DMCC vs IFZA: how the two Dubai free zones compare
DMCC and IFZA side by side from their own published information: who licenses each, packages, activities, visas, office options and setup.
General information from official sources, not legal, tax or financial advice. What this means
- Who this is for
- Founders choosing between DMCC and IFZA for a new Dubai free zone company.
- Question answered
- How do DMCC and IFZA differ?
Key takeaways
- DMCC is licensed by the DMCC Authority; IFZA Dubai operates within Dubai Silicon Oasis, whose licensing authority is DIEZA.
- DMCC publishes its packages and a schedule of charges; IFZA does not publish a tariff on its own site, so prices need a quote.
- DMCC lists more facility types, including warehouses and land; IFZA lists flexi-desks and offices.
- Mainland access and federal tax rules are the same for both; see the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Every figure below comes from the zone's own channels, with the date it was checked.
On this page
DMCC and IFZA are both Dubai free zones, but they publish very different amounts of information. DMCC is licensed by the DMCC Authority, publishes its packages and a full schedule of charges, and lists a wide range of facility types from flexi-desks to warehouses and land. IFZA Dubai operates within Dubai Silicon Oasis, whose licensing authority is the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA); IFZA does not publish a price list on its own channels, so its costs need a written quote. The table compares what each zone publishes.
| DMCC | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, no visa (year 1) | AED 31,000 | Not published |
| Founder + 1 visa (year 1) | AED 43,780 | Not published |
| Team, 3 visas (year 1) | AED 43,780 | Not published |
| Lowest package of any size (year 1) | AED 31,000 (DMCC Crypto Centre Package) | Not published |
| Lowest licence fee | AED 20,285 | Not published |
| Largest visa quota in a published package | 3 | Not published |
| Minimum office | Flexi-desk | Not published |
| Minimum share capital | AED 50,000 | AED 1 |
| Incorporation time (stated by the zone) | 10 days | Not published |
| On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | No | No |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
See the full DMCC vs IFZA comparison →
All figures are as published by each zone, with the date they were checked. “Not published” means the zone's own channels do not state it. Our process is set out on how we verify.
Who licenses each zone
- DMCC describes itself as a Government of Dubai authority established in 2002. It appears on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism's list of company registrars in free zones as the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority.
- IFZA's terms (October 2022) define IFZA Dubai as an area within Dubai Silicon Oasis and say its licences are issued under the Dubai Silicon Oasis free-zone regulations. Since 1 January 2022, Dubai Law No. 16 of 2021 places Dubai Silicon Oasis under DIEZA. IFZA does not appear by name on the Ministry's registrar list.
Costs
Packages. DMCC's lowest package without stated conditions is AED 31,000 (DMCC Crypto Centre Package), and its licence fee starts from AED 20,285. IFZA does not publish package prices on its own channels; ask IFZA for an itemised quote.
Packages with a visa. DMCC's lowest published package with at least one visa is AED 43,780.
Share capital. DMCC states a minimum of AED 50,000; IFZA states AED 1. Ask each zone whether capital must be paid in or only declared.
Packages differ in what they include, so compare visas, office and fees line by line.
Activities
DMCC's published activity list has over 1,000 activities across 21 categories; six activities are included in its base licence. IFZA lists commercial and professional activity categories, with three activities in the base licence. Both offer general trading licences. Activities that need approval from another authority are flagged on each zone's list. Check your exact activity on the official lists before applying.
Visas and office space
Visa quota. DMCC states up to 3 visas on a flexi-desk, 4 or 5 in a serviced office, and 1 visa per 9 sqm of physical space. IFZA states that visa entitlement depends on the licence category, and that higher entitlements may need a physical office in IFZA Dubai.
Office. DMCC's minimum is flexi-desk, and it also lists serviced and private offices, retail, warehouses, light industrial units and land. IFZA lists flexi-desks and private offices.
Setup time. DMCC states about 10 days for incorporation. IFZA does not publish an incorporation time.
