The Bottom Line
Meydan costs AED 10,350 less (40% savings) in your first year compared to DMCC. That’s AED 15,590 vs AED 25,940 all-in with one visa.
If speed matters more than cost, Meydan gets you operational in 3 Working Days — 2 working days faster than DMCC.
Dubai · Est. 2002
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
DMCC is for high-growth trading companies, fund managers, and premium consulting firms that can afford premium positioning and want maximum bank credibility. If you're raising capital, attracting international investors, or trading commodities at scale, DMCC is the global gold standard.
License
AED 15,000
Visa
AED 3,500
Setup
5 Working Days
Banking
High
The Pros of DMCC
Highest bank approval rate (98%+) in the world
World-class infrastructure in JLT (Jumeirah Lake Towers)
Unlimited shareholders — perfect for complex structures
Integrated office, co-working, and residential ecosystem
Strong international commodities trading network
5-day approval with streamlined online application
The Cons
Highest cost — AED 15,000 license + AED 6,500 office minimum
Flexi desk space competitive and books quickly
Premium positioning — not cost-conscious for SMEs
Large trader ecosystem creates lower margins in commodity niches
Visa costs are highest tier (AED 3,500)
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
DMCC
Meydan
Business License
AED 15,000
AED 11,500
Office / Desk
AED 6,500
Included
Visa (1 person)
AED 3,500
AED 3,150
Medical Exam
AED 320
AED 320
Emirates ID
AED 370
AED 370
Establishment Card
AED 250
AED 250
Total Year 1
AED 25,940
AED 15,590
Annual Renewal (Yr 2+)
AED 14,200
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.
DMCC
DMCC has near-perfect bank approval (98%+) — all global banks maintain offices in JLT. Account opening takes 1–2 weeks. Goldman Sachs, Citi, HSBC, and all top UAE banks have DMCC specialists. Even new businesses get fast approval if properly documented.
License approval takes 5 working days with online application. DMCC pre-vets your business model upfront, making the process smooth. Commodities trading requires additional verifications (sanctions checks, supply chain documentation). Most applications approved first submission. Name reservation same-day online.
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 DMCC If…
- Your business matches: E-commerce, General Trading, Management Consulting, Software Development
- You want the smoothest possible banking experience
- You have multiple shareholders or investors
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 10,350 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 Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)'s 5-day timeline. But that faster setup comes with cost implications—Meydan Free Zone saves you AED 10,350 (40% less) in your first year. Both carry high banking approval ratings, so account opening difficulty is comparable. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) shines for dmcc is for high-growth trading companies, fund managers, and premium consulting firms that can afford premium positioning and want maximum bank credibility. if you're raising capital, attracting international investors, or trading commodities at scale, dmcc is the global gold standard., 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.. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) offers better banking relationships despite higher upfront costs; Meydan Free Zone prioritizes affordability without sacrificing core services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our tools