Key takeaways
- Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) is a government free zone created by Ajman Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023, signed on 28 December 2023 and in force from 1 January 2024.
- It is independent of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman: the decree says the Centre is not subject to that Authority and does not report to it.
- Four legal forms: FZE, FZC, branch of a foreign company and branch of a UAE company, with no minimum paid-up capital for most activities.
- ANCFZ license cost is published: AED 4,888 a year with no visa, AED 10,800 with one visa, up to AED 52,200 with ten, all prepaid, with multi-year prices to five years.
- Up to 10 “mix and match” activities from a list ANCFZ puts at more than 3,500, including trading, services, AI, blockchain and gaming.
- Every ANCFZ visa is issued through ICP, with the medical in Ajman; health insurance is extra.
- Tax: the decree’s 30-year tax exemption is expressly “without prejudice” to federal tax law, so corporate tax applies; ANCFZ is not a VAT designated zone.
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is a government free zone in the city of Ajman, established by Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023 of the Ruler of Ajman, that licenses FZEs, FZCs and branches across trading, services, technology and digital activities, with its own management outside the Free Zones Authority of Ajman. The decree gives it legal personality and financial and administrative independence, and it sells all-inclusive packages priced by the number of residence visas. ANCFZ is best known for fast, remote setup, an entry price below AED 5,000 and multi-year prepaid packages.
The decree’s Arabic title names the zone “Ajman New Ventures Centre”. The English brand, used on ancfz.ae and on its own fines schedule, is Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone. They are the same zone.
This guide covers the full ANCFZ company setup: the legal basis and what it means, legal forms, activities, steps and official times, documents, the ANCFZ packages and what they include, offices, the ANCFZ visa rules, banking, tax, mainland access, renewal and fines. If you are still deciding between a free zone and the mainland, read our free zone vs mainland guide. If you want the paperwork handled, our free zone company setup support covers ANCFZ from enquiry to bank account.
ANCFZ is one of three Ajman zones we cover, with Ajman Free Zone company setup and Ajman Media City Free Zone. For the emirate overview see our Ajman free zones guide, and for the whole country the free zones in the UAE pillar guide. Every fact comes from the sources listed at the end, read on 26 September 2026. Where ANCFZ’s pages disagree with each other, we show both.
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone at a glance
| Question | Short answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Ajman NuVentures Centre “Free Zone”, a Government of Ajman entity with its own Chairman, outside the Free Zones Authority of Ajman | Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023, Art. 2 |
| Legal basis | Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023, issued 28 December 2023, effective 1 January 2024 | Decree text (ancfz.ae rules page), Art. 22 |
| Location | Head office: Amber Gem Tower, Mezzanine Floor, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Al Rashidiya 3, Ajman. Representative office in Aspin Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai | ancfz.ae Contact |
| Established | Legally from 1 January 2024. ANCFZ publishes no separate opening date | Decree Art. 22 |
| Best for | Remote founders, small trading and service companies, IT, AI and Web3 start-ups, e-commerce, holding structures for foreign groups | ancfz.ae sectors, activities |
| Legal forms | FZE, FZC, branch of foreign company, branch of local company | ancfz.ae Types of companies |
| Licence types | One business licence with up to 10 mixed activities: commercial/trading, services, “Blockchain, AI, Crypto, Gaming” and others | ancfz.ae Business activities, packages |
| Official ANCFZ company setup time | Licence “in as little as 2 hours” if documents are complete (FAQ also says 15 minutes); visas “within 24–48 hours” of registration | ancfz.ae licence cost page, FAQ |
| ANCFZ visa allocation | By package: 0 to 10 visas; FAQ says the quota “depends on the office space/package chosen” | ancfz.ae licence cost page, FAQ |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, shared office, private office; executive office and retail packages (unpriced) | ancfz.ae FAQ, packages |
| VAT designated zone | No. The only Ajman entry on the list is Ajman Free Zone | Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017 list as published by the FTA |
| Mainland trading route | Agent or distributor, or a separate mainland licence; no ANCFZ mainland permit published | Our analysis |
| Website and contact | ancfz.ae; +971 6 808 8888; info@ancfz.ae; customer and agent portals at eportal.ancfz.ae | ancfz.ae |
Two things make ANCFZ company setup different from the other two Ajman zones: its prices are fixed per visa and published up to five years ahead, and it is governed by its own decree rather than by the Free Zones Authority. If you are weighing it against the wider market for business setup in Dubai and the northern emirates, we compare the options in writing.
