Meydan Free Zone Company Setup: Cost, Licence & Process (2026)
Meydan Free Zone is a prestigious, centrally located Dubai free zone with company setup from around AED 12,500. It offers 100% ownership, a flexi-desk with no separate office needed, multi-activity licences and a well-known Dubai address, with licences typically issued in 3–5 working days.
Last updated: June 2026
Meydan — Cost breakdown (2026)
| Licence (0 visa) from | AED 12,500 |
|---|---|
| Licence + 1 visa from | AED 16,900 |
| Per additional visa | ≈ AED 3,600 |
| Timeline | 3–5 working days |
According to Setup Business in UAE, Meydan company setup starts from AED 12,500, with licences typically issued within 3–5 working days (as of June 2026).
Best for
- E-commerce
- Consultants
- Trading
- Founders wanting a prime Dubai address
Advantages
- Prime, well-recognised Dubai (Meydan) address
- Competitive starting price
- Flexi-desk included, no separate office needed
- Multi-activity licences
- Fast digital setup
Considerations
- Add-on costs for extra visas and activities
- Premium address positioning over rock-bottom price
How to set up in Meydan
- 1
Select business activities
Choose from Meydan's professional, commercial and trading activities.
- 2
Reserve company name
Submit name options compliant with UAE rules.
- 3
Submit application & documents
Passport copies and the incorporation application.
- 4
Receive your licence
Licence and incorporation documents issued digitally.
- 5
Visas & bank account
Establishment card, residence visas and corporate banking.
Hidden costs and renewal fees at Meydan
Beyond the AED 12,500 package, budget for the establishment card before visa processing, about AED 3,600 per visa all-in, and knowledge/innovation fees that appear on most Dubai government invoices. Meydan's prestige address is included, but printed licences, NOC letters and amendments each carry small administrative fees.
Renewal is essentially the same as year one, and late renewal triggers penalties quickly, so diarise it. Founders who later need a physical office should expect roughly AED 14,000+ per year, and upgrading visa quota mid-term means upgrading the package, not just paying per visa.
Common mistakes founders make with Meydan
Meydan's brand pulls in founders who really just need the cheapest licence — if the address never appears in front of clients, IFZA or a northern-emirates zone may serve the same purpose for less over three years. The second trap is name approval: Meydan applies Dubai naming rules strictly, so submitting only one name option delays licensing by days. Third, e-commerce founders sometimes forget the licence does not include a payment gateway — factor gateway onboarding into the launch timeline.
Banking with a Meydan licence
The Meydan name carries genuine weight with relationship managers, and its central Dubai positioning makes in-person KYC meetings easy. Wio and NeoBiz open accounts fastest; Emirates NBD and Mashreq are the most common traditional choices for Meydan companies. Compliance teams will still ask what the company actually does — a one-page business summary with two sample invoices shortens the process more than any premium address does.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Meydan free zone company cost?+
Meydan setup starts from around AED 12,500 with no visa, and about AED 16,900 with one visa. Final cost depends on activity, visas and office needs.
Is an office required at Meydan?+
No. Meydan includes a flexi-desk facility, so a separate physical office is optional.
How fast is Meydan company formation?+
Licences are usually issued within 3–5 working days after name approval and document submission.