Meydan Company Setup in Dubai:
Licence, Digital Setup and Visas
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone established in 2009 in Meydan City, known for a fully digital setup and a broad activity list. It offers 100% foreign ownership and does not require a minimum paid-up capital. Maven& checks your activity, licence and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Fully digital application process
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Meydan company setup partner
Foreign ownership
Meydan offers 100% foreign ownership with no local partner or agent required.
Licence categories to compare
Commercial, professional, e-commerce, media and industrial licences.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who Meydan suits
Businesses that suit a Meydan company
Consultants and freelancers
Solo professionals and consultants who want a licence and residence without a large office.
E-commerce sellers
Online stores, dropshipping and marketplace sellers that want a Dubai licence.
Media and digital businesses
Content, media and digital service businesses covered by the media licence.
Trading and holding companies
Traders and holding structures that want a Dubai free zone entity.
What are the main Meydan rules and tax points?
A Meydan licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, approvals and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Digital setup: the application runs online, and many initial steps need no visit to Dubai.
- Capital: Meydan does not require a minimum paid-up capital to incorporate.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership applies across its licence types and legal structures.
- Mainland trading: a Meydan licence does not automatically allow unrestricted trading in mainland Dubai.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- Meydan vs mainland
Meydan vs Dubai mainland company
Choose Meydan if its location, licences and premises fit your business. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | Meydan | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Meydan Free Zone | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Not automatic: depends on the licence and approvals | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Premises | Digital setup, with workspace options where needed | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Consultants, e-commerce sellers and online businesses | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in Meydan
Establishment (FZE)
For solo owners
- One shareholder
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Premises sized to your visa plan
- No minimum paid-up capital
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Company (FZ-LLC)
For partners and co-founders
- Two or more shareholders
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Shareholding set out in the MoA
- Same premises and visa rules apply
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does Meydan company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every Meydan and service fee before you commit.
- Meydan licence package and activity fees
- Workspace option, where you need an address or office
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a Meydan company in Dubai in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence
We match your activities to the right Meydan licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your name
We reserve a compliant name and prepare the application for Meydan.
Apply and secure premises
We submit the application and arrange a workspace option that suits your visa plan.
Receive your Meydan licence
After approvals and fees, Meydan issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for Meydan company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for Meydan company setup in Dubai
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence and tax position
Licence categories, premises rules and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- Meydan FAQs
Meydan company setup in Dubai: frequently asked questions
Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone established in 2009 in Meydan City. It runs a fully digital setup, supports a broad activity list and offers 100% foreign ownership. See all free zones.
Meydan offers 100% foreign ownership with no local partner or agent required. Some regulated activities need extra approvals.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, your premises, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
Many Meydan licences can be set up digitally without leasing an office. Your workspace choice can still affect how many residence visas you can sponsor, so we confirm the right option for your plans.
Not automatically. A Meydan licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights, so trading with UAE customers depends on your licence and any approvals. If most customers are in the UAE, a mainland company may fit better.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
Meydan licence categories include commercial, professional, e-commerce, media and industrial licences, and a freelance permit is available for individuals. We match your activities to the right licence before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and on any approvals your activity needs. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A Meydan company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to your licence and premises. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your Meydan company?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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