Meydan Free Zone Company Setup 2026: Cost, Packages and Steps

Meydan Free Zone sits beside the Meydan Racecourse on Al Meydan Road in Dubai and has become one of the busiest free zones for first-time founders. The reason is simple: it can issue a licence online, in some cases within the hour, and the regular licence carries no fixed cap on visas.

This guide covers what a Meydan company actually costs in 2026, what the packages include, the extra costs most quotes leave out, the documents you need and the steps from application to bank account.

The short answer: Meydan Free Zone's published starting price is AED 12,500 for a licence issued online within about 24 hours. The Fawri instant licence is AED 15,000 and is typically issued in about an hour. Visas, the establishment card, medicals and Emirates ID are paid on top, so budget more if you need residency. Prices were checked on 2 November 2026 and change often, so always get a written quote before you pay.

Meydan at a glance

Meydan Free Zone setup cost in 2026: starting prices and packages

Source and date: Meydan Free Zone's own published prices, checked 2 November 2026.

Costs to budget for on top of the licence

A low headline price rarely covers everything. Before you compare quotes, check whether each one includes these:

• Establishment (immigration) card, needed before any visa can be issued.
• Residence visa per person: entry permit, change of status if you are already in the UAE, medical test and Emirates ID. Ask for an all-in per-visa figure in writing.
• Health insurance for each visa holder, which is mandatory in Dubai.
• Workspace: flexi-desk or office options if your activity or bank needs one.
• Additional activities beyond the groups included in your package.
• Corporate tax: a free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other income is taxed at 9%. All companies must register for corporate tax, so take tax advice before you choose a structure.

Licence types and activities

Meydan licenses service, trading, e-commerce, media and technology activities. You can form a single-shareholder company or a company with several partners, and foreign companies can open a branch. The Fawri licence is aimed at solo founders and freelancers whose activity is on the pre-approved list; the regular licence suits multi-partner companies, foreign-owned companies and branches.

How to set up a company in Meydan: step by step

1. 1Choose your activitiesCheck that your activity is on the Meydan list, and on the Fawri pre-approved list if you want the instant licence.
2. 2Reserve a trade nameSubmit two or three name options that follow UAE naming rules.
3. 3Upload documentsPassport, photo and proof of address for each shareholder and manager.
4. 4Pay and receive the licenceLicence, certificate of formation and company documents are issued digitally.
5. 5Establishment card and visasApply for the immigration card, then the investor and employee visas.
6. 6Open a bank accountBanks will ask for the licence, company documents and KYC for each shareholder.

Typical timeline: Licence in about 60 minutes (Fawri) or 24 hours (regular). Visas and banking usually add two to six weeks.

Documents you need

Individual shareholders usually need:

• Passport copy for every shareholder and manager (at least six months' validity)
• Passport-size photo
• Proof of residential address
• Two or three trade name options and your chosen activities

Corporate shareholders (a company owning the new company) usually need its certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, a board resolution approving the setup, a certificate of good standing and, often, a power of attorney for the person signing. Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested (notarised, legalised and stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and translated into Arabic or English where needed before the free zone will accept them.

Where DocuGulf helps

DocuGulf does not sell free zone licences. We handle the documents that delay most setups, so your application goes in complete the first time:

• Attestation of overseas corporate documents, board resolutions and degree certificates, from AED 230 per document.
• Certified true copies of passports and company papers for banks and free zones, AED 300 per set.
• Legal translation by MOJ-certified translators.
• Power of attorney drafting and notarisation if someone signs on your behalf.
• Trademark filing to protect your new brand name in the UAE.

Who Meydan suits

• Solo founders and consultants who want a Dubai licence in a day
• Owners outside the UAE (Non-Resident licence)
• Companies that expect to hire, since the regular licence has no fixed visa cap

How Meydan compares with other UAE free zones

Starting prices for the free zones we cover, checked 2 November 2026. Each name links to its own guide.

Key takeaways: Meydan Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 (regular licence, published by Meydan Free Zone). Add visas, the establishment card, medicals, Emirates ID, insurance and workspace to compare quotes fairly, and get any overseas shareholder documents attested early, because that is the step that most often holds up a setup.

Frequently asked questions

A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. All regulated work is performed by licensed notaries, lawyers, translators and approved typing centres, and we do not provide legal, tax or company formation advice. Free zone prices on this page are published or typical partner prices as of 2 November 2026; the free zone and its licensed partners set the final price. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.