Meydan Free Zone

Overview

Meydan Free Zone operates under the Meydan Group in Dubai and has positioned itself as one of the most affordable and fastest freezones in the emirate. It caters to entrepreneurs who need a UAE trade licence quickly and cost-effectively, without necessarily requiring physical office space or large visa allocations.

Meydan offers zero-visa packages, which means you can obtain a trade licence without sponsoring any residence visas. This makes it a popular choice for remote business owners, digital nomads, and those who already hold a UAE visa through other means.

Ideal For

Meydan is best suited for solopreneurs, freelancers, e-commerce sellers, consultants, and small marketing agencies. If you need a Dubai business licence primarily for invoicing, opening a payment gateway, or establishing a legal presence, Meydan delivers at the lowest price points. It is not ideal for businesses needing more than six visas or requiring a prestigious address for client-facing meetings.

Setup Process

Meydan is known for some of the fastest turnaround times in the UAE. Licence issuance can happen within 24 to 48 hours in many cases. You select your business activity, submit your passport and application form, pay the fees, and receive your digital licence. Visa processing, if needed, takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks.

Read our Fastest Freezone Setup guide for a full speed comparison.

Costs

First-year costs range from AED 8,000 to AED 18,000 depending on whether you include visas and which activity package you select. Zero-visa licence packages start at the lower end, while adding one or two visas pushes costs toward the higher end. For a breakdown alongside other budget options, see our Cheapest UAE Freezones guide.

Pros and Cons

Meydan excels on affordability and speed. Its zero-visa packages are a genuine differentiator for entrepreneurs who do not need residency sponsorship. The Dubai jurisdiction adds credibility over Sharjah or RAK alternatives.

However, visa allocations are capped at six, limiting growth potential. The freezone is less established than DMCC or IFZA, which can affect banking outcomes. Support services are more basic compared to premium freezones.

Related Freezones

SHAMS offers similarly low pricing in Sharjah. IFZA provides a step up in visa allocation while staying budget-friendly. RAKEZ is the go-to for even lower costs outside Dubai.