Meydan Free Zone (MFZ), located adjacent to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid City, has become one of the UAE's most popular free zones for small businesses, consultants, e-commerce operators, and startups seeking a cost-efficient, 100% foreign-owned business establishment with a premium Dubai address. Unlike larger industrial free zones (JAFZA, KIZAD), Meydan is specifically designed for service-based and commercial businesses — offering flexi-desk, co-working, and virtual office packages at competitive price points, alongside a streamlined digital setup process. This guide covers the key features, costs, and setup process for 2026.
Key Features and Benefits of Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership for all business structures — no UAE national partner is required. Companies established in Meydan are exempt from corporate tax on qualifying income (subject to the UAE Corporate Tax small business relief and free zone qualifying income rules), and there is no minimum share capital requirement. UAE visa allocations are available with each licence type — flexi-desk packages typically allow two to four visa allocations; larger office packages allow more.
The free zone offers a wide range of commercial, professional, and service licence activities — over 1,500 activities are listed in the activity register. The application process is largely digital, and the MFZ authority has a reputation for responsive and efficient processing. The free zone's premium Dubai location — on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard — makes it attractive for businesses that need a prestigious business address for client meetings and marketing purposes.
Meydan Free Zone Licence Types and Costs
Meydan Free Zone offers three core licence types: the Commercial Licence (for trading, import/export, and general commercial activities); the Professional/Service Licence (for consultancies, agencies, design firms, and professional service businesses); and the Industrial Licence (for light manufacturing and processing, subject to suitable premises). Freelancer permits are also available for sole practitioners.
Costs for a Meydan Free Zone setup in 2026 (approximate and subject to change) include: the licence fee (approximately AED 5,750–12,500 per year depending on activity and package), the flexi-desk or office package fee (AED 6,000–20,000+ per year), the establishment card fee, and visa costs if applicable (approximately AED 3,000–5,000 per visa for UAE residency). Total first-year cost for a basic flexi-desk setup with one visa is typically AED 15,000–25,000.
Setup Process and Timeline
The Meydan Free Zone setup process can be completed entirely online through the MFZ portal. The steps are: select licence type and business activities; submit company name reservation; upload required documents (passport copies, Emirates ID if UAE resident, business plan for certain activities); pay licence and package fees; receive establishment card and licence. For straightforward commercial and professional licences, the full process from application to licence issuance typically takes five to ten working days.
For visa applications — manager residency visas issued under the Meydan licence — the process follows the standard UAE visa process: medical fitness test, Emirates ID application, and residency stamp. The full visa process adds approximately three to six weeks to the timeline after the licence is issued. If the business owner is already a UAE resident, the new Meydan entity can be added to their existing residency relatively quickly.
Meydan Free Zone vs. Other UAE Free Zones
Meydan Free Zone competes primarily with IFZA (International Free Zone Authority), SHAMS (Sharjah Media City), RAKEZ, and Fujairah Creative City for the cost-sensitive free zone segment. IFZA and Meydan are similar in cost and are both popular; Meydan's main differentiator is its prestigious Dubai address and its Meydan Business Centre amenity. RAKEZ and Fujairah free zones tend to be slightly cheaper but are located outside Dubai, which matters for some businesses.
For businesses that need to conduct significant business on the UAE mainland (meet government clients, visit UAE companies for sales meetings), a mainland licence is more appropriate — free zone companies cannot conduct direct commercial activity on the mainland without a mainland branch or a local distribution arrangement. Gulf Oasis Business Management advises on the right jurisdictional choice for each business's specific operational model.