Comparison · UAE Free Zones
IFZA vs Meydan, compared.
Same price (USD 10,120 all-in). Same tax position. Different sweet spots.
The 20-second answer
IFZA if you'll hire — visa quota up to 9 vs Meydan's typical 3. Meydan if address signals matter — Sheikh Zayed Road beats Dubai Silicon Oasis for brand-led businesses.
Side-by-side
| Feature | IFZA | Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| All-in Year 1 | USD 10,120 | USD 10,120 |
| Year 2 onwards | USD 7,920 | USD 8,020 |
| Time to licence | 5–7 days | 4–6 days |
| Address | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Sheikh Zayed Road |
| Visa quota (standard) | Up to 9 | Up to 3 |
| Min. capital | None | None |
| Audit required | No for licence; yes if QFZP | No for licence; yes if QFZP |
| Bank acceptance (digital) | High | High |
| Brand prestige | Modest | Strong |
When IFZA wins
- You expect to hire more than 3 people in year one.
- Budget-sensitive; the slightly cheaper renewal helps long-term.
- You don't need address prestige — your customers care about your product, not your letterhead.
When Meydan wins
- You're a creative agency, D2C brand or consultant where address matters in pitches.
- You won't exceed 3 visas in year one.
- Slightly faster licence issuance (one day) makes the difference.
Where they're equal
Both give 100% foreign ownership, 0% qualifying tax (QFZP), full visa packages, easy banking with Wio / Mashreq Neo Biz, and broad activity coverage including services, SaaS, consulting, e-commerce and trading. Neither requires audit (though QFZP effectively does).
Updated 16 May 2026 by ArxSetup, Managing Partner.