WhatsApp quoteBoth Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone offer 100% foreign ownership and UAE residence visas; the differences lie in price, reputation, office options and activity lists. If you are torn between Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone, use the table and verdicts below, then message GoldenKey for a recommendation specific to your activity. GoldenKey registers companies in both Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone, so this comparison reflects real files rather than brochure claims.
Meydan Free Zone vs SAIF Zone at a glance
| Feature | Meydan Free Zone | SAIF Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction type | Free Zone | Free Zone |
| Licence from | AED 11,250 | on request |
| Renewal fee | on request | on request |
| Extra visa cost | on request | on request |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Trade with UAE mainland | Via distributor / dual licence | Via distributor / dual licence |
| Residence visas | Yes, per package | Yes, per package |
| Typical processing | 5 working days | 5 working days |
| Office options | Virtual Office, Flexi-desk or Office Suite | Flexi-desk, Office Suite or Warehouse |
| Best known for | dubai address, multi-activity licence (up to 5 activities) and 100% foreign ownership | airport proximity, large warehouse options and strong for import/export |
Our verdict
Choose Meydan Free Zone if
you value dubai address and multi-activity licence (up to 5 activities) and your activity sits in consultancy and trading, where Meydan Free Zone has the stronger track record.
Choose SAIF Zone if
you value airport proximity and large warehouse options and your activity sits in manufacturing and logistics, where SAIF Zone has the stronger track record.
About Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone is a free zone jurisdiction located at Meydan, Dubai — 10 minutes from DIFC and Downtown Dubai. Its strengths are dubai address, multi-activity licence (up to 5 activities), 100% foreign ownership and no paid-up capital, and the activities it is best known for include consultancy, trading, technology and marketing. A standard file is processed in around 5 working days.
About SAIF Zone
SAIF Zone is a free zone jurisdiction located at Adjacent to Sharjah International Airport — direct airside access. It is chosen for airport proximity, large warehouse options, strong for import/export and affordable vs dubai, with popular activities including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and import/export. Processing typically takes 5 working days.
Why compare with GoldenKey
From day one, we speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for choosing between Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone application, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for choosing between Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone happen the same day they are ready.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for choosing between Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Meydan Free Zone or SAIF Zone?
Compare the live licence prices in the table above; the lower headline price is not always the lower total once office, visas and renewals are included. GoldenKey prepares a like-for-like total for your visa count.
Can I move from Meydan Free Zone to SAIF Zone later?
Yes. You can open a second company or branch in SAIF Zone and transfer the business, then close the Meydan Free Zone entity. We plan the sequence so visas and bank accounts are not interrupted.
Which is better for a bank account, Meydan Free Zone or SAIF Zone?
Banks look at the business profile more than the jurisdiction, although Dubai-registered and mainland entities are reviewed slightly faster by some banks. GoldenKey prepares the file either way.
Do both Meydan Free Zone and SAIF Zone allow 100% foreign ownership?
Meydan Free Zone does. SAIF Zone does, with no local partner required.
