Setting up a business in
Meydan Free Zone:
Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about Meydan Free Zone including the types of businesses that are already there, the setup process and more.
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Key takeaways
- Meydan Free Zone licences can be issued in under 60 minutes through the Fawri fast-track system, covering more than 1,800 approved business activities.
- Founders get 0% personal income tax and 0% corporate tax on qualifying income under the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) framework, alongside 100% foreign ownership and free repatriation of profits and capital.
- Two main company structures are available: a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) for single shareholders, and a Free Zone Company (FZCO) for 2 to 50 shareholders, both offering limited liability with no UAE national sponsor required.
- Eligible Free Zone Establishments can now apply for licences to operate in onshore Dubai, not just within the free zone.
- Meydan supports 2,500+ business activities across five key sectors: tech and SaaS, e-commerce, manufacturing, real estate, and hotel and hospitality, with up to three activity groups combinable under a single licence.
- Bank account setup moves faster in Meydan than in many other free zones due to digital corporate resolutions via Meydan Plus, compared to the 3 to 6 month delays founders can face with lesser-known zones.
Introduction to Meydan
The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global centre for entrepreneurship and investment, welcoming around 250,000 new companies in 2025 alone. The long-term ambition is to reach two million registered businesses over the coming decade.
Much of this momentum is driven by Dubai’s ecosystem of over 30 specialised economic Free Zones. These jurisdictions are designed to attract international founders through competitive taxation, business-friendly regulations, modern infrastructure and strong access to global markets.
Within this ecosystem, Meydan Free Zone has positioned itself as a digitally advanced and founder-friendly choice. As a premier business hub, it has become home to a community of over 83,000 members and 25,000+ registered companies, serving as a highly popular entry point for entrepreneurs setting up in Dubai.
It was also recognised as the UAE’s Best Digital Free Zone at the Global Business Outlook Awards in 2022, reflecting its efficient and paperless setup model.
The key is understanding how it works and whether it suits your business needs in 2026. In this guide, we cover the essential features of Meydan Free Zone, the available company structures and how to navigate the setup process.
Why should foreign founders setup in a Free Zone? Key benefits to know
From ownership rights to tax obligations, the Free Zone framework is designed to work in your favour from day one when starting a business in Dubai as a foreigner.
Here are the key benefits:
- 0% personal income tax
- 0% corporate tax on qualifying income (under the QFZP framework)
- Full foreign ownership
- Profits and capital repatriated freely
- No caps on trade or business volume
- Multi-currency transactions supported
- Modern infrastructure built for business
- Fast-tracked visas for you and your team
While these are the standard benefits across most Free Zones, Meydan provides even more tailored advantages based on your business size and growth stage.
What does Meydan Free Zone offer?
Meydan Free Zone is widely recognised for its prime Dubai location, full foreign ownership, favourable tax environment and modern business infrastructure.
Beyond this, it also offers:
- A multi-award-winning customer portal.
- 2,500+ business activities across commercial, consulting, investment and administrative services.
- 60-minute digital LLC licensing via Fawri’s fast-track system.
- Same-day visa and bank account application initiation.
- Direct access to Dubai’s Mainland economy.
- A thriving community of 83,000+ members.
- Local and international transfers with multi-currency deposit options from AED 1,575.
- A built-in cost calculator for a clear breakdown of licensing, visas and activities.
Whether you are setting up a business in Dubai for the first time or expanding existing operations, Meydan provides dedicated support and round-the-clock walk-in access throughout the process.
Top 5 industries in Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone has built specific infrastructure, licences and ecosystems around the industries that are growing in Dubai. Here are some of the top ones:
Tech & Saas
From IT consultancy and cloud infrastructure to AI development and SaaS platforms, Meydan Free Zone gives tech founders the room to build exactly what they have in mind.
A Meydan tech licence lets you:
- Bundle up to three activity groups under a single licence
- Work from smart and serviced office spaces with high-speed internet and advanced IT infrastructure
- Skip the NOC requirement from your current employer or business
- Get visa, immigration and compliance support from day one
- Access investors, mentorship and networking events across the Middle East and beyon
For tech founders looking to build in a fast-growing market like Dubai, Meydan gives you the right base to grow with it.
e-Commerce
Dubai’s e-commerce market is projected to surpass AED 50.6 billion by 2029. For cross-border sellers, dropshippers, marketplace vendors and digital creators, Meydan Free Zone makes it simple to enter that market with instant licensing, marketplace onboarding and built-in compliance.
