Among the UAE's more than 40 free zones, Meydan Free Zone has carved out a distinct position, combining a prestigious central Dubai address with some of the most transparent, competitively priced licensing in the market. Whether you're a solo consultant, an e-commerce founder, or a growing team, here's what makes it worth serious consideration.
Contact Raes Associates to get started with your Meydan Free Zone license.
What Is Meydan Free Zone?
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai-based free zone known for its central location near Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Dubai International Airport, and for offering one of the broadest activity lists of any UAE free zone, covering over 2,500 licensed activities.
It has positioned itself as a practical, cost-transparent option for everyone from first-time entrepreneurs to scaling companies, without the premium pricing associated with more specialized zones like DMCC or DIFC.
You can see how it fits among the wider options in our UAE Free Zones overview.
Key Advantages of Meydan Free Zone
100% Foreign Ownership
Full control over your company, shares, and strategic decisions with no local sponsor required.
Transparent, Published Pricing
Unlike zones that require a custom quote, Meydan publishes its package pricing upfront, making cost comparison straightforward.
For a full breakdown across packages, see our Meydan Free Zone License Cost Guide.
Central Location
Proximity to Downtown Dubai and Business Bay gives easy access to clients, partners, and government entities, without the cost premium of a Downtown address itself.
Flexible Office Solutions
Co-working spaces, smart offices, and virtual office options support businesses at every stage, from solo founders to growing teams.
Tax Efficiency
0% personal income tax, and Qualifying Free Zone Persons may benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, with the standard 9% rate applying only above AED 375,000 on non-qualifying income.
Our guide on the Qualifying Free Zone Person regime explains the conditions.
Full Repatriation of Profits and Capital
No restrictions on moving earnings out of the UAE.
License Costs and Packages
Meydan is known for genuinely transparent pricing:
Zero-Visa License
Per year, including the license, registered address, and up to three business activities.
One Residence Visa
Per year for a license package including one residence visa.
Larger Visa Packages
Scaling up for growing teams that need multiple visas.
Each additional visa typically adds AED 3,500 to AED 5,000, covering the entry permit, medical test, and Emirates ID.
If you're comparing this against other budget-friendly options, our Cheapest Free Zone in UAE guide puts Meydan's pricing in context against IFZA, SHAMS, and RAKEZ.
Business Activities Covered
Meydan's activity list spans a genuinely broad range: general trading, e-commerce, consultancy, media and marketing, technology and software development, AI and data-related activities, and professional services, among many others.
A single license can typically include up to three activities, giving flexibility for businesses whose services span more than one category without paying for multiple licenses.
For a wider view of how activities are classified across zones, see our UAE Free Zone Activity List.
Setup Speed: The Fawri Instant License
The Fawri Instant License
For eligible activities, Meydan offers the Fawri instant license, which can be issued in under 60 minutes, a genuinely fast option compared to the one-to-two week timeline of the Regular license path used for more complex or regulated activities.
This speed matters most for founders who need to start invoicing or operating quickly, though visa processing and bank account opening still add their own separate timelines regardless of how fast the license itself is issued.
Mainland Access Without Relocating
Since a 2025 regulation change, Meydan Free Zone companies can also operate on the UAE mainland for specific activities, through a separate permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, without needing to convert their entire company structure.
This gives Meydan-licensed businesses a meaningful edge over free zones that don't offer this pathway, letting you access mainland clients directly while keeping your lower-cost free zone base.
Our guide on Free Zone Companies Operating Onshore in the UAE covers exactly how this works.
Who Should Choose Meydan Free Zone?
Meydan tends to work particularly well for:
Given its low zero-visa entry cost and instant licensing option.
Thanks to its broad activity list and flexible office requirements.
For businesses that don't need a large physical footprint but want a credible Dubai address.
Since its visa packages scale in a straightforward, published way rather than requiring a fresh custom quote at each stage.
Given Meydan's specific activity codes for AI development and consultancy.
See How Can a Meydan Free Zone License Help Advance AI-Based Businesses and our broader AI business setup guide for Dubai.
If you're still weighing Meydan against a mainland setup, our comparison of Freezone vs Mainland UAE breaks down the trade-offs.
Need Help Setting Up in Meydan Free Zone?
Choosing the right package, activity combination, and visa allocation from the start avoids paying for capacity you don't need or having to upgrade sooner than planned.
Contact Raes Associates and our team will guide you through Meydan Free Zone company formation from start to finish.
Get Started with Meydan Free ZoneFAQs
A zero-visa license starts from AED 12,500 per year, with a one-visa package around AED 20,670, scaling up depending on your visa allocation and activities.
Eligible activities can be issued in under 60 minutes through the Fawri instant license, while more complex or regulated activities go through the Regular license path, typically taking one to two weeks.
Yes, since a 2025 regulation change, Meydan companies can obtain a separate permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism to operate specific activities on the mainland without fully restructuring.
Standard licenses typically allow up to three business activities under one license, offering flexibility for businesses spanning more than one category.
Yes, Meydan offers dedicated activity codes for AI development and AI research and consultancy, making it a popular, cost-effective choice for tech founders.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons can benefit from 0% tax on qualifying income, but this depends on meeting specific conditions. Non-qualifying income above AED 375,000 is taxed at the standard 9% rate.
