The Bottom Line
SRTIP costs AED 2,957 less (21% savings) in your first year compared to ADAFZ. That’s AED 11,233 vs AED 14,190 all-in with one visa.
If speed matters more than cost, SRTIP gets you operational in 4 Working Days — 2 working days faster than ADAFZ.
For banking, ADAFZ has high approval rates, which means smoother account opening and less paperwork. A rejected bank application can delay your launch by weeks.
Sharjah · Est. 2016
Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP)
SRTIP is perfect for tech startups, software development teams, and education providers with serious innovation credentials. If your business involves R&D, renewable energy, or advanced technology, SRTIP offers grants and resources unavailable elsewhere.
License
AED 8,110
Visa
AED 2,233
Setup
4 Working Days
Banking
Medium
The Pros of SRTIP
Unlimited shareholders — ideal for VC-backed startups
Dedicated support for R&D and innovation projects
Renewable energy sector grants and incentives available
4-day approval aligned with tech hub standards
Access to research facilities and incubator networks
Competitive fees for tech-heavy businesses
The Cons
Medium bank approval rate — requires strong tech proof of concept
Limited to innovation, tech, and education activities
Sharjah location less convenient than Dubai for international talent recruitment
Smaller corporate ecosystem than DSO or DIC
Office space rental not always included in package
Abu Dhabi · Est. 2007
Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ)
ADAFZ is for cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies based in Abu Dhabi serving the region. Choose ADAFZ if your cargo volume centers on Abu Dhabi rather than Dubai.
License
AED 10,500
Visa
AED 2,700
Setup
6 Working Days
Banking
High
The Pros of ADAFZ
Direct airport access for cargo handling at Abu Dhabi International
High bank approval (86%) — established cargo zone
Unlimited shareholders for large logistics networks
Customs-bonded warehouses included
Lower costs than DAFZA (Abu Dhabi pricing advantage)
Virtual address option for light logistics operations
The Cons
Smaller cargo volume than Dubai airports
License (AED 10,500) + warehouse rental required for scale
Less developed ground handling ecosystem versus DAFZA
Abu Dhabi location 150km from Dubai may affect client access
Fewer international forwarding partnerships than Dubai
Full Cost Comparison
All figures in AED with 1 visa included. The lower value is highlighted in green.
Cost Item
SRTIP
ADAFZ
Business License
AED 8,110
AED 10,500
Office / Desk
Included
Included
Visa (1 person)
AED 2,233
AED 2,700
Medical Exam
AED 320
AED 330
Emirates ID
AED 370
AED 370
Establishment Card
AED 200
AED 290
Total Year 1
AED 11,233
AED 14,190
Annual Renewal (Yr 2+)
AED 7,200
AED 9,450
Banking & Compliance
Getting a bank account open is often harder than getting the license itself. Here’s what to expect at each zone.
SRTIP
Banks generally approve SRTIP accounts for software and tech companies with documented proof of concept or paying customers. Processing typically takes 3–4 weeks. Bring demo videos, customer testimonials, or revenue proof. Mashreq and RAKBANK show strong appetite for SRTIP tech founders.
Setup takes 4 working days. Innovation and research-focused activities get priority. Businesses must clearly demonstrate their tech innovation angle. If your activity is too general (e.g., "general IT services"), you may be redirected to another zone. Documentation should include detailed business and technical specifications.
ADAFZ
ADAFZ has high bank approval (86%) — established air cargo zone. Processing takes 1–2 weeks. All major Abu Dhabi banks have cargo teams. Bring air freight documents and airline partnerships.
License approval takes 6 working days. Customs clearance and ground handling licenses standard. IATA certifications recommended. Hazmat handling requires MOT (Ministry of Transportation) approvals.
Which One Should You Pick?
Choose SRTIP If…
- Your business matches: Education, Healthcare, IT Consultancy, Software Development
- Budget is your primary concern (AED 2,957 cheaper)
- You need to get operational as quickly as possible (4 Working Days)
- You work remotely and don’t need a physical office
- You have multiple shareholders or investors
Choose ADAFZ If…
- Your business matches: Air Cargo, Customs Services, International Trading, Logistics
- You want the smoothest possible banking experience
- You work remotely and don’t need a physical office
- You have multiple shareholders or investors
Our Analysis
If speed is your priority, Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) gets you operational in 4 days versus Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ)'s 6-day timeline. But that faster setup comes with cost implications—Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) saves you AED 2,957 (21% less) in your first year. From a banking perspective, Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) has high approval prospects, making it smoother for companies needing quick account setup. Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) shines for srtip is perfect for tech startups, software development teams, and education providers with serious innovation credentials. if your business involves r&d, renewable energy, or advanced technology, srtip offers grants and resources unavailable elsewhere., while Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) targets adafz is for cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies based in abu dhabi serving the region. choose adafz if your cargo volume centers on abu dhabi rather than dubai.. The cost gap is modest enough that your specific business needs should guide the decision. Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) has banking advantages that may offset its premium pricing for companies making regular international transfers; Sharjah Research, Tech, Innovation Park (SRTIP) appeals to cost-conscious startups.
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