Meydan Free Zone Setup Guide 2026: Costs, Process and Who It's For

Meydan Free Zone is one of the most talked-about low-cost Dubai freezones. If you’ve been comparing SHAMS, IFZA, and RAKEZ and someone mentioned Meydan in the same breath, here’s why.

It sits inside the Meydan development in Dubai — the same complex as the Meydan Racecourse and hotel — but the freezone itself is a separate entity focused on attracting small businesses, consultants, freelancers, and startups who want a Dubai address without Dubai’s typical price tag.

Here’s everything you need to know about setting up in Meydan Free Zone in 2026.

What Is Meydan Free Zone?

Meydan Free Zone Authority (MFZA) is a Dubai-based freezone established to support businesses across a wide range of activities. It launched commercially around 2016 and has grown steadily as one of the cheaper Dubai freezone options.

Key headline facts:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Zero corporate tax on qualifying income (subject to CT registration if revenue exceeds AED 375,000)
• No personal income tax
• Wide activity list covering consulting, media, trading, e-commerce, tech, and more
• No physical office required for most licence types (flexi-desk packages available)
• One-person companies and freelance permits available
• Dubai address (not Sharjah or RAK — this matters if clients care)

The main reason Meydan gets attention is price. A Meydan licence can come in cheaper than DMCC, DIFC, or Dubai Internet City while still giving you a legitimate Dubai company. For solo founders, consultants, and small digital businesses, that’s a real advantage.

Meydan Free Zone Costs 2026

Meydan’s pricing is more flexible than most freezones because it regularly runs promotions and bundles. The numbers below reflect the published 2026 rates, but discounts of 20-30% are common if you go through a registered setup agent.

Item	Approx. Cost (AED)
Freelance permit (1 activity, no visa)	AED 6,500 - 8,500/year
Business licence (1 activity, no visa)	AED 11,000 - 14,000/year
Business licence + 1 visa	AED 14,000 - 18,000/year
Business licence + 2 visas	AED 17,000 - 22,000/year
Additional visa (per person)	AED 3,000 - 5,000
Flexi-desk (shared workspace access)	Often bundled
Dedicated office (if needed)	Priced separately, starts ~AED 30,000/year

These costs cover the licence fee, registration, and in most cases a flexi-desk or co-working access. Medical insurance for visa holders is not included and is a legal requirement — budget AED 1,200 - 2,500/year per person for basic coverage.

One thing to note: Meydan prices have crept up since 2023, and the very cheap entry-level packages (AED 5,500 that you’ll see on older blog posts) are mostly gone now. The current floor for a proper business licence with one visa is closer to AED 14,000 all-in.

For a side-by-side comparison with other freezones, see our UAE freezones comparison guide.

What Activities Are Permitted?

Meydan’s activity list is broad. The freezone is divided into several sectors:

Media and publishing: Content creation, copywriting, photography, videography, broadcast media, digital publishing, PR.

Technology and IT: Software development, IT consulting, app development, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing.

Consulting and professional services: Management consulting, business advisory, HR consulting, legal consulting (advisory, not UAE legal practice), financial advisory.

Trading and e-commerce: General trading, e-commerce, import/export (within freezone rules — you’ll need a customs registration for mainland trading).

Education and training: Online education, coaching, corporate training programmes.

If you’re not sure whether your specific activity is permitted, request the activity list from Meydan directly or ask a setup agent before committing. Some niche activities that sound fine are not on the approved list.

How to Set Up a Company in Meydan Free Zone

The process is straightforward and can be done remotely. You do not need to visit Dubai to get your licence.

Step 1: Choose your licence type and activities

Decide whether you need a freelance permit (for individuals operating under their own name) or a business licence (for a company entity). Pick your activities — you can usually include 3-5 under one licence.

Step 2: Submit your application

You’ll need:

• Passport copies for all shareholders and directors
• A completed application form
• Your business activity selection
• Proof of residential address (utility bill, bank statement)

Some nationalities require additional documents or an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their current sponsor.

Step 3: Initial approval

Meydan issues an initial approval, usually within 2-3 working days. This is not the final licence — it’s a confirmation that your application is in order.

Step 4: Pay licence fees

Once you receive initial approval, you pay the licence and registration fees. Payment is usually by bank transfer or card.

Step 5: Receive your licence

The final licence is issued within 5-7 working days of payment. It’ll be emailed as a PDF. Physical copies can be requested.

