Two of Dubai's most popular free zones for founders who want 100% ownership without the overhead. IFZA is known for cost-effective, package-based licences with a very wide activity list; Meydan for its prestigious address and fast, fully digital setup. Here's how they really compare — and how to choose.
The differences that actually change your decision — not the fine print. Figures below are illustrative; we'll quote your exact package.
| IFZA | Meydan | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100%, always | 100%, always |
| Headline setup cost | Among the most competitive in Dubai — packaged pricing | Competitive, packaged pricing — typically a small premium for the address |
| Activity breadth | Very wide list; strong for combining multiple activities | Broad list; well suited to services, consultancy and freelancing |
| Visa packages | Flexible multi-visa packages scaled to your plan | Package-based visa quota, freelancer-friendly tiers |
| Office / flexi-desk | Flexi-desk at entry; no physical office required | Flexi-desk at entry; no physical office required |
| Address & location | Dubai Silicon Oasis area; practical, tech-leaning base | Meydan, near Downtown Dubai; prestige address |
| Setup speed | Fast — often within days via a channel partner | Fast — fully digital application, often within days |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income, otherwise 9% | 0% on qualifying income, otherwise 9% |
| Best suited to | Trading, consultancy and holding on a tight budget | Freelancers, consultants and startups wanting a prestige address |
Choose IFZA if you want the widest activity list and the flexibility to add activities as you grow — it is the more established name and the deeper catalogue. Choose Meydan if you want a Downtown-adjacent Dubai address and a fully digital setup, and note it is also the cheaper of the two: AED 12,520 against 12,900 on the licence, and AED 640 against 2,000 on the establishment card, so roughly AED 1,700 less all-in. Both give you 100% ownership, a flexi-desk and fast licensing, so the call comes down to catalogue breadth against address and cost.
The questions we hear most when founders weigh the two Dubai free zones.
Ask AgentBizIFZA is usually the more cost-effective option, with packaged pricing among the most competitive in Dubai. Meydan is also competitive but tends to carry a small premium for its prestige address. We'll quote both against your exact activities and visa needs so you can compare like for like.
Not automatically. From either zone you can trade inside the zone and internationally, and reach the mainland through a distributor or a mainland branch. Both are Dubai zones, so both can also apply for DET's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit, introduced on 8 October 2025, which allows direct mainland trade for eligible non-regulated activities. For B2B and international sales none of this matters.
Both offer 100% foreign ownership. On tax, both can keep 0% corporate tax on qualifying income if they meet the free zone conditions; otherwise the standard 9% applies above AED 375,000 of profit. We'll assess whether your business qualifies.
No. Both IFZA and Meydan let you start with a flexi-desk rather than a full physical office, which keeps entry costs low. You can add dedicated space later as the team grows.
Both work on package-based visa quotas rather than office size. IFZA offers flexible multi-visa packages scaled to your plan, and Meydan has freelancer-friendly tiers. Tell us how many visas you need and we'll match you to the right package.
Two minutes with our advisor (or AgentBiz) and you'll know whether IFZA or Meydan is right for you, and what it costs.