Free Zone License Pricing 2026: IFZA, Meydan, DMCC & SHAMS Compared
Apples-to-apples 2026 pricing for the UAE's most popular free zones, license, visa quota, office, and renewal costs.
The 2026 Pricing Reset
Several free zones repositioned their pricing for 2026 to defend market share. Here's a like-for-like comparison of the four most-requested zones we see at Two Pillars Advisory.
For setup-cost context, see our Dubai company formation cost guide.
License Fees (2026)
| Zone | 1-Activity License | 3-Activity License | Visa Quota Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | AED 12,900 | AED 14,400 | 0 (visas extra) |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | AED 14,500 | 0 |
| DMCC | AED 20,000 | AED 34,340 | 0 |
| SHAMS | AED 5,750 | AED 8,750 | 0 |
Visa Pricing
| Zone | Per-Visa Cost (AED) | Establishment Card |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA | 5,750 | 2,000 |
| Meydan | 5,800 | 1,800 |
| DMCC | 6,500 | 2,500 |
| SHAMS | 4,750 | 1,500 |
Office / Flexi-Desk
| Zone | Flexi-desk | Dedicated Desk | Office (min m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Included Y1 | 12,000 | 25,000 |
| Meydan | Included Y1 | 14,000 | 30,000 |
| DMCC | 18,000 | 28,000 | 45,000 |
| SHAMS | 5,000 | 9,000 | 18,000 |
Total Year 1 (1 license + 1 visa + flexi-desk)
| Zone | All-in AED | All-in USD |
|---|---|---|
| SHAMS | 15,500 | ~$4,220 |
| Meydan | 20,300 | ~$5,525 |
| IFZA | 20,650 | ~$5,620 |
| DMCC | 46,500 | ~$12,655 |
Renewal Costs (Year 2+)
Year 2 is typically Year 1 minus flexi-desk freebie + visa renewal (every 2 years):
| Zone | Year 2 Estimate |
|---|---|
| SHAMS | 11,500 |
| Meydan | 18,300 |
| IFZA | 18,650 |
| DMCC | 41,500 |
What You Actually Get for the Extra Money
DMCC premium pays for:
- Best banking access (most banks pre-approve DMCC accounts)
- Premium tower-based address in JLT
- Higher prestige for international clients
- Robust regulatory framework
IFZA / Meydan budget delivers:
- Fast digital setup (3-5 days)
- Acceptable bank acceptance (mid-tier)
- Lower ongoing cost
SHAMS suits:
- Solo freelancers, content creators, see freelance license guide
- Lowest budget, but weaker banking
Hidden Differentiators
- Audit requirement: DMCC mandates audited financials from Year 2; IFZA/Meydan generally don't (unless requested by your bank or tax position)
- Activity flexibility: IFZA allows the broadest activity mix on one license
- Visa eligibility: Meydan visas process notably faster than DMCC in 2026
Choosing Right
| If your priority is... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Lowest cost | SHAMS |
| Speed + banking | IFZA or Meydan |
| Prestige + multi-activity | DMCC |
| Financial services | DIFC or ADGM |
How We Help
We quote across multiple zones in parallel so you can compare like-for-like. Request a multi-zone quote.
Disclaimer
Independent consultancy. Pricing accurate at publication, subject to authority changes. 9% UAE corporate tax applies above AED 375,000.
Review and authoritative references
Last reviewed: . Presentation and reference review; full numerical verification pending.
Official references explain the applicable framework; they do not validate every estimate below. Authority fees, bank tariffs and eligibility can change. Confirm the current requirements before committing funds.