Meydan Free Zone Company Formation.
Meydan Free Zone company formation in Dubai — a UAE Free Zone entity issued by the Meydan Free Zone Authority (MFZA) under Ruler’s Decree No. 5 of 2009, with Qualifying Free Zone Person 0% tax on qualifying income under Cabinet Decision 100 of 2023, 2,500+ permitted activities across Commercial, Service, Media and E-commerce licences, and 24/7 digital issuance from our Dubai advisory desk.
Meydan Free Zone company formation at a glance.
Structure, cost, timeline, and Qualifying Free Zone Person tax position of a Meydan Free Zone trade licence — at a glance, no jargon.
Dubai address built for digital founders.
Six reasons Meydan Free Zone dominates the Dubai free zone shortlist for service businesses, e-commerce sellers, and consultancies. 100% foreign ownership, QFZP 0% on qualifying income, and a Dubai address at IFZA-tier pricing.
QFZP 0% on qualifying income
As of 2026, Meydan Free Zone entities can elect Qualifying Free Zone Person status under Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 and Cabinet Decision 100/2023, refined by Ministerial Decision 229/2025. Qualifying Income is taxed at 0%; non-qualifying revenue capped at 5% of total or AED 5 million. Combined with the UAE's 0% personal income tax, your effective rate on the vast majority of revenue is zero.
5-day setup (or 60-minute Fawri)
Meydan's standard licence issues in 3 to 7 working days from KYC submission. UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID can use the Fawri Express service for under-60-minute licence issuance, backed by a money-back guarantee. The fully digital meydanfz.ae portal returns initial approval within 24 hours for most clean files.
Private UBO register
UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020 mandates Ultimate Beneficial Owner declarations, but UBO data is held privately by MFZA and accessed only by designated authorities (Federal Tax Authority, UAE Central Bank, law enforcement) under FATF transparency standards. The UBO register is NOT publicly searchable. Sovera handles UBO filings at incorporation and refreshes them annually.
2,500+ activities, three per licence
Meydan's activity catalogue covers commercial trading, professional services, IT and software development, marketing and creative services, media and content production, e-commerce, consultancy across 50+ specialisations, and education advisory. Founders can hold up to three activity groups under a single licence at no extra cost — eliminating the need to register separate entities for each line of business.
AED pegged to USD — no FX risk
The UAE Dirham (AED) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.6725 AED/USD since November 1997 by the UAE Central Bank. No exchange rate risk on USD-denominated revenue; multi-currency banking (USD, EUR, GBP) is standard with Wio Business and Mashreq NeoBiz. Full capital repatriation, no exchange controls, no withholding tax on dividends paid to non-residents.
E-commerce launch-pad built in
Meydan's MPlus add-on (AED 1,000) is the fastest legitimate way to launch on Amazon.ae, Noon.com, Carrefour, and DubaiStore as a UAE-registered seller. Direct seller-account onboarding, customs code clearance through Jebel Ali and DXB cargo terminals, listing assistance across 15+ regional marketplaces, plus fulfilment via Aramex, Fetchr, and Zajel.
Best suited for
The Meydan Free Zone licence is purpose-built for six high-intent founder archetypes. Each is paired with the Sovera package tier we typically recommend.
SaaS & remote-team founders
A solo or small-team SaaS business invoicing in USD or EUR, with 80%+ of revenue from outside the UAE. Meydan delivers QFZP 0% on qualifying income, a Wio multi-currency account for clean foreign-currency settlements, and Stripe Atlas-level operational maturity without US tax compliance burden. Typically: FZE single-shareholder, one investor visa, $4,500 Standard tier.
FZE + Wio + StandardE-commerce sellers on Amazon & Noon
An e-commerce founder who has outgrown Amazon US Seller Central and wants direct UAE inventory plus GCC distribution. Meydan E-commerce tier ($6,500) bundles the MPlus add-on, customs code, import code, and Amazon.ae + Noon.com onboarding into a single 14-day setup. Founders qualify for FBA Dubai and Noon Express within 30 days of licence issuance.