The legal basis: what Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023 says
ANCFZ publishes its founding decree on its rules page, as a scanned Arabic text signed by H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. We read the whole text. These are the provisions that matter to a founder, in our own translation.
| Article | What it provides | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 2(a) | Creates a free zone called the “Ajman New Ventures Centre”, belonging to the Government of Ajman, with legal personality and financial and administrative independence | ANCFZ is a government licensing authority, not a private business centre |
| Art. 2(b) | Boundaries follow an attached map; the Ruler may change them or create sub-free zones under the Centre | The zone can expand or add satellite areas by decision |
| Art. 2(d) | The Centre is not subject to Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2021 on the Free Zones Authority in Ajman and does not report to it | ANCFZ rules, portals and prices are separate from Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City |
| Art. 5 | The Centre sets permitted activities and licensing rules, issues all licences, approvals and certificates, and sets penalty regulations | ANCFZ is the licensing authority for your company |
| Art. 10 | Establishments take the legal forms in the Centre’s regulations and may be owned by one or more natural or legal persons, UAE nationals or not | Full foreign ownership, individual or corporate |
| Art. 11(a) | Open to investors of all nationalities without a sponsor, agent or national partner, naming technology, e-commerce, business solutions, telecoms, shipping, insurance, storage, import and export, logistics, support services, information systems, consultancy, renewable energy and manpower supply | The intended sectors |
| Art. 11(d) | Goods entering the Centre are exempt from customs duty; goods leaving for the Ajman customs area are treated as imports | Customs is paid on entry to the mainland |
| Art. 11(e) | “Without prejudice to the tax legislation in force in the State”, establishments and employees are exempt from taxes including income tax for 30 years from licensing, extendable | Federal corporate tax and VAT still apply |
| Art. 11(f), (g) | No restriction on moving capital, profits and wages abroad for 30 years; no nationalisation or confiscation except by final court judgment | Standard investor protections |
| Art. 11(h) | Establishments may employ foreigners under the Centre’s sponsorship, with the approval of the competent authorities | Visas go through ICP |
| Art. 12(a) | A licence is personal and cannot be assigned without the Executive Director’s prior written approval | Selling or transferring the company needs ANCFZ consent |
| Art. 17 | A dispute resolution committee for the Centre, chaired by a judge | A local forum for disputes with the Centre |
The decree’s preamble also lists the other Ajman free zone decrees, including Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2015 establishing Ajman Media City Free Zone and Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2021 on the Free Zones Authority. ANCFZ is not listed on fza.ae, and the Ajman list on u.ae names only Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City, which fits the decree’s statement that the Centre stands apart.
ANCFZ’s website names Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi as Chairman and Rishi Somaiya as CEO.
What Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is known for
ANCFZ lists its sectors as technology and innovation, metaverse and artificial intelligence, trade and distribution, media and entertainment, and professional services. In practice it is known for three things.
- Speed and remote setup: “Get UAE licenses in 2 hours” is its headline, with the licence issued remotely when documents are complete. Travel is only needed for the visa medical and Emirates ID.
- Published ANCFZ packages: one price per visa count, including the ICP steps, with prepaid terms of one to five years and a “Pay as You Go” package launched in September 2025.
- Digital and Web3 activities: a dedicated “Blockchain, AI, Crypto, Gaming” category, alongside a large trading list.
ANCFZ has announced banking arrangements with Wio Bank and Ruya (September 2025) and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (February 2026) through memoranda of understanding, a Dubai representative office (September 2025) and a partnership with Thara Entrepreneurship Hub in Ajman. Its “Awards and Recognitions” page currently shows template text about an unrelated firm, so we cite no awards.
ANCFZ company setup: legal forms and ownership
| Form | Owners | Liability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Zone Establishment (FZE) | One shareholder, individual or company | Limited | Solo founder or a single parent company |
| Free Zone Company (FZC) | Two or more shareholders | Limited | Partners, family businesses, co-investors |
| Branch of a foreign company | The foreign parent (100% foreign ownership) | Parent is liable | Overseas company opening a UAE base |
| Branch of a local company | A company licensed by another UAE authority | Parent is liable | UAE mainland or free zone company adding an ANCFZ presence |
- Capital: ANCFZ’s FAQ says there is “no minimum paid-up capital requirement for most business activities”.
- Number of shareholders: the FAQ says an FZC can have up to 50, while every package lists “Unlimited Shareholders”. Ask for the figure in writing if you plan a large cap table.
- Conversion: ANCFZ says an FZE can become an FZC when a partner joins, and that package price depends on visas, not on the legal form.
- Transfers: under Art. 12(a) of the decree, the licence cannot be assigned without the Executive Director’s written approval.
