IFZA vs Meydan in 2026: which free zone for online business

In short: for a consultant or an online project with one or two owners, both zones work well, and the details usually decide. Meydan is more convenient when you need several different activities and many shareholders on one license: the base price of AED 12,500 includes 3 activity groups and 6 shareholders. IFZA is more convenient when a fully remote setup and visa flexibility matter: the zone states plainly that you do not need to travel to form the company, and an office is not required for a quota of up to 4 visas.

Both free zones are in Dubai, so they carry the same "Dubai" status with banks and partners, and both fall under the new rules allowing free zone companies to work on the Dubai mainland. The difference shows up in the package structure, the cost of extra activities and how renewal works.

Below we compare the zones on the points we check with every client in consulting, IT, marketing and online education.

Each free zone in brief

IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is based in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It is one of the most popular zones with international founders thanks to its online process. According to the zone, documents are submitted and signed electronically (two E-legal forms and the articles of association are signed with a digital signature), and the license arrives by email. More on the IFZA page.

Meydan Free Zone is in the Meydan district, next to the racecourse. The zone promotes online registration in 24 hours and offers several license types: a standard license from AED 12,500, the fast-track Fawri license at AED 15,000 and a non-resident license at AED 12,500. More on the Meydan Free Zone page.

Comparison on key points

Meydan figures come from the zone's official pricing page, and IFZA statements from its official website. IFZA does not publish package prices openly, so we request the current price for a specific set of activities and visas.

Activities: where it is easier to build the license you need

For consulting and online business a license rarely covers just one activity. A typical set: management consulting, marketing services, software development, online training and e-commerce.

Meydan's logic is transparent: the price includes 3 activity groups, and each extra activity costs AED 1,000. This works well when you know your set in advance. If your activities belong to different groups (for example, trading and services), check that you stay within the limit.

IFZA issues commercial and professional licenses and lets you combine several activities. The limits depend on the package, so check them in the zone's offer before you pay. Some activities also need approval from an external regulator, which is worth confirming at the same stage.

Visas and office

For a solo consultant both zones let you manage without a separate office. On its license pages IFZA states that no office is required for a quota of up to 4 visas. That covers an owner with family and one or two employees.

Meydan has three visa types: investor, employee and dependant. For a dependant visa sponsored by an investor, the zone takes a deposit of AED 3,000. The visa quota depends on the package and workspace, so agree it before you pay.

In both zones the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics have to be done in person in the UAE. IFZA says so directly in its remote setup section: you can open the company without travelling, but you will need to fly in for the visa.

Banking

From a bank's point of view IFZA and Meydan look similar: both are in Dubai, both are large. In practice the bank looks less at the zone and more at the profile: activities, client countries, source of funds and whether the owner holds a UAE residence visa.

In our experience, an owner with a UAE visa and clear contracts finds it noticeably easier to open an account with a digital bank such as Wio or a traditional bank than a non-resident does. If you choose a package without a visa, check in advance which banks will work with a non-resident's company. More on the UAE corporate account page.

If you plan to accept payments from individuals through a payment gateway, mention it in your bank application from the start. Acquiring providers in the UAE also check the activity on the license, so the wording on the license, website and contracts should match.

Read more: UAE corporate account for founders from the CIS and emerging markets.

Renewal and year two

The most important thing to compare before registration is the renewal cost. The advertised first-year price and the renewal can differ. Ask the zone in writing for:

• the license renewal price for year two;
• the Establishment Card renewal cost;
• the cost of adding an activity after registration;
• the cost of changing shareholders and the company name.

For an online business that may add a second partner or a new line in a year, these details matter more than a AED 1,000-2,000 difference at entry.

Ask separately how visa renewal works. In both zones a residence visa is usually issued for 2 years, but you will need to repeat the medical test and biometrics on renewal, which means being in the UAE. If you live across several countries, mark the license and visa renewal dates in your calendar early: they often do not coincide, and missing either one leads to fines.

Read more: UAE company setup cost: a two-year budget.

Which to choose when

Read more: How to choose a UAE free zone.

What changed in 2026

• Working on the Dubai mainland. Under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, companies in Dubai free zones, including IFZA and Meydan, can work on the mainland through a branch license or a temporary permit for up to 6 months. For consultants with local clients this is the main argument for Dubai over the northern emirates.
• Fast-track licenses. Meydan is developing its Fawri license (AED 15,000, more than 1,800 activities) for those who need a quick start.
• E-invoicing. For companies with revenue below AED 50 million, e-invoicing becomes mandatory from 1 July 2027, and a provider must be appointed by 31 March 2027 (UAE Ministry of Finance).

FAQ

Which zone is cheaper?

Compare final offers for the same set: activities, number of visas, shareholders and renewal. Meydan has a clear starting price of AED 12,500. IFZA does not publish its prices openly, so we request them for each case.

Can I open a company in IFZA or Meydan without travelling?

Yes, both free zones let you register a company online. You need to travel for the visa: the medical test and biometrics are only done in the UAE.

Do these zones work for an online school?

Yes, both issue licenses for education and consulting services. If you issue certificates or work with children, check whether you need approval from the relevant regulator.

Can I move from IFZA to Meydan later?

There is usually no direct transfer of a company between free zones. More often you open a new company and close the old one. So it is better to choose once, with room to grow.

What matters more for an online school: price or bank?

The bank. An online school receives many small payments from individuals in different countries, and the bank needs to understand this model. The price difference between IFZA and Meydan pays for itself if the company opens an account quickly and connects a payment gateway. So we start with the profile the bank will see and choose the zone to fit it.

Sources

• Meydan Free Zone, pricing and license types: meydanfz.ae
• IFZA, remote business setup: ifza.com
• IFZA, commercial and professional licenses: ifza.com
• Invest in Dubai: investindubai.gov.ae
• Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025
• UAE Ministry of Finance, e-invoicing: mof.gov.ae
• UAE government portal: u.ae