HIGHLIGHTS
- Ajman Media City (AMC) is one of the UAE's lowest-cost free zones, but "Media City" is a brand rather than a restriction. The published packages range from AED 4,999 to AED 22,999 and support up to 10 business activities, making the zone suitable for many service, consulting, and digital businesses.
- The headline AED 4,999 package is license-only and does not include visa infrastructure. The practical entry point for most founders is the AED 12,999 Visionary package, which already includes the residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID, status change, establishment card and e-channel registration.
- At Emirabiz, we assess the structure that is most likely to become operational rather than simply quoting the lowest license price. Banking, visa strategy and three-year operating costs usually have a much greater impact than the advertised package fee.
Ajman Media City (AMC) is a UAE free zone in the emirate of Ajman that licenses a broad range of commercial and service activities despite its name. It is separate from Ajman Free Zone and follows a different pricing model. Published packages range from AED 4,999 for a zero-visa setup to AED 22,999 with three visas, although founders planning to open a UAE bank account should usually compare the visa-inclusive package rather than the advertised license-only entry price.
How much does an Ajman Media City license cost in 2026?
An Ajman Media City license costs between AED 4,999 and AED 22,999 in 2026, depending on the included residence-visa allocation. Business Club is the zero-visa entry tier, while Visionary, Pioneer and Innovator include one, two and three visas respectively. All four packages include co-working space and permit up to 10 approved activities and 10 shareholders.
Published package prices
| Package | Year 1 | Visa allocation | Annual renewal | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Club | AED 4,999 | 0 | AED 4,999 | License, incorporation documents and co-working space |
| Visionary | AED 12,999 | 1 | AED 8,999 | Business Club inclusions plus the published company and visa stack |
| Pioneer | AED 17,999 | 2 | AED 10,999 | Business Club inclusions plus the published company and visa stack |
| Innovator | AED 22,999 | 3 | AED 14,999 | Business Club inclusions plus the published company and visa stack |
Ajman Media City uses bundled packages rather than separating the license from every mandatory government charge. Business Club includes the license, incorporation documents and co-working space, but no establishment card, e-channel registration or visa infrastructure.
The visa-inclusive tiers add the published company and visa stack: investor security approval, establishment card, e-channel registration, residence visa, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and status change. For founders planning to relocate, hire or prepare a stronger banking profile, Visionary at AED 12,999 is therefore the first operational benchmark rather than the AED 4,999 license-only tier.
In AMC cases handled by Emirabiz, we compare the package against the founder's visa plan, banking profile and three-year budget — not the headline price alone.
For a broader comparison of free zone, mainland and offshore structures, see our guide to UAE business setup.
Need an accurate first-year budget, not just the license price? We calculate the package, visa requirements and government costs around the structure that fits your plans.
Get your AMC cost breakdownWhat government and visa charges sit on top of the package?
Very few government charges sit on top of Ajman Media City's published visa-inclusive packages. Visionary, Pioneer and Innovator already cover investor security approval, the establishment card, e-channel registration, residence visa, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and status change. Founders still need to budget for health insurance, while packages with four to ten visas are individually quoted and dependent-visa pricing is not published.
Included government services and additional costs
| Government item | Business Club | Visa-inclusive packages |
|---|---|---|
| Trade license and incorporation documents | Included | Included |
| Co-working workspace | Included | Included |
| Investor security approval | — | Included |
| Establishment card | — | Included |
| E-channel registration | — | Included |
| Residence visa | — | Included |
| Medical fitness test | — | Included |
| Emirates ID | — | Included |
| Status change | — | Included |
| Health insurance | Not included | Not included |
| Visas 4–10 | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Dependent visas | Not published | Not published |
This bundled structure makes the visa tiers much closer to a true first-year government cost than packages in jurisdictions where immigration services are invoiced separately. The Business Club tier is the exception: it has no establishment card, e-channel registration or visa infrastructure, so adding residency later requires an upgrade and further procedures.
For example, Visionary costs AED 12,999 in year one and AED 8,999 at each of the next two renewals — a three-year package-and-renewal total of AED 30,997 before health insurance, banking requirements and Emirabiz fees.
In AMC structures reviewed by Emirabiz, this is why Visionary — not the AED 4,999 license-only tier — is usually the first practical benchmark for a founder who needs residency and a more credible operating profile.
What business activities does an AMC license cover — media only?
No. Despite its name, Ajman Media City is not restricted to media businesses. A standard AMC license can include up to 10 approved business activities across commercial, service and creative sectors, making the free zone suitable for many consultants, technology companies, digital businesses and entrepreneurs. In practice, AMC operates as a general-purpose free zone rather than a media-only jurisdiction.
