IFZA vs DMCC
International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) (Dubai) or Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) (Dubai)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose IFZA for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 13,493 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 3 vs 14 working days)
- More activities on one licence (up to 7)
- Popular with consultants
- Popular with traders
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based at the IFZA Business Park in Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis. It suits consultants, small traders and online businesses that want a Dubai licence at a mid-market price. A no-visa package typically starts from around AED 12,900 a year, with one- and two-visa tiers costing a few thousand more. Once your documents are ready, the licence itself is often issued within a week.
Choose DMCC for…
- A smoother banking track record
- Crypto and Web3 activities
- Popular with commodity traders
- Popular with crypto and web3 businesses
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is Dubai's flagship free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, home to nearly 26,000 member companies across commodities, trading, technology and Web3. It suits firms that need a highly recognised name for banks, suppliers and investors. Expect a first year of roughly AED 35,000 to 50,000 for a flexi-desk setup with one visa, and around two to four weeks from application to licence.
IFZA vs DMCC side by side
| IFZA | DMCC | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Packages from | AED 13,287 | AED 26,780 |
| Renewal from | AED 13,287 | AED 24,720 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Typical setup | ~3 working days | ~14 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 7 | Up to 3 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Consultancy, E-commerce, Tech & IT, Media, Holding / SPV | Trading, Commodities, Consultancy, Tech & IT, Crypto & Web3, E-commerce |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | Yes |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2017 | 2002 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
IFZA in brief
IFZA started in 2017 and grew quickly because it made Dubai licensing feel like buying a product off a shelf. Instead of asking you to rent an office first and then calculate visa rights, it sells packages labelled by the number of residence visas they carry. You pick a tier, choose your activities and apply online, mostly through registered agents.
Strengths
- Dubai licence without Dubai premium-zone prices
- Clear package pricing tied to the number of visas
- Trading and service activities can usually sit on one licence
- No need to rent a real office until the team grows
Watch out for
- Not the cheapest UAE option once visa costs are added
- Fees are mostly sold through agents, so quotes can differ
- Silicon Oasis is outside central Dubai and has no metro
DMCC in brief
DMCC began in 2002 as a government push to make Dubai a trading centre for gold, diamonds and other commodities. Over two decades it built the Dubai Diamond Exchange, a gold and precious metals ecosystem, tea and coffee centres, and a clearing culture for physical trade. That history still shapes its reputation: banks and counterparties around the world know the DMCC name.
Strengths
- Globally recognised name that reassures banks and partners
- Deep ecosystem for gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and other commodities
- Large Crypto Centre and other sector hubs with regular events
- Walkable district with two metro stations and housing nearby
Watch out for
- Among the most expensive free zones for a small company
- Registration, licence and facility billed separately, so quotes need care
- Annual audit adds cost and admin work
IFZA vs DMCC: common questions
Which is cheaper, IFZA or DMCC?
On our current packages, IFZA starts lower at around AED 13,287, against AED 26,780 for DMCC. Compare renewal too: IFZA renews from about AED 13,287 and DMCC from about AED 24,720. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, IFZA or DMCC?
IFZA allows up to 6 visas, depending on the office you lease. Both zones allow a similar maximum, so the office type decides your real quota.
Which is faster to set up, IFZA or DMCC?
IFZA is typically quicker at around 3 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a IFZA licence valid for business in the rest of the UAE?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from IFZA to DMCC later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
IFZA or DMCC? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place