Meydan Free Zone has become one of the most searched Dubai free zones for small companies, largely because of one simple proposition: a flat annual license fee that already includes a flexi-desk and three activity groups, with fully remote setup.
This guide covers what the Meydan license actually costs, what is and is not included, how the visa math really works, the 2,500+ activity list, the dual license route to mainland Dubai and what renewal looks like. All figures are indicative, as of mid-2026 – packages and promotions change, so confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant.
What You Need to Know First
A Meydan Free Zone license costs around AED 12,500 per year (indicative, as of mid-2026), including a flexi-desk and up to three activity groups – and it typically renews at the same flat rate. A realistic first-year total with one investor visa is roughly AED 20,350 once visa and establishment card costs are added. You can compare Meydan with other zones in the free zone comparison tool.
- Setup is fully remote; the Fawri fast-track can issue a license in about 60 minutes from ~AED 15,000 for eligible activities.
- An investor visa costs about AED 7,850 all-in – much more than the “from AED 3,500” figures some sources quote, because those omit the establishment card, medical and Emirates ID.
- 2,500+ activities across 18+ categories; extra activity groups cost ~AED 1,000 each and extra shareholders ~AED 2,000 each.
- Packages and promotions change – confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant before committing.
Meydan Free Zone at a glance
| Factor | Detail (indicative, as of mid-2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai |
| Legal form | FZ LLC with 100% foreign ownership |
| Standard license | ~AED 12,500 per year, flexi-desk and 3 activity groups included |
| Fast-track option | Fawri license in ~60 minutes, from ~AED 15,000 |
| Activities | 2,500+ across 18+ categories |
| Visa capacity | Around 6 visas typical on a standard setup |
| Renewal | ~AED 12,500 flat, same as year one |
Who Meydan Free Zone suits
Meydan fits founders who want a Dubai address with predictable costs: consultants and agencies invoicing internationally, e-commerce sellers who value the mainland dual-license path, and solo founders who want remote setup without visiting the UAE first. It is less compelling if you need many visas from day one or the absolute lowest entry price in the country – for those cases, see the IFZA vs Meydan vs SHAMS comparison.
License cost and add-ons
The headline license is genuinely inclusive by free zone standards, but several add-ons from the zone’s own cost calculator are worth knowing before you configure a package. Indicative figures as of mid-2026:
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Standard license (flexi-desk + 3 activity groups) | ~AED 12,500 per year |
| Fawri 60-minute license | From ~AED 15,000 |
| Extra activity group | ~AED 1,000 each |
| Extra shareholder | ~AED 2,000 each |
| Dependent visa deposit | ~AED 3,000 |
| License cancellation | ~AED 2,000-3,500 |
Visa costs: reconciling the numbers
Meydan visa pricing confuses founders because two very different numbers circulate. Some sources advertise visas “from AED 3,500”, while the zone’s own all-in investor visa figure is around AED 7,850. Both can be technically true: the lower number is the visa processing alone, while the realistic total adds the establishment card (~AED 2,000) and medical test plus Emirates ID (~AED 2,250 combined). Budget the all-in figure per person:
| Component | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Investor visa processing | ~AED 3,500-4,000 |
| Establishment card | ~AED 2,000 |
| Medical test + Emirates ID | ~AED 2,250 |
| All-in investor visa total | ~AED 7,850 |
Employee visas are priced separately from investor visas and depend on role and duration. All figures are indicative, as of mid-2026 – confirm current visa pricing with the zone.
Activities: 2,500+ across 18+ categories
Meydan’s activity list covers more than 2,500 activities in over 18 categories, from consultancy and marketing to trading, e-commerce and technology. The standard license includes up to three activity groups, which is enough for most real business models – for example, consultancy plus marketing plus software. Additional groups cost about AED 1,000 each (indicative), so a broad activity mix stays affordable. As everywhere in the UAE, pick activities that match what you will invoice: banks check this during account opening.
Office options
A flexi-desk at The Meydan Hotel complex in Nad Al Sheba is bundled into the standard license, which satisfies the physical presence requirement without extra rent. Dedicated desks and private offices are available as upgrades if you need visa capacity beyond the standard allocation or a working space for a team. For most solo founders and small teams, the included flexi-desk is sufficient and keeps the total cost flat.
Dual license: the path to mainland Dubai
Meydan promotes a dual license arrangement that lets a free zone company access mainland Dubai business by obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) and a complementary license through Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). In practice this means a Meydan company can lease mainland premises and serve onshore clients in permitted activities without a separate mainland LLC. The mechanics, costs and eligible activities depend on your case – if mainland access is central to your plan, read mainland vs free zone vs offshore first and confirm the route with the zone or a consultant before relying on it.
Banking notes
Meydan companies are commonly reported to have a comparatively smooth experience with digital-first banks such as WIO, Mashreq NeoBiz and RAKBANK, helped by the Dubai registration and the zone’s mainstream reputation. Standard requirements still apply: a coherent business description, activity matching your license, proof of address and sometimes a minimum balance. Approval is never automatic, and remote-only account opening remains the exception rather than the rule.
