IFZA or Dubai mainland

Both put a Dubai address on the licence. The split is onshore trading rights and registered premises against free-zone speed and a lighter facility commitment.

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.

Last updated 6 September 2026. Each figure comes from the same source as its guide page.
Metric	IFZAFree zone · updated 4 Sep 2026	Dubai MainlandMainland · updated 6 Sep 2026
From, no visa	IFZA AED 12,900 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland AED 14,000 Licence only · plus 5% of rent
From, one visa	IFZA AED 20,650 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland Priced by owners, not visas Visa costs are separate
From, two visas	IFZA AED 26,400 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland Priced by owners, not visas Visa costs are separate
Lowest available price	IFZA AED 12,900 12 months · package price	Dubai Mainland AED 14,000 Licence only · plus 5% of rent
Licence issued in	IFZA 3–5 business days	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Residency visa in	IFZA 1–2 business days	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Renewal price	IFZA AED 12,900	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Licence types	IFZA Commercial, Professional, Industrial	Dubai Mainland Commercial, Professional, Industrial
Facility options	IFZA Flexi desk, Smart office, Office	Dubai Mainland Confirm the premises are suitable for the exact activity before signing a lease or paying for fit-out. Ejari registration alone does not establish activity approval. 2 moreShow less Ejari registration: DLD publishes AED 177.75 through the app/website and AED 220 through a trustee. Confirm company-tenant channel eligibility; rent, deposits and fit-out are separate. The trustee fee components total AED 219.75 with 5% VAT on the partner fee, while DLD prints AED 220. Confirm the payable amount.
Visa options	IFZA Investor or partner visa against the licence for shareholders 3 moreShow less Employment visas up to the allocation in the package, priced from zero to three visas Dependant sponsorship once the primary residency and Emirates ID are issued Establishment card is issued first and gates every visa that follows	Dubai Mainland Visa eligibility, quota, documents and fees have not been verified for your scenario; confirm separately from company licensing.
Remote paperwork	IFZA Yes	Dubai Mainland Not published: Not published
Activity guides catalogued	IFZA 447	Dubai Mainland 9

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

Read the IFZA guide

Dubai Mainland

Choosing a licence before defining the actual activity and operating requirements
Comparing a quoted package without its premises, visa and renewal assumptions

Read the Dubai Mainland guide

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