Published license categories
| License type | Typical activities |
|---|---|
| Commercial | General trading, import and export, e-commerce, wholesale and selected retail activities |
| Service | Consultancy, management, IT, education, professional and business services |
| Media | Marketing, advertising, publishing, content creation, design, photography and related creative services |
The "Media City" branding often creates unnecessary confusion. Many founders are surprised to discover that consultants, software developers, digital agencies, e-commerce businesses and holding structures can all be licensed under AMC, provided their selected activities appear in the authority's catalogue.
Some regulated sectors — including financial services, healthcare, education and legal services — still require approvals from external regulators before a license can be issued. Confirming activity eligibility before incorporation is therefore just as important as comparing package prices.
In AMC projects coordinated by Emirabiz, verifying the activity combination is one of the first structuring steps. Selecting the right mix before incorporation helps avoid later license amendments, additional government fees and unnecessary delays as the business develops.
If you're unsure which license category fits your business, our guide to Dubai Trade Licenses explains how commercial, service, industrial and other license types differ, and when each structure is appropriate before you submit an application.
What workspace does an Ajman Media City license include?
Every standard Ajman Media City package includes access to a co-working workspace rather than a private office. This is the only published workspace format and is sufficient to register and operate many consulting, digital and remote-first businesses. AMC does not publish a standard office, warehouse, or industrial-space ladder, making it best suited to companies that do not require a permanent physical footprint.
For many founders, the included co-working space is entirely adequate during the first years of operation. Consultants, software companies, digital agencies, e-commerce businesses without warehousing and holding structures can often operate efficiently without dedicated premises.
When structuring AMC companies, Emirabiz treats the workspace decision as an operational requirement rather than a prestige choice. If your business depends on warehousing, manufacturing, industrial facilities or substantial office space, another UAE jurisdiction is likely to provide a better long-term fit than a co-working-based structure.
How many visas can an AMC company get, and what do they cost?
Ajman Media City publishes license packages with zero, one, two or three residence visas. Businesses requiring a larger team can request a customised package with up to 10 visas, quoted individually by the authority. The published visa-inclusive tiers already bundle the core company and immigration charges explained above, so the main pricing difference between standard packages is the number of visas included.
Published visa ladder
| Package | Included visas | First-year package price |
|---|---|---|
| Business Club | 0 | AED 4,999 |
| Visionary | 1 | AED 12,999 |
| Pioneer | 2 | AED 17,999 |
| Innovator | 3 | AED 22,999 |
A zero-visa package can still suit some founders, but the absence of a UAE-resident owner generally results in a weaker banking profile than a visa-backed structure. Applicants from nationalities subject to enhanced immigration screening may also face additional checks or longer processing times.
When planning AMC structures, Emirabiz usually recommends choosing the visa allocation you realistically expect to use during the first year rather than paying upfront for capacity that may never be needed.
For a detailed breakdown of residence visa procedures, medical testing, Emirates ID costs and federal immigration fees, see our guide to UAE Residence Visas.
What does AMC renewal cost after the first year?
Ajman Media City publishes annual renewal fees ranging from AED 4,999 to AED 14,999, depending on the package. Business Club renews at the same price as the initial license, while all three visa-inclusive tiers renew for less than their first-year package prices. The published renewal fees continue the license, co-working workspace and utilities, while visa-inclusive packages also maintain the establishment card and e-channel registration.
| Package | First-year price | Annual renewal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Club | AED 4,999 | AED 4,999 | — |
| Visionary | AED 12,999 | AED 8,999 | AED 4,000 lower |
| Pioneer | AED 17,999 | AED 10,999 | AED 7,000 lower |
| Innovator | AED 22,999 | AED 14,999 | AED 8,000 lower |
Published renewal pricing makes AMC easier to budget over three years than jurisdictions that disclose only an initial setup fee. When modelling AMC company costs, Emirabiz uses the published renewal attached to each package rather than assuming the first-year invoice will repeat every year.
Can an Ajman Media City company actually open a UAE bank account?
Yes. An Ajman Media City company can open a UAE corporate bank account, but AMC registration does not guarantee approval. Some UAE banks accept AMC companies, while others may not support the jurisdiction, activity, or client profile. The bank independently reviews the beneficial owners, source of funds, business model, customer geography and expected transaction flows.
What banks assess
| Factor | Typical impact |
|---|---|
| Ownership and UBO profile | Banks review ownership transparency, nationality, residency and the commercial rationale for the structure. |
| Business activity | Clear professional, commercial and digital activities are generally easier to explain than complex or regulated models. |
| Source of funds | The applicant must document how the business was funded and how the owners generated their capital. |
| Customers and transaction flows | Banks assess counterparties, countries, currencies, payment volumes and expected account activity. |
| UAE residence visa | A resident owner usually provides a stronger operational profile than a zero-visa structure. |
| Supporting evidence | Contracts, invoices, a website, CVs and proof of address help demonstrate genuine commercial activity. |
A zero-visa company is not legally barred from banking, but the available route is materially narrower. For some ownership, activity or transaction profiles, the absence of a UAE-resident owner becomes a practical blocker. An owner residence visa is therefore strongly recommended where corporate banking is central to the setup.
