Meydan Free Zone 2026: From AED 15K, What Do You Get?
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone with a Dubai address, 100% foreign ownership, and one of the most quoted entry prices in the UAE market. The license starts from AED 12,500 and the year-one all-in with one visa runs AED 18,000 to AED 22,000. Here is the full breakdown, who Meydan is right for, and where it falls short.
What Does Meydan Free Zone Actually Cost in 2026?
The license-only figure you see advertised starts from AED 12,500. With one investor visa, establishment card, e-channel registration, and our advisory fee added, the realistic year-one all-in runs AED 18,000 to AED 22,000. The “from AED 12,500” headline is real but zero-visa. Here is the full itemised breakdown for a solo founder with one investor visa.
Cost
| Item | Scenario A: 1 Visa (Solo Founder) |
|---|---|
| License and Registration | |
| Annual license fee Commercial, service, or e-commerce activity; up to 3 activities on one license | 12,500 |
| Trade name registration and initial approval | Included |
| P.O. Box (annual) | ~1,000 |
| Facility | |
| Virtual office / flexi-desk Included in standard package; supports 1 to 2 investor visas | Included |
| Dedicated office unit (entry) | From 15,000/yr |
| Immigration | |
| Establishment card (ICP) Free zone companies use ICP, not MOHRE. Required before any visa application. | 1,500 to 2,000 |
| E-channel registration AED 2,200 non-refundable + AED 5,000 refundable security deposit | 2,200 + 5,000 deposit |
| Investor visa per person Entry permit + medical fitness test + Emirates ID + stamping | 4,000 to 5,000 |
| Health insurance per person (mandatory) | From 1,200 |
| Our Service | |
| Setup and PRO support, Year 1 Bank intro, FTA registration, UBO filing included | 4,000 to 5,000 |
| Year-One Total Arithmetic: AED 12,500 + 1,000 + 1,750 + 2,200 + 4,500 + 4,500 = AED 26,450 at midpoints. Excl. AED 5,000 refundable deposit and health insurance. | ~AED 18,000 to AED 22,000 |
Figures in AED and indicative. The AED 5,000 refundable e-channel security deposit is excluded from the year-one total and returned in full on company closure. Health insurance is mandatory and billed separately from AED 1,200 per year for a standard working-age plan. Annual renewal is typically 20 to 30% lower than year-one as one-time fees are excluded. Meydan does not publish a standard price list; the AED 12,500 figure is widely cited by registered agents and confirmed by multiple 2026 sources.
Commercial, Service, or E-Commerce: Pick the License That Fits.
Meydan issues commercial, service, e-commerce, and holding licenses under a single free zone authority. Multiple activities can appear on one license at no extra cost. The Dubai address is the primary commercial advantage; if your clients, bank, or enterprise procurement team asks where you are based, a Meydan license answers “Dubai” in a way that no other non-Dubai free zone can.
Step 1
- Trading, import/export, consulting, IT advisory, marketing
- Dubai address on the license and all official documents
- Up to 3 activities on one license at no extra cost
- 1 to 2 investor visas on the virtual office package
- 0% QFZP corporate tax on qualifying income
- Online retail, dropshipping, and digital product sales
- Satisfies Amazon UAE and Noon UAE seller license requirement
- Dubai-issued license carries stronger recognition than non-Dubai zones
- No warehouse at Meydan; use third-party fulfilment for UAE inventory
- Network International and Telr accept Meydan e-commerce licenses
- Holding company for UAE or GCC operating subsidiaries
- Special purpose vehicle (SPV) for real estate or investment assets
- Dubai address adds credibility for international joint venture agreements
- No minimum share capital requirement for standard holding structures
- Annual renewal typically AED 10,000 to AED 14,000 once established
Calculate Your Meydan Setup Cost.
Adjust the inputs to see a realistic year-one estimate. The output is the full itemised figure, not a license-only headline. The AED 5,000 refundable e-channel deposit is excluded from all estimates.
Step 2
Your Meydan Setup, Itemised
An estimate from current published rates, not a quote. Government fees change.
Live estimate based on confirmed Meydan pricing. The refundable AED 5,000 e-channel deposit is excluded from all estimates. Final quote confirmed after a 30-minute scoping call where we verify activity codes, visa headcount, and any attestation requirements.
What We Handle, and What You Handle.
Most Meydan quotes cover the license and stop there. The establishment card, e-channel registration, FTA corporate tax deadline, and bank account introduction are the steps that get missed. Here is the honest split.
What’s Included
✓ We Handle
- Activity selection and Meydan permitted list confirmation before application
- Company name reservation and Meydan portal submission
- ICP establishment card application and e-channel registration coordination
- Visa entry permit, status change, and Emirates ID coordination
- Medical appointment scheduling and PRO liaison
- Corporate bank account introduction (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, ADCB)
- UBO registration under UAE federal mandatory disclosure rules
- Corporate tax registration with FTA EmaraTax before financial year-end deadline
- Year-1 PRO support, renewal reminders, and compliance calendar
● You Handle
- Passport copies, photographs, and current visa documents
- Biometrics and medical fitness test (any ICP Customer Happiness Centre)
- KYC documents for the bank account (proof of address, business plan)
- Source of funds documentation if the bank requests it
- Foreign corporate document attestation for non-GCC shareholders (2 to 4 weeks)
- Activity choice, share structure, and signatory decisions
From Signed Quote to Active Company, Usually 7 Days.
A real timeline, not a promise of fast and easy. Days are working days for a standard Meydan commercial or service setup. The license is the fastest step. The bank account that follows has its own timeline.
Scoping Call
30 minutes. We confirm license type, activities, and visa count. Signed itemised quote issued before application goes in.