Step 6: Residency visa (if required)

If you want a UAE residency visa through your Meydan company, there are additional steps:

1. Entry permit issued (if you’re outside the UAE)
2. Medical test in the UAE
3. Emirates ID application
4. Visa stamped in passport

The visa process takes 2-4 weeks from start to finish and requires you to be physically in the UAE for the medical and biometrics.

For a full breakdown of the visa process, see our UAE employee work visa guide.

Meydan vs Other Cheap UAE Freezones

The main competitors to Meydan in the budget-friendly Dubai/UAE freezone space are SHAMS, IFZA, and RAKEZ. Here’s a quick comparison:

Feature	Meydan	SHAMS	IFZA	RAKEZ
Location	Dubai	Sharjah	Sharjah	Ras Al Khaimah
Entry licence (no visa)	AED 11,000 - 14,000	AED 5,750 - 7,500	AED 10,000 - 13,000	AED 8,000 - 12,000
Licence + 1 visa	AED 14,000 - 18,000	AED 8,000 - 10,000	AED 13,000 - 16,000	AED 12,000 - 16,000
Dubai address	Yes	No	No	No
Bank account ease	Good	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Physical office option	Yes	Limited	Yes	Yes

When Meydan wins: You specifically need a Dubai address. Some clients, banks, and partners treat a Dubai licence differently to a Sharjah or RAK one. If that matters for your business, the slight price premium over SHAMS or RAKEZ is worth it.

When competitors win: Pure cost is your priority. SHAMS is still cheaper for freelancers, and IFZA gives you a strong all-round package for a slightly lower price than Meydan in many cases.

See the individual guides for SHAMS, IFZA, and RAKEZ for full breakdowns.

Opening a Bank Account with a Meydan Licence

A Dubai freezone licence like Meydan’s is generally well-accepted by UAE banks. You won’t struggle to open an account in the same way someone with an offshore company might.

Realistic options in 2026:

Wio Bank — the easiest option for small Meydan companies. Fully digital, opens in 1-3 working days for most applicants, no minimum balance. Read the Wio Bank review for full details.

Emirates NBD / ENBD Business — solid choice if you want a traditional bank relationship. Expect 2-4 weeks and a minimum balance of AED 10,000 - 50,000 depending on the account type.

Mashreq / RAKBANK — both have dedicated SME teams and competitive fees. Application takes 1-3 weeks.

Neo-banks (Pyypl, Zand) — worth considering for international payment needs. Not a full banking replacement but useful for multi-currency transactions.

For full guidance on which UAE bank to pick, see our UAE business bank account guide.

Mainland Trading from a Freezone

One thing that catches people out: a Meydan freezone licence does not automatically let you trade on the UAE mainland. If you want to sell goods or services directly to UAE customers (not just internationally), you have a few options:

1. Appoint a local distributor — a mainland company that buys from you and sells to end customers. Common for product businesses.
2. Use a commercial agent — similar to a distributor arrangement.
3. Set up a mainland branch — more complex and expensive, but gives you full mainland trading rights. You’ll need a PRO service to help with this.
4. Apply for a dual licence — some freezones including DMCC and a few others have dual licence arrangements with DED. Meydan does not currently have a widely available dual licence programme, so check with them directly.

For a full explanation of freezone vs mainland trading rules, see our mainland vs freezone guide.

Is Meydan Free Zone Right for You?

Meydan works well for:

• Solo consultants and freelancers who want a Dubai company and residency visa at a reasonable cost
• Digital businesses (tech, marketing, content) that serve international clients and don’t need mainland UAE trading rights
• Small teams (1-5 people) who don’t need large dedicated office space
• Non-residents who want a UAE base and can do the setup remotely

Meydan is not the best fit for:

• Businesses that primarily trade on the UAE mainland — a mainland licence will be cheaper and more practical
• Large teams — if you need 10+ visas, JAFZA or KIZAD may give you better rates
• Regulated industries — financial services, healthcare, and legal firms often need specific authority licences rather than a Meydan permit

Next Steps

If Meydan sounds right for your situation, the fastest way to get going is:

1. Contact Meydan Free Zone Authority directly (their website has a quote form) or go through a registered setup agent to get current pricing
2. Confirm your activities are on the approved list
3. Prepare your documents — passport, address proof, business activity description
4. Submit and expect your licence within 2 weeks

If you’re still deciding between freezones, start with our UAE freezones comparison guide and narrow it down from there.

Once you’re set up, if you need a brand identity, website, or product design, Wire Designs works with UAE-based founders and startups from the early stage.

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Costs are indicative for 2026 and subject to change. Always confirm current fees directly with Meydan Free Zone Authority or a licensed setup agent before committing.