AI Free Zone Setup: Smart Company Formation Across 22+ UAE Free Zones
With 22+ free zones in the UAE, each with different pricing, activity rules, visa allocations, and banking relationships, choosing the right one used to require a human broker or weeks of research. Maya AI's Decision Core scores every option against your specific requirements in seconds.
22+ Free Zones, 53 Packages, One AI
Maya AI holds real pricing and regulatory data for every major UAE free zone. Here is the full list of zones currently in the system:
Each zone has between 1 and 6 packages in the system, covering different visa counts, office types, and activity groupings. The Decision Core evaluates all 53 packages for every recommendation — not a pre-filtered shortlist.
How the AI Chooses Your Free Zone
The Decision Core scores every eligible package across six weighted dimensions:
| Dimension | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 25% | Total first-year cost vs. your stated budget |
| Banking | 20% | Corporate bank account opening difficulty and options |
| Reputation | 15% | Zone recognition, brand credibility for your sector |
| Timeline | 15% | How quickly you can go from application to license |
| Flexibility | 15% | Activity scope, visa upgrade paths, office options |
| Location | 10% | Emirate match (Dubai, RAK, Sharjah, etc.) |
Example: if you tell Maya you need a Dubai address, budget under AED 15,000, and 1 visa for consulting — the system scores IFZA, Meydan, and Dubai South higher than DMCC or DIFC. If you remove the Dubai constraint, RAKEZ and SHAMS enter the top rankings because their cost scores dominate.
Free Zone Comparison Matrix
This is a snapshot of how the AI evaluates key free zones. Actual scores depend on your inputs, but the relative positioning holds for most service and consulting setups. For the full comparison, see our best free zone guide.
| Zone | Cost | Banking | Reputation | Timeline | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | 9/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| IFZA | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Meydan | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Dubai South | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| SHAMS | 8/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| DMCC | 5/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| JAFZA | 5/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| DIFC | 3/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 |
What the AI Handles at Each Stage
Intake (Maya)
Collects 12 data points via WhatsApp conversation: activity description, nationality, budget, visa count, preferred emirate, office type, shareholder structure, timeline urgency, banking priority, and more.
Recommendation (Decision Core)
Returns ranked options with exact pricing. Each recommendation includes the total first-year cost, included visas, office type, and zone-specific considerations.
Application
Document checklist tailored to your chosen zone, name reservation guidance, and online payment processing.
License Issuance
Submission to free zone authority with status tracking. Timeline: 3-14 business days depending on the zone.
Visa Processing (Layla)
Dedicated visa agent handles medical appointments, Emirates ID application, visa stamping, and all documentation required for each visa type (employment, investor, partner, dependent).
Post-Formation (Noa + Maya Finance)
Noa manages renewals and ongoing support. Maya Finance activates automatically with 6 months free bookkeeping — no second signup.
Real Pricing, Not “Contact Us”
Every price Maya AI shows you is the actual package price. No hidden fees, no broker markup. Here are starting prices across selected zones:
| Free Zone | Starting From | Included Visas | Emirate |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ | AED 6,625 | 0-3 | Ras Al Khaimah |
| SHAMS | AED 6,450 | 0-6 | Sharjah |
| Ajman Free Zone | AED 7,500 | 0-6 | Ajman |
| IFZA | AED 12,900 | 0-4 | Dubai |
| Meydan | AED 11,500 | 0-3 | Dubai |
| Dubai South | AED 11,900 | 0-6 | Dubai |
| DMCC | AED 33,795 | 0-6 | Dubai |
| DIFC | AED 50,000+ | 0-6 | Dubai |
Prices reflect package base costs as of March 2026. Visa fees, Emirates ID, medical, and establishment card costs are additional and vary by nationality and visa type. Maya AI shows you the full breakdown before you commit.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How does AI free zone setup work?
You message Maya AI on WhatsApp and describe your business in natural language. The AI collects 12 key data points through conversation, then the Decision Core scores 53 packages across 22+ free zones on six weighted dimensions. You receive ranked recommendations with exact pricing in seconds.
Which free zones does Maya AI recommend?
Maya AI does not pre-select zones. It scores every eligible option for your specific inputs and returns the highest-ranking results. The system covers IFZA, DMCC, RAKEZ, Dubai South, JAFZA, SHAMS, Meydan, DIFC, Ajman FZ, UAQ FTZ, DUQE, Expo City, Creative City Fujairah, Fujairah FZ, DIC, DMC, RAK DAO, Ajman Media City, and more.
Is the AI recommendation biased?
No. The Decision Core is a deterministic scoring engine. It does not receive commissions, referral fees, or incentives from any free zone. The highest-scoring package wins based purely on how well it matches your requirements across cost, banking, reputation, timeline, flexibility, and location.
How much does AI company formation cost?
Free zone package prices range from AED 5,750 (RAKEZ entry-level) to AED 33,795+ (DMCC premium). Maya AI shows you the actual package price for each recommendation. There is no additional fee for the AI recommendation itself — you pay the free zone package price plus applicable government and visa fees.
Can I change my free zone after getting a recommendation?
Yes. The AI recommendation is advisory. You can ask Maya to re-score with different parameters, compare specific zones side by side, or choose a different option from the ranked list. No commitment is made until you select a package and proceed to payment.
What documents do I need?
Document requirements vary by free zone but typically include a passport copy, proof of address, a brief business plan or activity description, and passport photos. Maya AI provides a specific checklist for your chosen zone and package after you make your selection.