ANCFZ activities and licence types
ANCFZ issues one business licence that can carry up to ten “mix and match” activities, for example general trading with consultancy and software development. It says more than 3,500 activities are available. Its online list groups them as Commercial/Trading, Services, “Blockchain, AI, Crypto, Gaming” and Others, with a code, a description and an “Additional Approval” column for each activity.
Activities that need another authority
The “Additional Approval” column is the most useful part of the list, because it tells you before you apply which activities need a second licence. On the day we checked it named, among others:
- Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) for security-related activities;
- the media regulator for media activities. ANCFZ still labels it the Ministry of Culture and Youth’s Media Regulatory Office or Media Council; since the federal decree-law announced on 18 December 2025 that role belongs to the National Media Authority (nma.gov.ae);
- the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) for telecoms;
- civil aviation, marine transport, the Roads and Transport Authority and the petroleum and energy regulators for sector activities;
- the General Authority of Sports, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Education for their sectors.
For crypto, ANCFZ’s own page is candid: its licence covers “the business license layer”, and running a virtual-asset exchange, brokerage or custody business “additionally requires approval from the UAE’s virtual-asset regulators”. Blockchain development, AI services and metaverse consultancy are licensable as ordinary activities.
ANCFZ’s FAQ adds that “regulated activities such as financial services, healthcare, and education may require additional approvals”. Confirm the approval before you pay for a package built around a regulated activity.
ANCFZ company setup process, step by step
ANCFZ company setup runs through the customer portal and, ANCFZ says, can be completed without visiting the UAE. Official times are shown where ANCFZ publishes one.
- Choose form, activities and package. Decide FZE, FZC or branch; pick up to ten activities; choose the package by visa count. Official time: ANCFZ offers a “same-day quote”.
- Submit documents and sign electronically. Passports, photographs, proof of address and corporate documents; ANCFZ lists e-signature of documents. Official time: not published.
- Licence and company documents. Business licence, lease, commercial registry, certificate of incorporation, certificate of incumbency, share certificate, memorandum and articles, and a bank letter. Official time: “as little as 2 hours” once documents are complete; the FAQ also says “within 15 minutes”.
- Immigration file. Investor security approval, establishment card and E-Channel registration and guarantee, included in visa packages. Official time: not published separately.
- ANCFZ visa steps. Entry permit or status change, medical in Ajman, Emirates ID and residence visa. Official time: “within 24–48 hours after company registration”, including medical, Emirates ID and stamping, per the FAQ.
- Bank account. Using the bank letter; set by the bank’s own checks.
- Tax and filings. Corporate tax registration with the FTA; beneficial owner register; VAT if you pass the threshold.
ANCFZ’s times are for its own steps when everything is in order. Attestation of foreign corporate documents, the medical and biometrics appointments and the bank’s review take longer. Our planning assumption, not an ANCFZ figure, is one to three weeks from complete documents to a first residence visa, and longer for a foreign branch.
ANCFZ company setup documents required
FZE and FZC shareholders
- Passport copy and coloured photograph of each shareholder.
- Residence visa and Emirates ID copies if resident in the UAE, or the visit visa or entry stamp if visiting.
- Proof of residence such as a utility bill or tenancy contract, the application form and proposed company names (ANCFZ FAQ).
- For a corporate shareholder: board resolution, certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, and good standing, legalised if foreign. ANCFZ says corporate shareholders are accepted but lists no separate checklist.
Branch of a foreign company
- Manager’s passport, photograph and visa or entry stamp.
- Attested trade licence, memorandum and board resolution of the parent. ANCFZ requires foreign documents to be attested by the foreign ministry and UAE embassy in the country of issue, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our document attestation service runs this chain.
Branch of a local company
- Manager’s passport, photograph and visa.
- Trade licence, memorandum or articles and board resolution, notarised by a UAE notary or attested by the issuing UAE authority.
Beneficial owners
ANCFZ publishes Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023 and its guidelines, and requires every company to keep accurate records of beneficial owners, partners and shareholders. See our UBO register guide.
