IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone
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 Meydan Free Zone starts about AED 400 lower (one figure is our estimate, as the zone publishes no tariff), but the licence fee is only the first line of the budget.
| IFZA | Meydan Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | ~AED 12,900 | AED 12,500 |
| Visa allocation | by package | up to 6 |
| Activities | 2,000+ | 2,500+ |
| Office | not required | not required |
| Setup time | 3–5 business days | 3–5 business days |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
IFZA vs Meydan: the licence price gap is small
IFZA is quoted at about AED 12,900 by agents, as IFZA publishes no tariff; Meydan Free Zone publishes AED 12,500. The AED 400 difference disappears as soon as you add a visa allocation or an extra activity, so the headline number does not decide this. Both are Dubai free zones, both can be set up remotely and neither needs you to lease an office to start.
What separates them is how each package is built and what is billed on top. Run your own figures through the setup-cost calculator before you trust any single quote: the licence price and the first-year total are rarely the same number.
Where IFZA and Meydan differ
Activities. IFZA lists 2,000+ business activities and Meydan 2,500+, with up to three activity groups in the Meydan base licence. For a single-activity consultancy the difference does not matter; if you want to combine trading, services and a holding activity, check that the list carries each of your activities.
Pricing and visas. Meydan publishes its fees: the licence includes a flexi‑desk, each visa allocation costs AED 1,850, and one licence can carry up to six. IFZA sells through registered partners and splits its packages by visa allocation, so the same licence is priced differently by different agents. Ask every IFZA agent to show the zone fee and their own fee separately.
Speed and banking. Both issue licences within a few working days, and Meydan also sells an instant Fawri licence for AED 15,000. Both are mainstream Dubai zones, so a company from either opens accounts on similar terms. Neither carries the weight of a DMCC address with banks; if the bank’s view is your first priority, that is a different comparison.
| IFZA | Meydan Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Nad Al Sheba, Dubai |
| Tariff published | No, sold through partners | Yes, on meydanfz.ae |
| Included in the base price | Licence and registered address | Licence, flexi‑desk, up to 3 activity groups |
| Visa allocation cost | Set by the package | AED 1,850 each, up to 6 |
| Fast-track licence | None published | Fawri: AED 15,000, about 60 minutes |
IFZA or Meydan: which to choose
Pick IFZA if your activity mix is broad or still uncertain, you already work with a partner you trust, and you are willing to compare quotes line by line.
Pick Meydan Free Zone if you want a published price, a flexi‑desk in the base licence, room for up to six visas and a remote setup for an e-commerce or services company.
When each one wins
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 →Meydan Free Zone: Fully remote incorporation with a Dubai address at a mid-range price. The AED 12,500 licence includes a flexi‑desk and up to three activity groups, and one licence can carry up to six visa allocations at AED 1,850 each. Suits e-commerce and services; NOC letters and activity changes are billed separately.
Meydan Free Zone 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.