Meydan Setup Costs

You'll invest AED 15,590 for one visa at Meydan—39% above SRTIP and 80% above Shams—making it the premium choice for businesses needing Dubai's geography and reputation. The license is AED 11,500, a single visa is AED 3,150 (57% higher than Shams), and hidden costs are AED 940 (medical AED 320, Emirates ID AED 370, establishment card AED 250). This price reflects Dubai's positioning: international finance, trade, manufacturing, and corporate ventures prefer Meydan's proximity to Jebel Ali port and global shipping lanes.

Your annual renewal is AED 11,140 (license AED 10,200 plus recurring fees)—68% steeper than Shams—reflecting Meydan's HIGH bank compliance monitoring. Processing is quick: just 3 days from approval to stamping. However, budget additional costs: dedicated office space in Meydan industrial parks runs AED 2,000–4,000 monthly, warehouse operations require security deposits, and your visa stamping process includes mandatory health insurance (often AED 1,500–2,500 annually).

Meydan's cost premium exists because scale and sector matter here. Manufacturing licenses include free dedicated workspace on assigned plots; import/export businesses benefit from streamlined customs clearance via co-located Jebel Ali Port authority. A two-visa setup reaches AED 18,740, a three-visa setup hits AED 21,890—costs that only justify themselves if throughput or supply-chain integration demands it.

Compared to alternatives: Shams costs 44% less and serves media/IT efficiently; SRTIP is 35% cheaper and suits innovation sectors; Meydan wins only if you're in trade, logistics, or manufacturing where Dubai's infrastructure and connectivity pay for itself through operational savings. If you're bootstrapping or testing ideas, Meydan is overpriced; if you're a regional trading company, it's economical. Plan for total first-year spend of AED 25,000–35,000 including workspace, legal setup, and compliance—treat Meydan as an investment in market access, not just licensing.

Setting up in Meydan Free Zone follows a structured process that typically takes 3 working days. Start by choosing your business activity — Meydan supports E-commerce, General Trading, Management Consulting, and 1 more categories. Your license fee starts at AED 11,500.

Next, reserve your trade name. Names must comply with UAE naming conventions — no offensive terms, no names identical to existing registered companies. Name reservation typically completes within 1-2 business days.

Submit your application with passport copies, proof of address, business plan, and NOC (if currently employed in UAE). Meydan offers streamlined online submission. Select your workspace: virtual address, office.

Office costs AED 0 annually. Pay your license fee (AED 11,500) and office deposit to proceed. Once approved, Meydan issues your trade license within 3 working days.

Your license is valid for one year from the date of issue. With your license in hand, apply for residence visas (AED 3,150 per person) and begin bank account opening. Banking approval is straightforward here — expect 2-4 weeks.

Meydan offers virtual address, office options. Your choice of office space directly impacts your total setup cost and the number of visas you can sponsor. Virtual Address: A registered address without physical presence.

Lowest cost option, suitable for businesses that operate remotely. Typically allows 1-3 visa sponsorships. Includes mail handling and use of meeting rooms on a per-hour basis.

Office: A private office space with dedicated infrastructure. Higher visa quota (typically 5-15+ depending on size), professional reception, and full office amenities. Best for teams and client-facing businesses that need a permanent physical presence.

Base price of AED 0/year covers the virtual address option. Upgrades are available at additional cost.

Meydan has one of the strongest banking relationships among UAE freezones. Companies licensed here typically experience smooth account opening with major banks including Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, and ADCB. Approval timelines average 2-4 weeks with standard documentation.

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. You will need: completed bank application form, trade license copy, passport copies of all shareholders and signatories, proof of address, business plan, initial deposit (typically AED 5,000-50,000), and board resolution appointing authorized signatories.

No freezone is perfect for every business. Here are situations where Meydan may not be your best option. 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. Evaluate your specific needs against these limitations before committing.

Mark your renewal date—typically before your license anniversary—and budget AED 10,200 for license renewal. Starting renewal paperwork 45 days before expiration prevents last-minute complications. Maintain monthly accounting records and file annual audited accounts.

Most freezones mandate dual-language financial statements (Arabic/English). Engage a local accounting firm early; DIY accounting often creates compliance gaps that trigger audit penalties. Banking relationships here are straightforward, but account maintenance requires consistent transaction activity.

Dormant accounts risk closure; maintain minimum monthly activity. Common pitfalls: underselling expected revenues (triggers audit escalation), missing visa renewal deadlines (visa cancellation), and failing to update shareholder records. Track shareholder changes immediately—limits are 1–6 shareholders; exceeding triggers reclassification.

Specific to Meydan Free Zone: 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. Annual compliance costs typically run 5-8% of license fees for accounting and audit services.

Prepare these documents before starting your Meydan application. Having everything ready upfront avoids delays — incomplete applications are the most common reason for setups exceeding the 3 working days standard timeline. You will need: a valid passport (at least 6 months validity remaining) for all shareholders and managers; two recent passport-size photos per applicant on a white background; proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement from your home country dated within the last 3 months.

A brief business plan describing your activities, target market, and projected revenue is required. If you are currently employed in the UAE, you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer — this is not required for new entrants. For companies with multiple shareholders, prepare a board resolution appointing managers and signatories, and a shareholder agreement defining ownership percentages and rights.

A bank reference letter from your existing bank confirming good standing and account history will be needed for the bank account opening process. All documents must be in English or Arabic. Non-English documents require attested translation.

Some documents may need UAE embassy attestation depending on your country of origin.