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Meydan Free ZoneCompany Formation
Set up a Dubai free zone company at the Meydan Grandstand in Nad Al Sheba, with a digital-first process built for e-commerce, online and consultancy businesses.
- 100% Ownership
- Dubai Address
- E-commerce Friendly
- Digital Setup
- Bank Account Support
Published Updated
Meydan: a digital-first Dubai free zone
Meydan Free Zone is based at the Meydan Grandstand in Nad Al Sheba, minutes from Downtown Dubai. It is known for a fast, largely online setup and a wide activity list that suits e-commerce, digital and consultancy businesses.
Founders choose Meydan for a central Dubai address, multiple activities on one licence and flexible visa options. It is a good fit for online stores, agencies, traders and service businesses selling internationally or to other businesses.
Best known for: e-commerce & digital businesses
Why Meydan Free Zone
Meydan pairs a central Dubai location with a quick digital process and broad activity choice.
Central Dubai location
Nad Al Sheba sits a short drive from Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and DXB.
Built for e-commerce
E-commerce, online trading and digital service activities are core to Meydan’s offer.
Digital-first setup
Applications, approvals and documents are handled online, so you can set up quickly with few visits.
Multiple activities
Combine several activities on one licence where the activity groups allow it.
100% foreign ownership
Full ownership with no local partner, and profits and capital can be repatriated freely.
Flexible visa options
Packages with different visa allocations, so you can start small and add visas as you hire.
Ideal for
- Online stores & e-commerce
- Digital agencies & creators
- Consultants & freelancers
- International traders
- Tech start-ups
Meydan Free Zone Licence Types
Meydan groups activities into a few licence types. Your activities decide which one fits.
E-commerce Licence
For selling goods and services online.
- Online retail
- Marketplace selling
- Dropshipping
- Digital products
- Subscription services
Commercial Licence
For trading goods internationally and with UAE businesses.
- General trading
- Import & export
- Electronics trading
- Cosmetics trading
- Food trading
Professional Licence
For consultancy, digital and service businesses.
- Management consultancy
- Marketing & social media
- IT services
- Event management
- Design services
Legal Structures in Meydan Free Zone
Meydan offers the usual free zone forms. Most founders choose a single- or multi-shareholder company.
01
Single-Shareholder Free Zone Company
One individual or corporate owner, with liability limited to share capital. The usual start for solo founders.
02
Multi-Shareholder Free Zone Company
Two or more shareholders, individual or corporate, with shares and voting set in the Articles.
03
Branch of a Foreign Company
An overseas company operating in the zone under its own name, with the parent liable for the branch.
04
Branch of a UAE Company
A mainland or other free zone company adds a presence in the zone without forming a new entity.
How a Meydan Free Zone Company Is Formed
Free zone setup is mostly online. We prepare and file each step with Meydan Free Zone for you.
- 01
Choose Activities & Package
We match your business to Meydan Free Zone’s activity list and pick the licence package and visa allocation that fits.
- 02
Reserve the Company Name
We check your name options against the zone’s naming rules and reserve the best one.
- 03
Submit the Application
Application forms, shareholder documents and any business profile filed with the zone, with compliance (KYC) checks.
- 04
Sign the Constitutional Documents
Articles of Association and resolutions signed, in person or by e-signature where the zone allows it.
- 05
Office or Flexi-Desk
Shared desk or office at the Meydan Grandstand, sized to the visas you need.
- 06
Licence Issued
Meydan Free Zone issues the licence and certificate of incorporation, usually as digital documents.
- 07
Establishment Card, Visas & Bank
We open the immigration file, run investor and staff visas, and prepare the bank application in parallel.
Documents Required for Meydan Free Zone Setup
What we need depends on whether each shareholder is a person or a company. Documents issued abroad must be notarised and attested for use in the UAE; we arrange this for you.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- Emirates ID, if resident in the UAE
- Passport-size photo
- Three trade name options
- Proof of home address
- Short business profile, if requested
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation or trade licence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the Meydan Free Zone company
- Certificate of good standing
- Passport copy of the appointed manager
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
Why Choose a Meydan Free Zone Company
Meydan suits digital businesses that want a central Dubai address and a quick setup.
100% foreign ownership
Possible 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income
Central Dubai address in Nad Al Sheba
Strong fit for e-commerce activities
Several activities on one licence
Largely online setup
Visa packages that grow with you
Tax & Compliance Position: Meydan Free Zone
Companies in Meydan Free Zone can pay 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, but only if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. We check this before you choose the zone, not after.
