Meydan vs SPC: 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 SPC (from about AED 5,750) are both UAE free zones — SPC 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). SPC best suits: Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub. No single zone pays us more, so the recommendation depends only on your activity, visa count and budget.
Meydan and SPC 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 | SPC |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 12,500 | AED 5,750 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Location | Meydan / Nad Al Sheba, Business Bay catchment, Dubai | Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah |
| Visas | Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. | Visa packages are configured in SPC's cost calculator rather than published as a fixed quota per licence — your allocation depends on the package and facility. |
| Activities | Meydan offers a list of 2,500+ permitted activities. | 2,000+ business activities are available, and SPC publishes its activity list online with a name-check tool. |
Lower entry price: SPC.
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 SPC if
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
Think twice if
Regulated financial-services firms (DIFC or ADGM fit better), businesses that specifically need a Dubai-emirate address for clients or staff, and heavy industrial or port-side operations — JAFZA, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ industrial facilities fit those better.
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
SPC
from AED 5,750
Business setup package
SPC's published starting price; the total is configured in its online cost calculator from activities, visas and facility
From AED 5,750 (published)
Licence with lease agreement
A lease agreement comes with every business licence
Included
Visa packages
Configured per package in the cost calculator; residency processed in as fast as 5 working days
Quote-based
Paid-up share capital
SPC requires zero paid-up share capital
AED 0
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.
SPC
- Published entry price of AED 5,750 — with the lease agreement included, the licence covers your legal address without a separate flexi-desk line.
- Speed: about 45 minutes to complete setup with an advisor, residency in as fast as 5 working days, immigration on site.
- Zero paid-up share capital and 100% foreign ownership across the 2,000+ activity list.
- Government of Sharjah backing with a fully digital portal for setup, amendments and renewals.
- Deep value-added bench: banking assistance, spouse/dependant visas, documentation, customs code and financing support under one roof.
- The AED 5,750 headline is a starting price — visas, extra activities and facilities move the calculator total up, so always compare the itemised quote.
- A Sharjah address, not Dubai: fine for most online and service businesses, but clients who expect a Dubai-emirate licence or address should weigh Dubai zones.
- No fixed published visa quota per licence — your allocation is configured per package and confirmed at quote stage.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Meydan or SPC?+
Meydan licences start from about AED 12,500 (license only, 0 visa, up to 3 activities, includes flexi-desk, approx per year). SPC starts from about AED 5,750 (from / published — SPC states business setup packages start from AED 5,750; the final price is built in its online cost calculator from your activities, visas and facility, and government and visa fees are added on top). SPC 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 SPC best for?+
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
How do I decide between Meydan and SPC?+
Compare licence cost, visa allocation and activity fit. Meydan: Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. SPC: Visa packages are configured in SPC's cost calculator rather than published as a fixed quota per licence — your allocation depends on the package and facility. 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 SPC?
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.