A practical guide to Meydan Free Zone, licence options, activities, costs, visas, setup process, portal access and ongoing requirements
If you are researching a Meydan Free Zone license guide, the main decision is not simply how much the licence costs. You also need to understand which business activity fits your company, whether you need visas, what office arrangement applies, which licence format suits your ownership structure, and what the setup will cost after the first year.
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone that offers LLC-FZ business structures and a broad activity catalogue. Its official website currently promotes more than 2,500 business activities overall, while its Fawri instant-licence programme lists 1,800+ eligible activities. This difference reflects the broader scope of the regular activity catalogue versus the narrower Fawri eligibility list, so applicants should confirm the exact activity before choosing a licence route. For a broader overview of UAE company formation, see our business setup services.
What Is Meydan Free Zone?
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free-zone business jurisdiction based in the Meydan area. It provides company formation, licensing and related business services through a digital platform. The free zone supports a wide range of professional, commercial, service, technology, education, real-estate and other business activities.
Meydan’s official information describes the free zone as a fully digital environment with online licensing and customer-portal access. Its location is around 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport according to Meydan’s current About page.
You can review the authority’s current company-formation information on the Meydan Free Zone official website.
Meydan Free Zone Licence Options
Meydan currently presents two main business-licence routes through its cost calculator: the regular business licence and Fawri, its fast-track licence for eligible solo founders.
| Option | Current positioning | Starting price shown by Meydan | Key point |
| Regular Business License | Scalable setup for startups and teams | From AED 12,500 for the current standard setup | Broader activity catalogue; visa allocation and other options can be added |
| Fawri License | Fast-track solo-founder setup | AED 15,000 | Fully digital, under 60 minutes when eligibility and compliance conditions are met |
The standard cost calculator currently shows a 0-visa regular setup from AED 12,500, with 1-visa and 3-visa configurations at AED 14,350 and AED 18,050 respectively. Fawri has a separate starting price and eligibility conditions, so the two should not be treated as identical packages.
Meydan Free Zone Business Activities
Business activity determines what your company is legally permitted to do. Meydan’s current website states that its broader catalogue contains more than 2,500 business activities. These cover areas such as professional services, trading and e-commerce, technology, real estate, education, administrative services and creative industries.
- Professional and management consultancy activities.
- Trading and e-commerce activities.
- ICT and technology activities.
- Real-estate activities.
- Education and training.
- Administrative and business services.
- Arts, entertainment and creative activities.
The exact activity must match the actual services or products your company plans to provide. Some activities can require third-party or regulatory approval. Do not choose a broad activity simply because it appears easier to license.
How Many Activities Can You Add?
Meydan’s current regular setup information says that three business activity groups are included with the licence. Additional activity groups are charged separately, with the current cost calculator showing AED 1,000 for each additional activity beyond the three included groups.
Fawri has its own eligible activity list and allows up to three activity groups across different industries, subject to its terms and activity eligibility.
Check the current activity and pricing details through the Meydan cost calculator before selecting activities.
Meydan Free Zone Licence Cost
The current Meydan cost calculator shows a regular business setup starting from AED 12,500 for a 0-visa configuration. The displayed setup includes an LLC-FZ licence, three business activity groups, a lease agreement and flexi-desk. The calculator also shows configurations with one or three visa allocations.
Meydan’s current professional-services page shows the same AED 12,500 starting point for a 0-visa professional licence, with AED 14,350 for one visa and AED 18,050 for three visas. The listed add-ons include an establishment card, medical and Emirates ID, investor visa and change-of-status services.
Fawri is priced separately at AED 15,000 and is designed for eligible solo founders. Its official page states that UAE residency, medical and Emirates ID, office upgrades and some other services are not included by default.
These figures are current published starting prices, not a universal all-in cost for every company. Your final amount can change based on visa needs, activities, additional services, office upgrades, licence duration and other requirements.
Meydan Free Zone Visa Costs and Options
Visa allocation can be added according to the business requirement. Meydan’s current cost calculator allows founders to select investor, employee and dependent visa options.
- Investor or owner visa requirements.
- Employee visa allocation for team members.
- Dependent visas for eligible family members.
- Establishment or immigration-card requirements.
- Medical examination and Emirates ID processing.
- Change-of-status services for applicants already in the UAE, where applicable.
Visa charges should be separated from the licence cost when planning your total setup budget. A business can start with a 0-visa licence and add visa-related services later if the chosen structure permits it.
Does Meydan Free Zone Require an Office?
The office requirement depends on the licence route and setup. Meydan’s standard packages currently include a flexi-desk and lease agreement at the starting level, while Fawri is promoted as a digital setup that does not require a physical office by default.
