Evidence-Aware Shortlist
The shortlist below separates service licences from premium ecosystems and physical operating facilities. A desk-package price should not outrank a warehouse or financial-quality ecosystem simply because its first invoice is lower.
| Option | Best Fit | Current Planning Evidence | What the Figure Does Not Prove | Confidence | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Consultancy, digital services and e-commerce founders | AED 11,900-12,900 published zero-visa range. | Renewal, final inclusions and all-in three-year cost. | Conflicting public sources | Confirm current IFZA package |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai-address startups and service companies | AED 12,500 official regular licence; AED 37,500 planning licence cost across three unchanged periods. | Visas, insurance, extra activities and office upgrades. | Verified official licence price | Request Meydan breakdown |
| DMCC | Premium trading, commodities and JLT ecosystem | AED 34,185 published core Year 1 components before office and add-ons. | Qualifying office, visas, levies and specialist approvals. | Verified official components | Build a DMCC budget |
| Dubai South | Logistics, aviation and import/export | From AED 12,500 in current official Business Hub content. | Renewal and final package because official content contains multiple entry references. | Indicative official price | Confirm Dubai South package |
| DAFZA | Airport-linked premium trade and professional use | AED 37,200 DAFZ fees for the official Scality Global Year 1 configuration. | Visa and external fees outside the subscription. | Verified official package | Review DAFZA fit |
| JAFZA | Port, warehouse, logistics and industry | Official registration and service-licence components; facility priced separately. | Office, warehouse, land, visas, utilities and customs operating costs. | Verified official partial components | Request JAFZA project quote |
How to read the table: Each amount belongs to a named package or fee component. It is not a universal all-in company cost. Quote-based renewal, office, visa, facility or approval items are left explicit rather than converted into an unsupported total.
Choose by Operating Model
Service or digital company: compare IFZA and Meydan by exact activity, visa plan, workspace and renewal. Premium trading company: DMCC may justify higher core cost when its ecosystem and address support the business model. Physical goods or logistics: compare Dubai South, DAFZA and JAFZA by airport/port access, customs, facility and distribution route.
A Dubai address can help commercial positioning, but it does not replace activity fit, operational substance or banking evidence. A founder serving clients remotely has different needs from an importer holding inventory or a regulated finance business.
Dubai Cost Layers Beyond the Licence
Budget registration, establishment card, immigration, visas, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, flexi-desk or office, facility deposits, customs, external approvals, amendments and cancellation. Premium zones may require a qualifying office. Logistics zones can add warehouse, utilities and operational approvals. Compare written Year 1 and renewal invoices rather than one headline number.
Written Quote Checklist
| Check | Why It Matters | Evidence to Request |
|---|---|---|
| Exact activity wording | Similar activity names can use different licence groups or need external approval. | Authority activity code, licence type and written approval conditions. |
| Visa and immigration scope | Visa quota is not the same as an issued visa with every processing charge included. | Establishment card, e-channel, entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID and insurance. |
| Workspace or facility | Flexi-desk, office, warehouse and land products have different cost and compliance effects. | Lease, access, size, upgrade conditions, deposit, utilities and renewal. |
| Year 2 renewal | An advertised Year 1 promotion may not continue. | Line-item renewal for licence, lease, card, immigration, visas and insurance. |
| Banking readiness | A licence or visa never guarantees account approval. | Documents supplied plus the contracts, website, invoices and source-of-funds evidence you must provide. |
Common Selection Mistakes
- Choosing a Dubai zone only for the city name.
- Comparing licence-only IFZA or Meydan references with facility-led JAFZA costs.
- Ignoring office and establishment-card requirements.
- Assuming a premium zone guarantees banking.
- Using an advertised promotion as a supported renewal figure.
Related Decisions and Tools
Full Dubai ranking | Dubai entry-price snapshot | IFZA vs Meydan | DMCC vs JAFZA | Cost calculator | Free-zone finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dubai free zone is best for consulting?
IFZA and Meydan are common shortlists; DMCC may fit a premium address or ecosystem need. Confirm the exact activity and full renewal.
Which Dubai option is best for logistics?
JAFZA, Dubai South and DAFZA serve different port, airport and facility models. The facility and customs route decide the answer.
Is the lowest Dubai licence the best value?
Not necessarily. Add visas, office, renewal, banking preparation and operational requirements.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Source and confidence: Official authority evidence for Meydan, DMCC, Dubai South, DAFZA and JAFZA plus conflict-aware public IFZA sources; reviewed July 2026. Final cost and eligibility can change with activity, visa count, workspace, shareholders, authority updates and support services. Methodology | Request a correction | Request a verified quote.