Set Up Your Company in ANCFZ.
From AED 4,888.

Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) is a next-generation, fully digital free zone authority launched in Ajman, UAE in late 2024. It was established to support startups, SMEs, and international investors with fast, low-cost company formation, and is part of the emirate’s broader economic growth strategy, with an ambition to attract more than 10,000 registered companies by 2026. ANCFZ is positioned at the heart of Ajman City, with easy access to Ajman Port, Sharjah International Airport, and Dubai International Airport.

ANCFZ company formation starts from AED 4,888 per year for a zero-visa standard licence — among the lowest entry costs of any UAE free zone. A one-visa business package is typically available from around AED 9,500 to AED 12,000, depending on the activity and structure chosen, with multi-visa and growth packages priced accordingly. Additional costs can include the establishment card, investor or employee visa fees, and Emirates ID and medical fees. KDHA PRIVE provides a fixed written quote with all costs itemised before any payment is made.

The ANCFZ unified licence allows a business to combine up to 10 different approved activities under a single trade licence at the time of setup, rather than paying separate amendment fees each time an activity is added later. With more than 3,500 approved activities to choose from across technology, trading, media, and professional services, this gives founders room to plan for how their business may evolve without needing to return to the authority for every new activity.

ANCFZ is one of the fastest free zones in the UAE for company registration, with trade licences published as being issued in as little as 45 minutes to 2 hours from complete digital document submission for straightforward applications. The establishment card typically follows within 7 to 10 working days, and residence visas are generally processed in around 48 hours once the licence and establishment card are in place.

Yes. ANCFZ’s registration process is fully digital and paperless, and the licence application itself can be completed remotely. Physical presence in the UAE is only required for residence visa steps involving biometric data and Emirates ID collection, which must be done in person. Bank account opening typically requires an in-person meeting with the chosen bank, though requirements vary by institution.

ANCFZ supports over 3,500 approved business activities. Core categories include technology and innovation (software development, AI, blockchain, gaming), digital media (content creation, advertising, digital marketing), e-commerce and trading (online retail, dropshipping, general trading, import-export), professional services (consulting, HR, training, translation), and holding company structures. Up to 10 activities can be combined under a single unified licence.

Yes. ANCFZ permits 100% foreign ownership for its free zone licences — no local Emirati sponsor or partner is required. You retain full ownership and control of your company, along with full profit repatriation and no personal income tax.

ANCFZ primarily offers two structures. A Free Zone Establishment (FZE) is a single-shareholder entity suited to solo founders, functioning as a fully independent legal entity with full foreign ownership and capital repatriation. A Free Zone Company (FZC) is designed for two or more shareholders, with ANCFZ notably allowing an unlimited number of shareholders under this structure — an advantage for larger founding teams or corporate group structures. Both structures offer the same core benefits of 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation.

Yes. ANCFZ licence holders can apply for UAE investor and employee residence visas. The number of visa slots available depends on the licence package selected at setup, so businesses planning to hire soon after formation should choose a package with sufficient visa quota from the start. Residence visas are typically processed in around 48 hours once the underlying documentation is in order.

No. A physical office is not mandatory for ANCFZ company formation — flexi-desk and virtual office packages are available and provide a legal registered business address while keeping overheads low. This is well suited to digital nomads, consultants, and early-stage founders. Businesses can upgrade to a dedicated physical office later as they grow.

ANCFZ and SHAMS have similar entry-level pricing, though ANCFZ typically starts slightly lower from AED 4,888 versus SHAMS’s AED 5,750. ANCFZ’s advantages are its unified licence covering up to 10 activities (versus SHAMS’s up to 5), its unlimited-shareholder FZC option, its very fast published licence issuance timelines, and its focus on tech, AI, and innovation-sector activities. SHAMS’s advantages are its longer operating track record, unlimited visa quota without additional office requirements, and broader general brand recognition among the wider UAE startup community. For technology-focused founders or multi-shareholder teams, ANCFZ is the stronger fit; for businesses prioritising an established authority with unlimited visas, SHAMS may be preferable.

ANCFZ, like most UAE free zones, offers discounted multi-year licence packages compared to annual renewal, helping businesses lock in current rates and reduce recurring administration. Renewal costs in year two are typically lower than the initial setup year, since one-time fees such as the immigration file opening and establishment card issuance are not repeated. KDHA PRIVE can prepare a clear cost comparison between annual and multi-year ANCFZ packages for your specific setup.

For a standard ANCFZ FZE or FZC registration, the required documents typically include a valid passport copy for each shareholder and director, a recent passport-sized photograph, and a completed ANCFZ application form. UAE residents should provide a copy of their UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. For corporate shareholders, additional documents are required, including a Certificate of Incorporation, a board resolution authorising the ANCFZ setup, and an Ultimate Beneficial Owner Declaration. All foreign-language documents must be translated and attested where required. KDHA PRIVE confirms the exact checklist for your specific structure before you begin.

The UAE applies a 9% corporate tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000. As a UAE free zone, ANCFZ companies meeting the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria can benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income — generally from international trade, other free zone businesses, and qualifying activities. Non-qualifying income from UAE mainland clients must stay below the applicable de minimis threshold. VAT at 5% applies once the mandatory registration threshold is reached. KDHA PRIVE manages corporate tax registration, VAT registration, and ongoing compliance for ANCFZ clients.

Yes. ANCFZ is particularly well suited to technology-driven businesses, and is known among UAE free zones for supporting AI, blockchain, gaming, and other innovation-focused activities within its broad activity list. Combined with its unified licence model and fast, digital-first onboarding, ANCFZ is a practical entry point for tech founders who want to launch quickly without the higher setup costs associated with some Dubai-based tech free zones.

Ajman Free Zone (AFZA) is the emirate’s original, long-established free zone authority, founded in 1988 and geared heavily toward trading, logistics, and manufacturing. Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) is a separate, newer authority launched in late 2024, built specifically around digital-first onboarding, fast licence issuance, and modern sectors such as technology, AI, and e-commerce. The two operate independently with their own pricing and activity lists, so it’s worth confirming which specific Ajman authority a quote refers to.

Yes, migrating an existing business to ANCFZ from another UAE free zone or mainland jurisdiction is generally possible, though it typically involves incorporating a new ANCFZ entity and winding down the existing company rather than a direct licence transfer between authorities. Businesses migrating to take advantage of ANCFZ’s lower costs, unified licence, or faster processing should factor in the timeline and cost of closing the existing entity and transferring assets or contracts. KDHA PRIVE advises on the most efficient migration approach and manages the full transition to minimise disruption.