Dubai
Meydan Free Zone company setup
A prestigious Dubai address with fully digital setup
Get a fixed quote
Four fields. We reply within one working day.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109
Ownership
100% foreign
Licence issued
24–48 hours
Setup process
Fully online
Minimum share capital
None required
Physical office
Not required
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income
About Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
Meydan Free Zone sits inside the Meydan district near Downtown Dubai, and its main appeal is the address: a Meydan licence carries noticeably more weight with banks and enterprise clients than the cheaper northern-emirate alternatives.
Setup is entirely digital. Applications, document submission and licence issuance are handled through Meydan's own portal, and licences are frequently issued within 24 to 48 hours. There is no requirement to lease physical space for the base licence.
Meydan sits at a higher price point than IFZA or the Sharjah zones. It is worth paying when your clients or bankers care about where you are registered — consultancies serving corporate clients, financial advisory firms, and businesses planning to raise investment.
Good fit for
- Consultancies serving corporate or enterprise clients
- Founders who expect to open a corporate bank account quickly
- Businesses where a Dubai address carries commercial weight
- Companies planning to raise external investment
Consider alternatives if
- Cost-sensitive first-time founders — the northern emirates are cheaper
- Businesses needing warehousing or light industrial space
What it costs
The figures below cover the Meydan Free Zone licence and the related government fees. The biggest variable is visa count — each residence visa adds both an allocation cost on the licence and a per-person processing cost.
| Item | From |
|---|---|
| Licence only, no visa allocation | AED 14,500 |
| Licence with 1 visa allocation | AED 19,500 |
| Licence with 3 visa allocations | AED 27,500 |
| Establishment card | AED 2,000 |
| Residence visa, per person | AED 4,200 |
| Trade name reservation | AED 700 |
These are indicative 2026 market ranges, shown so you can budget realistically. Government fees change and every case differs — we send a fixed written quote covering your exact activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.
Facility options and visa allowance
Digital / virtual
Up to 3 visasNo physical space. Sufficient for consultancy and most service businesses.
Serviced office
Scales with size visasA dedicated office within the Meydan district.
Popular activities
A selection of what Meydan Free Zone permits. The full list runs to hundreds of activities — ask us about yours.
- Management consultancy
- Financial and investment advisory
- General trading
- Media and content production
- Technology and software
- Real estate consultancy
- Holding company activity
How long it takes
Typical timings with complete documents. Regulated activities needing external approval take longer.
Online application
Same dayTrade name, activity and shareholder details submitted through the Meydan portal.
Document review
24 hoursMeydan verifies passports, addresses and any required approvals.
Licence issuance
24–48 hoursTrade licence, incorporation certificate and share certificate issued digitally.
Establishment card
2–3 working daysIssued once the licence is active.
Residence visa
7–12 working daysEntry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
What you need to provide
Everything on this list, for each shareholder and director.
- Passport copy for every shareholder and director (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photograph against a white background
- Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business plan — required for financial, consultancy and regulated activities
- Existing UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are already in the country
- No Objection Certificate from your current sponsor, if you hold a UAE residence visa
Meydan Free Zone questions
Why is Meydan more expensive than IFZA?
You are paying for the Dubai address and the reputational weight that carries — particularly with banks during account opening, and with corporate clients assessing whether to work with you. If neither matters for your business, a cheaper zone will serve you just as well legally.
Can I really get a licence in 24 hours?
Often yes, if your documents are complete and your activity does not need external approval. Regulated activities — financial services, healthcare, education — require additional authority sign-off and take longer.
Does Meydan help with bank account opening?
A Meydan licence tends to be received well by UAE banks, but no free zone can guarantee an account. We handle the introductions and prepare your application against each bank's specific criteria.
Compare other free zones
Ready to set up in Meydan Free Zone?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We'll send a fixed written quote with every government fee itemised.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109