Free Zone Comparison
Meydan FZ vs JAFZA
Meydan at AED 12,500 versus JAFZA at AED 40,211 — a threefold gap for two zones with nothing in common. Meydan is built for solo founders and digital businesses. JAFZA is built for manufacturers who need Jebel Ali Port. If you don't ship containers, you don't need JAFZA's price tag.
Meydan FZ
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
CheaperJAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose Meydan FZ if cost is your priority — AED 27,711 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose JAFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose Meydan FZ for faster setup — 15 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Meydan and JAFZA share nothing in common except a Dubai address. Meydan at AED 12,500 targets solo founders, freelancers, and digital businesses who need a license and flexibility. JAFZA at AED 40,211 targets manufacturers and traders who need Jebel Ali Port access and industrial infrastructure. The AED 27,711 gap isn't a comparison — it's a filter.
Meydan offers 2,500+ activities with no physical office requirement, instalment payment plans, and a 60-minute Fawri licence for AED 15,000. JAFZA requires physical office space, mandates audits, and scales to 50 visas on warehouse operations. JAFZA rates 'Easy' for banking with six partners; Meydan sits at 'Moderate' with six. Meydan's maximum is 6 visas; JAFZA supports 50. If you ship containers through Jebel Ali, JAFZA is non-negotiable. If you run a consulting firm or online business, paying JAFZA's premium for port access you'll never use is money left on the table.
Meydan FZ vs JAFZA at a Glance
| Metric | Meydan FZ | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 40,211 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 32,910 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 6 | 50 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 15 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 2009 | 1985 |
| Companies | 1,000+ | 11,000+ |
Year 1 From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
JAFZA
AED 40,211
Renewal From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
JAFZA
AED 32,910
Rating
Meydan FZ
3.7/5
JAFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
Meydan FZ
6
JAFZA
50
Processing
Meydan FZ
15 days
JAFZA
21 days
Banking
Meydan FZ
Moderate
JAFZA
Easy
Package Pricing Breakdown
Meydan FZ Packages
Dubai · 6 packages
Regular License (No Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
Fawri License (60-Min Instant)
No visa · Virtual
AED 15,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 15,000/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 29,100
Year 1
Renewal: AED 23,350/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 38,600
Year 1
Renewal: AED 25,600/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 | Meydan FZ | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Meydan FZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want side hustlers
- ✓ Want budget-conscious startups
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 27,711 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
Meydan FZ
Pros
- ✓ Competitive pricing — regular license from AED 12,500, comparable to IFZA
- ✓ Fawri (instant) License: 60-minute LLC setup at AED 15,000 with money-back guarantee
- ✓ 2,500+ business activities — widest range among budget free zones
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
Cons
- ✗ Small ecosystem — only ~1,000 registered companies versus DMCC's 26,000
- ✗ 83,000+ 'members' figure is misleading — likely inflated with non-active registrations
- ✗ 'Guaranteed IBAN' marketing means guaranteed introduction, not guaranteed bank approval
- ✗ Banking more challenging than DMCC — some banks less familiar with Meydan
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, Meydan FZ or JAFZA?
Meydan FZ is cheaper by AED 27,711 in Year 1. Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500 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 Meydan FZ and JAFZA?
Meydan FZ is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Consultants, E-commerce. JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211.
Which has easier banking, Meydan FZ or JAFZA?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). Meydan FZ is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with Meydan FZ vs JAFZA?
Meydan FZ supports up to 6 visas, while JAFZA supports up to 50 visas. JAFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is Meydan FZ or JAFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Meydan FZ 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.