UAE Corporate Tax
0% on qualifying income · 9% on the rest
To be a Qualifying Free Zone Person, the company needs real substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited financial statements and arm’s-length dealings with related parties. Taxable income that doesn’t qualify is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Selling to mainland customers?Most mainland revenue isn’t qualifying income. If non-qualifying revenue passes 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower, QFZP status is lost for that year and the next four. We model this with you upfront.
UAE VAT
5% standard rate · same rules for services
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months and optional from AED 187,500. Free zone services are taxed exactly as they are on the mainland.
Designated zone statusSome free zones are VAT designated zones, where certain supplies of goods inside or between them fall outside UAE VAT. It never covers services. We confirm how Meydan Free Zone’s status applies to your trade.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Corporate Tax return within 9 months of year end
- Audited financial statements (needed for QFZP status)
- VAT returns once registered
- Annual licence renewal with Meydan Free Zone
- Office or flexi-desk lease renewed with the licence
- UBO register kept up to date
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 & Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023 (Qualifying Free Zone Persons) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · Meydan Free Zone
Where Meydan Companies Operate
Meydan’s community leans towards online, digital and service businesses.
E-commerce
Digital Marketing & Media
Technology
Consultancy
International Trading
Events & Entertainment
Education & Coaching
Professional Services
The TMFS Advantage
We handle Meydan Free Zone setups end to end, from activity selection and Meydan licensing to a banked, visa-ready company registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Activity & Licence Advice
Matching your business to the right Meydan activities and licence category.
Package & Office Choice
Flexi-desk, office or warehouse sized to the visas you need, so you don’t pay for space you won’t use.
Application & Constitutional Documents
Application forms, resolutions and Articles prepared and filed with the zone for you.
Corporate Bank Account
Your application prepared alongside the licence and matched across our 18 partner banks.
Investor & Staff Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas with medicals and Emirates ID.
QFZP & VAT Compliance
Corporate Tax and VAT registrations, audited accounts and the yearly checks that keep 0% status intact.
Why Founders Choose TMFS in Meydan
Three things clients mention most.
Free zones compared, not sold
We work across several free zones and recommend the one that fits your activity, visas and tax, not the one with the biggest commission.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, premises, bank account, visas and tax with one consultant, from first call to renewal.
Written costs upfront
A written breakdown of government fees and our fee before you commit, with no surprises at renewal.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
Meydan suits digital businesses. Other zones fit different industries, budgets or emirates.
UAE Free Zones Overview
How the UAE’s free zones compare on cost, activities, visas and tax. Start here to choose.
Read more
IFZA
Fast, cost-efficient consultancy and services licences. The usual first company for solo founders.
Read moreRAKEZ
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Low-cost industrial, trading and service licences.
Read moreSHAMS
Sharjah Media City. Media, creative and consultancy licences, plus freelance permits.
Read moreSPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City. Low-cost setup for publishing, media and services.
Read more
Ajman Free Zone
Cost-efficient trading, industrial and services licences with warehouse options.
Read more
SRTIP
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. Tech, R&D and industrial licences.
Read moreDMCC
Commodities and trading hub with strong bank acceptance. We advise on DMCC structures.
Read moreDIFC
Common-law jurisdiction for finance, funds and holding structures. We advise on DIFC setups.
Read moreWhat Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
Meydan Free Zone: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up a Meydan Free Zone company.
Where is Meydan Free Zone?
At the Meydan Grandstand in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, a short drive from Downtown Dubai and Business Bay.
Is Meydan good for e-commerce?
Yes. E-commerce and online trading are among its core activities. If you sell to UAE consumers, we also check how that affects your licence and 0% Corporate Tax status.
Can I add more than one activity?
Usually, yes, as long as the activities sit in groups Meydan allows together. We map your activities before you apply.
How many visas can I get?
It depends on the package and office you choose. You can start with a small allocation and upgrade as you hire.
Will my Meydan company pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Only on qualifying income, and only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Can you open the company bank account?
Yes. We prepare the bank application alongside the licence and match it to the partner bank most likely to approve your profile, including e-commerce payment flows.
Verification & independence
Checked against publicly available Meydan Free Zone and UAE federal sources in October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of Meydan Free Zone and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Dubai or any UAE authority.
Activity lists, package prices, approvals and tax rules change. Confirm the current position for your activity with Meydan Free Zone and the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
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- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Ready to Set Up in Meydan Free Zone?
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