How to Start a Business in Ajman Free Zone: A Clear and Professional Overview for Investors

Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) is one of the UAE’s most established economic jurisdictions, widely recognised for its competitive pricing, investor-friendly regulations, and streamlined business setup framework. As a strategically positioned free zone with decades of operational experience, AFZ offers an accessible gateway for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and international companies seeking a compliant and cost-effective presence in the United Arab Emirates.

Unlike other free zones known for complex requirements or extended processes, Ajman Free Zone is designed with clarity, regulatory simplicity, and operational efficiency at its core. Investors benefit from structured onboarding steps, clear documentation rules, and a digital portal that guides the formation process from initial approval to visa issuance.

When facilitated through a specialist such as Theta7, the setup experience becomes even more seamless — ensuring your application meets AFZ compliance standards from the outset, reducing delays, and giving you a reliable pathway to residency, banking, and long-term compliance.

1. Understanding Ajman Free Zone’s Position in the UAE Business Landscape

AFZ functions as a comprehensive commercial jurisdiction, offering licensing options across service, trading, industrial, and e-commerce sectors. Its regulatory environment is particularly appealing for investors who prioritise:

✔ Clear government processes

AFZ lays out each stage of the setup pathway, making the investor journey predictable and manageable.

✔ Lower capital requirements

There is no mandatory paid-up capital deposit for most structures.

✔ Streamlined name reservation and approval

Ajman is known for fast turnaround in trade name approvals, especially for foreign applicants.

✔ Cost efficiency without compromising compliance

Ideal for startups and overseas entrepreneurs entering the UAE market strategically.

✔ Visa and residency pathways with predictable steps

Each stage—Security Approval, Establishment Card, E-Channel, Entry Permit—is clearly sequenced so investors always understand what comes next.

AFZ is a practical and reliable choice for investors who want a transparent, structured formation process that follows a step-by-step regulatory path.

2. What You Need to Prepare Before Starting an AFZ Company

Ajman Free Zone requires a distinct set of documents compared to many Dubai-based free zones. The focus is on identity verification, name reservation, shareholder onboarding, and upfront compliance.

For Individual Shareholders, AFZ requires:

• Passport copy

• Passport-style photograph

• Contact information (email + mobile)

• Mother’s name

• Marital status

• Religious affiliation

• Residential address outside the UAE

• Three proposed company names (English + Arabic where required)

• Preferred business activity

This additional personal information is unique to Ajman Free Zone and is used to generate your AFZ personal code and investor profile.

For Corporate Shareholders, AFZ may request:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Memorandum & Articles of Association

• Share register or shareholder certificate

• Board Resolution authorising the UAE entity

• Attestation depending on jurisdiction

• Details of authorised signatory and UBOs

Theta7 guides you through the attestation and formatting requirements specific to AFZ to ensure timely approvals.

3. What Makes the Ajman Setup Process Distinct

Ajman Free Zone has a multi-stage, compliance-driven formation pathway. Below is the simplified, investor-facing explanation of how Theta7 manages it, highlighting the unique elements that differentiate Ajman from Meydan.

Stage 1: Initial File Creation & Name Reservation

AFZ requires the trade name to be reserved early in the process.
Theta7:

• Submits your preferred names in English and Arabic

• Ensures compliance with AFZ naming rules

• Confirms reservation on your behalf

This step must be completed before shareholder onboarding can begin.

Stage 2: Shareholder Onboarding & AFZ Profile Generation

Ajman Free Zone uses an Onboarding Request System, which generates a payment link after shareholder details are submitted.

Theta7 manages:

• Shareholder form creation

• Entry status confirmation

• Activity verification

• Upload of passport, photo, and personal data

Once AFZ receives payment, your profile becomes active.

This payment-linked onboarding system is unique to Ajman Free Zone.

Stage 3: Document Pack Issuance & Signing

AFZ automatically generates a full set of incorporation documents, which must be:

• Downloaded

• Reviewed

• Signed by the shareholder(s)

• Returned for re-upload

This step ensures all legal documents match AFZ’s formatting standards before issuance.