If your business needs a larger workspace, meeting facilities or a dedicated office, Meydan offers additional office solutions. Confirm the premises requirement for your specific activity and visa needs before signing a separate lease.
Who Can Own a Meydan Free Zone Company?
Meydan promotes 100% foreign ownership for its free-zone company structures, subject to the applicable activity, eligibility and compliance requirements. A local UAE shareholder or sponsor is not generally required for eligible structures.
The exact legal form and shareholder arrangement still matter. Fawri has specific initial eligibility rules: it is an LLC-only route, permits one individual shareholder at formation, and the same individual acts as manager, director and UBO. These Fawri conditions do not mean every Meydan company must follow the same formation structure.
After licensing, Fawri’s terms provide for a free amendment within the first year that can change shareholder, nationality and activity details, subject to the programme’s terms.
Fawri vs Regular Meydan Free Zone Licence
| Factor | Fawri | Regular licence |
| Setup speed | Under 60 minutes for eligible applications | Meydan cost calculator currently describes 3–5 days |
| Digital process | Fully online | Digital setup available |
| Initial structure | One individual shareholder; LLC only | Designed for startups and teams |
| Activities | 1,800+ eligible activities; up to 3 groups | 2,500+ overall catalogue; 3 groups included in current pricing |
| Starting price | AED 15,000 | From AED 12,500 for 0-visa setup |
| Office | No office required by default | Flexi-desk/lease included in current starting package |
| Best fit | Eligible solo founders seeking rapid setup | Founders and teams needing a scalable setup |
The choice should follow eligibility and operating needs rather than speed alone.
Meydan Portal: What Is It Used For?
Meydan operates a digital customer portal for company-related services. The portal is used as part of the free zone’s online business-management model and can support applications, documents and service interactions.
Portal access does not mean every government or third-party process is completed inside one system. Immigration, banking, tax and regulated approvals can involve separate authorities or service channels.
For official portal and digital-service access, start from the Meydan Free Zone website and use the current portal links provided by the authority.
How to Set Up a Company in Meydan Free Zone
- Define the exact business activity and check whether any third-party approval applies.
- Choose the regular licence or Fawri if you meet its eligibility conditions.
- Select the legal form and shareholder structure.
- Reserve or confirm the proposed business name.
- Prepare the required identification and application information.
- Select the licence duration, activity groups and visa allocation you need.
- Submit the application and complete the required payment and compliance checks.
- Receive the licence and company documents digitally after approval.
- Complete visa, establishment-card, Emirates ID and other post-licensing procedures if required.
- Set up banking, tax registration and operational systems relevant to the company.
The exact sequence can vary by activity, nationality, legal form and whether third-party approval is required.
Documents Required for Meydan Free Zone Company Formation
The document list depends on the company structure and selected activity. For many standard applications, a passport copy and application information are the starting documents. Additional documents can be required during compliance checks or for particular activities.
- Passport copy for shareholder(s).
- Proposed business activity information.
- Company name details.
- Shareholder and manager information.
- Business plan or additional documents for activities that require them.
- Regulatory approvals or professional documents where applicable.
- Additional identification or corporate documents requested during compliance review.
Fawri is designed around a simplified digital application, but its terms state that the application remains subject to compliance-process endorsement and a defined activity/nationality eligibility list.
Meydan Free Zone Company Renewal
A Meydan Free Zone business licence is renewed annually under the standard renewal framework, with renewal requirements and supervision fees applicable according to the licence and authority rules. Companies should monitor the renewal date rather than waiting until the licence expires.
The authority’s FAQ says renewal notifications are sent 90 days in advance for the licence type covered by that FAQ. Because requirements can vary by licence category, confirm the renewal terms for your specific company.
Review the latest Meydan Free Zone rules and regulations for current licensing requirements.
Corporate Tax and Meydan Free Zone
Being registered in a UAE free zone does not mean that every company automatically pays 0% Corporate Tax on all income. The UAE Corporate Tax regime provides a 0% rate on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, subject to the conditions in the law and implementing rules. Other taxable income can be subject to the applicable Corporate Tax rate.
Meydan’s own website describes its structure as providing 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income. Businesses should assess whether they meet the conditions rather than treating free-zone registration itself as an automatic tax exemption.
For the legal and registration position, use the Federal Tax Authority Corporate Tax information and review the current rules applicable to your company.
Bank Account After Meydan Free Zone Setup
After receiving the licence, a company may apply for a UAE corporate bank account. Banks conduct their own compliance and due-diligence checks, so a free-zone licence does not automatically guarantee bank-account approval.