Remote company formation also does not mean remote banking. Most viable routes require the authorised signatory to visit the UAE. Onboarding commonly takes from two weeks to three months, and a bank may still decline the application after compliance review.
For banking-led planning, the practical budget includes the AMC package, health insurance, compliance documents and any minimum balance required by the selected bank. Emirabiz casework shows that source of funds, ownership transparency and a coherent business narrative usually determine the viable route more than the name of the issuing free zone.
Banking support covers route selection, file preparation and application coordination; neither Emirabiz nor AMC can guarantee approval. For further detail, see our guide to opening a Corporate bank account in the UAE.
How long does AMC setup take — and what can be done remotely?
Ajman Media City license registration can normally be completed remotely in around three working days once the application and documents are complete. This timeframe applies to company registration and license issuance, not to residence visa processing or corporate bank onboarding. Visa applicants must visit the UAE for medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics, while most viable banking routes also require the authorised signatory's physical presence.
| Stage | Can it be completed remotely? |
|---|---|
| Activity and package selection | Yes |
| Application and document submission | Yes |
| License issuance | Yes |
| Establishment card and e-channel registration for visa packages | Yes |
| Medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics | No |
| Corporate bank onboarding | May start remotely, but a UAE visit is usually required |
In Emirabiz-managed AMC cases, founders reduce avoidable delays by preparing the license application, immigration documents and banking file as one coordinated sequence. Remote incorporation simplifies the initial registration stage, but a founder planning a visa-backed, bankable company should still allow time for the required UAE visit.
Is Ajman Media City the right choice for your business?
Ajman Media City is a strong fit for lean, service-led businesses that can operate from co-working space and do not require warehouses, industrial facilities or a large local team. It suits founders who value straightforward pricing, broad business activity coverage and remote license registration, especially when the company will also be structured around a realistic visa and banking plan.
| AMC may be the right choice if you… | Consider another structure if you… |
|---|---|
| Run a consulting, IT, digital, creative or service business | Need warehousing, manufacturing, land or industrial premises |
| Operate an online business without your own warehouse | Require a logistics footprint or substantial mainland distribution |
| Need only co-working space | Require a dedicated office for a larger team |
| Plan a visa-backed operating company | Choose Business Club only because of its low entry price |
| Do not need a Dubai address or premium-zone positioning | Need a location chosen primarily for prestige or specific infrastructure |
When advising founders, Emirabiz evaluates AMC against three practical questions: whether the activity fits the jurisdiction, whether co-working space is sufficient and whether the planned visa and banking route will support the business after incorporation.
Ajman Media City should not be confused with Ajman Free Zone or Ajman Offshore. AMC is a co-working-based general free zone, while Ajman Free Zone is geared towards businesses requiring stronger trade or industrial infrastructure, and Ajman Offshore is a non-resident company structure with a different purpose. If your priorities fall into those categories, one of those structures — or, for some creative businesses, SHAMS — may be a better fit.
Bottom line
Ajman Media City is a strong choice for lean, service-based businesses that do not require warehouses, industrial facilities or a large physical presence, despite its name not being limited to media activities. The AED 4,999 package is only the entry point. Before choosing AMC, compare the visa-inclusive structure, renewal costs and banking route, because those factors determine the practical cost and long-term viability of the company far more than the headline license price.
Need help deciding whether Ajman Media City is the right fit? We will review your business activity, visa requirements and banking route, then model the first-year and renewal costs before recommending the most suitable structure for your case.
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Get a component-by-component Ajman Media City cost breakdown for your package, visa count and banking plan — package vs. renewal, the per-visa government stack and the costs that sit outside it, on one sheet.
Get your AMC cost breakdownHow Emirabiz works with Ajman Media City
If Ajman Media City looks like the right fit, we manage the process from the initial assessment through incorporation and post-registration support.
- Review your business activity, ownership structure, visa plans, and banking requirements.
- Recommend the package that best matches your operational needs and long-term plans.
- Prepare and submit the incorporation documents while coordinating the registration process with the free zone.
- Coordinate residence visa applications where required, including the related government procedures.
- Support the corporate banking process by helping prepare the documentation and compliance package required by the bank.
Our role is to build a structure that is practical to operate after incorporation — not simply to obtain a license.
Reviewed by
Andrey Ovchinnikov
Co-founder & CEO
Founded Emirabiz in 2013. Structures UAE companies and owns the sourced pricing dataset behind every figure on this site. Every figure he signs off traces to a named primary source with a verification date.
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Published October 16, 2019 · Updated August 6, 2026 · How this article was made →