Meydan free zone company setup gives you a Dubai address, fast licensing and a free flexi-desk, all in one of the city’s most modern business districts. Located at the Meydan Grandstand in Nad Al Sheba, close to Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, Meydan Free Zone has become a popular choice for start-ups, consultants, e-commerce businesses and small teams that want a Dubai license without high office costs.

At Aspira Business Setup Services, we handle your Meydan free zone company setup from start to finish. Our team has 12+ years of experience and has formed 5,000+ companies for 4,500+ clients across all UAE free zones. We choose the right license and activities, prepare your documents, follow up with Meydan and arrange your visas and bank account help.

What Is Meydan Free Zone?

Meydan Free Zone is a Dubai free zone based at the Meydan Grandstand, home of the Dubai World Cup horse race. It offers a fully digital setup process, more than 2,500 business activities and a flexi-desk included with its standard license, which helps keep your first-year cost low.

Because it is in Dubai, a Meydan license gives you a Dubai business address, which many clients prefer over free zones in other emirates. The zone also offers support services through its Meydan Plus programme, such as bank account assistance, VAT registration and accounting.

Benefits of Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

• 100% foreign ownership: no local partner or sponsor needed.
• Dubai address: a respected location near Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Al Khail Road.
• Flexi-desk included: the standard license includes a flexi-desk at no extra cost.
• Fast licensing: standard licenses are processed quickly, and the Fawri license can be issued in under an hour.
• Wide choice of activities: more than 2,500 activities, with up to 3 activity groups on one license.
• Fully digital process: most of the Meydan free zone company setup process is done online.
• Full repatriation: you can send 100% of your profits and capital home.
• Multi-year savings: discounts are available when you pay for more than one year.

Types of Meydan Free Zone Licenses

Meydan Free Zone offers two main license options:

Standard License

The standard license suits most new businesses, including companies with more than one shareholder. It covers up to 3 activity groups and includes a flexi-desk. More than 2,500 activities are available, across trading, services, consultancy, technology, media and e-commerce.

Fawri License (Instant License)

The Fawri license is designed for one-person companies, where the same person is the shareholder, manager and director. It can be issued in under 60 minutes and covers more than 1,800 activities. It is a good choice if you want to start quickly and you are the only owner.

Not sure which license fits your plans? Our team will compare both options for your Meydan free zone company setup and recommend the best one.

Meydan Free Zone Company Setup Cost in 2026

Based on Meydan Free Zone’s published prices in 2026:

Cost item	Typical amount
Standard license (up to 3 activity groups, flexi-desk included)	From AED 12,500
Fawri license (one-person company)	From AED 15,000
Each extra activity beyond the included groups	About AED 1,000
Visa allocation (per visa, up to 6)	About AED 1,850
Establishment card (first year)	About AED 2,000
Employment visa (per person)	From about AED 3,500

Figures are based on Meydan Free Zone’s published prices and can change. Investor and dependent visa costs vary. Contact Aspira for your exact quote.

Your final Meydan free zone company setup cost depends on:

• Your license type and number of activities
• The number of visas you need
• Whether you upgrade from a flexi-desk to an office
• Whether you choose a 1, 2 or 3-year license

If your budget is the main priority, other UAE free zones start from AED 5,565. Use our business setup cost calculator to compare, or read our IFZA company setup guide for another popular Dubai option.

Many clients ask us whether Meydan is good value compared with cheaper free zones. The answer depends on what you need. If a Dubai address, a fast license and a free flexi-desk matter to your business, Meydan often works out better value over the first year, because you don’t pay separately for a desk. If you only need the lowest possible license fee and don’t mind being outside Dubai, a lower-cost free zone may suit you better. Our team will show you both options side by side before you decide.

Meydan Free Zone Company Setup Process: Step by Step

Here is how a Meydan free zone company setup works with Aspira:

1. Free consultation: we discuss your business, activities and budget, and confirm that Meydan is the right free zone for you.
2. Choose your license and activities: we select the right license type and activities, so you don’t pay for activities you don’t need.
3. Reserve your company name: we check your name against the naming rules and reserve it.
4. Submit your application: we prepare and submit your application and documents online.
5. Pay and sign: you pay the fees and sign your documents electronically.
6. Receive your license: Meydan issues your license, together with your flexi-desk agreement.
7. Establishment card and visas: we apply for your establishment card and residence visas, including entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping.
8. Bank account and tax: we help you open a corporate bank account and register for corporate tax and VAT if needed.

