Meydan vs Dubai South: which free zone fits you?
A neutral comparison — no single free zone pays us more than another.
In short
Meydan (licences from about AED 12,500) and Dubai South (from about AED 12,500) are both UAE free zones — Meydan has the lower entry price. Meydan best suits: E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk). Dubai South best suits: Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. No single zone pays us more, so the recommendation depends only on your activity, visa count and budget.
Meydan and Dubai South side by side
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
| Criteria | Meydan | Dubai South |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 12,500 | AED 12,500 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Location | Meydan / Nad Al Sheba, Business Bay catchment, Dubai | Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum Airport |
| Visas | Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. | The Business Hub package is sold with the option to add visas, and the zone's own Free Zone Management issues visas and work permits on site. |
| Activities | Meydan offers a list of 2,500+ permitted activities. | Three registration routes: the Business Hub free-zone package, DWC LLC companies and branches, and freelancer professional permits. |
Lower entry price: Meydan.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Meydan if
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
Think twice if
Businesses that need a large team of more than three visas without renting a physical office, or that sell goods and services directly to the UAE mainland market. Those cases usually fit a private office, a different zone, or a Dubai mainland (DET) licence better.
Choose Dubai South if
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
Think twice if
Regulated financial-services firms (DIFC or ADGM fit better), businesses that need a prime central-Dubai address or walk-in mainland retail, and founders hunting the absolute cheapest paper licence — Shams and RAKEZ start lower. The district is still building out, so day-to-day city amenities are thinner than central Dubai.
Cost breakdowns
Meydan
from AED 12,500
Trade licence (zero-visa, up to 3 activities, incl. flexi-desk)
Approximate starting package; rises with extra activities or visas.
from AED 12,500 / year
Establishment card (immigration/e-channel registration)
Required before any company visa can be issued.
approx AED 1,800 - 2,500
Residence visa (investor or employment), per person
All-in for entry permit, status change and stamping; varies by type.
approx AED 4,500 - 6,200
Medical test + Emirates ID, per person
Often included in the all-in visa figure above; confirm per quote.
approx AED 700 - 1,200
Name reservation + initial approval
Generally bundled into the licence package at Meydan.
usually included
Flexi-desk / shared workspace (registered address)
Private office is extra and unlocks a higher visa quota.
included in base
Private office (optional, for more visas/space)
Price depends on size; roughly one visa per 9 sqm.
from approx AED 15,000+ / year
Corporate tax registration (Federal Tax Authority)
Registration is mandatory; 0% on qualifying income, 9% above AED 375,000 of non-qualifying profit.
no government fee
Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Business Hub free-zone package
Same-day issuance, flexi-desk access, option to add visas; a promotional AED 11,375 was displayed at the time of checking (2026-08)
AED 12,500 (published)
DWC LLC company or branch
Registered through the Dubai South customer portal; fees confirmed per activity and facility
Quote-based
Freelancer professional licence
Individual professional permit within Dubai South
Quote-based
Office, warehouse or plot
Options across the Business Park and Logistics District; built-to-suit available
Quote-based
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
Strengths and trade-offs
Meydan
- Low starting cost with a credible Dubai address and three activities included.
- Fully online incorporation — fast and remote-friendly.
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation.
- Wide activity list and the option to combine compatible activities.
- Qualifying Free Zone status enabling a potential 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
- The flexi-desk caps you at around three visas; a larger team means renting an office, which raises the real cost.
- You cannot sell directly to the UAE mainland from a free zone licence without a local distributor or a separate mainland licence.
- The advertised starting price is a base figure — visas, establishment card and add-ons push the real first-year total higher.
- Holding a Qualifying Free Zone 0% rate requires meeting substance, audit and qualifying-income conditions, which adds compliance work.
Dubai South
- Published-price government package (AED 12,500) with same-day licence issuance — rare clarity among Dubai zones.
- The strategic bet: Dubai is building its future aviation capacity at Al Maktoum, and Dubai South is the city around it.
- Sea-air-rail logistics corridor: 30 km to Jebel Ali Port plus Etihad Rail — built for freight and fulfilment.
- On-site regulator (DACC Free Zone Management) for visas, permits and NOCs — no cross-town government runs.
- Dedicated aerospace cluster (MBR Aerospace Hub) and an employment dispute mediation service for licensees.
- DWC LLC, branch and freelancer fees are not published — those routes are quote-based through the portal.
- The district is still developing: fewer offices, restaurants and services on the ground than central Dubai today.
- Distance: roughly 45–60 minutes from Downtown and DIFC — a real commute if your clients sit in central Dubai.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
- Cheapest-licence hunters can start lower at Shams (AED 5,750) or RAKEZ (AED 6,000).
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Meydan or Dubai South?+
Meydan licences start from about AED 12,500 (license only, 0 visa, up to 3 activities, includes flexi-desk, approx per year). Dubai South starts from about AED 12,500 (from / published — Business Hub free-zone package (AED 12,500 list; a promotional AED 11,375 was displayed when checked, 2026-08) with flexi-desk access, same-day issuance and the option to add visas. DWC LLC / branch and freelancer routes are quoted via the Dubai South portal; visas and government fees are separate). Meydan has the lower headline price, but your real total depends on visa count and office needs — always compare a written, itemised quote.
Who is Meydan best for?+
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
Who is Dubai South best for?+
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
How do I decide between Meydan and Dubai South?+
Compare licence cost, visa allocation and activity fit. Meydan: Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. Dubai South: The Business Hub package is sold with the option to add visas, and the zone's own Free Zone Management issues visas and work permits on site. If you are still unsure, our free zone selector or a free 30-minute PRO Health Check will confirm the better fit for your case.
Still torn between Meydan and Dubai South?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need, and we'll confirm the better-fit zone and its real cost — in writing, line by line.