The Brutally Honest Meydan Free Zone Cost Breakdown (2026)
Last reviewed 2 April 2026 by Tariq Mansoor, Corporate Finance structuring. We guarantee these numbers are accurate to the dirham as of Q2 2026.
In 80 seconds — the answer you came here for
If you do not want a UAE residence visa and just want the Meydan free zone cost for holding the corporate entity, it is AED 12,500.
If you want the licence AND you want 1 residence visa for yourself, your total out-of-pocket cost is roughly AED 19,850.
That AED 19,850 consists of the Licence + Visa Quota (AED 14,350), the Establishment Card (AED 2,000), the Entry Permit & Status Change (AED 1,500), the Medical VIP & Emirates ID (AED 1,500), and the Visa Stamping (AED 500). Next year, your renewal drops to exactly AED 14,500 (Licence + Establishment Card).
You see ads all over Google and Instagram offering "Business Setup in Meydan for AED 9,500!". Then you call them, step into their office, and suddenly you are paying AED 22,000. Why? Because the AED 9,500 was just the raw authority licence fee without the lease, the establishment card, the visa quota allocation, the actual visa application, or the consultant's margin.
The 4 Tiers of Meydan Setup Cost
Tier 1: Zero Visa (Corporate Only)
AED 12,500
- ✓ Trade Licence
- ✓ MOA & Share Certificate
- ✓ 3 Business Activities
- ✓ Flexi-Desk Lease Agreement
- ✗ No Establishment Card
- ✗ No Visa Quota
Best for holding companies, e-commerce brands utilizing existing 3PLs, or consultants working remotely from Europe.
Tier 2: One Visa Setup (Founder)
AED 14,350 + visa fees
- ✓ Trade Licence
- ✓ MOA & Share Certificate
- ✓ 3 Business Activities
- ✓ Flexi-Desk Lease Agreement
- ✓ 1 Visa Quota Allocation
NOTE: This does not include the actual visa application cost or the Establishment Card (see chart below).
The "Hidden" Post-Licence Costs
This is where first-time founders get caught out. Holding the licence is step 1. Getting into the immigration system is step 2. You will be billed for these after your licence is issued.
| Document / Step | Current 2026 Cost (AED) | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment Card | 2,000 | Immigration (GDRFA) via Authority |
| Entry Permit (E-Visa) | 1,000 (Inside Country: 1,500) | Immigration (GDRFA) |
| Medical Fitness Test (VIP) | 700 - 850 | Smart Salem / DHA |
| Emirates ID Biometrics | 390 (2 years) | ICP (Federal Identity) |
| Visa Stamping | 500 | Immigration (GDRFA) |
Year 2: The Renewal Reality
When it comes time to renew, your Establishment Card must be renewed, and your trade licence must be renewed. Since Meydan visas are valid for 2 years (they previously changed from 3 years in late 2022), you do not pay for medicals or Emirates ID renewal in Year 2.
Total Year 2 Corporate Renewal Cost:
AED 14,500
Assumes 1-visa package base (AED 12,500 base renewal + AED 2,000 Establishment Card).