The license itself is fast. Opening a corporate bank account usually takes longer, often a few weeks, so we start preparing your bank documents early.

Documents Required for Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

For a Meydan free zone company setup with individual shareholders, you will usually need:

• A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager
• A passport-size photo with a white background
• A UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are in the UAE
• Emirates ID copy, if you are a UAE resident
• Proof of residential address
• Email address and phone number for each shareholder

If a company will own your Meydan company, you will also need the parent company’s documents, such as its certificate of incorporation, articles of association and board resolution. Some may need attestation. We give you a clear checklist, so nothing is missing.

Meydan Free Zone Company Setup: Visas

A Meydan company can sponsor residence visas for its owners, employees and their families. Each license can usually get up to 6 visa allocations, depending on your package and office. The visa process includes an entry permit, a medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping. Aspira manages every step and follows up for you.

Office Options for Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

A flexi-desk is included with the standard license, so most new companies don’t need to pay for a separate office. If your business grows, you can upgrade to:

• A dedicated desk
• A shared office
• A private office

A bigger office can also help when you need more visas or a fixed place to meet clients.

Popular Activities for Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

• General trading and e-commerce
• Management and business consultancy
• IT services and software development
• Marketing, media and advertising
• Event management
• Real estate-related services
• Education and training support services
• Holding companies

Some activities need extra approval from other authorities. We check this before you apply, so your license covers everything you plan to do.

Who Should Choose Meydan Free Zone Company Setup?

A Meydan free zone company setup is a good fit for:

• Consultants and freelancers who want a Dubai license with a low first-year cost
• E-commerce businesses selling online in the UAE and abroad
• Marketing, media and IT service companies
• Start-ups that want to launch quickly and grow later
• Solo founders who want the fast Fawri license
• International entrepreneurs who want a Dubai address without renting a full office

If you plan to hold large stock, run a warehouse or trade physical goods in big volumes, another free zone may suit you better. We will tell you honestly if Meydan is the right choice.

Meydan Plus Services

Meydan Free Zone also offers optional support services through its Meydan Plus programme. These include help with corporate bank account opening, VAT registration, accounting and bookkeeping, residence visas and a PO Box. Aspira can manage these services for you as part of your Meydan free zone company setup, so you deal with one team for everything.

Meydan vs IFZA vs DMCC

Feature	Meydan	IFZA	DMCC
Location	Meydan, Nad Al Sheba (Dubai)	Dubai Silicon Oasis	Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Starting cost	From about AED 12,500	Low-to-mid range	Premium (higher)
Office	Flexi-desk included	Flexi-desk options	Flexi-desk to private offices
Speed	Very fast (Fawri in under an hour)	Fast	2 to 3 weeks
Best for	Start-ups, consultants, e-commerce	Small businesses, consultants	Commodities, trading, larger firms

Aspira sets up companies in all three, so we can give you an honest comparison for your business.

Corporate Tax and VAT for Meydan Companies

Every Meydan company must register for UAE corporate tax. Corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000. A company that meets the rules of a Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income, but many service activities, such as consultancy and marketing, don’t count as qualifying income, so they are taxed in the normal way. VAT registration is required once your taxable sales pass AED 375,000 a year. Read our guide on corporate tax registration in Dubai to learn more.

Can a Meydan Company Work in Mainland Dubai?

A free zone company mainly works inside its free zone and with clients outside the UAE. Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, free zone companies can apply for a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to carry out certain activities in mainland Dubai. Our team can tell you if this permit suits your business.

Meydan License Renewal

Your Meydan license must be renewed every year. Renewal usually includes the license fee, the establishment card and any office upgrade you have chosen. Your visas are renewed separately when they expire. Aspira reminds you before your renewal date and handles the paperwork, so your company stays active and your visas are not affected.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing the wrong license: the Fawri license is only for one-person companies. If you plan to add partners, the standard license may be better.
• Picking too many activities: extra activities cost more, so choose only what you need now.
• Ignoring the bank account timeline: plan for bank account opening to take a few weeks.
• Missing corporate tax registration: every free zone company must register for corporate tax, even if it expects to pay 0%.
• Forgetting renewal costs: plan for your yearly license, establishment card and visa renewals.

