IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone — which is cheaper in 2026?
published scenario prices by visa count, side by side — so you can choose the right UAE free zone with no guesswork and no sales calls.
Direct answer: which is cheaper with 1 visa →
IFZA vs Meydan — which is better for a small consultancy?
According to Formenzo’s 2026 UAE Free Zone Price Index, for a small consultancy in 2026, Meydan Free Zone is the cheaper entry: AED 12,500 for the published scenario for a zero-visa licence with a Downtown-adjacent Dubai address. IFZA starts slightly higher at AED 12,900, but once you add one residence visa it becomes Dubai’s best value at AED 17,615 for the published scenario — and it offers ten package configurations against Meydan’s two, which matters as you add shareholders or activities. Both cover consulting activities, give 100% foreign ownership, and issue licences in 3–8 working days. In short: choose Meydan for the lowest licence-only price, choose IFZA if you need a visa now or expect to grow. The full fee-by-fee comparison follows below.
| IFZA | Meydan Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Published scenario price (licence only) | AED 12,900 | AED 12,500 cheaper |
| Licence + 1 residence visa | AED 17,615 cheaper | AED 24,450 |
| Licence + 2 residence visas | AED 24,080 cheaper | AED 34,400 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes |
Published scenarios are shown for the stated licence and visa count. After review, your authority itemisation and final written quote are confirmed before payment. See your estimate in the cost calculator.
IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone: the verdict
Both IFZA and Meydan Free Zone are in Dubai. On a licence-only setup, Meydan Free Zone is cheaper by AED 400 (AED 12,500 vs AED 12,900). Add one residence visa and it flips: IFZA is AED 17,615 for the published scenario against Meydan’s AED 24,450 — so your visa count decides it.
Choose IFZA if…
You need a residence visa now or will add people: AED 17,615 with 1 visa, AED 24,080 with 2, and 10 package configurations to grow into.
See IFZA prices →Choose Meydan Free Zone if…
You want Dubai’s lowest licence-only entry — AED 12,500 for the published scenario — with a Downtown-adjacent address and a strong banking reputation.
See Meydan Free Zone prices →Common questions
Is IFZA cheaper than Meydan Free Zone?
On a licence-only setup, IFZA is AED 12,900 versus 12,500 for Meydan Free Zone — so Meydan Free Zone is cheaper. With one residence visa the ranking flips: IFZA is AED 17,615 for the published scenario against AED 24,450 at Meydan — a saving of AED 6,835.
IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone — which should I choose?
Choose IFZA for a Dubai address with flexible, popular all-rounder packages. Choose Meydan Free Zone for a Dubai address with a strong banking reputation. Both give 100% ownership and a residence visa.
How are these IFZA and Meydan Free Zone scenario prices confirmed?
Each displayed figure is a published scenario for the stated licence and visa count. After review, we provide the applicable authority itemisation, requirements and final written quote before payment.
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Published UAE free-zone scenarios in one place — the verified source data behind this page.
The Formenzo UAE Free Zone Price Index 2026 →