Dubai Science Park vs IFZA: Premium vs Value
Dubai Science Park vs IFZA comes down to a handful of concrete trade-offs. Both are genuine UAE free zones — 100% ownership, global invoicing, visa sponsorship — so the decision lives in the numbers below, not in the fundamentals. IFZA's Year 1 minimum is AED 17,150 against Dubai Science Park's AED 28,500 — a gap of AED 11,350 (66%) before you add visas or office space. Dubai Science Park (Dubai Science Park (includes former DuBiotech & EnPark)) sits in Dubai as a Tier 2, premium zone. Year 1 starts around AED 28,500, banking is rated moderate (~10 days to open an account), and the visa cap is 200. It's built for life sciences, energy, and environmental tech companies seeking a specialized, tax-efficient free zone. IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) sits in Dubai as a Tier 2, budget zone. Year 1 starts around AED 17,150, banking is rated moderate (~21 days to open an account), and the visa cap is 50. It's built for SMEs and e-commerce businesses seeking a cost-effective Dubai presence with a fast, online setup.
Dubai Science Park
Dubai · Tier 2
Pharma, biotech, medtech, diagnostics, CRO and environmental/energy companies that need licensed laboratories, R&D space or a regional science-hub address in Dubai; also solo science consultants via the GoFreelance permit.
IFZA
Dubai · Tier 2
Cost-conscious SMEs, consultants and e-commerce founders who want a genuine Dubai (DSO) address, 1-6 residence visas and fast remote setup without premium-zone pricing.
Visual comparison
Six-dimension scoring
Scores are 0–100 normalized across all UAE & GCC zones. Higher is better on every axis. Cost is scored so cheaper = higher. See methodology.
Choose Dubai Science Park if…
- ✓You'll hire and scale headcount — Dubai Science Park allows up to 200 visas vs IFZA's 50
- ✓Dubai Science Park's premium-tier ecosystem and brand recognition are worth the higher fee for the buyers you're targeting
- ✓You'd rather not lock up cash — Dubai Science Park's minimum bank deposit is AED 15,000 vs IFZA's AED 25,000
- ✓Dubai Science Park is purpose-built for life sciences, energy, and environmental tech companies seeking a specialized, tax-efficient free zone
Choose IFZA if…
- ✓Year 1 cost matters — IFZA opens at AED 17,150 vs Dubai Science Park's AED 28,500, a AED 11,350 head start that compounds every renewal
- ✓Renewals stay lean — IFZA renews at AED 11,900 a year vs Dubai Science Park's AED 25,000, a saving that recurs for the life of the company
- ✓IFZA is purpose-built for SMEs and e-commerce businesses seeking a cost-effective Dubai presence with a fast, online setup
Our Verdict
Default to IFZA — at AED 17,150 in Year 1 it's the lower-risk starting point for most founders. Dubai Science Park earns its AED 11,350 premium when you specifically need a higher visa ceiling; if that edge isn't decisive for your business, the saving is better spent on growth. Use the scored comparison below to pressure-test the call against your own activity, visa count, and banking needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dubai Science Park or IFZA cheaper to set up?
IFZA is cheaper. Its Year 1 minimum is AED 17,150 against Dubai Science Park's AED 28,500 — a gap of AED 11,350 before visas or office. Both figures are entry minimums; adding visas and dedicated space narrows or widens the gap depending on package.
Is banking easier at Dubai Science Park or IFZA?
Both are rated moderate for corporate banking, so neither has a structural edge here. Your activity, ownership structure, and source-of-funds documentation will matter more than the zone itself.
How many visas can I get with Dubai Science Park or IFZA?
Dubai Science Park allows up to 200 visas and IFZA up to 50. Most zones tie the practical number to your office type — a flexi-desk supports only a handful, while a dedicated office unlocks the higher cap.
Do Dubai Science Park and IFZA both qualify for 0% corporate tax?
Yes — both are Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP), so genuinely qualifying income is taxed at 0% under the UAE's 9% corporate-tax regime, provided you keep adequate substance and meet the qualifying-income tests. Non-qualifying income (for example mainland-sourced revenue) is taxed at 9% in either zone, so tax treatment isn't a differentiator between them.
Can I move from Dubai Science Park to IFZA later?
Not as a transfer — UAE free zone licences don't migrate between zones. You'd close the first entity and incorporate fresh in the second, which means dissolution costs, re-onboarding your bank, and moving any visas. It's cleaner to pick the right zone up front, or to run two entities deliberately if you genuinely need both.