What is the same for both
- Mainland trading. The UAE Government portal states that free-zone companies selling to the mainland must work through a licensed distributor or set up a mainland branch or company. In Dubai, Executive Council Resolution 11 of 2025 sets the licences and permits for free-zone companies operating on the mainland.
- Federal tax. Corporate tax and VAT are federal. Neither zone appears on the FTA's VAT Designated Zone list. The conditions for the Qualifying Free Zone Person regime are set federally; see the Qualifying Free Zone Person guide and speak to a tax adviser about your own position.
- Audit and beneficial owners. Both zones state that annual audited accounts and a beneficial-owner filing are required.
Questions to ask both zones
Before you sign, ask each zone for written answers to these:
- Is my exact activity on your list, and does it need external approval?
- What does the package include, and what is billed separately?
- How many visas does this package allow, and what does an upgrade cost?
- What is the renewal fee for the same package?
- Is share capital paid in, declared, or not required?
Other zones worth comparing
- Meydan Free Zone, see Meydan.
- Dubai South, which lists logistics and aviation facilities, see Dubai South.
- Zones in other emirates, for example RAKEZ vs SHAMS.
| Free zone | Emirate | Lowest package (yr 1) | Licence fee from | Max visa quota | Min. office | Incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Dubai | Not published | AED 5,000 | 3 | Flexi-desk | Not published |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) | Dubai | Not published | AED 5,000 | Not published | Flexi-desk | 3 days |
| Dubai South Free Zone | Dubai | AED 11,375 | Not published | 2 | Not published | Not published |
| Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone | Dubai | Not published | AED 12,000 | 7 | Virtual office | 3 days |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 12,500 | 3 | Flexi-desk | 1 day |
| Dubai Design District | Dubai | Not published | AED 15,000 | Not published | Not published | 7 days |
For the full side-by-side breakdown, open the DMCC vs IFZA comparison, or read the zone pages for DMCC and IFZA. The free zone finder builds a shortlist from your answers.
Sources and limits
- DMCC: business setup packages — Packages as published by DMCC.
- DMCC: schedule of charges — Licence, registration and visa fees.
- IFZA — Zone's official site; no published tariff.
- FTA list of VAT Designated Zones — Latest published list (September 2021).
Questions worth asking
Which is cheaper, DMCC or IFZA?
DMCC publishes its packages on its website; IFZA does not publish a price list on its own channels, so a like-for-like comparison needs a written quote from IFZA for the same activity, visas and office.
Can I get a residence visa with both?
Both zones state that employee visas are available. DMCC links its visa quota to the space leased (up to 3 visas on a flexi-desk); IFZA states that visa entitlement depends on the licence category and that more visas may need a physical office.
Where are DMCC and IFZA?
DMCC covers Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Uptown Dubai. IFZA's terms define IFZA Dubai as an area within Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Do the zones help with bank accounts?
Both zones state that they offer help with opening a bank account. Each bank applies its own onboarding criteria to the company, its owners and its activity.
Is either zone a VAT Designated Zone?
Neither appears on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones.
FreezoneGuide Research
We compare UAE free zones using official fee schedules, written replies from zones and dated evidence. Rankings come from the data, and every figure links back to when it was checked. How we verify
Related reading
Comparisons · 3 min read
RAKEZ vs SHAMS: comparing two northern emirate free zones
RAKEZ and SHAMS side by side from their own published information: licence types, facilities, visas, packages and setup.
15 September 2026
Running a company · 6 min read
Closing or moving a free zone company: the official steps
How free zones describe winding up and deregistration, cancelling visas and the establishment card, FTA deregistration, and transferring a company elsewhere.
27 October 2026
Running a company · 6 min read
The annual compliance calendar for a free zone company
What falls due every year for a UAE free zone company, from licence renewal and audits to beneficial owner records and FTA tax returns, and who sets each rule.
27 October 2026