IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone: Which Dubai Licence Wins in 2026?
Publicly listed pricing as of July 2026; both zones run promotions — always confirm the live rate.
The 30-second answer
Both give you a genuine Dubai address at the low end of Dubai pricing. Meydan (from ~AED 12,500) is fully digital and slightly cheaper at entry; IFZA (from ~AED 12,900, visa package ~AED 14,900) offers broad activity bundling and flexible multi-year deals. Neither is 'better' universally — it depends on your activity mix and visa plans.
Price comparison (typical 2026)
- Meydan: zero-visa licence ~AED 12,500/yr; visa-eligible packages upward from there
- IFZA: zero-visa ~AED 12,900; 1-visa ~AED 14,900; multi-year discounts common
- Add per-visa costs (entry permit, change status, medical, EID) — roughly AED 3,500–5,500 per person at either zone
Activities
IFZA is known for letting you combine many activities on one licence — good for consultants who also trade. Meydan's list is wide too, with e-commerce and consultancy the sweet spots. Certain regulated activities need external approvals at both.
Visas & scaling
Both scale visa quotas with package upgrades. If you expect 4+ visas quickly, compare their office-upgrade pricing before committing — this is where totals diverge.
Banking
Banks treat both as mainstream Dubai free zones. Approval depends more on your profile, activity and paperwork than on the zone — our bank account guide covers what actually moves the needle.
Renewals
Budget ~85–100% of the licence fee annually at both. Ask for renewal pricing in writing on day one.
Verdict by founder type
- Solo consultant / e-commerce: Meydan, for the lower entry and digital process
- Multi-activity trader: IFZA, for activity bundling
- Hiring a team fast: compare both zones' visa-package upgrade paths — we run this comparison free
Want the numbers for your exact case? Freezone setup with SAM Global — or WhatsApp +971 58 626 3634 and we'll price both zones side by side today.