Quick Answer: A solo founder at Meydan Free Zone should budget roughly AED 43,500–64,000 over three years: AED 18,500–20,000 all-in for year 1, then licence renewals of AED 12,500–22,000 per year depending on the visa quota kept.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Reviewed by: UAE Free Zone Finder setup team.
This worked example applies the rules in our cost estimate methodology. Every figure traces to the published numbers on our Meydan Free Zone guide (Dubai); the assumptions below are stated openly, and nothing outside the published package is included.
Assumptions
- Single shareholder service or e-commerce business.
- Flexi-desk package with 1 visa (published from AED 12,500/year).
- Year 1 all-in figure (licence, visa, Emirates ID, medical test, establishment card) as published: AED 18,500–20,000.
- Same package renewed in years 2–3; no upgrade to Smart Desk (AED 26,000–35,000/year, 4–8 visas).
Year 1 — Licence, Visa and Office
| Component | Estimate | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Licence + flexi-desk package (1 visa) | from AED 12,500 | Meydan guide: flexi-desk packages include 1–6 visas at AED 12,500–22,000/year |
| Visa, Emirates ID, medical test, establishment card | balance to ≈ AED 18,500–20,000 | Meydan guide all-in year-1 budget for a solo founder |
| Year 1 total | ≈ AED 18,500–20,000 | Published all-in figure |
Years 2–3 — Renewals
Meydan licences renew annually at the same rate as the initial package — AED 12,500–22,000 depending on the visa quota (Meydan guide FAQ). We assume the 1-visa package is retained; visa renewal fees themselves are not itemised in the published figure.
| Component | Estimate | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 renewal (same 1-visa package) | ≈ AED 12,500 | Renewal at initial package rate |
| Year 3 renewal (same 1-visa package) | ≈ AED 12,500 | Renewal at initial package rate |
3-Year Total
≈ AED 43,500–45,000 (up to AED 64,000 if a higher visa-quota package is chosen)
Notes and Exclusions
Bank account approval is always subject to bank KYC and compliance review regardless of package. Digital applications can be quick once documents are complete, but renewal timing should be diarised — the Meydan guide flags checking the renewal package, activity list and visa timing.
- Excluded from every total: bank minimum-balance deposits and monthly fees, UAE Corporate Tax and VAT, extra visa allocations, office upgrades, mainland access arrangements, attestation/translation and any fines — see the methodology for the full list.
- Authority fees and packages can change without notice; reconfirm in writing at quote stage via a free quote.
- Cross-check this zone against alternatives in our 3-year cost examples hub or the independent cost comparison on our companion site.
All figures are indicative estimates drawn from UAE Free Zone Finder published guides and official free zone authority fee schedules. Authority fees, packages and requirements can change without notice — always confirm your exact quote with the authority before committing. This page is general guidance, not tax or legal advice.