Stage 4: KYC, Compliance Review & Final Approval

Ajman Free Zone performs checks on:

• Identity

• Shareholder history

• UBO structure

• Activity compliance

• Residency/entry status

Once approved, AFZ issues the official company license by email.

Stage 5: Mandatory Post-Licensing Steps Unique to Ajman Free Zone

Unlike other free zones, Ajman has a very structured visa pathway that MUST occur in the following order:

1. Security Approval

Issued only after your UID is confirmed.

2. Establishment Card

Required before any visa activity.

3. E-Channel Registration

Needed to submit visa requests.

4. Entry Permit (Inside or Outside UAE)

Issued once the above steps are complete.

Theta7 manages each AFZ-specific requirement, ensuring there are no delays or rejections.

Stage 6: Residency Procedures (Medical, Biometrics, Emirates ID)

Ajman has a strict rule:
Biometrics must be completed in an Ajman-approved centre, even if the medical exam is done in Dubai.

Theta7 ensures the client understands:

• Where to complete medical

• Which biometrics centre is approved

• What documents to bring

• How to prepare for Emirates ID issuance

Once complete, residency stamping is finalised and your Emirates ID is delivered.

Stage 7: Corporate Bank Account Support

Theta7 assists with:

• Bank introductions

• Compliance preparation

• Investor profiling

• Digital banking options

• Conventional bank onboarding

This ensures faster and smoother approval.

Stage 8: Corporate Tax Registration & Accounting Compliance

AFZ companies must complete:

• Corporate Tax Registration (mandatory)

• Bookkeeping

• VAT registration (if applicable)

• Annual compliance filings

Theta7’s in-house accounting team manages this from day one.

4. Who is Ajman Free Zone Best Suited For?

Because of its affordability and structured process, AFZ is ideal for:

• Startups

• Solo founders

• Overseas entrepreneurs

• E-commerce and digital businesses

• Professional service providers

• Trading companies

• Investors seeking UAE residency at lower cost

It attracts business owners who want stability, predictable workflow, and competitive costs.

5. Why Investors Choose Theta7 for Ajman Free Zone Setup

Theta7 offers a level of expertise that significantly reduces the complexity of AFZ incorporation.

Investors work with Theta7 because:

✔ We specialise in AFZ’s structured onboarding process
✔ We understand the exact documentation required at each stage
✔ We manage the specific visa sequence unique to Ajman
✔ We offer competitive, transparent setup pricing
✔ We help clients open bank accounts faster
✔ We provide full accounting, tax, and compliance support
✔ We support both individuals and corporate shareholders

Theta7 delivers a smooth, compliant, and strategically managed AFZ setup from start to finish.

Your Ajman Free Zone Setup in One Snapshot

Here is your clear, investor-friendly overview:

1. Name reservation

2. Shareholder onboarding

3. Document pack signing

4. License issuance

5. Security approval

6. Establishment card

7. E-channel activation

8. Entry permit

9. Medical & biometrics

10. Emirates ID

11. Bank account opening

12. Accounting & tax compliance

A fully structured, transparent pathway.

Launch Your Ajman Free Zone Company with Theta7

Ajman Free Zone offers one of the UAE’s most cost-effective and clearly defined formation processes. With Theta7 managing your setup, you benefit from precise compliance, fast approvals, and long-term operational support.

We provide:

• Company registration

• Visa & residency services

• Banking assistance

• Corporate tax registration

• Accounting & bookkeeping

• Continuous compliance management

Everything your UAE company needs — under one trusted professional partner.

Ready to establish your Ajman Free Zone company with a trusted UAE business setup partner? Theta7 provides end-to-end support — from license registration and visa processing to corporate bank account assistance, tax registration, and full accounting compliance.

👉 Contact Theta7 today to begin your Ajman Free Zone setup with expert guidance and a seamless, professionally managed experience.