Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone is a budget-friendly Dubai free zone with a central Nad Al Sheba address, popular with startups, freelancers and service firms. Licences start from about AED 6,500, give 100% ownership, and cover service and e-commerce activities with fast, digital setup — one of the cheapest ways to hold a Dubai licence.
Meydan Free Zone pairs a recognised Dubai address with low starting prices, making it a favourite for lean service businesses and online sellers who want to be "in Dubai" without a large office.
Why choose Meydan?
- Low startup pricing with quick issuance
- Central Dubai (Nad Al Sheba) address for client-facing firms
- Good for e-commerce, consultancy and professional services
- Simple renewals; ideal for lean teams and freelancers
Meydan setup costs (2026)
Final pricing depends on activities, office choice and visa quota. Use our cost calculator for an all-in estimate.
Process & timeline
- Name reservation & initial approval
- Licence & company documents
- Immigration file; residence visas as required
Starting from: AED 6,500+
How much does a Meydan Free Zone licence cost?
A licence here typically runs AED 12,500 - 28,000 for year one. The licence is normally issued in 1 - 7 working days once documents are ready, and entry package tiers carry 0 - 6 visas. The low end is a single-activity licence with no staff visas; the high end reflects extra activities, a dedicated office or a higher visa quota.
Fast issuance, with an instant-licence route for qualifying single-activity companies.
Estimate. Indicative market range for planning, not confirmed with the authority. Check current figures before you apply.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (year one) | AED 12,500 - 28,000 | Varies with activity count and facility |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company, required before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative ranges for planning, not a quote. Zone packages and government fees change — confirm current figures with the authority before you apply.
How many visas do you get?
Quota follows the facility you take, not the licence itself.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa) | 0 | Trade licence with no residency for anyone |
| Flexi desk / smart desk | 1 - 6 | Set by the package tier you buy, not by the activity |
| Dedicated office (15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | First step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota |
| Larger office or warehouse | about 1 per 9 sqm | Subject to the zone approving the allocation |
Full detail, including how to increase your allocation: free zone visa quota explained.
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Last updated: October 2026
General information, not advice. Fees, packages and visa quotas are set by the free zone authority and change without notice — confirm current terms before applying.