Company Formation in Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
A prestigious Dubai address, set up fully online.
In short
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone in the Meydan / Nad Al Sheba district known for a prestigious Dubai address and a fully digital setup. Licences start from approximately AED 12,500 per year for a zero-visa package with up to three activities and a flexi-desk. Visa allocation runs up to three on a flexi-desk and more with an office. It best suits e-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, SMEs and holding companies.
Licence from
AED 12,500
license only, 0 visa, up to 3 activities, includes flexi-desk, approx per year
Emirate
Dubai
Meydan / Nad Al Sheba, Business Bay catchment, Dubai
Visas
Package-based
Visa allocation is tied to your workspace. A flexi-desk package typically allows up to three visas. To go beyond that you rent a private office, where the quota is driven by floor area (roughly one visa per 9 sqm). Each visa is applied for separately and is not bundled into the base licence price.
Activities
Wide range
Meydan offers a list of 2,500+ permitted activities. Up to three activities are usually included in the base licence, and more can be added (commonly up to around ten) for an extra fee, provided they sit within compatible activity groups. Categories cover commercial trading, professional services, consultancy, e-commerce, media and holding.
Why Meydan?
- Prestigious Dubai address in the Meydan / Nad Al Sheba district, which generally reads well with UAE banks.
- Fully digital setup — application, signing and licence issuance are handled online, with no in-person visit required to incorporate.
- Low entry cost from approximately AED 12,500 per year, with three business activities included under one licence.
- Access to 2,500+ business activities across commercial, services, e-commerce, media and holding categories.
- 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and full profit repatriation.
- Recognised Qualifying Free Zone, so qualifying income can be taxed at 0% corporate tax when the conditions are met.
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).
Less ideal for
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.
Meydan setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
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
How we set you up
- 1
Pick activities and structure
Confirm your business activities (up to three free), the licence type and whether you need an FZ-LLC or a branch.
- 2
Reserve the company name
Submit your preferred trade name for approval against UAE naming rules.
- 3
Submit documents online
Upload passport copies and shareholder details through Meydan's digital portal — no in-person visit needed.
- 4
Receive the trade licence
Once approved, the licence and incorporation documents are issued digitally, often within a few business days.
- 5
Set up the establishment card
Register the company with immigration (e-channel) so it can sponsor residence visas.
- 6
Process visas (if needed)
Apply for your investor or employee visas, complete medical testing and Emirates ID, then stamp the residence.
- 7
Open a bank account and register for tax
Open a UAE corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if your turnover requires it).
Pros
- 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.
Things to weigh
- 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.
Meydan or mainland?
Meydan Free Zone wins on cost, speed and a fully digital setup, and it is strong for international, e-commerce and consultancy work where most clients are outside the UAE — qualifying income can sit at 0% corporate tax. A Dubai mainland (DET) licence wins when you need to invoice UAE customers directly, sign UAE government contracts, open a retail location or scale a large local team without an office-driven visa cap. Many founders start in Meydan and add a mainland presence later if local trade grows.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Meydan Free Zone licence cost in 2026?+
A zero-visa licence starts from approximately AED 12,500 per year, including up to three activities and a flexi-desk. Adding visas, the establishment card and a private office raises the real first-year total, so always work from an itemised quote rather than the headline price.
How many visas can I get with Meydan Free Zone?+
On a flexi-desk you can typically get up to three visas. For more, you rent a private office where the quota is roughly one visa per 9 sqm. Each visa is applied for and paid separately.
Can I do business on the Dubai mainland with a Meydan licence?+
Not directly. A free zone company can serve clients internationally and other free zones freely, but to sell goods or services to the UAE mainland market you generally need a local distributor or a separate mainland (DET) licence. Service work delivered to mainland clients is possible in some cases — we advise on the cleanest route per activity.
How long does it take to set up in Meydan Free Zone?+
Because the process is fully digital, the trade licence is often issued within a few business days once documents and name approval are in. Visa processing then adds roughly one to three weeks depending on medical and Emirates ID scheduling.
Do I need a physical office at Meydan?+
No. The base package includes a flexi-desk that gives you a registered address and satisfies the minimum requirement. You only need a private office if you want more than about three visas or dedicated space.
What can I use a Meydan Free Zone company for?+
It suits e-commerce, freelancing, consultancy, agencies, trading and holding structures. Meydan offers 2,500+ activities across commercial, professional, e-commerce, media and holding categories, with up to three included in the base licence.
Does a Meydan company pay corporate tax?+
Meydan is a recognised Qualifying Free Zone, so qualifying income can be taxed at 0% if you meet the substance, audit and qualifying-income conditions. Non-qualifying income, and profit above AED 375,000 that does not qualify, is taxed at 9%. Corporate tax registration is mandatory regardless of the rate.
Can I get a residence visa for my family through Meydan?+
Yes. Once you hold your own investor or employment residence visa, you can sponsor dependents (spouse and children) subject to the usual salary and documentation requirements. Dependent visas are priced separately per person.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
ZETUP PRO is an independent advisor — we are not paid by Meydan or any free zone, so we recommend it only when it is genuinely the best fit, and we are upfront when a private office, another zone or a mainland licence would serve you better. We give you a transparent, itemised cost (licence, visas, establishment card, office and corporate tax), and we handle the full setup including visas, bank introductions and tax registration. Message us on WhatsApp or book a free PRO health check and we will map your real first-year cost before you commit.
Compare with other free zones
IFZA
from AED 12,900
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
Shams
from AED 5,750
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.
DAFZA
from AED 15,020
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
JAFZA
from AED 15,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.