ANCFZ license cost: the published packages
ANCFZ publishes one price list for all ANCFZ packages, “official 2026 rates”, covering every legal form. The one-year price is a full advance payment that already includes a 10% upfront discount. All amounts are in AED.
| Visas | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (Starter) | 4,888 | 9,776 | 14,664 | 19,552 | 24,440 |
| 1 | 10,800 | 20,700 | 30,600 | 40,500 | 50,400 |
| 2 | 16,200 | 30,150 | 44,100 | 58,050 | 72,000 |
| 3 | 20,700 | 38,250 | 55,800 | 73,350 | 90,900 |
| 4 | 25,200 | 46,350 | 67,500 | 88,650 | 109,800 |
| 5 | 29,700 | 49,005 | 71,280 | 93,555 | 115,830 |
| 6 | 34,200 | 56,295 | 81,810 | 107,325 | 132,840 |
| 7 | 38,700 | 63,585 | 92,340 | 121,095 | 149,850 |
| 8 | 43,200 | 70,875 | 102,870 | 134,865 | 166,860 |
| 9 | 47,700 | 78,165 | 113,400 | 148,635 | 183,870 |
| 10 | 52,200 | 85,455 | 123,930 | 162,405 | 200,880 |
Source: ancfz.ae “ANCFZ License Cost 2026”, checked 26 September 2026.
What the ANCFZ packages include
Every package lists the business licence, unlimited shareholders, up to ten activities, lease agreement, memorandum and articles, commercial registry, share certificate, certificate of incorporation, certificate of incumbency, a bank letter to open an account, and a branch registration certificate where relevant. Visa packages add investor security approval, E-Channel registration and guarantee, establishment card, entry permit, status change where needed, visa medical in Ajman, residence visa and Emirates ID, for new applications and renewals.
What the ANCFZ packages leave out
- Health insurance, which ANCFZ says is “mandatory during the visa process and is excluded from the package price”.
- Family visas for dependants; ANCFZ’s ANC+ service offers assistance with them, without a published price.
- Attestation and translation of corporate and personal documents.
- External approvals such as SIRA or NMA permits, and amendments after licensing.
Reading the multi-year ANCFZ packages
Two patterns stand out. Prepaying two to five years for a zero-visa company saves nothing beyond the one-year discount: AED 24,440 for five years is exactly five times AED 4,888. For visa packages the multi-year rates are lower per year; the five-visa package averages AED 23,166 a year over five years against AED 29,700 for a single year. ANCFZ also says “downgrading at renewal is permitted, based on visas utilised”. Before prepaying five years, check the refund terms if you close early; ANCFZ does not publish them.
The packages page describes the All-Inclusive Package as “offering up to 7 visas”, while the price list runs to ten. The FAQ puts company registration at “within 15 minutes”, while other pages say two hours. The packages page also mentions instalment options “starting from 12,000 AED” and an “upfront payment at only 10,000 AED” without saying which package they apply to, and a “Pay as You Go” package with no price. Get your package, term and instalment plan in a written quotation.
The ANCFZ license cost on your quotation is final. We quote no MIRDXB PRO fee here; ours is always given in writing before we start.
ANCFZ office and facility options
ANCFZ’s FAQ says it offers “flexi-desk, shared office, and private office options” and that “for most businesses, flexi-desk solutions are sufficient”. A physical office is “only required for specific activities”. Its packages page also lists Executive Office and Retail packages with the same document set but no published price. Its footnotes say flexi-desk availability is “per package terms”.
| Option | Published terms | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| Flexi-desk (in packages) | Included per package terms | Package count, 0 to 10 |
| Shared or private office | Offered; no price | FAQ: quota depends on office space or package |
| Executive office package | Listed; no price | Not published |
| Retail package | Listed; no price | Not published |
| Warehouse, land | Not offered | Use Ajman Free Zone |
ANCFZ’s fines schedule punishes using an office as a store (AED 500) and running authorised activities outside the licensed facility (AED 2,500), so a trading company should plan where its stock will physically sit.
ANCFZ visa and residency: how it works
An ANCFZ visa is a UAE residence permit issued by ICP, with the ANCFZ company as sponsor. Ajman residence does not go through GDRFA Dubai, and the file number starts with 4, the Ajman code. The decree allows establishments to employ foreigners “under the Centre’s sponsorship”, subject to the competent authorities, and the packages list the ICP steps ANCFZ runs. Our ICP vs GDRFA guide explains the difference.
How easy is an ANCFZ visa?
The ANCFZ visa is among the easiest to plan in the UAE, because the price per visa is published and includes the ICP steps. ANCFZ’s FAQ offers investor or partner visas for shareholders and employment visas for staff, “within 24–48 hours after company registration”. You do need one trip: ANCFZ says the visa step “requires biometrics and a medical in the UAE”.
The ANCFZ visa process
- Investor security approval by ICP for the shareholder who will hold a visa.
- Establishment card and E-Channel registration and guarantee: the company’s immigration file.
- Entry permit, or a change of status if the person is already in the UAE.
- Medical in Ajman and Emirates ID biometrics. See our medical fitness test service and Emirates ID typing service.
