DIFC or Meydan Free Zone
Compare DIFC and Meydan Free Zone on the same rows: starting packages at each visa count, licence and residency-visa timelines, renewal, facilities and remote paperwork. Every figure is read from the two guide pages.
Your situation
Answer for the default situation: one visa. Change an answer above to update it.
Ajman Free Zone fits your answers, and it is not in this comparison.
Choose Dubai Mainland if you will sell or work onshore.
No like-for-like starting price is published for DIFC, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Read from the same published figures as the table. Activity eligibility, approvals and the full first year still decide the route.
Side by side
Package figures cover their stated inclusions only. Activity eligibility, the full first-year cost and renewal still need confirmation for your case.
| Metric | DIFCFree zone | Meydan Free ZoneFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone AED 19,870 12 months · calculator output |
| Lowest package price | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone AED 12,520 12 months · calculator output |
| Licence issued in | DIFC 3–5 business days | Meydan Free Zone 24 hours Regular: typically within 24 hours, conditional |
| Residency visa in | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone 5–7 business days Visa processing typically takes five to seven working days after company incorporation. |
| Renewal price | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Licence types | DIFC Non-regulated commercial, DFSA-regulated financial | Meydan Free Zone Commercial, Professional |
| Facility options | DIFC Office, Coworking within DIFC | Meydan Free Zone Flexi desk, Office |
| Visa options | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone Employment visas, priced in the official calculator for zero to two visas 1 moreShow less
|
| Remote paperwork | DIFC No | Meydan Free Zone Yes |
| Activity guides catalogued | DIFC Not published: Not published | Meydan Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Next step | Explore DIFC | Start with Meydan Free Zone |
Check before choosing
Meydan Free Zone
- Warehouse, land or industrial operations that need physical premises
- Companies with several owners that want the Fawri route, which needs one person in every role
Ask an assistant about this page: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity
FAQ
How are the prices compared?
Only package prices at the same visa count and term are ranked against each other. A calculator output, a licence-only estimate or a product flagged as not like for like is shown in the table but never used to name a cheaper side.
Which costs less on published figures, DIFC or Meydan Free Zone?
No like-for-like starting price is published for DIFC, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Still torn?
Explore the full guides to compare package costs, visa requirements and how you plan to trade.