Resources
UAE Free Zone Comparison
Compare IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, RAKEZ, Sharjah Media City (SHAMS), Sharjah Publishing City and DIFC against a Dubai mainland licence — ownership, mainland trading, office requirements and what each is suited to.
| Jurisdiction | Type | Ownership | Trading with UAE mainland | Office requirement | Suited to | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Mainland (DED) Dubai | Mainland | 100% foreign ownership for most activities | Direct, and can bid for government contracts | Physical office with a registered Ejari tenancy | Trading into the local UAE market, retail, contracting, government work | Highest ongoing cost of the options here |
| IFZA Dubai | Free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — needs a distributor or a mainland branch | Flexi-desk accepted | Consultancy, services and holding structures with no local retail trade | Packaged licence and visa allocations |
| Meydan Free Zone Dubai | Free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — needs a distributor or a mainland branch | Flexi-desk accepted | Service businesses wanting a Dubai address and quick setup | Packaged licence and visa allocations |
| RAKEZ Ras Al Khaimah | Free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — needs a distributor or a mainland branch | Flexi-desk accepted; warehousing and industrial units available | Light industrial, trading and cost-sensitive service companies | Generally the cheapest of the zones listed |
| Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) Sharjah | Free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — needs a distributor or a mainland branch | Flexi-desk accepted | Media, marketing, creative and freelance activity | Low-cost entry packages |
| Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Sharjah | Free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — needs a distributor or a mainland branch | Flexi-desk accepted | Publishing, printing and related trading activity | Low-cost entry packages |
| DIFC Dubai | Financial free zone | 100% foreign ownership | Not direct — separate common-law jurisdiction | Physical premises required for most licence types | Financial services, funds, holding structures and family offices | Highest setup and compliance burden; DFSA regulated where the activity requires it |
Licence, visa and office fees change frequently and vary by package, so they are not listed here. Structural rules can also change. Confirm current requirements with a specialist before committing to a jurisdiction.
Business Setup
Company formation, licensing and corporate banking — onshore, free zone and offshore.