- Residence visa, with health insurance in place.
ANCFZ visa quota
The ANCFZ packages run from zero to ten visas. The FAQ says the quota “depends on the office space/package chosen”, so a larger office may support more; ANCFZ does not publish the ratio. At renewal you may downgrade “based on visas utilised”, which means you cannot drop below the visas you are actually using.
Family sponsorship on an ANCFZ visa
ANCFZ says that once you hold a residence visa “you can sponsor dependents through the standard UAE process”, and its ANC+ service assists with dependants’ visas. ICP’s “Issuing residency permit” card sets a minimum monthly income of AED 3,000 plus employer-provided housing, or AED 4,000 without housing, and for investors a guarantee of AED 3,000 per family member up to AED 15,000. Our family visa salary guide covers the test.
Golden Visa and grace periods
An ANCFZ company does not by itself qualify its owner for a Golden Visa; shareholders qualify through the federal investor categories assessed by ICP. See our golden investor visa service. After cancellation, ICP gives 30, 60, 90 or 180 days’ grace by category, 30 for most employees, then AED 50 a day. ANCFZ’s fines schedule adds its own rule: failing to finalise residency permits within the allowed 60 days is a violation, with a warning first and AED 1,000 on repeat.
Opening a bank account after ANCFZ company setup
Each of the ANCFZ packages includes a bank letter to open an account, and the FAQ says ANCFZ companies can open accounts with local and international banks, with “assistance and introductions where required”. ANCFZ has signed memoranda of understanding with Wio Bank and Ruya, both announced in September 2025, and with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in February 2026. Its ANC+ service offers bank opening assistance.
A memorandum with a bank is not an approval. Each bank still runs its own checks on the owners, the activities, expected turnover, counterparties and the source of funds. Remote founders with no UAE visa, and companies with crypto or general trading activities, should expect the closest review. Our corporate bank account guide sets out what banks ask for.
ANCFZ tax: corporate tax, VAT and customs
What the 30-year exemption does and does not cover
Article 11(e) of the decree exempts establishments and their employees from taxes, including income tax, for 30 years from licensing. The same sentence opens with “without prejudice to the tax legislation in force in the State”. Federal law therefore prevails: an ANCFZ company is within UAE corporate tax and VAT like any other free zone company. ANCFZ itself publishes the FTA’s corporate tax guide for free zone persons on its rules page, and its footnotes say corporate tax “follows UAE free-zone provisions and depends on activity and structure”.
Corporate tax and the Qualifying Free Zone Person
The standard rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. An ANCFZ company can pay 0% on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023: adequate substance in the zone, qualifying income from qualifying activities in Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 (which replaced Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023 with effect from 1 June 2023), staying within the de minimis limit, not electing for 9%, and audited financial statements. Small Business Relief is not available to a Qualifying Free Zone Person.
A remote ANCFZ company setup run from abroad on a flexi-desk may struggle to show adequate substance in the zone, and income from mainland customers is generally not qualifying income. After ANCFZ company setup, every company must register for corporate tax, even at 0%; late registration carries an AED 10,000 penalty. Our corporate tax registration guide covers the steps.
VAT and customs
The Ajman section of the designated zones list under Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017, as published by the Federal Tax Authority, has one entry: “Ajman Free Zone”. ANCFZ is not on it, so its supplies follow normal UAE VAT rules; registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies. The FTA’s live list page could not be read by automated tools on the day we checked, so we used the FTA’s own list document; check the live list. On customs, the decree exempts goods inside the Centre, and goods leaving it for the Ajman customs area are treated as imports.
Can an ANCFZ company trade with the mainland?
An ANCFZ licence covers activity within the Centre and abroad. ANCFZ does not publish a mainland operating permit, and its fines schedule penalises “conducting authorised activities outside the facility” (AED 2,500). The lawful routes are:
- Distributor or agent: a mainland-licensed company imports and sells your goods.
- Services from the zone: invoicing mainland clients for work done from the zone or remotely; work performed on the mainland may need a mainland licence.
- Branch or company on the mainland: a separate licence from the Ajman Department of Economic Development or another emirate. We could not read a published Ajman DED rule for free zone companies, so confirm with the DED.
- Dubai: Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 created a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit for Dubai’s own free zones. It does not cover an Ajman zone company, even though ANCFZ has a representative office in Dubai. See our mainland company formation guide.
