Meydan Free Zone comes up often when founders are comparing options for business setup in Dubai, and for good reason. It offers a central Dubai address, 100% foreign ownership, over 2,500 approved business activities, and one of the most competitive pricing structures among Dubai’s established free zones.
But the licence fee is not the full picture. The real cost of business setup in Meydan Free Zone depends on how many visas you need, what workspace type you choose, and what additional fees are outside the headline package. Here is a clear breakdown of what to expect.
What Your Meydan Licence Fee Covers
The Meydan free zone licence cost starts from AED 12,500 per year for a zero-visa package. This includes your trade licence, a flexi-desk address, and up to three bundled business activities, including general trading at no extra cost. The setup process is fully digital, and licences can be issued in as little as 60 minutes for eligible Fawri activities, or five to seven working days for standard applications.
Visa allocation is where costs begin to scale. Here is how the main packages break down:
- Zero-visa package: From AED 12,500 per year. For remote founders and businesses that do not require UAE residency.
- One-visa package: From AED 14,350 per year. Includes one investor or employment visa allocation.
- Six-visa package: From AED 23,600 per year. For small teams and businesses with multiple shareholders or employees needing UAE residency.
Annual renewal fees mirror the initial licence cost, so your yearly expenses stay relatively consistent after the first year. Also, the licence is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to keep the company active.
Other Additional Costs To Budget For
The licence fee is only the starting point. Business setup in Meydan Free Zone also involves several additional fees that sit outside the headline package and need to be factored into your first-year budget:
- Establishment card: AED 2,000 for the first year (AED 2,200 at renewal). This registers your company with UAE immigration authorities and is required before any visa can be processed.
- Visa processing: AED 3,500 to AED 4,500 per person, covering the entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID, and residency stamping. Investor visas for shareholders cost approximately AED 4,000 per person.
- Medical fitness test: AED 450 for the standard process, or AED 850 for the VIP process.
- Emirates ID: AED 370 to AED 570 per person.
- Health insurance: Costs start from approximately AED 700 per person per year, depending on the plan and provider. Mandatory for all UAE residents.
- Visa allocation (quota): AED 1,850 per slot for reserving residency slots under your corporate immigration file, up to a maximum of six standard slots.
Budgeting for these additional costs from the outset can help you avoid unexpected expenses and plan more accurately for your Meydan Free Zone setup.
What a Realistic First-Year Budget Looks Like
To give you a clearer picture, here is how total costs typically look for two common setups:
- Solo founder, no UAE residency needed: Zero-visa licence at AED 12,500. No visa or establishment card costs if residency is not required.
Total: approximately AED 12,500.
- Solo founder relocating to Dubai: One-visa licence at AED 14,350, plus establishment card at AED 2,000, visa processing at approximately AED 4,000, medical test at AED 450, Emirates ID at AED 370, and health insurance from AED 700.
Total first-year cost: approximately AED 21,870 to AED 25,000.
These figures are consistent with InZone’s own Meydan package pricing and the published cost structures for 2026. Exact costs vary depending on your activity, visa needs, and setup approach.
How Workspace Affects Your Total Meydan Setup Cost
The base packages come with a flexi-desk, which meets the registered address requirement and allows you to apply for a limited number of investor visas. This is included in the license package, so you do not need a separate office lease.
If you need more than three visas or prefer a dedicated workspace, you can upgrade to a private office. This gives you a fixed space and a higher visa quota. Private office costs are quoted separately by the free zone authority and depend on the size and setup you choose. Therefore, planning your workspace needs early can help you avoid extra paperwork and costs later.
Start Your Meydan Business with Expert Guidance
Meydan Free Zone can be a cost-effective choice, but the license fee is not the only expense to consider. You will also need to budget for the establishment card, visas, health insurance, and renewal costs. Having a clear idea of the total cost from the beginning helps you plan properly and avoid unexpected expenses along the way.
A qualified business setup consultant can provide an accurate all-in quote for your specific situation, handle the Meydan Free Zone application process on your behalf, and make sure your setup is structured correctly from the start.
