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Company setup comparison

Free zone vs Dubai mainland: which costs less in 2026?

A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch. Allows trading onshore. Among Meydan, IFZA and DMCC, Meydan has the lowest listed bare licence figure (AED 12,500); DMCC has the highest (from about AED 35,484). Dubai mainland: AED 13,900 to 16,200. These include qualified starting prices, not fixed quotes. The listed licence with one visa ranges overlap. The difference between their starting figures is AED 1,920; neither is consistently cheaper across the ranges. IFZA has the lower listed licence with one visa cost by AED 1,050 to 3,350. The licence with one visa figure for DMCC is not available in our data, so a price difference cannot be calculated.

Meydan: Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026IFZA: Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026DMCC: Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026Dubai mainland: Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026

Figures are government costs published by a company-setup consultancy and are indicative. Because that source is itself a vendor, confirm with each authority before you commit.

Costs side by side

Listed company setup fees, notes and verification sources
Cost or detailMeydanIFZADMCCDubai mainland
Zero-visa licenceAED 12,500AED 12,900from about AED 35,484AED 13,900 to 16,200
With one visaAED 20,670AED 17,700Not available in our dataAED 18,750 to 21,050
Typefree zonefree zonefree zonemainland
NotesCheapest bare licence in central Dubai; first visa adds 8,170Dubai Silicon Oasis; first visa adds 4,800; 5-10 working days; multiple activities on one licencePremium zoneAllows trading onshore. Zero-visa breakdown: trade-name approval 620, initial approval 120, Tasheel 464, MoA typing and notarisation 1,200 to 1,500, trade licence 11,500 to 13,500. The one-visa range assumes an investor or partner visa
SourceConsultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026

Official sources: Meydan — official fees published (Meydan Free Zone official website); IFZA — official fees not published (on request) (IFZA official website); DMCC — official fees published (DMCC official blog, 12 Feb 2026); Dubai mainland — official fees not published (on request) (Dubai Economy and Tourism fee estimator guide).

Choose Free zone if

These listed characteristics match your requirements:

  • Meydan: Meydan is listed as free zone.
  • Meydan: Cheapest bare licence in central Dubai
  • Meydan: first visa adds 8,170
  • Meydan: A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
  • IFZA: IFZA is listed as free zone.
  • IFZA: Dubai Silicon Oasis
  • IFZA: first visa adds 4,800
  • IFZA: 5-10 working days
  • IFZA: multiple activities on one licence
  • IFZA: A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
  • DMCC: DMCC is listed as free zone.
  • DMCC: Premium zone
  • DMCC: A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.

Choose Dubai mainland if

These listed characteristics match your requirements:

  • Dubai mainland is listed as mainland.
  • Allows trading onshore.
  • Zero-visa breakdown: trade-name approval 620, initial approval 120, Tasheel 464, MoA typing and notarisation 1,200 to 1,500, trade licence 11,500 to 13,500.
  • The one-visa range assumes an investor or partner visa

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