By Adil Ahmad | Business Setup Consultant, Dubai Free Zones
Summary
Meydan Free Zone and IFZA are two of Dubai’s most popular low-cost free zones for startups. Meydan publishes a licence from AED 12,500 with a flexi desk, up to 3 activity groups, 2,500+ activities and a same-day or instant setup. IFZA, in Dubai Silicon Oasis, sells visa-based packages through partners. Both give you a real Dubai address, so speed, activities and total cost should decide.
If you are launching a startup in Dubai on a sensible budget, you have probably narrowed your list to two names: Meydan Free Zone and IFZA. I get this exact question from founders, freelancers and small agency owners almost every week.
Here is the honest starting point: both are legitimate Dubai free zones, both offer 100% foreign ownership, and both can give you a UAE residence visa. The differences are in how you buy, how fast you get licensed, how many activities you can hold and where your address sits. This Meydan free zone vs IFZA guide compares them using official prices and facts wherever they are published.
Meydan vs IFZA: Quick Decision Table
Start here if you want the short answer.
| Factor | Meydan Free Zone | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Meydan, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai | IFZA Business Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis |
| Published price | Licence from AED 12,500 (Standard) or AED 15,000 (Fawri instant) | No public price list; partners quote zero-visa packages from about AED 12,900 |
| Activities | Up to 3 activity groups; 2,500+ activities listed | Up to 3 activities per licence |
| Workspace | Flexi desk included in the licence fee | Flexi Desk, Flexi Desk+ and private offices |
| Setup speed | Standard within 1 day; Fawri in under 60 minutes (Meydan’s claim) | Depends on package and approvals |
| Visas | Up to 6 visa allocations per licence | Packages sold by visa count, upgradeable |
| Best for | Solo founders, e-commerce, consultants who want speed and many activity options | Startups that want a defined visa package and an established community |
Quick verdict: on published prices, the two are much closer than many blogs suggest. Choose Meydan for speed and a transparent online calculator. Choose IFZA if you prefer its packaged visa structure and Dubai Silicon Oasis base.
Cost: Meydan vs IFZA Licence Fees Compared
Let us clear up the most common myth first. Many guides claim Meydan starts around AED 18,000. Meydan’s own cost breakdown lists:
- Standard licence: from AED 12,500, including up to 3 activity groups, a lease agreement and a flexi desk
- Fawri instant licence: from AED 15,000
- Extra activity: AED 1,000 each beyond the included groups
- Extra shareholder: AED 2,000 each beyond 6 shareholders
- Immigration establishment card: AED 2,000
- Visa allocation: AED 1,850, with investor visas from about AED 4,000 and employment visas from AED 3,500
- Multi-year discount: up to 15%
Meydan estimates the first investor visa at roughly AED 7,850 in total, and its official cost calculator builds a personalised quote.
IFZA pricing. IFZA does not publish a fixed price list. Its packages are grouped by visa allocation, and authorised partners commonly quote zero-visa packages from about AED 12,900. Always request a written quote listing the licence, establishment card, immigration and partner fees separately.
What really decides the cost:
- Number of visas you need now and in year two
- Number of activities and shareholders
- Office upgrade, if your bank or visa quota needs it
- Renewal price, not just first-year price
Corporate tax is the same in both. Qualifying income may be taxed at 0% only if your company meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions in the Federal Tax Authority guide. Other taxable income is taxed at 9%.
Location: Meydan vs Dubai Silicon Oasis
Meydan Free Zone is based at Meydan in the Nad Al Sheba area, home of the Meydan Racecourse. It sits closer to central Dubai than Dubai Silicon Oasis, which some founders like for client meetings in Downtown and Business Bay.
IFZA is based at IFZA Business Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Dubai Silicon Oasis falls under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, created by Dubai Law No. 16 of 2021. It is a planned tech and business community with its own residential areas.
Consultant’s view: both are genuine Dubai addresses. For most startups working remotely or online, location matters less than visa needs and activity coverage. If you meet clients in person every week, test the drive from home to each base before you sign.
