MeydanFreeZoneDubai(2026):PublishedFees,VisaCosts,FawriLicenceandSetup

Meydan free zone is a Dubai free zone in Nad Al Sheba, next to the Meydan Racecourse and close to Downtown Dubai, known for transparent published pricing and fast online company setup. Its standard licence starts from AED 12,500 a year with no visa, according to Meydan Free Zone's own published fee breakdown, and its Fawri licence for one-person companies starts from AED 15,000. Visas are added separately: Meydan publishes a visa allocation fee of AED 1,850 per visa and an employment visa fee of AED 3,500, with medical test and Emirates ID costs on top. That makes Meydan one of the easiest Dubai free zones to budget for, because you can build the total cost yourself.

This guide sets out Meydan's published fees, a worked first-year cost with one visa, the licence options, setup steps, offices, banking, tax and how Meydan compares with IFZA. Figures are from Meydan Free Zone's published cost breakdown, last updated on 30 June 2026 and checked as of October 2026. Fees and promotions change, so confirm the current amounts with Meydan before you apply.

Meydan Free Zone Published Fees

The establishment card fee was not stated on the published breakdown, so ask for it when you request a quote. Meydan's own pages also include some different headline figures, so treat the itemised table as the reference and confirm before paying.

Worked Example: First-Year Cost With One Visa

Using Meydan's published fees, one visa adds about 61% to the AED 12,500 headline licence, taking the first-year total to at least AED 20,100 before the establishment card, health insurance and any service fees. This is why comparing free zones on the licence price alone is misleading. Our UAE Business Setup Cost Index compares published prices across free zones on the same basis.

Regular Licence or Fawri Licence?

• Regular licence: the standard option, from AED 12,500, with up to three activity groups. Suitable for most companies, including those with more than one shareholder.
• Fawri licence: from AED 15,000, designed for one-person companies that want the fastest possible setup. Meydan promotes Fawri as an express route, with the licence issued very quickly once the application is complete.

If you are a solo founder who needs to start invoicing immediately, Fawri can be worth the extra cost. Otherwise the regular licence is usually the better value. Whichever you choose, check that every activity you plan to carry out is covered, because adding activities later means an amendment and extra fees, and some activities need approval from an outside regulator before the licence can be issued.

How to Set Up a Meydan Free Zone Company

1. Choose your activities, within up to three activity groups on the regular licence.
2. Pick the licence type (regular or Fawri) and the number of visa allocations.
3. Reserve the company name, following the UAE company name rules.
4. Apply online with passport copies of shareholders and managers. Corporate shareholders need attested company documents.
5. Pay the fees and sign the incorporation documents digitally.
6. Receive the licence, then apply for the establishment card and visas.
7. Open a corporate bank account.

Much of the process is handled online, which makes Meydan popular with founders who are setting up from abroad. Our guide to setting up without living in Dubai covers the remote route.

Office and Location

Meydan Free Zone is based at Meydan in Nad Al Sheba, a short drive from Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. The standard licence includes a lease agreement for a shared desk, and dedicated desks and offices are available for companies that need more space or more visas. A central Dubai address is one reason founders choose Meydan over zones further from the city. It can also help with client perception and with banks, which look for a credible business address and, where possible, a team that is genuinely present in the UAE.

Banking, Tax and Compliance

Banks regularly open accounts for Meydan companies, with approval depending on your activity, ownership, source of funds and UAE presence. See our guide to why corporate bank accounts get rejected. Meydan companies are within UAE corporate tax: qualifying free zone persons can pay 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income above AED 375,000, and VAT registration applies above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies. Our corporate tax guide explains the rules.

Documents You Need

• Passport copies of every shareholder, director and manager.
• A recent photograph and contact details for each person.
• Proof of address, if requested.
• Up to three proposed trade names in order of preference.
• The chosen business activities within the permitted activity groups.
• For corporate shareholders: the parent company's certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, board resolution and register of shareholders, attested for use in the UAE.

Individual shareholders can usually complete the process with passport copies and online signatures, which is why Meydan is often chosen by founders setting up from overseas.

Renewal and Ongoing Costs

The licence is renewed each year at a fee similar to the original licence, unless you paid for several years upfront, which can save up to 15%. Residence visas are usually renewed every two years, and the establishment card has its own renewal. Budget too for corporate tax registration and returns, VAT if you pass the threshold, health insurance for visa holders and accounting. Keeping filings up to date avoids fines that can block renewals and visa transactions. Our guide to accounting and bookkeeping costs covers the compliance side.

Meydan vs IFZA

Meydan wins on transparency and location, while IFZA is often quoted as cheaper once several visas are involved. Read our IFZA free zone guide for the details, and compare full itemised quotes for your exact setup.

Who Meydan Suits

• Founders who want to see exactly what they are paying from published fees.
• Solo founders who need a licence quickly through Fawri.
• Businesses that value a central Dubai address near Downtown.
• Remote founders who want most of the process online.

If your priority is the lowest possible licence cost, compare Meydan with lower-priced zones in our cheapest free zones guide.

Key Takeaways

• Meydan publishes its fees: the regular licence starts from AED 12,500 and the Fawri licence from AED 15,000.
• Visa allocation is AED 1,850 per visa, with up to six per licence, plus visa, medical and Emirates ID fees.
• One employment visa takes the first-year cost to at least AED 20,100 before the establishment card.
• Multi-year licences can save up to 15%.
• Meydan is central and transparent; compare it with IFZA on the full cost including visas.

Set Up in Meydan With SMS Consulting

SMS Consulting, operating under ISO 9001:2015-certified processes across offices in Dubai, London, Delhi and Dhaka, sets up Meydan, IFZA and other free zone companies with itemised quotes based on published fees. See our company formation services or talk to us.