Summary
Meydan Free Zone lets you set up a 100% foreign-owned Dubai company fully online, with licenses from AED 12,500 and an instant Fawri license issued in under an hour. This guide covers Meydan free zone license cost, visa packages, the business activity list, the registration process, required documents, hidden costs, renewal and how Meydan compares with IFZA and DMCC, with honest pros and cons.
Meydan is one of the zones I recommend most often to consultants, e-commerce sellers and digital agencies. You get a genuine Dubai address, fast digital processing and a clear price. But the headline price is not the whole story, and a few details catch founders out. After handling business setup in Dubai across every major free zone, here is my honest view.
What Is Meydan Free Zone and Where Is It Located?
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone known for fully digital company formation. Its office is in the Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, next to the famous Meydan Racecourse and about 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Business Bay.
- Location: Meydan, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai (not in another emirate)
- Legal entity: Free Zone LLC (LLC-FZ)
- Activities: 2,500+ business activities on a regular license
- Setup: Fully online, often within one to three working days
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership, no local partner
Why Choose Meydan Free Zone for Business Setup?
- A real Dubai address at a mid-market price
- Fast licensing: the Fawri license is issued in under 60 minutes for eligible founders
- Fully remote setup: no need to visit Dubai until visa biometrics
- Mix unrelated activities: e-commerce, marketing and consulting can sit on one license
- Flexi-desk included in the standard package
- Multi-year discounts of up to 15%
- Up to six visa allocations per license, not tied to office size
Meydan Free Zone License Types
| License | Starting Cost | Who It Suits | Activities |
| Regular License | From AED 12,500 a year | SMEs, multiple shareholders | 3 activity groups from 2,500+ |
| Fawri (Instant) License | From AED 15,000 a year | Single shareholder, fast start | 3 activity groups from 1,800+ |
Fawri is ideal if you are a solo founder who wants to start trading the same day. If you plan to add partners, the regular license is usually the better fit. Read more about fast options in our instant license in Dubai guide.
Meydan Free Zone Business Activities
Meydan’s activity list covers commercial, professional, industrial-support and media activities. Popular choices include:
- E-commerce and dropshipping: online retail, marketplaces, social commerce
- Digital and media: digital marketing, SEO, social media, content creation, advertising
- Technology: software development, IT consulting, app development, AI services
- Consulting: management, business, HR, marketing and education consulting
- Trading: general trading and specific goods trading
- Events and lifestyle: event management, fashion, beauty and wellness services
Some activities need external approval, such as education (KHDA), healthcare (DHA) or food. Check the Meydan activity guidance before you apply.
The three-group rule: each license includes three activity groups. Extra groups cost around AED 1,000 each. A common mistake is choosing three “nice to have” activities and then paying to add the one you actually invoice for. Pick what you will bill in the next 6 to 12 months.
If you sell online, see our guides on starting an e-commerce business and dropshipping in Dubai. Agencies should read our digital marketing agency setup guide.
Meydan Free Zone Cost Breakdown
Based on Meydan’s published fees, here is what a typical setup costs. Always confirm current prices before paying.
| Cost Item | Indicative Amount (AED) |
| Regular license (3 activity groups, flexi-desk) | From 12,500 a year |
| Fawri instant license | From 15,000 a year |
| Extra activity group | Around 1,000 each |
| Establishment card | Around 2,000 |
| Visa allocation (per visa) | Around 1,850 |
| Investor or partner visa | Around 4,000 |
| Employment visa | Around 3,500 |
| Medical test and Emirates ID | Around 2,250 per person |
| Dependent visa | Around 6,000 per person |
| Shared office (optional) | From about 15,000 a year |
| Dedicated office (optional) | From about 30,000 a year |
Realistic First-Year Budget
- License only, no visa: from AED 12,500
- Solo founder with one investor visa: around AED 20,000 to 23,000, plus health insurance
- Small team with three visas: around AED 32,000 to 40,000
Use Meydan’s own cost calculator or our business setup cost calculator to compare.
Hidden Costs to Plan For
- Health insurance for every visa holder
- Change-of-status fees if you are already in the UAE
- Extra activity groups
- Bank account minimum balances
- Accounting, audit and tax filing
Meydan Free Zone Visa Packages
- Up to six visa allocations per license
- Two-year residence visas, renewable
- Investor, partner and employment visas available
- Family sponsorship for spouse and children, subject to salary and housing rules
- Long-term residency: eligible founders can also explore the UAE Golden Visa
Visa steps are entry permit, status change or entry, medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa issuance through GDRFA Dubai. Our PRO services team can manage the process for you.
Meydan Free Zone Registration Process
- Choose activities and check whether any need external approval.
