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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Costs and visas
  4. ›AMC

Ajman Media City (AMC): setup cost, visas and licences

Ajman · Ajman Port & FZ Authority · Est. 2018

FreelancersContent CreatorsDigital AgenciesBootstrapped Startups

Ajman Media City Free Zone (AMC) is a digital-first, budget-conscious jurisdiction in Ajman tailored for creative, digital, and media enterprises. Entry packages start at AED 4,999 for zero-visa licenses, with visa-inclusive bundles starting from AED 12,999 and supporting up to 10 visa allocations. Offering over 1,500 licensed activities, stream-lined online setup, and moderate banking accessibility, AMC provides a fast, cost-effective entry point for freelancers and digital entrepreneurs.

Set up in AMC: talk to an adviser Visa and renewal costs

Fees last checked June 2026 · Licensing authority: Ajman Port & FZ Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.

From

AED 4,999

Year 1

Quick facts

Registered companies12,000+
Processing time3–5 days
Banking difficultyModerate
Dependent visasAllowed

Pricing packages

Business Club Package (0 Visa)

AED 4,999

— · Flexi Desk · 0 visas

Renews at AED 4,999

Visionary Package (1 Visa)

AED 13,999

— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa

Renews at AED 9,999

Pioneer Package (2 Visas)

AED 19,999

— · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 12,999

Innovator Package (3 Visas)

AED 25,999

— · Flexi Desk · 3 visas

Renews at AED 17,999

AMC visa, renewal and office costs

Typical setup costAED 8,000 – AED 13,000
Annual renewalAED 6,500 – AED 10,000
Visas per desk3
Most visas in a published package3 (Innovator Package (3 Visas))
Dependent (family) visaAED 3,500
Minimum share capitalNone for a standard company

No mandatory physical office; AMC markets virtual-first operations.

Business activities in AMC

Media & Creative

Features

Mainland trading

No

Dual licence allowed

No

Crypto-friendly

No

Shared ownership

Yes

Coworking available

Yes

Online portal

Yes

Audit required

No

Tax and compliance analysis

Substance

Low

Audit risk

Standard

Forensic ease

7/10

The Agile SME Node; Focused on Article 21 Small Business Relief (SBR).

AMC is a high-speed gateway for digital entrepreneurs. For 2026, the forensic strategy is 'Safe Harbor Election.' Most AMC entities are micro-businesses that should prioritize 'Small Business Relief' (SBR) under Article 21. This allows for a 0% rate on revenues up to AED 3M without the audited-statement burden of a QFZP, provided the owner can prove they are not artificially splitting business activities to stay under the limit.

Statutory basis

Focus on Article 21 (Small Business Relief) as the primary compliance path. For entities exceeding AED 3M, the focus shifts to Article 18 'Main Management' tests and localized substance.

Compliance roadmap

  1. Revenue Ceiling Guard: Real-time monitoring to ensure total global revenue remains under the AED 3M SBR threshold
  2. WPS Payroll Proof: Utilizing the UAE Wages Protection System to prove localized substance, even for single-employee consultancies
  3. Annual Financial Review: Preparing a simplified tax-basis P&L to support the SBR election during the annual tax return filing

Common pitfalls

  • Missing the mandatory 9-month registration/filing deadline (AED 10,000 fixed penalty)
  • Inadequate 'Main Management' documentation for owners living outside of the UAE
  • Applying SBR to an entity that is part of a Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Group

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Tax and compliance

AMC tax status and QFZP rules →

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Want help setting up in AMC?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Ajman Media City. There's no charge to ask.

Common questions

How much does it cost to set up in AMC?

The cheapest published package for Ajman Media City is Business Club Package (0 Visa) at AED 4,999 for Year 1, renewing at AED 4,999. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.

How long does AMC setup take?

Typical processing time is 3–5 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.

Is banking easy to set up with a AMC licence?

Banking difficulty for AMC is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, Wio Bank, ADIB, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

How many visas can I get with a AMC licence, and what do they cost?

AMC allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 3 visas (Innovator Package (3 Visas), AED 25,999 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 3,500.

How much is the AMC licence renewal each year?

Annual renewal runs from AED 6,500 to AED 10,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.

What is the minimum share capital in AMC?

AMC sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.

Do I need a physical office in AMC?

No mandatory physical office; AMC markets virtual-first operations.

Can a AMC company trade on the UAE mainland?

Not directly. A AMC company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.

AMC might be right — or your business might need something else entirely

Tell Scout what your business does and how many visas you need. It prices every zone that can license you, this one included, from the fees each publishes. Your shortlist is free.

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