Renewal, compliance and fines at ANCFZ
| Obligation | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal | Yearly, or at the end of a multi-year term, on the approved price list; can often be done online; downgrade allowed based on visas used | ancfz.ae FAQ and licence cost page |
| Renewal grace | One month after expiry; renewing late is a violation (warning, then AED 250) | ANCFZ violations and fines list, item 6.05 |
| Beneficial owners | Keep and file the register; file within 60 days, update within 15 days of a change | Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023; Cabinet Resolution No. 132 of 2023 |
| Anti-money laundering | goAML duties for designated non-financial businesses | Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025; Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 |
| Payroll | Failure to submit monthly payroll reports: warning, then AED 50,000 | ANCFZ fines list, item 1.11 |
| Audited accounts | No general audit rule published; audited statements needed for 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person status | Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 |
Selected ANCFZ fines
ANCFZ publishes a 15-page “list of violations and fines” (version 1, uploaded September 2025) in seven chapters. For most items the first offence brings a warning and the second a fine. A selection, in AED:
| Item | Violation | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1.01 | Not finalising residency permits within the allowed 60 days | 1,000 |
| 1.07 | Employing illegal workers | 50,000 |
| 1.15 | Illegal deductions from workers’ wages | 50,000 |
| 2.01 | Storing goods inside the office | 500 |
| 6.01 | Economic activity without a licence or permit | 5,000 |
| 6.03 | Practising an activity not listed in the licence | 1,000 |
| 6.06 | Changing or adding activities without ANCFZ approval | 200 |
| 6.07 | Conducting authorised activities outside the facility | 2,500 |
| 6.13 | Providing false information to ANCFZ | 20,000 |
ANCFZ compared with the other Ajman zones
| Point | ANCFZ | Ajman Media City | Ajman Free Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | Own decree (No. 15 of 2023), outside FZA | FZA (Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2015) | FZA (launched 1988) |
| No-visa entry price | AED 4,888 (prepaid year) | AED 4,999 Business Club | Not published |
| One visa, first year | AED 10,800 | AED 12,999 | Not published |
| Legal forms | FZE, FZC, two branch types | Company or freelance licence | FZE, FZC, two branch types |
| Activities per licence | Up to 10, mixed | Up to 10, mixed | Service or commercial, not both |
| Multi-year prepaid prices | Yes, up to 5 years | No | No |
| Warehouses, land | No | No | Yes |
| VAT designated zone | No | No | Yes |
AMC’s renewal prices are published and lower than its first-year prices; ANCFZ renews on its price list for the chosen term. Compare three-year totals, not the headline.
ANCFZ company setup: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Published price per visa, including ICP steps, to five years | One-year price requires full prepayment |
| Four legal forms, including foreign and local branches | Its own pages conflict on shareholder limits, times and visa maximum |
| Up to ten mixed activities, including AI and Web3 | Regulated crypto, security, media and other activities still need outside approval |
| Remote setup; one trip for the visa | Flexi-desk companies may struggle to show substance for 0% tax |
| Published founding decree and fines schedule | No warehouses; not a VAT designated zone |
| Bank memoranda with Wio, Ruya and ADIB | No mainland permit; Dubai scheme does not apply |
Who Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit
- Founders abroad who want a UAE company quickly and remotely, with or without a visa.
- Small trading, consultancy, IT, AI and e-commerce companies that want several activities on one licence.
- Foreign groups that need a branch or a simple holding company with a published price.
- Teams that know their visa count and want to lock the ANCFZ license cost for several years.
Look elsewhere if
- You need a warehouse, land or VAT designated-zone treatment: Ajman Free Zone or the UAQ Free Trade Zone.
- You are a solo creative who wants a freelance permit in your own name: Ajman Media City or SHAMS.
- You need a Dubai address and the Dubai mainland permit: IFZA or Meydan Free Zone.
ANCFZ company setup: worked cases
These cases are built from the situations we see most often. Names and identifying details are left out, and the figures are the published ones.
Case 1: a founder abroad who wants a company but no visa yet
A consultant outside the UAE wants a UAE company to invoice Gulf clients. The zero-visa ANCFZ license cost is AED 4,888 prepaid for a year, and can be licensed remotely. Prepaying five years (AED 24,440) saves nothing extra on a zero-visa package, so we would take one year and keep flexibility. The bank letter is included, but without a UAE resident the bank review is the hard part, and corporate tax registration is still due.
Case 2: two partners, general trading and software
Two partners want an FZC with general trading and software development and a visa each. Among the ANCFZ packages, the two-visa option is AED 16,200 for one year, or AED 30,150 for two. Their goods will ship from suppliers directly to customers abroad; if they ever hold stock in the UAE, we would add a logistics provider, because storing goods in the office is an ANCFZ violation.
