Ranking · 2026
Consulting licenses ranked by real snapshot prices across 24 providers. The spread is wide: from AED 1,620* in Fujairah to AED 76,155* at DIFC — the ranking covers the sensible middle.
Methodology
Ranking
Creative City Free Zone Fujairah Hub soon The cheapest consulting license in the snapshot with a stable flat rate — strong for solo consultants who never meet clients in person.
Ajman Media City Free Zone Ajman Hub soon Fast digital onboarding at a flat fee, with a business-friendly activity list that covers advisory work.
Ajman Free Zone Ajman Hub soon 31 consulting combinations — one of the widest budget catalogs if your practice may extend beyond pure consulting.
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Sharjah Hub soon Flat, predictable pricing and a known brand among freelancers and small consultancies.
RAKEZ Ras Al Khaimah Hub soon The deepest consulting catalog in the budget tier (60 combinations) — safest if your scope is unusual.
How to choose
Consulting is the most commoditized license type in the snapshot: 24 providers sell it, so price competition is real. Use the ranking as a shortlist, then compare renewal fees — first-year prices are only half the story.
If your clients are UAE-based and expect meetings, weigh the location premium: a Dubai zone (IFZA, Meydan) costs roughly double the northern emirates but simplifies client and bank conversations.
Check activity wording: management consultancy, business consultancy and advisory services are different codes. The zone must list the exact code your practice needs.
Frequently asked questions
Creative City Free Zone in the snapshot starts from AED 1,620* — the lowest consulting rate among 24 providers. Budget zones in Ajman, Sharjah and RAK start from AED 5,555 – 6,000*.
If clients and banks are Dubai-centric, yes: IFZA's median package runs from AED 12,900* against AED 5,555* in Ajman. For fully remote practices the budget zones deliver the same license rights.
Yes — all ranked zones include a flexi-desk option; a physical office is not required for consulting activities.