Your First 90 Days After Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

Getting your license is only the start. Here is what usually happens in your first three months, and how Aspira helps:

• Week 1: your license and flexi-desk agreement are issued, and we apply for your establishment card.
• Weeks 1 to 3: we process your residence visa, including the entry permit or change of status, medical test and Emirates ID.
• Weeks 2 to 6: we prepare your corporate bank account application and follow up with the bank until your account is open.
• Within your first months: we register your company for corporate tax, so you meet the deadline and avoid penalties.
• When needed: we register you for VAT once your taxable sales are close to AED 375,000 a year.
• Ongoing: we set reminders for your license, establishment card and visa renewals.

Many new business owners only find out about these steps when a deadline is missed. With Aspira, you get a clear plan from day one, so you can focus on finding clients and growing your business instead of chasing paperwork.

Why Choose Aspira for Your Meydan Free Zone Company Setup?

• 12+ years of experience in UAE business setup
• 5,000+ companies formed for 4,500+ clients
• Company setup in all UAE free zones, Dubai mainland and offshore
• Honest advice on whether Meydan or another zone suits your budget
• One team for your license, visas, PRO services, bank account help and tax registration
• Support after setup, including renewals

Related Organizations

• Meydan Free Zone: issues your license
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA): residence visas
• Federal Tax Authority (FTA): corporate tax and VAT registration
• Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): mainland permits

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION – How much does Meydan free zone company setup cost?

ANSWER – The standard license starts from about AED 12,500, including a flexi-desk and up to 3 activity groups. Visas, extra activities and office upgrades cost extra. Contact Aspira for an exact quote.

QUESTION – How long does Meydan free zone company setup take?

ANSWER – The license is usually issued very quickly, and the Fawri license can take under an hour. Visas and bank account opening take longer.

QUESTION – Do I need an office for Meydan free zone company setup?

ANSWER – A flexi-desk is included with the standard license, which is enough for most new companies.

QUESTION – How many visas can I get with a Meydan license?

ANSWER – Most licenses can get up to 6 visa allocations, depending on your package and office.

QUESTION – Can I own 100% of my company with a Meydan free zone company setup?

ANSWER – Yes. Meydan Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership.

QUESTION – Do I need to visit Dubai to set up?

ANSWER – Most of the process is online. You need to be in the UAE for your visa medical test and Emirates ID.

QUESTION – What is the difference between the standard and Fawri license?

ANSWER – The standard license suits most businesses and multiple shareholders. The Fawri license is for one-person companies and can be issued in under 60 minutes.

QUESTION – Can I add more activities later?

ANSWER – Yes. You can add activities to your Meydan license after setup. Each extra activity beyond the included groups has an additional fee, so it’s best to plan your main activities at the start of your Meydan free zone company setup.

QUESTION – Can I upgrade from a flexi-desk to an office?

ANSWER – Yes. As your business grows, you can move to a dedicated desk, shared office or private office. A bigger office can also help when you need more visas.

QUESTION – Can I switch from a Fawri license to a standard license?

ANSWER – If you plan to add shareholders or need more activities, the standard license is usually the better choice. Our team will explain the steps if your plans change after setup.

QUESTION – Can I open a corporate bank account with a Meydan license?

ANSWER – Yes. UAE banks accept Meydan Free Zone companies. Approval usually takes a few weeks and depends on your activity, documents and expected transactions. Aspira helps you prepare a complete application for your Meydan free zone company setup, chooses banks that suit your business and follows up until your account is open, so you can start trading as soon as possible.

Get Started with Your Meydan Free Zone Company Setup

Ready to start your Meydan free zone company setup? Contact Aspira for a free consultation and a clear quote.

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Contact Us

Aspira Business Setup Services LLC

Office: 1001, First Floor, Al Nasr Central, 10th Street, Oud Metha, Dubai

Phone/WhatsApp: +971 56 406 6546

Email: info@aspiradubai.com

Website: aspiradubai.com