The bank may request the licence, incorporation documents, ownership information, business model, expected transactions, source-of-funds information and other supporting documents. Keeping company information consistent across the licence and banking file can help reduce avoidable follow-up.
Benefits of Meydan Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership for eligible structures.
- Wide range of business activities.
- Digital company-formation and management processes.
- Flexible visa allocation rather than requiring every founder to purchase visas upfront.
- Flexi-desk and lease arrangements in standard starting packages.
- Fast-track Fawri option for eligible solo founders.
- Ability to add activities or upgrades as the business develops, subject to authority rules.
- Dubai location with access to the wider business ecosystem.
These are structural features, not guarantees of business success, bank approval, tax treatment or regulatory approval.
Potential Limitations to Consider
- Fawri has narrower eligibility rules than the full Meydan licence offering.
- Some activities can require external approval.
- Visa, medical, Emirates ID and establishment-card costs can be additional.
- Physical office needs can increase the total operating cost.
- Free-zone registration does not by itself remove Corporate Tax obligations.
- Bank-account approval remains the bank’s decision.
- An activity must match the actual business operations.
Is Meydan Free Zone Suitable for Your Business?
Meydan can be relevant for founders who want a Dubai free-zone company, broad activity options, foreign ownership and a digital setup process. It can also suit solo founders who qualify for Fawri and want a faster formation route.
The better question is whether the specific Meydan activity and licence structure fit your business. Consider your customer base, need for visas, office requirements, number of shareholders, regulated approvals, banking plans and tax position before deciding.
A lower starting licence price can be useful for a lean launch, but the right structure is the one that supports the business beyond incorporation.
How BSE Can Help With Meydan Free Zone Setup
Business Setup Experts can help entrepreneurs compare their business activity, licence structure, visa requirements and documentation before starting the application. Our team can coordinate company formation and related government-facing requirements based on the chosen setup.
Where an activity requires a third-party approval or additional compliance step, we can help identify it as part of the planning process. Final licensing, tax, immigration and regulatory decisions remain with the responsible authorities.
For help planning your Dubai company formation, explore our business setup services. For ongoing government administration after incorporation, you can also review PRO Services in Dubai.
FAQS
Q1.What is the Meydan Free Zone license cost?
Meydan’s current standard setup starts from AED 12,500 for a 0 visa configuration. Fawri is currently listed at AED 15,000. Visa processing, medical and Emirates ID, establishment-card services and other add-ons can increase the total.
Q2.How many business activities can I have in Meydan Free Zone?
The current regular setup includes three business activity groups, while additional activity groups are charged separately. Fawri also allows up to three activity groups, subject to its eligible activity list.
Q3.Can foreigners own 100% of a Meydan Free Zone company?
Meydan promotes 100% foreign ownership for eligible free-zone structures. The exact structure remains subject to the selected activity, legal form and compliance requirements.
Q4.What is the Meydan Fawri licence?
Fawri is Meydan Free Zone’s fast-track LLC licence for eligible solo founders. Meydan states that it is fully digital and can be issued in under 60 minutes when the application meets the programme’s eligibility and compliance conditions.
Q5.Does a Meydan Free Zone company need an office?
The requirement depends on the licence route and business needs. Fawri is promoted without an office requirement by default, while Meydan’s current standard packages include a flexi-desk and lease agreement at the starting level. Larger or dedicated workspace can be added where required.
Conclusion
A Meydan Free Zone license guide should not stop at the advertised starting price. The real setup decision depends on your business activity, ownership structure, visa needs, office requirements and the way you plan to operate after incorporation. Meydan Free Zone currently offers a broad activity catalogue and a digital company-formation model, with a regular licence route for startups and teams and the Fawri option for eligible solo founders.
The current published starting point for a standard 0-visa setup is AED 12,500, while Fawri is listed at AED 15,000. These figures are useful starting points, but they are not the final cost for every company. Visa allocation, residency processing, medical and Emirates ID, establishment-card services, additional activities and workspace upgrades can change the total.
Activity selection deserves particular attention. Meydan’s broader catalogue contains more than 2,500 activities, while Fawri currently lists 1,800+ eligible activities. The activity you choose should reflect the actual service or product your company will provide. If your business falls into a regulated field, additional approval may be required.
Tax planning also belongs in the setup conversation. Free-zone registration does not automatically make every company or every type of income subject to 0% Corporate Tax. Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions must be considered, and the company should maintain proper tax and accounting records.
If you are considering Meydan Free Zone and want help comparing the licence, activities, visas and setup requirements, BSE can help you work through the activity, jurisdiction, documentation and setup steps before you submit the application business setup in dubai consultant support from BSE can help you understand the relevant process. You can also reach us on WhatsApp .
