Meydan vs Shams: 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 Shams (from about AED 5,750) are both UAE free zones — Shams 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). Shams best suits: Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland. No single zone pays us more, so the recommendation depends only on your activity, visa count and budget.
Meydan and Shams 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 | Shams |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 12,500 | AED 5,750 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Location | Meydan / Nad Al Sheba, Business Bay catchment, Dubai | Sharjah Media City, Sharjah (approx. 15 minutes from Dubai) |
| Visas | Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. | Shams uses a flexible visa system rather than a fixed low cap. |
| Activities | Meydan offers a list of 2,500+ permitted activities. | You can combine up to 5 business activities under a single Shams licence, and they can span different sectors — for example media, e-commerce, IT, consultancy and general services. |
Lower entry price: Shams.
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 Shams if
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
Think twice if
Founders who need a Dubai address for prestige or clients, businesses that must sell goods or services directly to the UAE mainland without a distributor, or activities requiring heavy regulatory approval (financial services, healthcare). Banks can also be slightly more cautious with cheaper Sharjah zones.
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
Shams
from AED 5,750
Trade licence (1 year, zero visa)
Cheapest media/e-commerce package; flexi-desk usually included.
AED 5,750 from
Licence + flexi-desk + 1 visa package
Typical working setup for a single founder; bundled price.
AED 11,000–13,500 from
Establishment / immigration card
Required once before issuing any residence visa.
AED 1,500–1,575
E-channel immigration registration
Often includes a refundable deposit (approx. AED 5,000).
AED 2,700–7,150
Residence visa (per person, 2 years)
Investor visa lower; employee visa higher; excludes medical/ID.
AED 2,200–3,700
Medical test + Emirates ID (per visa)
Medical approx. AED 365 + Emirates ID approx. AED 330–371.
AED 700–900
Flexi-desk (if charged separately / annual)
Usually bundled; standalone price in some packages.
AED 1,600–3,000
Corporate tax & VAT registration
FTA registration is free; 9% corporate tax applies above AED 375k profit; VAT only if turnover exceeds AED 375k.
Government: 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.
Shams
- Very low entry cost — among the cheapest credible UAE free zone licences.
- Up to 5 activities and 100% foreign ownership under one licence.
- Flexible visa allocation that scales with your office solution.
- Fast, largely remote incorporation — often 1–2 working days.
- Flexi-desk address that several UAE banks accept for account opening.
- Close to Dubai (about 15 minutes) while paying Sharjah-level costs.
- It's a Sharjah address, not Dubai — some clients and partners still prefer a Dubai licence.
- As a free zone, you cannot sell directly to the UAE mainland without a distributor or a separate mainland licence.
- Cheaper zones can face more bank scrutiny; account opening may take longer or need extra documents.
- Advertised "from" prices exclude visa, e-channel deposit, medical and Emirates ID — real total is higher.
- Shams no longer issues a separate freelancer permit — freelancers now use a standard company licence.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Meydan or Shams?+
Meydan licences start from about AED 12,500 (license only, 0 visa, up to 3 activities, includes flexi-desk, approx per year). Shams starts from about AED 5,750 (licence only, 0 visa, approx. — add flexi-desk and visa for a working setup). Shams 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 Shams best for?+
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
How do I decide between Meydan and Shams?+
Compare licence cost, visa allocation and activity fit. Meydan: Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. Shams: Shams uses a flexible visa system rather than a fixed low cap. 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 Shams?
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.