DMCC or IFZA
Compare an established commodities and trading free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers with a general multi-activity Dubai free zone. Both put Dubai on the licence; they differ in focus, facilities and how their published packages are scoped.
Your situation
Answer for the default situation: one visa, Dubai address not needed. Change an answer above to update it.
Ajman Free Zone fits your answers, and it is not in this comparison.
Choose IFZA if a Dubai address matters, or Dubai Mainland if you will sell or work onshore.
IFZA starts AED 23,130 lower with one visa (AED 20,650 against AED 43,780 for DMCC).
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 | DMCCFree zone | IFZAFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | DMCC AED 43,780 12 months · published package | IFZA AED 20,650 12 months · current package Lowest |
| Lowest package price | DMCC AED 35,484 12 months · published package | IFZA AED 12,900 12 months · current package |
| Licence issued in | DMCC 2 weeks Company setup is described as usually taking about two weeks. | IFZA 3–5 business days |
| Residency visa in | DMCC 0–20 business days The employee visa guide allows up to 20 working days. Fastest | IFZA 1–2 business days |
| Renewal price | DMCC AED 20,265 Trading or service licence renewal for one year is AED 20,265. | IFZA AED 12,900 No visa; AED 17,100 with one visa, AED 19,100 with two (card included) |
| Licence types | DMCC Trading, Service, Industrial | IFZA Commercial, Professional, Industrial |
| Facility options | DMCC Flexi desk, Office, Retail | IFZA Flexi desk, Smart office, Office |
| Visa options | DMCC Not published: Not published | IFZA Investor or partner visa against the licence for shareholders 3 moreShow less
|
| Remote paperwork | DMCC No | IFZA Yes |
| Activity guides catalogued | DMCC Not published: Not published | IFZA 823 |
| Next step | Explore DMCC | Start with IFZA |
Check before choosing
IFZA
- The lowest possible first-year cost, where Ajman is materially cheaper
- Warehouse, land or industrial operations that need real premises
- Activities carrying a third-party approval before licence issuance, which breaks the fast timeline
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FAQ
Why do founders compare DMCC with IFZA?
Both are Dubai free zones with broad activity lists. DMCC is built around commodities, trading houses and JLT-based services; IFZA targets lighter trading and consultancy licences. The choice usually turns on activity, office needs and budget.
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, DMCC or IFZA?
IFZA starts AED 23,130 lower with one visa (AED 20,650 against AED 43,780 for DMCC).
Still torn?
Explore the full guides to compare package costs, visa requirements and how you plan to trade.