Case 3: a foreign company opening a branch
A European software company wants a UAE branch with one manager on a visa. The parent’s licence, memorandum and board resolution need attestation abroad, by the UAE embassy and then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ANCFZ license cost with one visa is AED 10,800. The two-hour licence starts only when those attested papers are in, which is usually the longest step.
Case 4: a Web3 start-up
A team wants blockchain development, AI data analysis and a token exchange. The first two are ordinary ANCFZ activities. The exchange is a regulated virtual-asset activity that needs approval from the UAE’s virtual-asset regulators, as ANCFZ itself says, so we would license the development business now and treat the exchange as a separate regulatory project.
Case 5: an employer growing from three to six visas
A company on the three-visa package (AED 20,700) expects to hire three more staff within a year. The six-visa option in the ANCFZ packages costs AED 34,200 for a year. We would check with ANCFZ in writing how a mid-term upgrade is priced, since the published list shows annual and multi-year prices only.
What circulates online about Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone that is not true
| Claim | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| “ANCFZ is part of Ajman Free Zone” | No. The decree says the Centre is not subject to the Free Zones Authority of Ajman and does not report to it |
| “ANCFZ companies are tax free for 30 years” | The decree’s exemption is “without prejudice” to federal tax law; corporate tax and VAT apply |
| “The ANCFZ license cost is AED 4,888 all in” | That is the zero-visa, one-year prepaid price; visas, insurance and approvals cost more |
| “An ANCFZ licence covers a crypto exchange” | ANCFZ says regulated exchange, brokerage and custody need approval from the virtual-asset regulators |
| “ANCFZ is a Dubai free zone” | It is an Ajman zone with a Dubai representative office; Dubai’s mainland permit does not apply |
| “No visit to the UAE is ever needed” | The licence can be remote; the visa needs a medical and biometrics in the UAE |
How to verify every ANCFZ license cost and rule in this guide
| Figure or rule | Where to check it |
|---|---|
| ANCFZ packages by visa and term, inclusions | ancfz.ae/ancfz-license-cost |
| Legal forms and documents | ancfz.ae/types-of-companies |
| Activities and additional approvals | ancfz.ae/business-activities |
| Legal basis and fines | ancfz.ae/rules-regulations (decree and violations list) |
| Times, capital, visa quota | ancfz.ae/faq |
| Family sponsorship income | ICP service card “Issuing residency permit” |
| Designated zone status | FTA designated zones list |
| Qualifying activities | Ministry of Finance, Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 |
ANCFZ company setup: how MIRDXB PRO helps
We are an independent PRO and business setup consultancy in Al Barsha 1, Dubai. We are not Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone or one of its channel partners. We handle an ANCFZ company setup from the first comparison to the first residence visa.
What we do
- Check your activities against ANCFZ’s list and its “Additional Approval” column, and tell you if another zone fits better.
- Advise on FZE, FZC or branch, and on the package term against your hiring plan.
- Review the ANCFZ quotation against the published price list, including instalments and exclusions.
- Prepare and attest corporate documents, and follow the licence.
- Run the visa steps, health insurance, family visas, bank pack, corporate tax registration and UBO filing.
How it works
- Message us on WhatsApp with your activities, owners and visas needed.
- We reply in writing with the structure, the ANCFZ items you pay at cost and our fee.
- You approve and sign the ANCFZ forms; we track each step and send receipts.
- After the licence, we run the visas, bank and tax steps and hand over a compliance calendar.
What it costs
ANCFZ and government fees are passed on at cost with receipts. Our fee depends on the legal form, attestation work and number of visas, and is quoted in writing before we start. See our fees page and our business setup service.
Why founders use us
- We publish our sources and say when official pages conflict, as they do at ANCFZ.
- We handle ICP and GDRFA files, so Ajman and Dubai visas are run by one team.
- We tell you when you do not need us: a simple zero-visa FZE can be done directly with ANCFZ.
- Our office is in Al Barsha 1, open Monday to Thursday and Saturday 09:00 to 18:00 and Friday 09:00 to 12:00. Visa steps are covered by our free zone visa service.
What we will and will not do
- We will give you a written quote before any work, and pass ANCFZ and government fees on at cost.
- We will tell you if ANCFZ is the wrong zone for your activity or budget.
- We will not promise approvals that ANCFZ, ICP, a regulator or a bank controls.
- We will not present ourselves as ANCFZ or as an ANCFZ channel partner.
Related guides
- Ajman free zones: the emirate overview
- Ajman Free Zone company setup
- Ajman Media City Free Zone
- SHAMS free zone company setup
- UAQ Free Trade Zone company setup
- Meydan Free Zone company setup
- Free zones in the UAE
- Establishment card explained
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone: frequently asked questions
What is Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone?
