The establishment of Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA) in 1988 ushered an era of economic growth and business innovation in the UAE. The zone’s strategically centralized location, low operational expenses, contemporary infrastructure, and lucrative business setup policies have helped it build a global reputation of a profitable destination to invest and live.
Currently, AFZA serves as a vantage point for diverse business activities, giving it a unique edge against traditional source markets and complimenting UAE’s growing digital entrepreneurship industry.
Ajman Free Zone Visa Process
As a special economic freehold legally administered by their own independent authority, Ajman Free Zone Visa process is exclusive from approvals required by certain ministries and legislative bodies such as Ministry of Labor. Here is a detailed guide of Ajman Free Zone Visa process in UAE.
The Ajman free zone visa process is quite straightforward and involves 5 stages to register
- E-Channel Registration
To improve the accuracy and speed of the visa process, the UAE government has introduced E-channel services to remove extensive paperwork and unnecessary delays during application process. The business solution provider or the investor’s PRO will visit the authorized typing center and register for online services by paying one-time fee of AED 2,500 and a refundable security deposit of AED 5,000.
- Entry Permit
The second stage involves acquiring the entry permit. An entry permit is a document issued by the GDRFA on the sponsor’s request which grants the applicant to enter UAE within 60 days and process whichever visa he/she wants to pursue. The sponsor can be a company, family member or an independent entity. The entry permit fee in Ajman Free Zone is AED 2000 + 654 typing fee and the documents required are as follows.
- Application form issued by the sponsor
- Copy of passport including visa page
- Three recent passport-sized photos in white background
- Copy of valid trade license
- Copy of valid Establishment Card
- Status Change
Next the applicant must activate the AFZA entry permit by presenting the documents to his/her PRO who will get the passport stamped by the immigration officer at GDRFA office. This will give the applicant the legal status of an employee or investor. With the fee of AED 850, the process will take around 3-5 days to get the visa approved and stamped.
- Medical Test and Emirates ID Registration
In the fourth stage, the visa holder is required to clear medical tests from the nearest registered clinic in AFZA by paying a fee of AED 450. The examinations include blood test for infectious diseases and chest X-ray tests. Once the tests are cleared, the visa holder can apply for Emirates ID card from an official ID Authority to access government services such as opening bank account, entering tenancy agreements or taking out contracts for mobile phones.
- Residence Visa Stamping
Getting residence visa is the final stage of the visa process in which the official stamp/sticker is added to the passport granting a 3-year visa to live in the UAE. A PRO agent can take care of the documentation and stamping since it does not require the visa holder’s physical presence and process duration can go up to 15 days. Employee residency visa fee is AED 895 and Investor residency visa fee is AED 1,295 with urgent processing charges of AED 90 and AED 50 respectively.
The following documents are required for AFZA residence with visa
Required Documents
- 4 photos with white background
- Original entry stamp or sponsorship transfer form
- Original passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months)
- Medical report (valid and sealed)
- Copy of valid trade license
- Copy of valid Establishment Card
- Emirates ID or a copy of ID fees receipt
- Payment of one salary as security deposit for the employee
Ajman Free Zone Visa Cancellation
Visa cancellation in Ajman free zone is quite simple and takes a day or less to fully process. The sponsor is responsible for cancelling the visa and paying a fee of AED 550 at GDRFA where it was stamped. Once the visa has been cancelled, the person is given a 30-day grace period to exit the country.
Required Documents
- Online Application form on AFZ website (signed and sealed)
- Original visa
- Signing statement of dues
- Original passport
- Copy of valid trade license
- Copy of valid Establishment Card
During this process the sponsor or PRO is required to visit the GDRFA office in person and submit the application.
Ajman Free Zone Visa Renewal
Ajman free zone visa is usually granted for up to 3 years which requires renewal upon the expiry. To continue living in Ajman and avoid penalties and fines, the person is required to renew his/her visa ahead of the expiry date. The renewal process is usually done by the sponsor or through PRO representation.
Required Documents
- Online Application form on AFZ website (signed and sealed)
- Sponsor with valid residency permit
- Emirates ID card
- Original passport
- Passport sized photographs
How IBG Can Help
Planning an investment into a foreign country requires detailed information and legal assistance in understanding and adhering to the country’s business and immigration laws. IBG Consulting is UAE’s award-winning business solution provider specializing in all kinds of visas from employee, investor, property, family and maid visas. We assign the most qualified and experienced PROs in UAE to give you the best services for visa registration in Ajman Free Zone, so your application is processed smoothly as we do the heavy lifting. To get the best AFZA free zone visa services contact our consultant now or visit our website ibgme.ae.
