If you have ever thought of opening a company in Dubai, you probably have already heard of IFZA and Meydan Free Zone. And if you cannot decide between these two for your business, this guide is going to solve all your doubts.
Both IFZA and Meydan Free Zone are from the most talked-about free zones in UAE on authorised news channels (gulf news, Khaleej times) and online forums like LinkedIn and Reddit. Both claim to offer the cheapest trade licence in Dubai, are Dubai-based, and startup-friendly. However, there are points that set them apart and can make one of them better for your specific business needs.
This guide will compare IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone on all dimensions – including location, setup costs, office space, visa options, and future growth prospects.
Dubiz experts have practically helped clients with business setup in IFZA and Meydan. So, you can expect an honest verdict on this comparison.
What is IFZA free zone in Dubai – 2026 benefits, licenses, and contact info
International Free zone authority, IFZA, is the most popular free zone in UAE located in Dubai Silicon Oasis exclusively known for being the cheapest option in Dubai.
Core strengths of IFZA free zone:
- Scale at your own pace with IFZA’s virtual office solutions.
- Partnership with leading UAE banks for fast bank account setup.
- Open and operate your business 100% remotely.
- Multi-year price bundles (up to 30% off) with price lock options that keeps costs predictable.
Types of trade licenses available in IFZA:
| License Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial License | Permit for import, export, or local market trade within UAE. |
Food license, baby care, apparel, beauty & personal care, wholesale, motor vehicles, electronics, cosmetics, construction & building materials, home furniture, travel agency, tourism, e-commerce. |
| Professional License | Allows the conduct of service-related operations. |
Marketing services
,
Cleaning business
,
Artificial intelligence
, branding services, blogging services, jewellery designing, photography, gaming, consultancy services, 3D printing, hospitality, music, events management, accounting. |
| Foreign Branch License | Existing companies can expand their operations to the UAE. |
Retail, trading, consultancy, technology, marketing, engineering, logistics, hospitality, financial services. |
Activity list: IFZA free zone activity list
Contact information of IFZA free zone authority:
Phone number: +971 4 228 5285 (outside UAE), 800 4392 (inside UAE)
Email address: info@ifza.com
Availability: 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (on Sundays)
Address: IFZA HQ, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai – UAE
What is Meydan free zone in Dubai – 2026 benefits, licenses, and contact info
Meydan free zone is the world first 24×7 digital free zone offering MoFA approved license to local and international investors.
Core strengths of Meydan free zone:
- Fast licensing under 60 minutes from anywhere globally through FAWRI (featured in Khaleej times).
- Business license approved by MoFA and Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
- Office lease on mainland without restrictions (DET-approval required though).
- Start a business as employee, no NOC is required from employer.
Business license kinds offered by Meydan free zone:
- Commercial license: Trade multiple products under a single license.
- Services license: Offer services to a wide client base.
- Industrial license: For manufacturing and industrial activities.
- Sole establishment license: Suitable for individual professionals starting a business.
Sectors including agriculture, art, education, F&B, rentals, real estate, manufacturing, ICT, and transportation are all supported in Meydan Free Zone.
Here is a full activity list: Meydan free zone activity list
Contact information of Meydan free zone authority:
Phone number: +971 4 777 7222 (outside UAE), 800 FZ1 (391) (inside UAE)
Email address: setup@meydanfz.ae
Availability: 24/7 – 365 days
Address: Meydan Free Zone, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Rd, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, UAE.