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) is a Government of Ajman free zone created by Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023, in force from 1 January 2024. It licenses FZEs, FZCs and branches with up to ten activities, sells packages priced by visa count, and operates independently of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman.
When was ANCFZ launched?
The Ruler of Ajman signed Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023 on 28 December 2023, and it took effect on 1 January 2024. ANCFZ does not publish a separate opening date; the earliest files on its website date from 2024.
What is the ANCFZ license cost?
The ANCFZ license cost starts at AED 4,888 for a one-year, zero-visa package paid in advance. One visa costs AED 10,800, two AED 16,200, five AED 29,700 and ten AED 52,200 a year, with multi-year prices up to five years. Health insurance is extra.
What do the ANCFZ packages include?
The ANCFZ packages include the licence, lease, commercial registry, incorporation documents, share certificate, certificate of incumbency, bank letter and up to ten activities. Visa packages add security approval, establishment card, E-Channel, entry permit, status change, Ajman medical, residence visa and Emirates ID.
How fast is ANCFZ company setup?
ANCFZ says a licence can be issued “in as little as 2 hours” once documents are complete, and its FAQ even says 15 minutes. Visas follow “within 24–48 hours”. Attestation, the medical and the bank take longer, so plan one to three weeks to a first visa.
How many ANCFZ visas can I get?
ANCFZ visa packages run from zero to ten visas, and the FAQ says the quota depends on the office space or package. Visas are issued by ICP with an Ajman residence file, and the medical is done in Ajman.
Is ANCFZ part of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman?
No. Article 2 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023 says the Centre is not subject to Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2021 on the Free Zones Authority and does not report to it. Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City are under that Authority; ANCFZ has its own Chairman.
Do ANCFZ companies pay corporate tax?
Yes, under federal law. The decree’s 30-year exemption applies “without prejudice to the tax legislation in force in the State”. Companies pay 9% above AED 375,000, or 0% on qualifying income if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person rules. ANCFZ is not a VAT designated zone.
Do I need to visit the UAE for ANCFZ company setup?
Not for the licence, which ANCFZ issues remotely when documents are complete. For a residence visa you need one trip for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Can an ANCFZ company open a bank account?
Yes. Every package includes a bank letter, and ANCFZ has memoranda with Wio Bank, Ruya and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Each bank still makes its own decision after reviewing owners, activities and source of funds.
Can MIRDXB PRO handle my ANCFZ company setup?
Yes. We are an independent consultancy, not ANCFZ. We check activities and approvals, choose the form and package term, prepare and attest documents, and run the visas, insurance, bank pack and tax registration. ANCFZ fees are at cost; our fee is quoted in writing first.
How much does MIRDXB PRO charge for ANCFZ setup?
Our fee depends on the legal form, attestation work and number of visas, and we quote it in writing before any work starts. ANCFZ and government fees are passed on at cost with receipts. If you can do it yourself, we will say so.
Keeping your ANCFZ licence, establishment card, visas and beneficial owner filings renewed on time is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles.
- Ajman Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023 establishing the Centre (Arabic, scanned)
- ANCFZ: Rules and regulations
- ANCFZ: List of violations and fines (version 1)
- ANCFZ: License cost 2026 (packages by visa and term)
- ANCFZ: Packages and offers
- ANCFZ: Types of companies and documents
- ANCFZ: Business activities and additional approvals
- ANCFZ: FAQ (capital, times, visas, offices)
- ANCFZ: About us (sectors, Chairman, CEO)
- ANCFZ: Contact (head office and Dubai representative office)
- ANCFZ: Crypto and blockchain licence scope
- Free Zones Authority of Ajman: zones it manages
- ICP: Issuing residency permit (family sponsorship)
- u.ae: Starting a business in a free zone
- Federal Tax Authority: Designated zones
- Ministry of Finance: Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023
- National Media Authority
Also relied on, as established across our business setup series: FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024; Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023 and Cabinet Resolution No. 132 of 2023; Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025; Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025; ICP grace periods and the AED 50 daily overstay fine.
This guide was last reviewed on 26 September 2026 against the sources above. The decree was read in its Arabic original and summarised in our own translation. ANCFZ updates its packages often; your quotation and portal invoice are final.
Please note. The rules, prices and times in this guide come from ancfz.ae, the text of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2023, ICP, u.ae, the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority, verified 26 September 2026. MIRDXB PRO is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with, or an official or channel partner of, Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone. The cases are built from common situations and are illustrative. This guide is general information and not legal or tax advice.