Here is what you get:
- Trade licence issued in under 60 minutes through Fawri
- 100% foreign ownership with no NOC requirement
- Access to 2,500+ business activities including digital trading and online retail
- A recognised business address with no physical office required
- Banking, visa and immigration support from day one
- A full digital dashboard to manage renewals, invoices and documents
For sellers looking to move faster, Meydan’s E-Commerce Starter Add-On at AED 1,000 gets you set up quickly. It covers seller accounts on Amazon.ae and Noon.com, first SKU listings on each platform, compliance and documentation guidance and connections to warehousing, fulfilment and logistics providers.
Meydan also connects you to a wider ecosystem of e-commerce partners including Shopify, Etsy, DubaiStore, eBay and AliExpress.
Manufacturing
Government initiatives like the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Operation 300Bn are steering investment into aluminium, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, machinery, aerospace and chemicals.
Meydan Free Zone lets you move into that space without complexity. Choose from 2,500+ business activities to build a licence that fits your exact operation whether that is light manufacturing, product assembly or packaging.
Real Estate & Property
Dubai’s real estate market recorded over AED 431 billion in transactions in 2025. This signals a shift toward long-term, stable investment driven by international capital and a growing base of resident homeowners.
Setting up in Meydan Free Zone gives you a clear edge:
- Non-brokerage activities like leasing advisory and consulting do not require a RERA licence
- Get licensed in under an hour
- Run up to three real estate activity groups under a single licence
- No NOC needed even if you are currently employed
- Full LLC protection to own and manage properties legally
- Real estate in Dubai goes well beyond brokerage. Meydan Free Zone supports the full range of opportunity across development, mortgage consultancy, valuation services, self-owned property leasing and management.
Hotel & Hospitality
From hotel management and travel booking services to food and beverage operations, the Meydan Free Zone offers tailored licences with the right activity groups to match your business model.
A Meydan hospitality licence gives you:
- A single licence covering dine-in, takeaway and delivery
- Bar and restaurant activities linked to transportation permitted as separate units
For founders looking to test a concept before committing to a fixed location, the mobile and cart-based formats are worth considering. They offer a lower-cost entry point with the freedom to move across locations, events and districts as your business grows.
What company structures are available in Meydan Free Zone?
Choosing the right legal structure is one of the first strategic decisions when setting up in Meydan Free Zone. The structure you select will determine ownership flexibility, liability exposure, compliance requirements and how your business operates in Dubai.
Below are the common company structures available and how they differ in practice:
Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)
Meydan Free Zone operates under a Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) framework, classified as either a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or a Free Zone Company (FZCO) depending on shareholder count.
There is no official minimum capital requirement for an FZ-LLC. However, the capital invested should be sufficient to support the business’s operational objectives and planned activities. Profit and loss distribution can be agreed in the company’s constitutional documents and does not need to mirror shareholding percentages, allowing flexible arrangements between shareholders.
For a detailed breakdown of how this structure works in practice, see our guide: LLC Company Formation in Dubai: A Guide for UK Founders.
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
A Free Zone Establishment (FZE) is a company structure designed for a single shareholder. It is typically the preferred option for solo founders who want full ownership and limited liability tied to their share capital without the need for a UAE national partner.
Recent regulatory updates under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 have broadened the framework for FZEs. Eligible FZEs may now apply for licences or permits to carry out designated activities in onshore Dubai, expanding their operational footprint to the broader market.
Key documents generally required include a bank reference letter, shareholder details, passport copy, power of attorney and a signed appointment letter with a specimen signature.
Free Zone Company (FZCO)
An FZCO has 2 to 50 shareholders, who may be individuals or corporate entities. Liability is limited to the company’s capital while maintaining full foreign ownership and no local sponsorship requirements.
These structures are versatile and can operate as limited liability companies or joint ventures, making them suitable for a range of business models and partnership arrangements.
The setup documents required include a notarised certificate of registration or incorporation, a bank reference letter and a signed appointment letter with passport copy and power of attorney.