Comparison table 2026 – IFZA Free Zone vs Meydan Free Zone
Here are all the differences between IFZA vs Meydan business setup in 2026 that matters for your UAE business jurisdiction choice:
| Criteria | IFZA | Meydan Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | IFZA Free Zone Authority | Meydan Free Zone Authority |
| Cost of business setup (1 visa) | AED 21,700 | AED 24,690 |
| Location of free zone | Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai | Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, UAE (near Downtown Dubai) |
| Timeline for setup | 3–4 weeks | 1 week |
| Ease of bank account opening |
Strong – well-established networks with Wio, Mashreq,
and other banks, along with Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs). |
Moderate – detailed business and personal information may be required because of newer banking relationships. |
| Activity range |
Wide – 800+ commercial and professional activities. Industrial activities are not covered. |
Strong – 2500+ activities, with a focus on ICT, manufacturing, consulting, e-commerce, real estate, and trading. |
| Office / workspace option |
Flexible workspace and virtual office options, with the opportunity to move to a physical office as the business grows. |
Flexi-desk and fully serviced offices ideal for startups and freelancers. |
| UAE visa allocation | 1 free visa, with room for more | 1 visa included, scalable |
| Mixing multiple activities |
Add up to 7 cross-category activities under a single license. The first 3 are included in the incorporation cost. |
Allows up to 3 business activity groups under one trade license. Each activity beyond these 3 costs AED 1,000. |
| Global reputation | Strong – IFZA is well known among international investors. | Moderate – has gained attention for quick business setup services. |
| Overall free zone positioning | A cost-effective, credible, and entrepreneur-friendly free zone. | A modern free zone offering remote and streamlined licensing options. |
IFZA vs Meydan company setup cost
Cost of business setup in Dubai means more than license fee. Here is a detailed comparison of cost difference between Ifza and Meydan Free Zone. Understand which one you are financially better prepared for:
| Cost Element | Cost of Setup in IFZA (AED) | Cost of Setup in Meydan Free Zone (AED) |
|---|---|---|
|
License fee (including
MoA, AoA, virtual lease agreement, certificate of incorporation) |
AED 14,900 | AED 12,125 |
| Immigration card | AED 2,000 | AED 2,000 |
| UAE residence visa fee*1 | AED 3,500 | |
| Visa allocation | AED 1,850 | |
| If investor visa designation required | AED 1,000 | AED 1,000 |
| Medical fee*1 | AED 400 | AED 400 |
| Emirates ID*1 | AED 400 | AED 400 |
| Flexi desk | – | AED 375 |
| Corporate tax registration (one-time) | AED 1,000 | AED 1,000 |
| Corporate digital bank account (one-time) | AED 1,000 | AED 1,000 |
| Innovation and knowledge fee | – | AED 40 |
| PRO services | AED 1,000 | AED 1,000 |
| Total cost with license and visa | AED 21,700 | AED 24,690 |
| Total cost with license and visa in USD | USD 6,027 | USD 6,858 |
The costs given are cross-checked with the current quotations of respective free zone authorities in 2026. However, it may be subject to changes.
IFZA vs Meydan office options for businesses
Both IFZA and Meydan offer modern office solutions to entrepreneurs. Here is a table for reference:
| Office Type | Description | IFZA Free Zone | Meydan Free Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexi Desk | A shared workplace suitable for startups, freelancers, and solo founders. | ✔ | ✔ |
| Private Office | Dedicated spaces, often fully serviced and rented on a periodic basis. | ✔ (AED 20,000 to AED 50,000+) | ✔ (AED 30,000) |
| Warehouses | Suitable for businesses involved in logistics and distribution. | ✔ | ✔ (In partnership with Cargoz) |
Similarities: Things common between IFZA and Meydan free zone
IFZA and Meydan free zone do share similar traits and benefits for business setups in Dubai:
100% foreign ownership: In both IFZA and Meydan free zone, you do not need to involve any local sponsor in your business. You can retail full ownership for both commercial and professional activities.
0% corporate tax on qualifying income: Both free zones follow Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Qualifying free zone persons are subject to 0% corporate tax on qualifying income below AED 375,000.
Multiple business active under single license: Under a single trade license, you get the flexibility to add more than 1 business activity belonging to diverse categories whether it is in Meydan free zone or IFZA free zone.
World class infrastructure: In each of the free zones, you get access to exceptional infrastructure, fully serviced offices, reliable ICT, and strong road, air, and water logistics.
