculator to build a full budget.
Types of Trade Licences in Fujairah
- Commercial or trading licence: buying, selling, importing, and exporting goods
- Professional or service licence: consulting, IT, marketing, and other services
- Industrial licence: manufacturing and processing
- Media and creative licence: content, events, and publishing in Creative City
- Freelance licence: individual professionals, mainly in Creative City
How to Get a Fujairah Trade License: Step-by-Step
- Choose your route: Creative City, Free Zone, or mainland.
- Select activities and check if any need special approval.
- Reserve your trade name and get initial approval.
- Submit documents and sign the incorporation papers.
- Arrange your office: virtual, flexi-desk, or a registered mainland tenancy.
- Pay the licence fees and receive your licence.
- Apply for the establishment card and visas.
- Open a corporate bank account and register for tax.
Free zone licences are often issued within 3 to 5 working days of a clean file. Mainland licences can take longer because of office and approval steps.
Documents Required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Passport photos and UAE visa or entry stamp, if applicable
- Application forms for the authority
- Business plan for some activities
- Tenancy contract for mainland companies
- Attested corporate documents for corporate shareholders
Corporate Tax and VAT for Fujairah Companies
Fujairah companies are not automatically tax free. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on taxable income above AED 375,000. Free zone companies can get 0% on qualifying income if they meet Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; otherwise the standard rate applies. Every company must register with the Federal Tax Authority, and VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies. Our corporate tax team handles registration and filings.
Fujairah vs Dubai, Sharjah and RAK
Fujairah licences are usually cheaper than Dubai mainland, and Creative City competes with Sharjah and RAK on price. Compare with the cost of a trade license in Dubai, the Dubai mainland license cost guide, SHAMS Sharjah Media City, and RAKEZ. For more budget options, see how to form a company in the UAE at a low cost and our free zone company setup guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing Creative City for a goods trading business
- Comparing licence fees without adding visas, cards, and office costs
- Picking a mainland licence without budgeting for a real office
- Forgetting corporate tax registration because the company is small
- Missing renewal dates and paying late fines
Expert tip from Adil Ahmad: compare your full two-year cost, not just the first-year licence. A cheap entry package can cost more by year two once visas, renewals, and office upgrades are added.
FAQs on Fujairah Trade License Cost
How much is a trade license in Fujairah?
From about AED 5,600 a year in Creative City, AED 9,000 to 20,000 in Fujairah Free Zone, and from about AED 17,000 all in for a mainland licence with one visa.
What is the cheapest licence in Fujairah?
A zero-visa service or freelance licence in Fujairah Creative City.
How much does a Fujairah free zone visa cost?
About AED 4,000 to 7,500 per visa, including medical and Emirates ID.
Can a Fujairah free zone company trade on the mainland?
Usually through a distributor, agent, or branch. A mainland licence allows direct trading.
How long does it take to get a Fujairah trade license?
Free zone licences often take 3 to 5 working days; mainland licences can take a few weeks.
Is Fujairah cheaper than Dubai for a trade licence?
Usually yes, especially compared with Dubai mainland.
Do I need an office for a Fujairah licence?
Not for most Creative City packages. Free zone companies need at least a flexi-desk, and mainland companies need a physical office.
What is the renewal cost of a Fujairah trade license?
Usually similar to the first-year licence fee, plus visa and office renewals.
Can I get a Fujairah licence without visiting the UAE?
Many free zone licences can be issued remotely. You only need to be in the UAE for visa medical and Emirates ID steps.
Get a Fujairah Trade License With Expert Help
Our team compares Creative City, Free Zone, and mainland options, then handles licensing, visas, PRO services, and corporate bank account opening. We also offer full business setup in Dubai, mainland company formation, and business setup in Saudi Arabia. Speak with our business setup consultants for a free quote.
