Meydan Free Zone, Dubai
Meydan Free Zone
A Nad Al Sheba address with 1,500+ permitted activities, an in-house eWallet and no paid-up capital requirement.
100%
Foreign ownership
1,500+
Business activities
0%
Personal income tax
None
Paid-up capital
Overview
Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) was conceived by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and has been open for business since February 2009. It sits in Nad Al Sheba, home to the Meydan Racecourse — a world-class venue that comfortably seats 60,000 spectators for Dubai's flagship horse-racing events.
Beyond the racecourse, Meydan is a fully planned district built around work, leisure and residential life, with luxury hotels, business parks, residential villas, sports facilities, schools, hospitals and an inland beach all within the same address. Its central location and strong connectivity to Dubai International Airport have made it a magnet for global investors seeking a prestigious, well-connected base.
At Evolva, we help entrepreneurs navigate MFZ's liberal licensing policies, digital-first customer portal and flexible office options — so you can launch your Meydan Free Zone company with a clear plan and full transparency on cost and timeline.
Why Free Zones Matter to Dubai's Economy
Free zones are a significant and growing contributor to the UAE economy. Industry reporting has put free zones' contribution at around 8% of total UAE business activity, with investment into free zones climbing roughly 4.4% year over year — and more than 60,000 companies now operating out of UAE free zones. Meydan Free Zone is part of that growth story, combining liberal licensing policies with a genuinely digital registration and payments experience.
Meydan Free Zone Licence Types
MFZ follows liberal licensing policies and issues licences to almost every business sector except heavy industry. Choose the licence that matches your activity.
Consulting Licence
Lets a professional or a team of experts open a consultancy firm covering auditing, auctioning, management consulting, business setup advisory, financial services, human resources and more.
Commercial Licence
Covers trading activities — the supply and distribution of goods and the import and export of goods — ideal for trading, wholesale and distribution businesses.
Media Licence
For businesses built around media and creative content — any activity that positions itself as a centre of creativity through any form of media production or distribution.
Advantages of Meydan Free Zone Company Formation
MFZ's liberal government policies and streamlined registration process give investors a fast, flexible route into the Dubai market.
100%
Full Foreign Ownership
No local UAE partner or sponsor is required — you retain complete ownership and control of your Meydan company.
Prominent Nad Al Sheba Address
A centrally located district well connected to Dubai International Airport, surrounded by hospitality, retail and residential amenities.
Advanced Digital Infrastructure
MFZ operates a technologically advanced online customer portal covering licensing, company services and its own payment tools.
Flexi-Desk Availability
Flexi-desk packages let you operate your Meydan company from anywhere, without committing to a dedicated office from day one.
0%
No Personal Income Tax
Business owners, investors and employees based in Meydan Free Zone pay zero personal income tax on their earnings.
Full Government & Authority Support
The Meydan Free Zone Authority positions itself as an investor-friendly regulator with streamlined online services and support.
1,500+
Wide Choice of Business Activities
Choose from more than 1,500 permitted activities across the Consulting, Commercial and Media licence categories.
100%
Capital & Profit Repatriation
No limitation on repatriating capital gains and profits back to your home country.
No Mandatory Capital Deposit
Meydan does not require a mandatory paid-up share capital deposit to incorporate your company.
Meydan's Digital-First Business Tools: Pay, Plus & Commerce
What sets Meydan apart from most UAE free zones is a suite of in-house digital tools built directly into the MFZ customer portal, designed to remove friction from day-to-day banking and trading.
Meydan Pay is a virtual business wallet issued with its own IBAN, giving your company a fast, hassle-free way to send and receive payments and generate invoices without waiting on a traditional bank account. Meydan Plus extends the same portal to services like corporate banking introductions and dependent visa applications, so routine admin can be handled online from anywhere in the world. Meydan Commerce helps e-commerce companies get listed on major marketplaces such as Amazon and Noon, with a customised business licence available for a modest additional fee.
Together, these tools mean a Meydan Free Zone company can move from licence issuance to taking its first payment with minimal manual paperwork — a genuine differentiator for founders who want to operate lean and digital-first.
How Do You Set Up a Business in Meydan Free Zone?
MFZ's registration process runs almost entirely through its online customer portal — here is how Evolva takes you from activity selection to a fully operational company.
- 1
Choose your licence type and activities
Meydan offers Consulting, Commercial and Media licences across more than 1,500 permitted business activities — Evolva helps you select the right combination from day one.
- 2
Reserve your trade name
Submit your preferred company name for approval through the MFZ customer portal.
- 3
Create your MFZ customer portal account
First-time applicants register an account on the Meydan Free Zone customer portal; returning applicants simply log in to continue.
- 4
Submit your application and documents
Upload your incorporation documents and pay the applicable licensing fees through the portal.
- 5
Choose your office solution
Select a flexi-desk or a dedicated workspace — your choice also affects your visa allocation.
- 6
Receive your trade licence
Once your application is approved, your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is issued electronically.
- 7
Activate your Meydan Pay eWallet
Set up your dedicated IBAN-enabled business wallet directly from the customer portal to start invoicing and receiving payments immediately.
- 8
Apply for visas and open your bank account
Evolva manages investor and employee visa applications — medical fitness test, Emirates ID and stamping — and facilitates introductions for your corporate bank account.
What Documents Are Required for Meydan Company Formation?
The documents required depend on whether your shareholders are individuals, corporate entities, or a mix of both.
Individual Shareholders
- Valid passport copy (all pages)
- UAE residence visa copy (if applicable)
- Emirates ID copy (if UAE resident)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, under 3 months old)
- Passport-sized photograph (white background)
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Board Resolution authorising Meydan Free Zone company formation
- Passport copies of all directors and shareholders
- Certificate of Good Standing (for companies older than 12 months)
Why Choose Evolva for Your Meydan Business Setup?
MFZ's customer portal is genuinely investor-friendly, but choosing the right licence, activities and digital tools still benefits from expert guidance.
Meydan Specialists
We understand MFZ's licence categories, portal workflow and digital tools — including Meydan Pay, Plus and Commerce — inside out.
Fully Transparent Pricing
You know exactly what your Meydan setup will cost before we begin — licence fees, office costs and our service charge, all itemised clearly.
One Dedicated Consultant
From your first consultation to your issued trade licence, you work with a single consultant who knows your case.
Fast, Digital-First Process
We mirror Meydan's own online-first approach, minimising paperwork and in-person visits wherever possible.
End-to-End Service
Licence application, document preparation, portal submission, visa processing and bank introductions — we handle it all.
100% Remote Setup Available
We routinely set up Meydan Free Zone companies for clients who never need to visit Dubai during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your Meydan Free Zone setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
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DIFC Free Zone
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Ready to get started with Meydan Free Zone?
Speak with an Evolva consultant today and get a tailored quote for your business setup.