FZ-LLC + MPlus + E-comConsultancies serving enterprise clients
A management consultant, technical advisory firm, or boutique strategy practice needing a recognisable Dubai address for procurement vendor lists. Meydan Service License with 3 activity groups and 3 visas ($5,800 Premium tier) handles the EEAT and KYC layer that enterprise procurement expects, without the AED 50K+ overhead of DMCC. Founders typically add 1–2 senior associates in year 2.
FZ-LLC + 3 visas + PremiumFamily offices & holding entities
A high-net-worth founder consolidating personal investments under a UAE holding structure. Meydan FZ-LLC provides 100% foreign ownership, 0% capital gains tax, no public UBO register, and Dubai-address credibility for international private banking introductions. Often combined with a Sovera-handled UAE tax residency application using the investor visa.
FZ-LLC + Custom tierDigital nomads & redomiciliation
A location-independent founder moving away from high-tax home jurisdictions (Western Europe, UK, Australia, Canada). Meydan trade licence + investor visa establishes UAE tax residency within 30 days, unlocking 0% personal tax on global income subject to home-country residency rules. Founders use Sovera's UAE redomiciliation service to migrate existing entities.
FZE + investor visa + TRCBranch offices of foreign companies
An established international company creating a Dubai-registered branch without founding a separate UAE subsidiary. The parent retains liability but gains a Meydan trade licence with full UAE banking access, payroll, and immigration sponsor capability. Used by technology vendors, international consultancies, and e-commerce operations consolidating UAE inventory.
Branch + Premium tierSee your exact cost
in under a minute.
Fixed-price engagement. No hidden fees. Instant estimate, full written quote within twenty-four hours.
Four structures, precisely scoped.
Each Meydan corporate form below is one we actively structure, register and maintain. Pricing is the Sovera engagement fee; MFZA government fees are itemised separately in the proposal.
Free Zone LLC
The default Meydan structure for 2 to 50 shareholders. Natural persons or corporate entities can both hold shares. Limited liability capped at share contribution. Used by 70%+ of Meydan licensees — best fit for service businesses, consultancies, e-commerce sellers, and joint ventures. Minimum capital AED 100,000 declared (no deposit). Setup 5–7 days. Sovera engagement from $4,500.
FZE (single shareholder)
Single-shareholder structure. The shareholder can be a natural person or a corporate entity (UAE or foreign). Identical tax treatment and operational flexibility to FZ-LLC, but with simpler corporate governance — no shareholder meetings, no MOA amendments required for ownership changes. Best for solopreneurs, freelance consultants, and offshore holding parents creating a UAE subsidiary. Sovera engagement from $4,500.
Branch office
An extension of an existing foreign company, not a separate legal entity. The foreign parent remains liable for the branch's obligations. Used by established international companies that want a Meydan registered presence without creating a new subsidiary. Branch retains parent's name and activity scope. Typical for international consultancies, technology vendors, and e-commerce inventory consolidation. Sovera engagement from $5,800.
Holding structure
A Meydan FZ-LLC structured specifically for holding investments, IP, real estate or shareholdings in operating subsidiaries. Configured for QFZP qualifying activities — ownership of shares and securities, fund management, headquarters services, treasury services. Useful for family offices, redomiciling foreign holding entities, and group consolidation under a UAE parent. Sovera engagement from $5,800.
Formation requirements
Three straightforward pillars. Nothing onerous, nothing opaque. A full KYC pack is assembled within 24–48 hours of engagement. Documents accepted as colour scans; physical originals not required at KYC stage.
Eligibility & applicant
- Individual or corporate applicants accepted — no citizenship or residency restrictions.
- Minimum age 18. No criminal record in the preceding seven years.
- Not a resident or national of FATF high-risk or sanctioned jurisdictions.
