Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | ICAD | DIFC |
|---|
| Full Name | Industrial City of Abu Dhabi | Dubai International Financial Centre |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Specialty | Heavy industry, manufacturing | Financial services, fintech |
| Cheapest Year 1 | AED 15,899 | AED 23,000 |
| Cheapest Package | ICAD Starter | DIFC Innovation License |
| License Fee (from) | AED 10,000 | AED 12,000 |
| Visa Cost Range | AED 5,000-AED 7,000 | AED 6,000-AED 8,000 |
| Notable | Multiple zones across Abu Dhabi | Independent legal system (common law) |
All Packages Compared
ICAD Packages
| Package | Year 1 | Visas |
|---|
| ICAD Starter | AED 15,899 | 2 |
| ICAD Workshop | AED 48,000 | 5 |
| ICAD Large Industrial | AED 115,000 | 15 |
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 |
Verdict
ICAD is the more affordable option, starting from AED 15,899 compared to AED 23,000 for DIFC. However, DIFC may offer advantages in terms of financial services, fintech.