DIFC vs HFZ
Dubai International Financial Centre compared to Hamriyah Free Zone
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | DIFC | HFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Dubai International Financial Centre | Hamriyah Free Zone |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Specialty | Financial services, fintech | Industrial, manufacturing, oil & gas |
| Cheapest Year 1 | AED 23,000 | AED 17,500 |
| Cheapest Package | DIFC Innovation License | Hamriyah Trading |
| License Fee (from) | AED 12,000 | AED 8,000 |
| Visa Cost Range | AED 6,000-AED 8,000 | AED 4,000-AED 5,500 |
| Notable | Independent legal system (common law) | Deep-water port access |
| Website | www.difc.ae | www.hfza.ae |
All Packages Compared
DIFC Packages
| Package | Year 1 | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| DIFC Innovation License | AED 23,000 | 1 |
| DIFC Commercial License | AED 77,000 | 3 |
| DIFC Financial License | AED 127,000 | 5 |
HFZ Packages
| Package | Year 1 | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| Hamriyah Trading | AED 17,500 | 2 |
| Hamriyah Industrial | AED 57,000 | 10 |
Verdict
HFZ is the more affordable option, starting from AED 17,500 compared to AED 23,000 for DIFC. However, DIFC may offer advantages in terms of financial services, fintech.