Honest Comparison
IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone: Honest 2026 Comparison
IFZA and Meydan are Dubai's two most popular budget free zones with similar pricing (licenses from roughly AED 11,000-14,000). IFZA wins on activity flexibility and physical office options; Meydan wins on prestige address and fully remote setup.
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority, based in Dubai Silicon Oasis) and Meydan Free Zone (registered at the Meydan Hotel area) are the two zones we quote most often for Dubai startups. Pricing is close enough that the decision usually comes down to activities, office needs and how you plan to bank.
Both offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, multi-year license options and visa packages from zero to six visas. Neither requires you to rent a physical office to start — flexi-desk is included in standard packages.
Here is how they actually differ, based on the setups we process for clients.
| Factor | IFZA | Meydan Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| License cost (0 visa) | From ~AED 11,000-12,500 | From ~AED 12,000-14,000 |
| Cost per visa allocation | ~AED 2,000 added to license | Similar, slightly higher |
| Business activities | 1,000+ activities, generous mixing | Wide list, some combinations restricted |
| Registered address | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Meydan (prestige Dubai address) |
| Physical office upgrade | Real offices available on-site | Primarily flexi-desk / co-working |
| Remote setup | Possible, occasional in-person steps | Fully remote, e-signature friendly |
| Bank account experience | Well known to all major banks | Well known; strong with digital banks (Wio) |
| License validity options | 1-5 years (multi-year discounts) | 1-3 years |
| Best for | Trading, consultancies needing office growth | Online businesses, consultants, personal brands |
Choose IFZA if...
You may need a real physical office later, want the widest activity mixing on one license, or plan a trading business with warehousing connections. IFZA's activity list is one of the most flexible in the UAE, and multi-year licenses cut renewal costs meaningfully. Its scale also means every UAE bank processes IFZA companies daily.
Choose Meydan if...
You run an online or service business and value the Meydan address on your invoices and LinkedIn. Meydan's setup process is the most remote-friendly we work with — e-signatures throughout — and its companies have a smooth track record with digital-first banks like Wio. The trade-off: physical office options are limited, so teams that need real desks eventually outgrow it.
Costs in practice
For a one-visa setup, expect roughly AED 14,500-17,500 all-in at either zone once the establishment card, visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance are counted. Meydan tends to land AED 500-1,500 higher than IFZA on like-for-like packages. Both are roughly double the Northern Emirates zones — you are paying for the Dubai address and ecosystem.
What about bank accounts?
Both zones are mainstream and accepted by all major UAE banks. Approval still depends on your profile: nationality, activity, expected turnover and residency status matter more than the zone. Neither zone (nor anyone) can guarantee an account — treat any promise of a 'guaranteed bank account' as a red flag.
The Verdict
Price-wise it's nearly a tie, so decide on trajectory: IFZA for businesses that may need offices, warehousing links or unusual activity combinations; Meydan for lean online businesses that want the prestige address and a fully remote setup. Either way you get a legitimate Dubai free zone company — DBM will price both for your exact activity and visa needs so you can compare real numbers, not marketing packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or Meydan?
IFZA is usually slightly cheaper — zero-visa licenses start around AED 11,000-12,500 versus AED 12,000-14,000 at Meydan, and the gap persists on like-for-like visa packages. The difference is rarely more than AED 1,500, so activities and office needs should drive the decision, not price alone.
Is IFZA or Meydan better for a bank account?
Both are well accepted by UAE banks, so your personal and business profile matters far more than the zone. Meydan companies have a notably smooth experience with digital banks like Wio; IFZA's larger scale means traditional banks process it daily. No zone can guarantee approval.
Can I set up an IFZA or Meydan company remotely?
Yes — Meydan is fully remote with e-signatures end to end, and IFZA setups can be completed largely remotely, though some cases involve an in-person step for visa biometrics. Visa stamping itself always requires you to be in the UAE at some point.
How many visas can I get with IFZA or Meydan?
Standard packages at both zones run from zero to six visa allocations, with the visa quota priced into the license. Need more than six? Both zones allow upgrades tied to office space, but at that team size it's worth comparing a larger free zone office or a mainland license — DBM models both.
Do IFZA and Meydan companies pay corporate tax?
Both can benefit from 0% corporate tax as Qualifying Free Zone Persons on qualifying income — mainly revenue from foreign clients and other free zone entities. Income from mainland UAE customers is generally taxed at 9% above the threshold. The conditions (substance, audited accounts) apply equally at both zones.
Go deeper
Not Sure Which Option Fits? Ask Us
Get a free consultation and an itemised, no-surprises quote — usually within the hour.