IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone compared

IFZA and Meydan sit in the same price band and both appeal to consultants, e-commerce owners and remote founders. The differences show up in how the package is built. IFZA is organised around visa allocations and an office park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Meydan is organised around three licence routes and a flexi desk that comes with every one.

The figures below are advertised starting prices, not quotes. The IFZA pages we checked did not list prices, so its figure is the starting price tracked in our free zone data; ask for the current package.

IFZA and Meydan side by side

Quick rule: Choose IFZA if you want visa-linked packages that scale with headcount, an office park with private offices to grow into, or an offshore option from the same authority. Choose Meydan if you want a flexi desk bundled, an instant licence, a non-resident route, or a wider activity list under one licence. If two or more visas are likely in year one, compare the full quote from each, not the starting price.

IFZA vs Meydan cost - what the starting price leaves out

Both prices cover the licence and a basic desk or address. Visas, the immigration establishment card, medical and Emirates ID processing, annual renewal and any extra activities are separate. Meydan publishes visa prices (investor from AED 4,000, employee from AED 3,500, establishment card AED 2,000, medical and Emirates ID assistance from AED 2,250); IFZA quotes by package.

Ask each for the year-two renewal price in writing, since low first-year offers can change at renewal.

IFZA flexi desk vs Meydan flexi desk

IFZA's Flexi Desk gives a shared workstation for 10 hours a week and one hour of meeting room a month, and the Flexi Desk+ upgrade adds a dedicated desk and five meeting-room hours. Meydan includes a flexi desk in every licence, giving a registered address and shared workspace. Either can be upgraded later, and IFZA says visa eligibility and quota rise with the upgrade.

Can IFZA or Meydan companies work with Dubai mainland clients?

Both are Dubai free zones, so the Dubai route introduced by Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 applies in principle: a DET branch licence or activity permit, with separate financial records. Meydan also describes an NOC route with DET approval. IFZA says mainland business needs approval from the free zone authority and DET. Eligibility depends on your activity, so confirm it before you quote mainland clients.

Is IFZA or Meydan better for a remote founder?

Both run the process online. IFZA's remote route uses uploaded documents, e-signed forms and remote notarisation, and the licence arrives as a soft copy. Meydan runs applications, payments and documents through a digital platform and offers a Non-Resident licence for owners who do not plan to relocate. Residence visas still involve in-person steps such as the medical test and biometrics.

Things to weigh up

• IFZA headline prices change with the visa allocation you choose
• Meydan's flexi desk is a shared address, so check that it meets your bank's and your activity's requirements
• Meydan is not designed for warehousing or industrial activity
• Regulated activities may need approval from outside regulators in either zone