Eight Dubai zones,one team thatknows them all.
IFZA, DMCC, JAFZA, DIFC, Meydan, DAFZA, DWTC, DCC. Every Dubai free zone has its own activity list, cost band and visa quota. We compare them all and apply through the right one.
IFZA.
International Free Zone Authority, Dubai's most-applied-for free zone. Wide activity list, low setup cost, fast turnaround. The default starting point for consultancies, trading firms and small teams that need a clean licence quickly.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Confirm activity matches IFZA's list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Submit application + KYC + share docs.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Choose flexi desk or smart office.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Establishment card + visa quota issued.
- Consulting, marketing, design and small-team services
- Trading companies that don't need a port or warehouse
- Founders who want minimum setup cost and fastest turnaround
- Bootstrapped teams scaling from 1 to 5 people
- Free-zone shortlist confirmation against your activity list
- Application package with KYC and shareholder docs
- Smart office or flexi desk lease (Ejari-equivalent)
- Establishment card, immigration file and e-channel registration
- Bank account introduction with two suitable UAE banks
DMCC.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the gold standard for traders, commodity firms and serious global businesses. Higher cost, higher prestige, premier location at Jumeirah Lakes Towers and a bank-friendly reputation.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Map your activity to DMCC's specialised list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Full DD pack: UBO, source of funds, business plan.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Lease the right office; visa quota follows size.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence issued, banking introduction starts day one.
- Commodity, gold, crypto, precious metals and trading firms
- Companies prioritising prestige and easier banking
- Founders working B2B with international counterparties
- Businesses that need a recognisable JLT address
- Activity-list mapping against DMCC's specialised categories
- Premium-grade application with full corporate due diligence
- Office lease in JLT: co-working, fitted or shell-and-core
- Establishment card, residence visas and e-channel
- Banking introduction; DMCC opens doors most zones don't
DIFC.
Dubai International Financial Centre, the region's financial district. Common-law jurisdiction, independent regulator (DFSA), home to most major banks, asset managers and fintechs. A serious commitment, but unmatched for finance.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Decide regulated vs non-regulated path.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Draft M&A and submit DIFC application.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
DFSA process if regulated; lease secured in parallel.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence, registered address, immigration file live.
- Banks, asset managers, family offices and fintechs
- Wealth-management and advisory firms
- Holding companies seeking common-law jurisdiction
- Tech firms positioning for institutional clients
- Pre-application advisory on DFSA-regulated vs non-regulated
- Memorandum & Articles drafted under DIFC law
- DFSA application coordination if regulated
- Office lease in Gate Avenue / Innovation Hub / wider DIFC
- Substance support: directors, secretary, registered address
Meydan.
Meydan Free Zone offers quick licensing for professional services, consulting, marketing and digital businesses. Affordable and fast, with a smart-office concept that suits 1–5 person teams.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Match your activity to Meydan's professional list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Choose smart office or flexi desk.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Submit application and KYC.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence + visa quota activated.
- Consulting, marketing, branding, design firms
- Coaches, trainers and professional service providers
- Founders launching a single-shareholder LLC
- Teams that don't need a physical office every day
- Activity confirmation against Meydan's professional categories
- Smart-office or flexi-desk lease
- Application, KYC and shareholder docs
- Establishment card and visa quota provisioning
- Bank introduction with two UAE banks
DCC.
Dubai CommerCity, the UAE's first dedicated e-commerce free zone. Built around fulfilment, last-mile and digital retail. Right for online brands, marketplace sellers and D2C operators serving GCC and beyond.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Confirm e-commerce activity classification.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Choose office vs fulfilment-centre lease.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Application + KYC submission.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence, fulfilment access and visas activated.
- Online retail brands and marketplace sellers
- D2C operators with GCC fulfilment needs
- Cross-border e-commerce with high SKU counts
- Digital-first brands that need fulfilment under one roof
- E-commerce activity classification
- Fulfilment-centre or office lease
- Last-mile partner introductions
- Establishment card, residence visas, immigration file
- Payment-gateway and accounting setup support
DTEC.
Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, the region's largest tech-startup community, hosted inside Dubai Silicon Oasis. Designed for software, SaaS, AI and digital teams that want a credible tech address with co-working flexibility built in.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Match your activity to DTEC's tech list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Choose flexi desk or private office.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Submit application + KYC.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence + visa quota issued.
- Software, SaaS, AI and digital startups
- Founders who want a tech-credible address from day one
- Small teams scaling 1–10 people on flex desks
- Bootstrapped builders who want low overhead and easy growth
- Activity confirmation against DTEC's tech category list
- Flexi desk or private office at the DTEC campus
- Application package, KYC and shareholder docs
- Establishment card, immigration file and visa quota
- Bank account introduction with two suitable U.A.E. banks
ANCFZ.
Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone is purpose-built for startups and small businesses that want low setup cost, fast turnaround and a flexible activity list. Right for founders launching lean, freelancers and remote teams.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Confirm activity matches ANCFZ's list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Pick smart-office or flexi-desk.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Submit application + KYC.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence + visa quota activated.
- Solo founders and freelancers seeking a credible licence
- Bootstrapped SMEs prioritising cost and speed
- Service businesses without a heavy physical footprint
- Remote-first teams that need a U.A.E. address with a visa
- Activity confirmation against ANCFZ's flexible list
- Smart-office or flexi-desk lease
- Application, KYC and shareholder docs
- Establishment card and visa quota provisioning
- Bank introduction with two U.A.E. banks
UAQ.
Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority offers the fastest-setup environment in the U.A.E. for SMEs. Light-touch process, broad activity list, and an entry-level price point with full ownership and tax benefits.
- 01Stage 1 / 4
Match your activity to UAQ's list.
- 02Stage 2 / 4
Pick virtual office or flexi-desk.
- 03Stage 3 / 4
Submit application + KYC.
- 04Stage 4 / 4
Licence + visa quota issued in days.
- SMEs that need a quick licence on a tight timeline
- Trading and consulting firms without a physical footprint
- Founders who want minimum bureaucracy
- Cost-conscious teams scaling 1–5 people
- Activity confirmation against UAQ FTZ's list
- Flexi-desk or virtual-office lease
- Application, KYC and shareholder docs
- Establishment card and visa quota provisioning
- Bank introduction with U.A.E. banks
Tell us your activity and team size. We'll come back with the right Dubai zone.
Activity, ownership, visa quota, banking, lease type, total year-one cost: assessed and back to you within one business day. Free, 30-minute consultation.