- Pick your license: regular or Fawri.
- Reserve a trade name
- Upload documents and complete KYC.
- Pay fees and sign the lease agreement.
- Receive your trade license, often within one to three working days (or under an hour for Fawri).
- Get your establishment card and apply for visas.
- Open a corporate bank account. We help with corporate bank account opening.
Consultant tip: Meydan is self-service, but banks are not. A clear business profile, client contracts and source of funds will matter far more for your bank account than for your license.
Documents Required
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you live in the UAE
- Proof of home address
- Short business description
- For corporate shareholders: attested certificate of incorporation, memorandum and board resolution
Meydan vs IFZA vs DMCC
| Factor | Meydan | IFZA | DMCC |
| Starting license | From AED 12,500 | From around AED 12,900 | From around AED 27,000 setup |
| Location | Meydan, Nad Al Sheba | Dubai Silicon Oasis | JLT and Uptown Dubai |
| Setup speed | Very fast, instant option | Fast | Slower, more checks |
| Activities per license | 3 groups included | Package dependent | Wide, by license type |
| Visa model | Up to 6, not tied to office | Package or office based | Office size based |
| Best for | E-commerce, consultants, digital agencies | Budget consulting and trading | Commodities, premium brands |
Choose Meydan for speed, a Dubai address and mixed digital activities. Choose IFZA if you want package flexibility and more visas. Choose DMCC for commodities or a premium JLT address. On a tighter budget, compare Ajman Free Zone or Fujairah free zones. See all options in our free zone business setup in Dubai guide.
Who Should Choose Meydan?
Good fit – Consultants, freelancers and coaches wanting a company – E-commerce sellers on Amazon, Noon and Shopify – Digital, marketing and software businesses – Non-residents who want a Dubai company quickly
Better elsewhere – Warehousing, manufacturing or retail shops – Businesses selling directly to mainland customers from a shop or office. See mainland company formation in Dubai – Companies needing more than six visas
Meydan Free Zone Review: Pros and Cons
After setting up many Meydan companies, this is my balanced review.
Pros – Clear, published pricing and a fast online portal – Dubai address without Dubai premium pricing – Freedom to combine unrelated activities on one license – Visa quota not linked to office size, so a flexi-desk can still support visas
Cons – Only three activity groups before extra fees apply – Maximum of six visas, which limits growing teams – Renewal price is not always the same as the first-year offer – Banks still apply strict checks to new flexi-desk companies
For most small service and online businesses, the pros clearly outweigh the cons.
Corporate Tax, VAT and Renewal
- Corporate tax: 0% on qualifying income applies only if you meet Qualifying Free Zone Person rules, including real substance and audited accounts. Many small flexi-desk companies fall under the standard regime: 0% up to AED 375,000 profit and 9% above.
- VAT: register once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000. Our VAT consultants and accounting services keep you compliant.
- Renewal: licenses renew yearly. Renewal pricing can differ from first-year offers, so get it in writing and consider multi-year discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Meydan Free Zone license cost?
The regular license starts from AED 12,500 a year with three activity groups and a flexi-desk. The Fawri instant license starts from AED 15,000.
How long does Meydan company setup take?
A regular license is often issued in one to three working days. The Fawri license can be issued in under 60 minutes.
How many visas can I get with Meydan Free Zone?
Up to six visa allocations per license, and the quota is not tied to office size.
Is Meydan Free Zone good for startups and e-commerce?
Yes. Its low entry cost, digital setup and flexible activity mix suit startups, e-commerce sellers and digital agencies.
Can a Meydan company work with mainland clients?
It can provide services to mainland clients and sell online. Selling goods from a mainland shop or office usually needs a mainland license or distributor.
Is Meydan better than IFZA?
Both are strong. Meydan wins on speed and flexible activity mixing, while IFZA offers more package options and visa flexibility.
How much is the Meydan Free Zone license renewal cost?
Renewal usually costs close to the license fee, from around AED 12,500 a year, plus establishment card and visa renewals. Confirm the renewal rate in writing before you sign.
Can I move my existing free zone company to Meydan?
Yes. Companies can relocate from another free zone to Meydan through a transfer process that keeps the business running, subject to both authorities’ approvals.
Where is Meydan Free Zone located?
Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.
Set Up Your Meydan Free Zone Company with DIAC
DIAC helps you choose the right activities, license and visa plan, then handles registration, visas, bank account and tax. Book a free consultation for an exact Meydan quote.
About the Author
Adil Ahmad is a senior free zone consultant at DIAC. He advises consultants, e-commerce founders, digital agencies and international investors on Meydan free zone company formation and compares Meydan with IFZA, DMCC and Northern Emirates free zones to find the best fit.