- Source of funds must be lawful, documented and verifiable.
Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) are not excluded, but require enhanced due diligence and may extend the formation window by 1–2 weeks.
Document checklist
- Notarised passport copy — certified within the last three months.
- Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement, dated within three months.
- Source of funds declaration — with supporting evidence where applicable.
- Professional reference letter — from a lawyer, accountant or banker.
- Curriculum vitae — summarising professional background.
- Business plan or activity description — required for licensed entities only.
All documents accepted in English. Other languages require certified translation, which we arrange for you.
Corporate minimums
- One director minimum — may be individual or corporate, any nationality.
- One shareholder minimum — same flexibility as director position.
- No minimum paid-up capital for standard Meydan FZ Companys — nominal USD 1 authorised.
- Registered agent required — Sovera serves in this capacity.
- Registered office in Meydan FZ — provided as part of our engagement.
- No local director or local company secretary required.
Companies in regulated activities (banking, insurance, fund management, securities) have additional capital and fit-and-proper requirements under Meydan FZ Financial Services Authority supervision — addressed in the dedicated licence engagement.
Tax overview
Meydan Free Zone entities qualify for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status under Federal Decree-Law 47/2022, Cabinet Decision 100/2023, and Ministerial Decision 229/2025 (which replaced MD 265/2023 retroactively from 1 June 2023). Qualifying Income is taxed at 0%; non-qualifying revenue at 9%, capped by a 5%-of-total-or-AED-5-million de minimis. The table below summarises the complete 2026 fiscal position.
For Meydan FZ Business Companies, income from foreign sources is not subject to corporate tax in the Meydan FZ. This includes trading profits, dividends received, royalties, interest, capital gains and service revenue — provided the income is genuinely sourced outside the Federal Territory of Meydan FZ.
A fixed annual government fee replaces corporate tax assessment. There is no VAT or GST on foreign-sourced transactions, no withholding tax on dividends or interest paid to non-residents, and no capital gains tax on the disposal of foreign assets.
Economic substance obligations are calibrated to the activity and, for most holding and trading structures, are minimal. For companies in Meydan FZ-regulated activities (banking, insurance, investment business under SIBA, fund management), substance requirements are more prescriptive — we plan for these during engagement.
Meydan FZ tax: corporate tax on foreign-sourced income for Meydan FZ Business Companies. Replaced by a fixed annual government fee.
| Category | Applicable rate |
|---|---|
| Corporate income taxQFZP on qualifying income | 0% |
| Corporate income taxNon-qualifying income (above de minimis) | 9% |
| Personal income taxUAE residents & non-residents | 0% |
| Withholding taxDividends, interest, royalties to non-residents | 0% |
| Capital gains taxDisposal of UAE or foreign assets | 0% |
| Value-added tax (VAT)If taxable turnover >AED 375K/year | 5% |
| Double tax treatiesUAE DTA network (2026) | 140+ countries |
| Economic substanceRequired for QFZP qualifying activities | Adequate |
Summary is indicative. Specific tax position depends on activity, residency of beneficial owner, and domestic tax rules in the owner’s jurisdiction. We coordinate with tax counsel in your home jurisdiction during engagement.
Meydan vs IFZA, DMCC, RAKEZ & JAFZA.
The five UAE free zones most-compared by founders in 2026. Verified pricing from each authority's published 2026 price list; fair counter-positioning below.
