IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone Comparison 2026
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) and Meydan Free Zone are two of Dubai’s most popular low-cost free zones for entrepreneurs and startups. This head-to-head comparison covers pricing, activity flexibility, visa quotas, banking, and best-use cases for 2026.
Cost Comparison: IFZA vs Meydan 2026
- IFZA: from AED 11,900/year (1 activity, flexi-desk, 1 visa)
- Meydan: from AED 12,500/year (1 activity, flexi-desk, 1 visa)
- IFZA 3-activity package: ~AED 14,900/year
- Meydan 3-activity package: ~AED 15,000/year
Both are similarly priced for basic packages. IFZA is marginally cheaper for multi-activity licences.
Activity Flexibility
- IFZA: 1,800+ approved activities, up to 3 activities per licence, very broad scope
- Meydan: wide activity list, Dubai branding (Meydan Racecourse address), up to 3 activities
Visa Quota
- IFZA: 1–6 visas on flexi-desk packages, unlimited on office space
- Meydan: 2–6 visas on basic packages
Banking Access
Both IFZA and Meydan companies are generally accepted by UAE banks. IFZA has a slightly longer track record (est. 2018) vs Meydan as a standalone free zone (relaunched 2018). Both are acceptable for Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, and RAKBank corporate account opening.
IFZA vs Meydan: Which to Choose?
- Choose IFZA if: you want maximum activity flexibility, plan to expand to multiple activities, or want slightly lower renewal costs
- Choose Meydan if: you want a prestigious Dubai address (Meydan Racecourse), priority banking support, or value the Meydan brand ecosystem
For pure cost efficiency: IFZA wins marginally. For brand prestige and Dubai association: Meydan has a slight edge. Both are excellent choices for startups and SMEs.
Renewal and Ongoing Costs
Year 1 all-in (licence + flexi-desk + 1 investor visa): IFZA ~AED 18,000–22,000 / Meydan ~AED 19,000–23,000. Year 2+ renewal (excluding visa renewal): IFZA ~AED 11,900–14,900 / Meydan ~AED 12,500–15,500.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Zero-visa public package range; visa-inclusive totals require current itemised quote | AED 18,900–22,400 (Starter 1-visa: licence AED 12,900 + establishment card AED 3,000 + residence visa AED 3,000–4,500 all-in; Emirates ID AED 370 + medical AED 300–500 included in visa cost) Confidence: Conflicting public sources |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
0-visa public package range; one-visa and all-in totals require current written quote | Flexi desk and inclusions vary; confirm the written offer | Conflicting public sources | Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | July 2026 |
| What is included | Published sources describe zero-visa licence packages with differing inclusions. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Establishment card, visas, ID, insurance, extras and support unless written as included. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Public sources disagree on headline, visa-inclusive and all-in IFZA package totals. UAE Freezone Compare therefore shows only the zero-visa planning range and keeps renewal, one-visa and complete all-in totals quote-based until an itemised current quote is reviewed. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium |
| Best fit | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. |
Compare Before Choosing
Shortlist this profile against the other common options before choosing on headline price alone. The three-way guide compares DMCC, IFZA and RAKEZ on cost exposure, visa planning, banking readiness and fit by setup scenario.
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.