Renewal and cancellation
Renewal is one of Meydan’s strongest points: the license typically renews at the same flat ~AED 12,500 per year, with no mandatory financial statement fee attached by the zone (corporate tax bookkeeping obligations apply to every UAE company regardless of zone). If you close the company instead, cancellation runs roughly AED 2,000-3,500 plus visa cancellations. Indicative, as of mid-2026 – confirm current fees with the zone.
How Meydan compares
Against its usual rivals, Meydan wins on flat renewal and the mainland dual-license route, while IFZA offers more visa headroom and license variety and SHAMS undercuts both on entry price from Sharjah. For a broader view across all major zones, see the UAE free zone comparison table, or model your own numbers in the free zone comparison tool.
FAQ
What is the minimum Meydan Free Zone license cost in 2026?
The standard Meydan license costs around AED 12,500 per year (indicative, as of mid-2026), including a flexi-desk and up to three activity groups. The Fawri fast-track license starts from about AED 15,000. These figures exclude visas and the establishment card. Packages and promotions change – confirm current pricing with the zone or a consultant.
What activities are included without extra charge?
The standard license includes up to three activity groups chosen from Meydan’s list of 2,500+ activities across 18+ categories. That typically covers a realistic business mix, such as consultancy plus marketing plus e-commerce. Each additional activity group costs about AED 1,000 (indicative, as of mid-2026), and activities can usually be amended after setup for a fee.
Do I need a physical office at Meydan Free Zone?
No separate office lease is needed for a standard setup – a flexi-desk at The Meydan Hotel complex in Nad Al Sheba is bundled into the license and satisfies the presence requirement. Dedicated desks and private offices are optional upgrades, mainly relevant if you need more visa capacity or a daily workspace for a team.
Does Meydan Free Zone allow 100% foreign ownership?
Yes. Companies are formed as free zone LLCs with 100% foreign ownership and no local partner or sponsor requirement, which is standard across UAE free zones. Meydan Free Zone entities are recognized for official purposes, and setup can be completed fully remotely, including document signing, without visiting the UAE first.
How many residence visas can I get with a Meydan license?
A standard flexi-desk setup typically supports around six residence visas, depending on the package configuration. Investor and employee visas are priced separately. If you expect to sponsor a larger team early on, compare Meydan’s capacity and per-visa costs against zones with higher standard ceilings before choosing – office upgrades can raise the limit but add cost.
What does a Meydan visa really cost?
Budget around AED 7,850 all-in for an investor visa (indicative, as of mid-2026): roughly AED 3,500-4,000 for visa processing, ~AED 2,000 for the establishment card and ~AED 2,250 for the medical test and Emirates ID. Advertised “from AED 3,500” figures usually cover processing only. Dependent visas add a ~AED 3,000 deposit. Confirm current fees with the zone.
Can I add activities or shareholders later?
Yes. Extra activity groups can be added for about AED 1,000 each and additional shareholders for about AED 2,000 each (indicative, as of mid-2026), either at setup or later as amendments. Adding them at setup is usually simpler, so map out your realistic activity mix and ownership structure before the license is issued.
What are the hidden costs at Meydan Free Zone?
The license itself is transparent, but budget for: the establishment card and full visa components (~AED 7,850 all-in per investor visa), dependent visa deposits (~AED 3,000), amendment fees, cancellation at ~AED 2,000-3,500 if you close, and bank minimum balances. All indicative, as of mid-2026. The zone’s own cost calculator is a good starting point – then verify the quote itemizes everything.
What is the Fawri license?
Fawri is Meydan’s expedited formation route: for eligible activities (around 1,800 of the list), the license can be issued in about 60 minutes, from roughly AED 15,000 (indicative, as of mid-2026). It suits founders who need a trade license urgently – for example, to sign a contract or start an application that requires an existing entity – and it works remotely like the standard route.
Is Meydan Free Zone a designated zone for VAT?
Meydan is generally not on the Cabinet-approved list of VAT designated zones, which mostly covers fenced zones handling goods, so normal UAE VAT rules usually apply to Meydan companies. This is separate from its free zone status for corporate tax purposes. Confirm current treatment with the Federal Tax Authority or a tax consultant, as lists and rules can change.
Next Steps
Configure your package on the zone’s calculator with your real activity groups and shareholder count, add the all-in visa figure per person, and compare the two-year total against at least one alternative zone.
Compare Meydan against other UAE free zones in the free zone comparison tool. If you want guidance on the setup itself, you can compare free zone setup support from verified providers.
Sources
UAE Business Setup Specialist
Krystyna Sokolovska is a UAE business setup specialist who helps founders, independent professionals, and growing companies navigate business launch decisions in the Emirates with more clarity and less risk. Her work focuses on the practical side of entry into the UAE market — choosing the right setup path, understanding licensing options, preparing for banking, planning visa steps, and avoiding common mistakes that slow companies down.
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