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ZoneWise AI · online

Dubai free zone · Digital, e-commerce & SME

Meydan Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE: Cost, Benefits & Visa (2026)

Meydan Free Zone offers one of the lowest-priced Dubai-issued licences with a fast, fully digital process and a long list of permitted activities. It is popular with consultants, e-commerce sellers and digital start-ups that want a Dubai address without premium-zone pricing.

From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa Government fees as published
Get a written quote → Official Meydan website ↗ 💬 WhatsApp
LocationMeydan, Dubai
OwnershipUp to 100% foreign
Setup timeWithin days; fully digital
Visa quotaFlexible; scales with package
Banking easeGood
RenewalLicence and desk renew annually

Meydan company setup cost (2026)

ItemGovernment cost
Zero-visa licence (government cost)≈ AED 12,500
With one residence visa≈ AED 20,670
Additional visa≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each

Headline: From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa (government fees as published, July 2026).

Year-one budget: AED 20,000–32,000 with one to two visas.

Not included: professional-service fees, residence visas beyond the package, office upgrades, bank minimum balances, and external approvals for regulated activities.

Benefits of the Meydan licence

  • Among the cheapest Dubai-issued licences
  • Fully online application and onboarding
  • Broad activity list suited to digital and service businesses
  • Flexi-desk options that keep fixed costs low
  • Dual-licence options may be available for onshore work (activity-dependent)

Who is Meydan best for?

  • Consultants and freelancers
  • E-commerce sellers
  • Digital start-ups

Typical permitted activities

  • Consulting and advisory
  • E-commerce and marketplace selling
  • Digital marketing and IT
  • General trading (activity-dependent)

Always check your exact activity against the zone’s permitted list. Regulated activities need separate approvals.

What to watch out for

  • Not designed for warehouse-heavy or physical-office-heavy operations
  • A free zone company cannot freely trade onshore in Dubai without an additional licence

How to set up a company in Meydan

  1. Choose the zone and activityMatch your business activity to the zone’s permitted list and your budget. Check whether you need physical space or a specific licence type.
  2. Reserve the trade nameSubmit two or three name options; zones typically approve within one to three working days.
  3. Submit documents and applicationPassport copies, photos, proof of address and shareholder details. Corporate shareholders provide attested documents.
  4. Pay fees and sign the incorporation documentsFees are paid to the free zone authority; sign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person.
  5. Receive your licence and certificatesYou receive the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and a desk or lease agreement.
  6. Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDGet the immigration card, then entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
  7. Open the bank account and register for taxApply for a corporate bank account, and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.

Meydan compared with similar UAE free zones

MeydanIFZADSODubai South
EmirateDubaiDubaiDubaiDubai
Best forDigital, e-commerce & SMESME, startup & holding companiesTechnology & innovation parkAviation, logistics & e-commerce
Licence costFrom AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visaFrom AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visaIndicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required)Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packages
Setup timeWithin days; fully digital3–7 working days1–2 weeks1–2 weeks
Banking easeGoodGoodGoodModerate
Fee dataPublishedPublishedIndicative bandIndicative band

FAQs: Meydan Free Zone company formation

Is Meydan Free Zone good for e-commerce?

It is a common choice for online sellers because of its low cost and digital setup. Confirm that your specific e-commerce activity, marketplaces and payment gateways are supported before you apply.

How much does it cost to set up a company in Meydan Free Zone?

Indicative cost: From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa. Government fees as published in July 2026; Year-one totals: AED 20,000–32,000 with one to two visas. Residence visas, office upgrades, professional-service fees, bank minimums and renewals are extra.

How long does Meydan company setup take?

Typically Within days; fully digital once documents are complete. Residence visa stamping (medical test, Emirates ID) adds further working days and requires you to be in the UAE.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Meydan?

Yes. UAE free zones allow up to 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits and capital. You do not need a UAE national partner or local sponsor.

Can companies licensed in Meydan trade in the UAE mainland?

Not freely. A free zone company generally cannot sell directly to mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare with a mainland licence.

Do I need a physical office in Meydan?

Many packages include a flexi-desk or smart desk. Larger visa quotas, industrial activity, warehousing, or regulated activities usually need a dedicated office or unit — confirm for your activity and visa count.

Are Meydan companies eligible for 0% corporate tax?

The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can access 0% on qualifying income, but only if strict conditions are met, and it is not automatic. Only some zones are also VAT Designated Zones. Get tax advice for your structure.

Can I open a corporate bank account for my company in Meydan?

UAE banks assess each application on the shareholders, business model and documents — not only on the zone. Our banking-ease view for Meydan is “Good”. No zone or consultant can guarantee an account.

What documents are required to set up in Meydan?

Typically: colour passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport photos, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities and zones. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents. Regulated activities need approvals from the relevant authority.

Who is Meydan best for?

Consultants and freelancers; E-commerce sellers; Digital start-ups.

Get a written quote for Meydan Free Zone

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email, with government fees shown separately from our fee.

  • Free, no obligation
  • Honest advice — including when a cheaper zone fits better
  • Remote setup available for most zones

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry.

Figures are indicative and were last reviewed in July 2026 (published fees) / September 2026 (page content). They are set by the relevant authorities and change; they exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond a bundled desk, and external approvals. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm the live position with the free zone authority before paying.

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