| Jurisdiction | Setup cost | Timeline | Annual | Tax | Public reg. | Min capital | Banking | Crypto | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan FZ (this jurisdiction) | From AED 12,500 | 3–7 days (Fawri: 60 min) | AED 12,500–20,000 | 0% QFZP | Private UBO | AED 100K declared | Wio, NeoBiz fast | No (use VARA) | Service · e-com · consultancy |
| IFZA (Silicon Oasis) | From AED 12,900 | 3–5 days | AED 12,900–18,500 | 0% QFZP | Private UBO | No minimum | Wio, NeoBiz | No | Volume SME setup |
| DMCC | From AED 34,140 | 2–3 weeks | AED 34,140+ | 0% QFZP | Private UBO | AED 50K paid-up | Tier-1 banking | DMCC Crypto Centre | Commodities · trading |
| RAKEZ | From AED 11,440 | 5–10 days | AED 11,440+ | 0% QFZP | Private UBO | No minimum | RAKBANK strong | No | Manufacturing · industrial |
| JAFZA (Jebel Ali) | From AED 27,500 | 2–4 weeks | AED 27,500+ | 0% QFZP | Private UBO | AED 100K paid-up | Tier-1 banking | No | Logistics · import-export |
Honest positioning. Meydan beats IFZA on Dubai-address branding (Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City vs Silicon Oasis) by roughly AED 400 at entry tier; IFZA becomes more cost-efficient at 3+ visas if you can use them. DMCC is the right choice for commodities and prestige but costs ~2.7× more. RAKEZ wins for light manufacturing in Ras Al Khaimah. JAFZA wins for logistics operators co-locating with Jebel Ali port. Meydan is the right choice for service businesses, consultancies, e-commerce sellers, and digital founders who want a recognisable Dubai address at the lowest legitimate price point. Pricing verified May 15, 2026 against each free zone's published 2026 price list.
Build your engagement.
Select your structure and optional services. The estimate updates in real time.
Your engagement, step by step
From first enquiry to delivered Meydan trade licence, the typical engagement completes in five to seven working days for clean files (or under 60 minutes via Fawri Express for UAE residents). Each step is handled by a single principal — one point of contact, one signature, one timeline.
Configure & confirm engagement
You select your structure and optional services in the calculator, submit your details, and receive an itemised quote within seconds. A principal from our desk follows up within two hours to countersign the engagement letter and issue the secure payment link.
KYC collection & due diligence
Once the engagement letter is signed, we issue the document checklist and secure KYC portal. You upload notarised passport, proof of address, professional reference and source-of-funds declaration. We arrange certified translations where required.
Drafting & regulator filing
We draft the memorandum and articles, register the company name, prepare the corporate resolutions, and file with the Meydan FZ Financial Services Authority. For licensed entities, additional regulatory submissions are prepared in parallel.
Incorporation & certificate issue
The Meydan FZ Financial Services Authority issues the Certificate of Incorporation, assigns a company registration number, and confirms corporate existence. We receive electronic copies the same day and originals within 5–7 business days.
Corporate kit & bank introduction
You receive the complete corporate kit — certificate, M&A, share certificates, register of members and directors, corporate seal, tax residency certificate where applicable. We then introduce you to pre-vetted banking partners and coordinate the account opening.
Operational details, in plain language.
Documents delivered
Eight original documents, electronically and in certified physical form. Couriered to any jurisdiction within seven business days of issuance.
Certificate of Incorporation
Issued by the Meydan FZ Financial Services Authority, evidencing legal existence
Memorandum & Articles
Constitutional documents defining scope, governance and corporate powers
Share Certificates
Original signed share certificates for all shareholders, authenticated
Registers of Members & Directors
Maintained statutorily at registered office, available on request
Corporate Seal
Embossed common seal for the authentication of deeds and instruments
Registered Agent Confirmation
Appointment of our licensed Meydan FZ trust company as your statutory registered agent
Tax Residency Certificate
Issued on request, confirming corporate tax residency in the Federal Territory of Meydan FZ
Good Standing & Apostille
On request, for cross-border use — apostille adds 3 business days
Banking infrastructure
Three tiers of banking partners for Meydan Free Zone licensees. We introduce, we do not guarantee acceptance — but Meydan's automated KYC data-sharing with Wio Business and Mashreq NeoBiz materially improves approval probability and reduces opening to 48–72 hours.
