The Bottom Line
Meydan costs AED 12,750 less (45% savings) in your first year compared to DHCC. That’s AED 15,590 vs AED 28,340 all-in with one visa.
If speed matters more than cost, Meydan gets you operational in 3 Working Days — 5 working days faster than DHCC.
For banking, Meydan has high approval rates, which means smoother account opening and less paperwork. A rejected bank application can delay your launch by weeks.
Dubai · Est. 2002
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
DHCC is for doctors, dentists, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers with international qualifications. Choose DHCC if you operate a clinic, pharmacy, or medical research facility that needs UAE-regulated operations.
License
AED 16,500
Visa
AED 3,800
Setup
8 Working Days
Banking
Medium
The Pros of DHCC
Specialized healthcare infrastructure with clinic and lab facilities
International health standards and accreditation frameworks
Maximum 20 shareholders — suitable for professional partnerships
Integrated with major hospitals and medical centers
600+ healthcare organizations creating referral ecosystem
Government support for medical research and innovation
The Cons
Medium bank approval (70%) — regulated healthcare requires compliance deep-dive
High costs: AED 16,500 license + AED 7,000 office + professional indemnity insurance
Longest approval timeline (8 days) due to regulatory requirements
MOHAP (Ministry of Health & Prevention) pre-approval required — adds 3–6 weeks
Restricted to healthcare activities only — no business diversification
Visa costs at highest tier (AED 3,800)
Dubai · Est. 2009
Meydan Free Zone
Meydan suits solo entrepreneurs and small partnerships (max 6 shareholders) who want a Dubai presence without long setup timelines. Ideal for consultants, traders, and service providers serving the broader Middle East market.
License
AED 11,500
Visa
AED 3,150
Setup
3 Working Days
Banking
High
The Pros of Meydan
Dubai address for international credibility
Fastest setup at 3 working days
High bank approval rate for professional services
Flexible activity mix — ideal for multiple business lines
Virtual address with optional office upgrades
Strong reputation in Middle East business community
The Cons
Maximum 6 shareholders limits growth potential
Higher license fee than Shams or RAKEZ
No specialized industry support like DMCC or JAFZA
Limited visa allocation with virtual address
Full Cost Comparison
All figures in AED with 1 visa included. The lower value is highlighted in green.
Cost Item
DHCC
Meydan
Business License
AED 16,500
AED 11,500
Office / Desk
AED 7,000
Included
Visa (1 person)
AED 3,800
AED 3,150
Medical Exam
AED 350
AED 320
Emirates ID
AED 370
AED 370
Establishment Card
AED 320
AED 250
Total Year 1
AED 28,340
AED 15,590
Annual Renewal (Yr 2+)
AED 14,850
AED 10,200
Banking & Compliance
Getting a bank account open is often harder than getting the license itself. Here’s what to expect at each zone.
DHCC
DHCC has medium approval (70%) — banks require full healthcare licensing and professional indemnity insurance before account opening. Processing takes 3–4 weeks. Islamic banks (ADIB) and healthcare-specialist lenders are more receptive. Bring MOHAP approval letter and professional credentials.
License approval takes 8 working days, but MOHAP healthcare pre-approval is required first — plan for 3–6 weeks total. All healthcare professionals must have verified degrees, valid licenses from home country, and professional indemnity insurance. Pharmaceutical companies need FDA registration from country of origin.
Meydan
Meydan enjoys high bank approval (95%+ with major banks) due to its established reputation. Processing takes 2–3 weeks for standard applications. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and ADCB have fast-track processes for Meydan clients. A simple business plan showing service offerings is usually sufficient.
License approval happens in 3 working days from complete submission. Activities must be specified clearly, but Meydan accepts broad categories like "general trading" and "business consultancy." Name reservation is same-day. Maximum shareholder limit (6) is fixed and cannot be waived.
Which One Should You Pick?
Choose DHCC If…
- Your business matches: Healthcare Services, Medical Research, Pharmaceutical, Telemedicine
Choose Meydan If…
- Your business matches: E-commerce, General Trading, Management Consulting, Marketing
- You want the smoothest possible banking experience
- Budget is your primary concern (AED 12,750 cheaper)
- You need to get operational as quickly as possible (3 Working Days)
- You work remotely and don’t need a physical office
Our Analysis
If speed is your priority, Meydan Free Zone gets you operational in 3 days versus Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)'s 8-day timeline. But that faster setup comes with cost implications—Meydan Free Zone saves you AED 12,750 (45% less) in your first year. From a banking perspective, Meydan Free Zone has high approval prospects, making it smoother for companies needing quick account setup. Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) shines for dhcc is for doctors, dentists, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers with international qualifications. choose dhcc if you operate a clinic, pharmacy, or medical research facility that needs uae-regulated operations., while Meydan Free Zone targets meydan suits solo entrepreneurs and small partnerships (max 6 shareholders) who want a dubai presence without long setup timelines. ideal for consultants, traders, and service providers serving the broader middle east market.. Choose Meydan Free Zone if budget drives your decision and your business model fits meydan suits solo entrepreneurs and small partnerships (max 6 shareholders) who want a dubai presence without long setup timelines. ideal for consultants, traders, and service providers serving the broader middle east market.. Neither zone dominates across all dimensions—your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost efficiency or banking relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our tools