Free Zone Comparison
IFZA vs JAFZA
IFZA at AED 12,900 versus JAFZA at AED 40,211 — a threefold gap. IFZA is built for startups and solo founders who need a Dubai license fast. JAFZA is built for manufacturers who need Jebel Ali Port. Don't pay for infrastructure you won't use.
IFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
CheaperJAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose IFZA if cost is your priority — AED 27,311 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose JAFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
The threefold price gap reflects fundamentally different target markets. IFZA at AED 12,900 serves solo founders and digital businesses who need a Dubai license without physical infrastructure. JAFZA at AED 40,211 serves import-export operators who need Jebel Ali Port access, customs-bonded warehousing, and industrial facilities. If you don't move physical goods, paying for JAFZA's logistics ecosystem is like renting a warehouse to send emails.
Banking tells a clear story. JAFZA rates 'Easy' — one of only three UAE free zones at that level — with six formal bank partners. IFZA rates 'Moderate' with two. JAFZA's 40-year track record means every bank compliance officer recognises the license type instantly. JAFZA also scales to 50 visas with warehouse operations versus IFZA's 15 with office upgrades. Both sit in Dubai, but JAFZA's Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai. For a bootstrapped SaaS startup, IFZA saves AED 27,311 and offers a more central virtual address. For a manufacturer, JAFZA's port infrastructure has no substitute.
IFZA vs JAFZA at a Glance
| Metric | IFZA | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,900 🏆 | AED 40,211 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,900 🏆 | AED 32,910 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.0/5 |
| Max Visas | 15 | 50 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 21 days | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 2018 | 1985 |
| Companies | 5,000+ | 11,000+ |
Year 1 From
IFZA
AED 12,900
JAFZA
AED 40,211
Renewal From
IFZA
AED 12,900
JAFZA
AED 32,910
Rating
IFZA
4.0/5
JAFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
IFZA
15
JAFZA
50
Processing
IFZA
21 days
JAFZA
21 days
Banking
IFZA
Moderate
JAFZA
Easy
Package Pricing Breakdown
IFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,900
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,900/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 28,790
Year 1
Renewal: AED 24,400/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 36,380
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,400/yr
3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 43,970
Year 1
Renewal: AED 29,400/yr
JAFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
Service License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
General Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 49,329
Year 1
Renewal: AED 39,710/yr
General Trading + Showroom/Office
Up to 5 visas · Private Office
AED 102,565
Year 1
Renewal: AED 79,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IFZA | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 27,311 less)
Choose JAFZA if you...
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial
- ✓ Want large enterprises
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
Pros & Cons
IFZA
Pros
- ✓ Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — Year 1 with 1 visa achievable under AED 25,000 through agents
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
- ✓ Fast license issuance: 2–5 business days
- ✓ Up to 7 business activities per license (first 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each)
Cons
- ✗ B2B-only model — must work through intermediary agents, direct pricing significantly inflated
- ✗ Relatively young (Dubai presence since 2020) with weaker brand recognition than DMCC
- ✗ Only ~5,000 companies — smaller networking ecosystem
- ✗ Limited crypto licensing (no exchange/custody activities)
JAFZA
Pros
- ✓ UAE's first and most established free zone — nearly 40 years of track record with 10,000+ companies
- ✓ Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, for seamless import/export
- ✓ Strong banking credibility — well-known to all major UAE banks with typical account opening in 2-4 weeks
- ✓ Wide range of facility types: flexi desks, offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units
Cons
- ✗ Higher Year 1 costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 30,000+ for a basic trading license with 1 visa
- ✗ Physical office or facility mandatory — no virtual office option available
- ✗ Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai — inconvenient for client-facing service businesses
- ✗ Setup process slower than newer free zones — 2-4 weeks typical for license issuance
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or JAFZA?
IFZA is cheaper by AED 27,311 in Year 1. IFZA starts from AED 12,900 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between IFZA and JAFZA?
IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. IFZA starts from AED 12,900 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211.
Which has easier banking, IFZA or JAFZA?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). IFZA is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with IFZA vs JAFZA?
IFZA supports up to 15 visas, while JAFZA supports up to 50 visas. JAFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is IFZA or JAFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose IFZA if you want freelancers focus and lower costs. Choose JAFZA if you need trading & import/export support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.