Meydan Free Zone Business Setup (MFZ)
Expert Meydan Free Zone Business Setup Consultancy
Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) is Dubai’s only fully digital free zone, established under its own statutory law (Law No. 5 of 2009) with its own Companies and Licensing Regulations, operating independently of the federal Commercial Companies Law. Situated in the heart of Dubai, close to key commercial landmarks, Meydan combines state-of-the-art business infrastructure with luxury residential and 5-star hotel facilities within the same integrated community.
Meydan’s flagship product, Fawri, issues a complete, legally valid trade licence in under 60 minutes through a fully digital process, with no office visit or physical paperwork required. This makes Meydan especially practical for international founders who want to set up a UAE company without travelling. Meydan companies can also collaborate with mainland businesses through a No Objection Certificate (NoC), extending their reach beyond the free zone.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we manage Meydan Free Zone company formation from activity and structure selection through documentation, licensing, and visa processing.
Start Your Meydan Company FormationBenefits of Business Setup in Meydan Free Zone
Meydan gives founders a genuinely fast, digital-first route into the UAE market. Key benefits include:
- 100% foreign ownership, with no local sponsor required
- No currency restrictions and 100% capital repatriation
- Eligibility for 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person
- Fully digital licensing, with Fawri issuing a licence in under 60 minutes
- Access to over 2,500 business activities across three activity groups per licence
- Ability to collaborate with mainland businesses through a No Objection Certificate
These advantages make Meydan especially attractive to solo founders, consultants, and internationally based entrepreneurs.
Meydan’s Integrated Business Community
Meydan offers more than a licence, it’s a full business and lifestyle community. Key features include:
- A premier location minutes from Dubai’s major commercial hubs
- A fully-equipped business centre with flexible workspace options
- Luxury residential options close to your workplace
- 5-star hotel facilities for hosting guests and clients
Note that Meydan Free Zone does not currently offer dedicated warehouse spaces, so businesses needing storage or logistics infrastructure should consider a different free zone for that specific need.
Fawri: Meydan’s 60-Minute Digital Licence
Fawri is Meydan’s flagship fast-track licence, designed for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to formalize their business quickly. Issued through a fully digital process, Fawri includes your trade licence and all core legal documents, with no office visit, physical documentation, or NOC required, and one free amendment included in the first year.
Fawri covers a broad range of activities, including consultancy, professional services, and e-commerce, and offers 100% foreign ownership with no paid-up capital requirement for this specific product. We help you confirm whether Fawri fits your business activity, or whether a standard Meydan digital licence better suits your growth plans.
Types of Meydan Free Zone Business Licenses
Your licence type follows from your specific business activity:
- Commercial Licence: allows import, export, distribution, and trading of goods
- Consulting Licence: covers management, marketing, financial consultancy, and other professional services
- Media Licence: permits transmission, production, and distribution of digital, audio, visual, and printed content, both online and in print
- Fawri Licence: a fast-track digital licence for solo entrepreneurs, covering consultancy, professional services, and e-commerce activities
We confirm which licence category fits your specific activity before you apply.
Legal Structures for Meydan Free Zone Company Formation
Meydan offers a range of legal structures based on your ownership and liability preferences:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): requires a minimum of one shareholder, with the director holding full liability
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC): shareholders are not personally liable for company debts
- Representative Office or Trading Branch: for local companies or multinationals looking to perform identical services to their parent company
Your legal structure affects the business activities you’re permitted to carry out, along with tax and cost implications, so we help you confirm the right fit before you apply.
Documents Required for Meydan Free Zone Company Registration
For individual applicants:
- Passport and visa copies
- Application form for company registration
- Original bank reference letter or six-month bank statement, stamped
- CV or resume of the applicant
- Business plan projecting the next three years
- Power of Attorney appointing your consultant for legal representation
- Proof of address, such as a lease agreement or utility bill
- Reservation of three trade name options
For corporate applicants: a completed application form signed by all shareholders, an original bank reference letter or statement for the manager, a three-year business plan, a board resolution appointing a general manager, the Certificate of Incorporation, the manager’s CV and ID copies, and the Memorandum of Association.
Process of Meydan Free Zone Company Formation
- Choose your business activity. Select up to three activity groups from Meydan’s approved list.
- Select your legal structure. Decide between an FZE, FZ LLC, or branch structure.
- Reserve your trade name. Submit and secure approval for your company name.
- Submit your application and documents. Complete the process fully online through Meydan’s digital portal.
- Pay your fees and receive your licence. Standard licences are typically issued within one to five working days, while Fawri applications can be completed in under 60 minutes.
- Apply for visas. Process residence visas for shareholders, directors, and employees, as needed.
- Open a corporate bank account. Set up UAE business banking to manage your company’s finances.
Support Services for Meydan Free Zone Business Setup
FAR Consulting Middle East manages the full company formation process for Meydan Free Zone, helping you avoid the fines or penalties that can result from an incorrect setup process. Our support includes:
- Applying for the correct trade licence
- Filing the correct legal entity for business registration
- Reservation and registration of your trademark and trade name
- Drafting your incorporation documents
- Compiling and submitting business setup requirements to the proper authorities
- Selecting commercial space and drafting or reviewing your tenancy contract
- Work permit and visa processing, including renewals for directors, employees, and dependents
- Corporate bank account opening assistance
Cost of Meydan Free Zone Business Setup
Meydan’s standard digital licence starts from around AED 12,500, including a flexi-desk and up to three activity groups, while the Fawri instant licence starts from around AED 15,000. Neither figure includes visas, which are priced separately, alongside standard federal innovation and knowledge fees.
Because your total cost depends on licence type, chosen activities, visa quota, and office requirements, we review your specific requirements first and then provide a clear, itemized cost estimate, with no hidden fees.
Related UAE Business Setup Services
- Business Setup in Dubai – mainland, free zone, and offshore options in Dubai
- Dubai Free Zone Business Setup – compare Dubai’s free zone options
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) – setup for logistics and aviation-linked businesses
- Dubai Studio City – setup for media and production businesses
- UAE Free Zone Business Setup – compare free zones UAE-wide
- Company Liquidation Services – guidance if you ever need to close or restructure your company
- PRO Services – government liaison and document clearing support
Frequently Asked Questions
Fawri is Meydan’s fully digital instant licence, issuing a complete, legally valid trade licence in under 60 minutes, with no office visit required.
Yes. Meydan is Dubai’s only 100% digital free zone, allowing you to complete name reservation, document submission, payment, and licence download entirely online.
No. Meydan does not currently offer dedicated warehouse spaces. Businesses needing storage or logistics infrastructure should consider a different free zone for that specific need.
Meydan companies can collaborate with mainland businesses through a No Objection Certificate (NoC), extending their reach beyond the free zone.
Not automatically. Meydan companies can apply for a 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, subject to conditions. We confirm your specific tax position during consultation.
The standard digital licence starts from around AED 12,500, and Fawri starts from around AED 15,000, excluding visas. We provide a clear, itemized estimate once we understand your specific plans.
Yes. Meydan allows 100% foreign ownership, with no local sponsor required.