VISA & LEGAL

RAKEZ vs IFZA vs Meydan: Best Free Zone for UAE Freelancers (2026)

The UAE has over 40 free zones. Most freelancers end up looking at three: RAKEZ, IFZA, and Meydan. This guide cuts through the marketing and tells you what each actually costs, what it includes, and who each one is best suited for.

June 2026·9 min read

AED 7,500+

RAKEZ starting cost

AED 11,900+

IFZA starting cost

AED 12,500+

Meydan starting cost

Prices change. Always verify directly.

Free zone pricing changes every year, and promotional offers appear and disappear. The figures in this guide are current as of 2026 — always confirm current pricing on the free zone's official website before signing.

Quick Comparison

Free Zone Comparison 2026

Location

Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai (Techno Park)

Dubai (Al Quoz)

License cost (approx)

AED 7,500–12,000/yr

AED 11,900–15,000/yr

AED 12,500–18,000/yr

Visa eligibility

Yes (1–6 visas)

Yes (1–5 visas)

Yes (1–6 visas)

Office required

No (freelance package)

No (virtual office optional)

No (virtual office available)

Setup time

3–7 business days

3–5 business days

2–5 business days

Bank account access

Good

Very good

Good

Best for

Budget, solopreneurs

Dubai address, small teams

Dubai address, events/media

Detailed Breakdown

RAKEZ — Best for Budget-Conscious Freelancers

RAKEZ is consistently one of the cheapest legitimate options for UAE freelancers. Their Freelancer Package starts around AED 7,500–8,500 per year. For freelancers who do not need a Dubai address — and many clients genuinely do not care — RAKEZ offers excellent value. Eligibility for UAE residence visa, dependents, Emirates ID, health insurance, and no minimum stay requirement in RAK. The trade-off: a RAK address, which some Dubai clients see as less prestigious.

Best for: Freelancers in tech, creative, consulting, or coaching who want a legal setup at the lowest annual cost. Especially good if your clients are international or do not care about your office address.

IFZA — Best for Dubai Address and Banking

IFZA sits in Dubai Silicon Oasis and is one of the fastest-growing free zones in the UAE. Pricing starts at roughly AED 11,900/year. What you pay for is a recognized Dubai address, a smooth online setup process, and strong banking relationships that make opening a business bank account significantly easier. UAE residence visa eligibility, 1–3 business activities, virtual office or flexi-desk available, and strong banking relationships with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK.

Best for: Freelancers who want a Dubai license and need reliable business banking. Also good if you plan to add team members later.

Meydan — Best for Creative and Media Freelancers

Meydan Free Zone is located in Al Quoz — one of Dubai's creative and media hubs. Pricing starts around AED 12,500–14,000 per year. Known for being flexible with activity types, especially for creative, media, events, and entertainment professionals. Multiple business activities allowed in one license, visa eligibility for self and dependents, and generally fast setup (2–3 business days).

Best for: Creative professionals — photographers, videographers, event managers, media consultants — who benefit from the Al Quoz address and may want co-working access.

Other Options Worth Knowing

Dubai Media City / DIC

Freelance permits at AED 15,000–20,000/year. Sector-specific: DMC for media/creative, DIC for tech. Good for journalists, content creators, and tech consultants with enterprise clients.

Fujairah Creative City

Budget option at AED 7,000–9,000/year for a freelance permit. Covers a wide range of media and creative activities. Less recognized than Dubai zones but valid for banking and visa.

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)

Very budget-friendly starting around AED 5,750–6,500/year for some packages. Good for media, e-commerce, and consulting freelancers who are price-sensitive.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Additional Costs Beyond the License Fee

UAE residence visa (each person)

AED 3,000–5,000

Emirates ID

AED 100–370

Medical fitness test (each person)

AED 250–500

Health insurance (mandatory)

AED 600–3,000/year

Virtual office / flexi-desk (if needed)

AED 2,000–6,000/year

PRO services / typing fees

AED 500–2,000

Business bank account (minimum balance)

AED 0–25,000 depending on bank

💡 Real First-Year Cost

A realistic first-year total (license + visa + medical + insurance + Emirates ID) runs AED 15,000–25,000 depending on the free zone and your personal circumstances. Year two and beyond is significantly cheaper — you only renew the license and visa (no setup fees).

Which Free Zone Should You Choose?

→If You want the cheapest valid setup: RAKEZ or SHAMS. Both are legitimate, both give you visa eligibility, both cost under AED 9,000/year.
→If You need a Dubai address for client credibility: IFZA or Meydan. Meydan is better for creatives; IFZA is better for banking.
→If You want to open a business bank account easily: IFZA has the best relationships with UAE banks. RAKEZ is second-best.
→If You are in media, photography, video, or events: Meydan or Dubai Media City. Both understand your industry and cover relevant activities.
→If You plan to hire employees in the next 12 months: Go with a full free zone company (IFZA or RAKEZ) rather than a freelance permit — permits typically restrict you to one person.
→If You are testing the market before committing long-term: SHAMS or Fujairah Creative City for lowest first-year cost while you validate your client pipeline.

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