Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMC) is the cheapest free zone in the UAE based on prices the zones publish themselves: its Business Club licence costs AED 4,999 a year, with co-working space and the same price to renew. If you need a residence visa, its Visionary package costs AED 12,999 with one visa and renews at AED 8,999. Unusually, Ajman Media City publishes renewal prices alongside every package, which makes it one of the easiest zones to budget for over several years.
This guide covers Ajman Media City's packages, what they include, two-year costs, visas, setup steps, banking and tax, and how AMC compares with Dubai free zones. Prices are as published on Ajman Media City's packages page when we compiled our UAE Business Setup Cost Index on 17 October 2026. Confirm the current figures with the zone before you apply.
Ajman Media City Packages and Prices
| Package | First year | Renewal | Visas | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Club | AED 4,999 | AED 4,999 | 0 | Licence, up to 10 activities and 10 shareholders, co-working space |
| Visionary | AED 12,999 | AED 8,999 | 1 | Licence, up to 10 activities and 10 shareholders, co-working space, immigration services |
| Pioneer | AED 17,999 | AED 10,999 | 2 | Licence, co-working space, immigration services |
| Innovator | AED 22,999 | AED 14,999 | 3 | Licence, co-working space, immigration services |
The renewal prices are what make AMC stand out. Many zones discount only the first year, so the year-two bill is a surprise. At AMC, the published renewal for visa packages is lower than the first-year price, because the one-off setup costs are not repeated.
What Ajman Media City Costs Over Two Years
| Package | Year 1 | Year 2 | Two-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Club (no visa) | AED 4,999 | AED 4,999 | AED 9,998 |
| Visionary (1 visa) | AED 12,999 | AED 8,999 | AED 21,998 |
| Pioneer (2 visas) | AED 17,999 | AED 10,999 | AED 28,998 |
| Innovator (3 visas) | AED 22,999 | AED 14,999 | AED 37,998 |
For comparison, a one-visa setup at Meydan Free Zone in Dubai costs about AED 20,100 in the first year alone, based on Meydan's itemised fees, and DMCC's cheapest published visa package is AED 35,484. See our guides to Meydan Free Zone and DMCC.
What the Ajman Media City Price May Not Include
- Visa extras: "immigration services" are listed in the visa packages, but confirm whether the medical test, Emirates ID, health insurance and change of status are included or charged separately.
- Family visas: sponsoring a spouse or children adds their own visa costs. See our guide to sponsoring your family.
- Bank account and accounting: these are separate costs. See our bookkeeping cost guide.
- Activity approvals: some regulated activities need approval from other authorities, which can add fees.
Is Ajman Media City Only for Media Businesses?
Despite its name, Ajman Media City's packages are marketed to a wide range of businesses, and the Business Club and Visionary packages allow up to 10 activities. Before you apply, check that your exact activities are on AMC's activity list and whether you need a trading or professional licence. The cheapest zone is irrelevant if it cannot license what you do.
Ajman Media City vs Dubai Free Zones
| Ajman Media City | Dubai free zones (Meydan, IFZA, DMCC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence-only price | AED 4,999 | About AED 10,345 to AED 12,900 and up |
| One-visa package | AED 12,999 (renewal AED 8,999) | About AED 20,100 at Meydan, AED 35,484 at DMCC |
| Address | Ajman | Dubai |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in the UAE | Anywhere in the UAE |
| Client and bank perception | Low-cost zone. Some banks are more cautious | Generally stronger, especially DMCC |
Your visa emirate does not limit where you live: many people with an Ajman free zone company live in Dubai or Sharjah. The real trade-offs are perception and banking. If your customers or bank expect a Dubai address, a Dubai zone may be worth the extra cost. Our cheapest free zone comparison covers the other options.
How to Set Up a Company in Ajman Media City
- Check your activities against AMC's list.
- Choose a package based on how many visas you need now and in year two.
- Reserve a company name that follows the UAE company name rules.
- Submit the application with passport copies and shareholder details, and pay the package fee.
- Receive the licence, then apply for the establishment card and residence visas.
- Open a bank account and register for corporate tax.
Low-cost zones are often quick to license. See how long company setup takes.
Documents You Need to Set Up in Ajman Media City
Exact requirements depend on your activity and whether the shareholder is a person or a company, but most applications need:
- Passport copies of every shareholder, director and manager, and a recent photograph.
- A UAE visa or entry stamp if the applicant is already in the UAE.
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
- Corporate documents if a company is the shareholder: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution and, often, attested copies.
- A short business plan or activity description, especially for regulated or specialist activities.
- Source-of-funds information for compliance checks, which banks will also ask for later.
Documents issued outside the UAE may need to be notarised and attested. Getting these ready early is the easiest way to avoid delays.
Which Ajman Media City Package Should You Choose?
- Business Club (AED 4,999): for owners who live outside the UAE, already hold a UAE residence visa through a spouse or employer, or want a licence first and a visa later. It is the cheapest way to hold a UAE company, but it does not include a visa.
- Visionary (AED 12,999, one visa): for solo founders and consultants who are moving to the UAE and need their own residence visa. Over two years it costs about AED 21,998 at published prices.
- Pioneer (AED 17,999, two visas): for two partners, or a founder plus a first employee.
- Innovator (AED 22,999, three visas): for small teams that expect to hire in the first year.
Choose for where you expect to be in year two, not just today. Upgrading later is possible, but choosing a package with the visas you will need avoids paying for changes mid-licence. If you only need to work for your own clients without a company, compare the cheapest freelance visa options, and if you are renewing, see our guide to UAE trade licence renewal.
Banking and Tax for Ajman Media City Companies
Banking: some UAE banks are more cautious with companies in low-cost free zones, particularly new ones with overseas shareholders. A clear business plan, client contracts and a clean source-of-funds file help. See why UAE bank accounts get rejected.
Tax: Ajman Media City companies must register for UAE corporate tax. Qualifying free zone persons can pay 0% on qualifying income, with 9% on other taxable income above AED 375,000. See our corporate tax guide.
Is Ajman Media City Right for You?
- Good fit: solo founders, consultants and small businesses that want a licence and visa at the lowest published cost, and owners who live abroad and need a licence only.
- Consider a Dubai zone: if your customers or bank expect a Dubai address, or you need a specialist licence such as commodities or crypto.
Want a second opinion? Book a free consultation and we will compare Ajman Media City with other zones for your activity and visa needs, with an itemised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ajman Media City's Business Club licence costs AED 4,999 a year with co-working space, renewing at AED 4,999. Its Visionary package with one visa costs AED 12,999, renewing at AED 8,999, as published when we checked on 17 October 2026.
Based on prices the zones publish themselves, yes. Its AED 4,999 Business Club licence was the lowest published price in our UAE Business Setup Cost Index.
Yes. The Visionary package includes one visa, Pioneer two and Innovator three. Check whether the medical test, Emirates ID and insurance are included.
Yes. A UAE residence visa lets you live anywhere in the UAE, so many Ajman free zone company owners live in Dubai or Sharjah.
No. Its packages are marketed to a wide range of businesses and allow up to 10 activities, but check that your activities are on its list.
Many will, but some banks are more cautious with low-cost free zones. Clear documents, client contracts and a source-of-funds file improve your chances.
Based on published prices, about AED 9,998 for Business Club and AED 21,998 for the one-visa Visionary package over two years.