Mauritius & UAE banks
Mauritius Commercial Bank, State Bank of Mauritius, Afrasia Bank; Mashreq Bank, Emirates NBD, RAKBank. Multi-currency accounts, wire capability, debit cards. Suited to operational BCs with clear business activity.
Digital banks & fintechs
Mercury, Wise Business, Airwallex, Relay, Multipass. Fast onboarding, lower fees, strong API integrations. Suited to e-commerce, SaaS and remote-first operators serving Western markets.
PSPs & merchant acquiring
Stripe, Paddle, Checkout.com, NOWPayments, BitPay. Card acceptance and crypto settlement for online merchants. For high-risk industries (forex, iGaming, crypto), specialist acquirers are introduced.
Bank and PSP introductions are included in the base engagement fee. Success is not guaranteed — acceptance depends on activity, applicant profile and compliance fit. Typical first-introduction approval rate sits above 70%; if the initial partner declines, we pivot to the next-best fit without additional charge.
Regulatory framework
The Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) is regulated by the Meydan Free Zone Authority (MFZA) — the statutory regulator responsible for licensing, supervision and enforcement across Free Zone trade services, Meydan FZ banking, insurance, leasing, capital markets and digital asset business in the Federal Territory.
Meydan FZ FSA was established under the Meydan FZ Financial Services Authority Act 1996 as a statutory body of the Federal Government of Malaysia. The Authority operates independently from Bank Negara Malaysia (which supervises onshore institutions) and reports to the Ministry of Finance Malaysia. Meydan FZ is a Federal Territory of Malaysia — not an offshore island state — which gives the jurisdiction stronger sovereign backing than competing mid-shore centres.
The primary legislation is the Meydan FZ Companies Act 1990, supplemented by the Meydan FZ Business Activity Tax Act 1990 (QFZP regime) for the substantive tax framework, the Meydan FZ Trusts Act 1996, the Meydan FZ Foundations Act 2010, the Meydan FZ Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2010, and the Meydan FZ Financial Services and Securities Act 2010 (LFSSA) for licensed financial services (including digital asset business). Substance requirements are set out in the Meydan FZ Business Activity Tax (Requirements for Meydan FZ Business Activity) Regulations 2018, last amended via P.U.(A) 423/2021.
Beneficial ownership is filed with the licensed Meydan FZ trust company that acts as your registered agent and reported to Meydan FZ FSA under the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Beneficial Ownership Reporting Framework) Guidelines 2020. There is no public register of beneficial owners, directors or shareholders — records are accessible only to competent Malaysian authorities and to foreign authorities pursuant to ratified tax-information exchange agreements.
Malaysia participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and Meydan FZ entities are within scope. Malaysia is also a signatory to a FATCA Model 1 IGA with the United States. Malaysia is on the OECD Global Forum's list of jurisdictions rated “Largely Compliant” on transparency and exchange of information, and is not on the FATF grey or black list. We recommend all clients engage home-country tax counsel before incorporation.
Ongoing compliance
The setup cost is one thing; the annual cost of holding a Meydan structure is another. Both are disclosed upfront — no surprises, no hidden recurring charges. Annual cycle below assumes a Standard-tier QFZP entity.
| Annual obligation | Due | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Meydan FZ trade licence renewal | 30 days before expiry | AED 12,500–20,000 |
| Establishment card renewal | Annually with licence | AED 2,000 |
| Investor visa renewal | Every 2 years | AED 3,500–4,000 |
| UBO declaration refresh | Annually or on change | Included in retainer |
| Audited financial statements | Within 9 months of FY end | AED 7,000–15,000 |
| UAE corporate tax return | Within 9 months of tax period | AED 3,000–7,000 |
| VAT return (if registered) | Quarterly, 28 days after Q end | AED 1,500/quarter |
| Sovera annual retainer | Anniversary date | From USD 800/year |
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Federal Territory of Meydan FZ
United Arab Emirates
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