DMCC vs IFZA
Licence fees, visas, office rules and setup time for both zones in one table, then the cases where each one is the better choice. On the lowest listed prices IFZA starts about AED 18,100 lower (one figure is our estimate, as the zone publishes no tariff), but the licence fee is only the first line of the budget. The DMCC figure applies to its sector packages only.
| DMCC | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 31,000sector packages | ~AED 12,900 |
| Visa allocation | per office size | by package |
| Activities | 1,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Office | flexi‑desk min. | not required |
| Setup time | 7–14 business days | 3–5 business days |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
DMCC vs IFZA: what the price gap buys
Between the general entry packages, rather than the sector packages in the table above, the gap is about AED 22,600. DMCC’s Basic Biz costs AED 35,484 on dmcc.ae (checked on 23 September 2026) and includes a flexi‑desk and eligibility for one visa. IFZA has no published price list on its own site; our market estimate for its zero-visa licence is about AED 12,900. Part of the gap is the visa, so add one to the IFZA quote before you compare totals. Both zones are in Dubai, both allow 100% foreign ownership and both fall under the same corporate tax rules.
The rest of the gap pays for a Jumeirah Lakes Towers address, a mandatory desk or office and a setup of around 10 working days, and banks often find a DMCC company easier to onboard because of the office. With IFZA you get a list of 2,000+ activities, no office requirement at entry level and a licence in about 3–5 business days. Because IFZA sells through partners, the same licence is quoted at different prices, so compare quotes line by line.
Who each zone fits
DMCC fits commodity traders, crypto companies through the DMCC Crypto Centre and companies that will hire, because its visa count grows with the office you lease. If you trade physical goods, raise money or need a dozen visas, the savings on IFZA shrink the first time a bank or counterparty asks where you are based.
IFZA fits consultants, agencies, holding companies and any founder who wants to start this week on a controlled budget. Its limit is substance: visas by package and no physical office suit a lean services firm, but look thin once you need to place staff or prove real presence.
The differences that decide it
| DMCC | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff | Published on dmcc.ae | Not published; sold through partners |
| General entry package | Basic Biz: AED 35,484 with a flexi‑desk, eligible for one visa | Zero-visa licence: about AED 12,900 (estimate) |
| Best for | Trading, crypto, growing teams | Lean services and holdings |
The table leaves out one thing that decides many cases: banking. DMCC’s mandatory office gives a compliance officer something concrete to check, which matters if you will hold real balances or move trade flows. IFZA’s no-office entry keeps costs down but gives you less to show when a bank asks about substance. Plan the account before you pick the zone: see our UAE bank account guide.
DMCC or IFZA: which to choose
Pick DMCC if you trade commodities or crypto, will grow the team, want an address banks know well, and can carry the office and the higher fee.
Pick IFZA if budget and speed come first, you run a services, consulting or holding business, you need few visas and you want no office at the start.
Read the full DMCC card and IFZA card, then model both against your real visa count and office needs in the setup-cost calculator before you commit.
When each one wins
DMCC: A Jumeirah Lakes Towers address built around commodities trading, general trading and crypto (the DMCC Crypto Centre). The Crypto, Gaming and AI Centre packages cost AED 31,000 and Basic Biz, with a flexi‑desk and one visa, AED 35,484; a physical desk is mandatory and visa numbers follow office size. Banks often find a DMCC company easier to onboard because of the mandatory office.
DMCC full card →IFZA: A common choice for consultants, agencies and holding companies: a long activity list, no office requirement at entry level and licences that typically issue in 3–5 business days. IFZA does not publish a tariff and sells through registered partners, so the same licence reaches you at different prices. Ask every agent to show the zone fee and their own fee as separate lines.
IFZA full card →This is general information on UAE rules. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice for your situation. Rules and government fees change; we confirm the position for your facts in writing before you act.