YOUDocument Submission
Passport copies, proof of address, and company name submitted through the Meydan portal. Standard activities approved in 3 to 5 working days. Foreign corporate documents require overseas attestation running 2 to 4 weeks; start before flying.
USLicense Issued
License, certificate of incorporation, and virtual office agreement issued. Full registration can be completed remotely. No physical visit to Meydan required at this stage.
USEstablishment Card and E-Channel
ICP establishment card applied for. E-channel registration (AED 2,200 non-refundable + AED 5,000 refundable deposit). Both must be complete before any visa application can be submitted. Allow 3 to 7 working days.
USVisa and Emirates ID
Entry permit issued. Status change processed. Medical and biometrics at any ICP Customer Happiness Centre. Emirates ID delivered 7 to 10 working days after biometrics. No visit to Meydan required.
YOU AND USBank Account
Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, and ADCB all accept Meydan entities. Standard timeline 3 to 8 weeks. The Dubai address helps at account opening: banks apply less additional due diligence to Meydan entities than to Sharjah or Northern Emirates free zone companies.
YOU AND USConsulting and Professional Services
Trading and Import/Export
E-Commerce and Online Sellers
Tech and SaaS Companies
Holding Companies and SPV Structures
Meydan vs IFZA vs DMCC vs SHAMS
A Few of the Meydan Setups We Ran in the Last 12 Months.
Anonymised at the founder’s request. We can connect you with a reference in your sector on the scoping call.
Meydan Service License for an Indian Management Consultant Billing UK Enterprise Clients
Founder needed a Dubai entity for invoicing London clients. The UK procurement team required a Dubai-registered entity on contracts. Meydan service license, 1 investor visa, Emirates NBD account opened in 6 weeks. Year-one cost AED 21,200. Saving versus DMCC over three years: AED 18,000.
Meydan E-Commerce License for an Amazon UAE Seller Who Needed a Dubai-Registered Entity
Founder needed UAE trade license for Amazon UAE seller registration and AED payouts. Chose Meydan over SHAMS specifically for the Dubai address and faster bank account opening. Meydan e-commerce license, 1 investor visa, ADCB account opened in 9 weeks. Year-one cost AED 19,400.
Meydan Holding License for a UK SaaS Founder Structuring a UAE Parent Entity
UK founder needed a UAE parent holding entity for a SaaS operating company. Chose Meydan over RAK ICC for the investor visa and Dubai address on investor documents. Meydan holding license, 1 investor visa, Mashreq account, FTA corporate tax registration. Year-one cost AED 20,800.
Questions We Hear on Most Meydan Scoping Calls.
FAQ
Is Meydan Free Zone Actually in Dubai?
Yes. Meydan Free Zone is located in the Meydan district of Dubai, within the Dubai emirate. The address on your trade license, Emirates ID, bank account statements, and company documents will show Dubai. This is the core commercial advantage of Meydan over free zones in Sharjah, Ajman, or Ras Al Khaimah.
The zone is co-located at the Meydan Hotel and Racecourse complex. There is no requirement to operate from or visit the physical location; the virtual office included in the standard package provides the Dubai address without a physical space commitment.
How Does Meydan Compare to IFZA for a Consulting Business?
The license fee difference is approximately AED 0 to AED 2,400 per year depending on which IFZA package you compare. IFZA’s Dubai Silicon Oasis address is also in Dubai. The practical differences are: IFZA carries slightly stronger bank recognition at tier-1 UAE banks, meaning account opening is marginally faster; Meydan’s address at the Meydan racecourse complex is more recognisable to some international clients; and IFZA has a larger agent network with more published pricing transparency.
For most solo consultants and small service businesses, the choice between Meydan and IFZA at the same visa count is a minor decision. We will tell you which one has current availability and the faster bank introduction before you apply.
Does a Meydan Company Qualify for the UAE 0% Corporate Tax Rate?
Yes. Meydan is a designated free zone and its companies can qualify for the 0% rate as a QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) on qualifying income, under the same framework as DMCC, IFZA, and all other UAE free zones. Three conditions must hold: adequate substance in the free zone, qualifying income from free zone or foreign sources, and non-qualifying income below the de minimis threshold (the lower of 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million).
If non-qualifying revenue (including UAE mainland sales) exceeds the de minimis threshold, all income becomes taxable at 9% for that tax period and the following four consecutive tax periods. Map your qualifying versus non-qualifying revenue split before incorporation, not at the first FTA filing.
Can I Set Up a Meydan Company Without Visiting Dubai?
Yes, for the license and incorporation. Meydan accepts remote registration. No physical visit to Dubai or to the Meydan office is required at any stage of the incorporation process. For the investor visa and Emirates ID, you will need to attend biometrics and a medical fitness test, which can be done at any ICP Customer Happiness Centre across the UAE. You do not need to visit Meydan specifically.
What Is the Visa Quota on a Meydan Virtual Office Package?
The standard Meydan virtual office or flexi-desk package supports 1 to 2 investor visas. If you need more than two visas, you will need to upgrade to a dedicated office unit, which unlocks a higher quota tied to the office size. We confirm the current visa ceiling on the package before your application goes in, as Meydan’s package tiers can change between renewal cycles.
Do You Guarantee the Bank Account Opens?
No consultancy can guarantee bank approval. The bank decides based on its own KYC and compliance review. For Meydan clients, the Dubai address works in your favour at account opening compared to Northern Emirates or Sharjah free zone entities. We pre-screen your file against each bank’s criteria before submission. If a tier-1 bank declines, we have introductions to tier-2 and neobank alternatives that almost always approve within 4 to 6 weeks of a first rejection.