Thirty-plus free zones. Four hundred-plus license activities. Costs ranging from AED 12,900 to AED 50,000+. Picking the wrong one costs time, money, and sometimes the whole deal. This is the directory we wish we had when we started in 2020 β every zone, every cost, every trade-off, in one place.
Every founder asks the same question. Every advisor gives a different answer. Here's how we think about it:
Thirty-plus specialized zones, each designed around a specific industry or founder profile. This isn't choice paralysis β it's precision. When you pick the right zone, every rule, every incentive, every neighbor works in your favor.
IFZA, Meydan, and DMCC routinely issue trade licenses within 72 hours of payment. Same-day issuance possible for straightforward activities. Nowhere else in the region moves this fast.
Zero local sponsor required. Zero ownership caps. Full repatriation of profits and capital. These protections are written into the zone enabling laws, not subject to annual renewal.
Free zone persons meeting the QFZP criteria pay 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income. We structure substance, transfer pricing, and activity mix to maintain QFZP status from day one.
Dubai free zone entities qualify for corporate accounts at Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Wio, RAK Bank, FAB, HSBC and Standard Chartered. We maintain 95%+ first-time approval across all majors.
DIFC and ADGM operate on Common Law with independent courts. DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA operate under UAE federal law with zone-specific rulebooks. You pick the regulatory environment that fits the business.
Every free zone license comes with 1β6+ employment visa quotas depending on package. Premium packages include investor visa + dependent visas (spouse, kids). 10-year Golden Visa possible for AED 2M+ investments.
Thirty-plus options, grouped by best-fit. Costs are Year 1 fully-inclusive (license + registration + flexi-desk) without visas. Visa packages add AED 2,500β5,000 per visa.
| Free Zone | From | Best For | License Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZAInternational Free Zone Authority | AED 12,900 | E-commerce, consulting, trading, marketing, IT, services | CommercialServiceIndustrial |
| Meydan Free ZoneMeydan FZ | AED 12,500 | Premium branding, financial services, holding companies | CommercialServiceHolding |
| SHAMSSharjah Media City (Dubai accessible) | AED 5,750 | Creative, media, marketing (cheapest media option) | MediaServiceCommercial |
| DMCCDubai Multi Commodities Centre | AED 34,340 | Commodities, crypto, precious metals, trading | CommercialServiceIndustrial |
| JAFZAJebel Ali Free Zone Authority | AED 29,000+ | Logistics, manufacturing, large-scale trading | TradingIndustrialLogistics |
| DAFZADubai Airport Free Zone Authority | AED 32,000+ | Aviation, luxury goods, pharma, electronics | TradingServiceIndustrial |
| DIFCDubai International Financial Centre | AED 55,000+ | Banks, asset managers, fintech, family offices | FinancialProfessionalHolding |
| DSODubai Silicon Oasis | AED 14,100 | Tech, SaaS, hardware, R&D, startups | TechServiceIndustrial |
| Dubai Internet CityDIC | AED 25,000+ | Big tech, enterprise software, cloud services | TechService |
| Dubai Media CityDMC | AED 22,000+ | Broadcasting, PR, publishing, production | MediaService |
| Dubai Production CityDPC (IMPZ) | AED 14,000 | Printing, packaging, publishing, light manufacturing | IndustrialTradingService |
| Dubai Knowledge ParkDKP | AED 15,000+ | Education, training, HR consulting, e-learning | ServiceProfessional |
| Dubai Healthcare CityDHCC | AED 25,000+ | Medical, pharma, wellness, telehealth | MedicalServiceCommercial |
| Dubai South (DWC)Dubai World Central | AED 17,500 | Aviation, logistics, Expo legacy tenants | LogisticsTradingIndustrial |
| Dubai CommerCityDCC | AED 20,000+ | E-commerce with bonded warehousing | E-commerceTradingLogistics |
| Dubai Design Districtd3 | AED 22,000+ | Fashion, design, architecture, luxury brands | DesignRetailService |
| Dubai Studio CityDSC | AED 18,000+ | Film, TV production, post-production | MediaProduction |
| DWTCDubai World Trade Centre Free Zone | AED 30,000+ | Events, exhibitions, MICE, holding co | EventsServiceHolding |
| Gold & Diamond ParkGDP | AED 50,000+ | Jewelry retail and wholesale, diamond trading | RetailTrading |
| Dubai Outsource CityDOC | AED 18,000+ | BPO, call centers, back-office operations | ServiceOutsourcing |
After 10,000+ incorporations, the same five questions determine the right zone every time. Get these answers first. Zone name second.
Some zones only allow specific activities. Gold trading needs DMCC or GDP. Medical needs DHCC. Crypto needs DMCC or VARA-compliant zones. General consulting fits almost anywhere β which makes price the tiebreaker.
Mainland access, import/export through Jebel Ali, customer-facing retail β each has zone implications. Pure digital / service businesses can use flexi-desk (AED 0 extra). Physical showrooms need DAFZA, JAFZA, d3, or GDP.
IFZA base package: 0 visas. IFZA Premium: 1 visa. DMCC Gold: up to 6 visas. Visa quota caps are per license type β always model Year-3 headcount before picking a zone so you don't outgrow the package.
We've compressed the process down to its essentials. No paper shuffling, no chasing signatures, no surprise fees at step 4.
Free call. We map your activity, visa needs, and budget against 30+ zones and recommend the exact 1β2 that fit. No upselling.
We reserve your trade name, submit initial approvals, and draft Memorandum of Association. You review and sign digitally.
Payment, submission, license issued in 3β5 working days. IFZA and Meydan routinely issue same-day for standard activities.
Entry permit β medical β Emirates ID β residency visa stamped in passport. Typically 7β14 days after license issuance.
We introduce you to the right bank (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Wio, RAK Bank). Corporate account approved in 2β4 weeks. 95% first-time success.
Every industry has a zone that was designed for it. Here's what we see growing fastest:
IFZA and Meydan dominate. Low-cost entry, service license, 1-visa packages. Accountants, marketers, IT consultants, coaches.
IFZA for lean online shops. Dubai CommerCity if you need bonded warehousing. Meydan for premium brand positioning.
DMCC issued the UAE's first crypto license. DIFC hosts Binance MENA, Crypto.com, and 140+ fintech firms under FSRA regulation.
DMCC is the world's #1 for precious metals trading. Gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, industrial metals β all under one ecosystem.
JAFZA hosts 10,000+ companies next to the world's 9th busiest port. DWC integrates with Al Maktoum Airport.
Dubai Internet City hosts Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Huawei. Dubai Silicon Oasis for early-stage tech and hardware.
Dubai Media City for production houses and PR. Dubai Studio City for film and TV. Dubai Design District for creators.
DIFC Foundations and Trusts under Common Law. Legacy planning, multi-generational structures, privacy and governance.
The questions we answer most often β straight answers, no fluff.
Tell us what you're building. We'll recommend the exact 1β2 zones that fit β from AED 12,900 to AED 50,000+. Free consultation, no sales pressure.