IFZA or Meydan, which is better for your business setup in 2026?
Fairly speaking, IFZA and Meydan are not competing to be the best. Both have strong positions in their own right. It is just that their respective ecosystem makes each one better suited to a particular type of business.
After speaking to our senior experts at Dubiz, here are a few questions they suggested to ask yourself before choosing between IFZA vs Meydan company formation in Dubai:
Is budget your primary concern?
IFZA offers multi-year package discounts (20%-30%), even on renewals. So, if you want a predictable long-term costing along with low entry price, that crown goes to IFZA.
Do you need a visa and licence immediately?
Meydan’s fully digitised portals make fast setup possible. The remote setup process makes it even more attractive.
Does credibility matter for your business?
IFZA has built a strong global reputation. You get a recognised global address in front of international investors and clients. At the same time, Meydan, being a government-linked entity, has its own standing.
Are you planning to do industrial activity?
Then, Meydan may work better for you because IFZA currently does not support industrial and manufacturing activities. It is advisable to run through the list of activities available in both free zones.
Is banking a core requirement?
IFZA has established relationships with major banks like Wio, RAKBANK, and Mashreq. You can expect a faster bank setup and access to multi-currency accounts. KYC, source-of-funds checks, and compliance requirements set by the UAE Central Bank still apply regardless of the free zone.
Dubiz verdict: IFZA or Meydan
Each client has their own terms. But after evaluating the experiences of 1,000s of clients, here is what we recommend between IFZA vs Meydan free zone in 2026:
Choose IFZA if: You are a new startup or an existing company. You want a premium position in the Dubai market, multi-year discounts, and a strong global reputation. At least 2-3 visas are needed. You mostly plan on onboarding international clients.
Choose Meydan if: You want quick, fully digital setup, including industrial licensing options. You may be currently employed looking to start a business without an NOC from your employer.
This is just a general verdict. Actual suitability of IFZA vs Meydan business license can only be determined after you communicate your needs through an open discussion.
When IFZA or Meydan may not be the right choice?
Sometimes, neither Meydan nor IFZA may work for you. There are 30 free zones in Dubai. Many activities, such as crypto, healthcare, and financial services, require specialised free zones. So, do not limit your options or choose a free zone based only on the “cheapest” or “fanciest” claim.
For example, for crypto-related business in Dubai, DIFC, VARA, or DMCC may make more sense. Similarly, if your main focus is UAE trade, then the mainland business formation scores more.
For further guidance: How to choose between free zone vs mainland in Dubai
How Dubiz Business Setup helps?
Dubiz works with both IFZA and Meydan Free Zone. Our business setup experts can genuinely help pick between Meydan vs IFZA based only on what you need. We may recommend IFZA, Meydan, or, maybe a third, even better option that suits your business best.
More than 7,000 global founders have found their way in UAE with us. Contact us to get started as soon as possible. We are available 24/7 to help you start.
📞 Call: +971 56 369 5485
💬 WhatsApp: +971563695485
📧 Email: info@dubiz.co
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is IFZA cheaper than Meydan?
Meydan Free Zone’s licence is AED 700 cheaper than IFZA. But, when it comes to IFZA vs Meydan visa packages, IFZA becomes AED 2900 cheaper because of renewal waivers and free residence visa included.
Q2. Can I switch free zones later?
Switching directly is not possible. You will have to cancel your licence in one free zone and apply for a trade licence in another.
Q3. Do I need to visit Dubai to start a business in IFZA or Meydan?
Both IFZA and Meydan Free Zone offer remote business setup for global investors. However, for a UAE visa, you will have to visit in person.
Q4. Which free zone allows mainland expansion?
After obtaining the required permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), you can operate in the mainland as an IFZA or Meydan registered business.
Q5. What is Ifza vs Meydan license cost?
IFZA license cost starts at AED 14,900* (one visa) in comparison to Meydan license which costs around AED 12,125*, subject to changes.