Activities and Licensing Categories
Meydan Free Zone lists more than 2,500 business activities on its official website, and one licence can cover up to 3 activity groups. Meydan states that the Fawri instant licence covers 1,800+ activities. Meydan also offers a non-resident licence option for founders who do not plan to live in the UAE. Its online activity hub lets you search for your exact activity before you apply, which is useful for e-commerce, consulting and creative startups.
IFZA issues Commercial and Professional licences. IFZA states that one licence can hold a maximum of three activities chosen by the shareholders.
The practical difference: Meydan counts activity groups, while IFZA counts activities. If your plan mixes several related services, such as digital marketing, web design and social media management, check how each zone groups them before you pay. One extra activity at Meydan costs AED 1,000, according to its published fees.
Watch out for regulated activities. Financial services, healthcare, education and some media activities may need external approvals in either zone, which adds time and cost.
Visa Packages and Office Options
Meydan Free Zone:
- A flexi desk is included in the licence fee
- Up to 6 visa allocations per licence, according to Meydan
- Office upgrades include a dedicated desk, shared office or dedicated office
- Residence visas are valid for 2 years and renewable
IFZA:
- Packages are sold by visa count, starting from zero visas, and can be upgraded later
- Workspace options at IFZA Business Park, as described in IFZA’s flexi desk guide: a Flexi Desk with 10 hours of access per week, a Flexi Desk+ with unlimited dedicated desk access, and private offices
My advice: start with the smallest workspace that gives you the visas you need this year. Upgrade only when hiring or banking requires it. For employee visa budgeting, see our guide on the 2-year Dubai employment visa price.
Banking note: Meydan advertises IBAN support through its banking partners. In practice, account approval in both zones depends on your business model, documents and source of funds. Digital banks can be a fast route, as covered in our Wio Bank business banking review.
Which Is Right for Your Dubai Startup?
Choose Meydan Free Zone if you:
- Want a licence fast, even within an hour with Fawri
- Prefer transparent published fees and an online cost calculator
- Need a wide activity list or several activity groups
- Are a non-resident founder wanting a Dubai company
Choose IFZA if you:
- Want a clearly packaged visa structure from zero visas upward
- Prefer a dedicated business park with on-site workspace in Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Need up to three activities and plan to grow your team gradually
Still deciding? Compare a more premium option in our DMCC free zone guide, and see the bigger picture in our cost of a trade license in Dubai guide. Our team can prepare like-for-like quotes for both zones as part of your business setup in Dubai, and after incorporation you can check your trade license online in the UAE.
FAQs
Is Meydan Free Zone cheaper than IFZA?
On published prices, they are close. Meydan lists its standard licence from AED 12,500 with a flexi desk. IFZA does not publish prices, and partners quote zero-visa packages from about AED 12,900. Your visa count, activities and renewals decide the real difference.
Which is better for a startup, Meydan or IFZA?
Meydan suits founders who want speed, published pricing and a wide activity list. IFZA suits startups that prefer a packaged visa structure and a business park base in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
How fast can I get a licence in Meydan Free Zone?
Meydan states that its standard licence can be issued within 1 day and its Fawri instant licence in under 60 minutes, subject to approvals.
How many activities can I add in Meydan and IFZA?
Meydan allows up to 3 activity groups per licence, with extra activities at AED 1,000 each. IFZA allows up to 3 activities per licence.
Is a Meydan or IFZA address a real Dubai address?
Yes. Meydan Free Zone is in Nad Al Sheba and IFZA is in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Both are within Dubai.
Can a non-resident set up in Meydan Free Zone?
Meydan offers a non-resident licence option, according to its website. Bank account opening for non-residents can be harder, so plan for that early.
Do Meydan and IFZA companies pay corporate tax?
Both fall under UAE corporate tax. The 0% rate applies only to qualifying income for companies meeting the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. Other taxable income is taxed at 9%.