Meydan Free Zone requires annual financial audits. Companies must keep proper accounting books continuously and, under Ministerial Decision No. 84 of 2025, file an audited financial report within 9 months of the financial year-end if they exceed revenue thresholds or operate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person claiming the 0% tax rate.
Branch vs. Subsidiary options
For international organizations expanding from markets like the UK, Meydan allows parent companies to scale via two distinct operational methodologies:
Branch Office: An extension of the parent company that does not create a separate legal entity. The parent company retains full operational liability. It can function as a operational Branch or as a non-trading Representative Office used strictly for marketing and sourcing work. Set up requires corporate documents to be attested in the home jurisdiction, followed by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation.
Subsidiary: Unlike a branch, a subsidiary is formed as a completely independent legal entity (registered as an FZ-LLC) in Dubai. While the UK parent company holds the shares, the subsidiary functions with its own independent operational and legal liability, isolating risk from the parent organization.
Partnering with a professional who has the business insights and local know-how will help you decide on the right structure based on your business needs and goals.
How to set up a Company in Meydan Free Zone in 6 steps
Starting a business in Dubai is fast and straightforward with proper planning and accurate advice. Here’s how it typically works in Meydan Free Zone:
01
Choose your business activity and structure
02
Decide on a name
Choose a unique name that complies with UAE naming guidelines. Meydan’s Company Name Check tool helps confirm availability and compliance.
If the name includes an individual’s name, that person must be a shareholder or owner and supporting documentation will be required. Name approval at Meydan typically takes one working day.
03
Application submission
Applications are submitted through the Meydan portal. You will need to provide shareholder and manager details, along with identity verification documents based on the chosen structure.
You can combine up to three activity groups under a single licence, allowing flexibility from the outset.
If speed is a priority, the Fawri option issues your LLC trade licence and digital incorporation documents within approximately 60 minutes. It covers more than 1,800 approved activities.
For a standard application, you will typically need:
- Two to three proposed company names
- Selected business activities (up to three groups)
- A clear passport copy
- Basic KYC documents including proof of address and source of funds
Seeking guidance from an expert at this stage ensures everything is accurate and compliant, avoiding unnecessary penalties or restructuring later.
Need help? Speak to a setup expert.
04
Secure your office space
A registered physical address is mandatory for all businesses operating in Dubai. How much space you need depends on your growth plans and budget, and this is also where visa allocation comes in.
Office space and visa quotas are usually linked, with many Free Zones allocating one visa for every 9 to 10 square metres leased. Meydan’s smart and serviced office packages build in visa allocations of up to three or six visas directly, so founders with a small team or a remote-first setup can hire ahead of committing to a larger commercial lease.
05
Open a bank account
Once your licence is issued, the next step is opening a corporate bank account. Commonly chosen banks include HSBC, Citibank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Commercial Bank of Dubai.
Meydan’s corporate registry handles resolutions digitally via Meydan Plus, so banks verify corporate resolutions through digital validation and QR tracking rather than requiring a wet-signature stamp. Corporate documents are shared digitally with partner banks as part of IBAN allocation.
Bank compliance teams treat free zones differently, and lesser-known zones can face account delays of 3 to 6 months. Meydan’s standing as a digitally integrated zone gives founders a faster, pre-vetted pathway with digital business banks like Wio.
06
Arrange visas
Obtain a Dubai business visa for yourself and other shareholders, along with employment visas for staff.
If you are applying for a UAE residence visa, Meydan Free Zone will issue an immigration card, an entry permit (e-visa) and a change of status if you are already inside the UAE.
Once the entry permit is active, investors must complete a medical fitness test and biometric fingerprint verification at a UAE Happiness Centre. After electronic approval, the Emirates ID is printed and delivered by courier.
Working with an experienced Free Zone agent helps ensure these application and compliance steps are handled correctly.
At Rise Accounting, we support UK businesses expanding to Dubai through our partnership with Meydan Free Zone, banks and other service providers. Our team offers personalised guidance and local expertise, allowing key parts of the setup process to begin before you arrive in the UAE.
For founders who want to operate a Dubai business while remaining based in the UK, we can also assist with business structuring, compliance and ongoing accounting support to help manage both jurisdictions effectively.
Get in touch with our team to start your move to Dubai today.