DAFZA Freezone Company Formation & Aviation Hub
Directly integrated with Dubai International Airport (DXB). DAFZA is the premier global hub for aviation logistics, high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods trading.
The Digital Gateway of Central Dubai
Located within the prestigious Meydan Hotel complex in Nad Al Sheba, Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) offers one of Dubai's most strategically positioned and digitally progressive business environments. Formed to drive entrepreneurship in central Dubai, Meydan allows international founders to combine premium downtown prestige with fast-track digital incorporation.
Meydan operates an entirely digitized portal that enables founders to incorporate a business in as little as 24 to 48 hours without visiting government departments. With over 1,500 permitted business activities, businesses can bundle consulting, media, and trading activities under a single license while enjoying the benefits of Meydan Pay and streamlined corporate bank onboarding.
- Prime central Dubai location at Nad Al Sheba, only 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Multi-sector activity grouping allowing up to 3 distinct activity classes on one single commercial trade license
- Full 100% foreign equity ownership with complete repatriation of capital, dividends, and corporate profits
- Integrated Meydan Pay merchant gateway with direct digital IBAN generation for seamless AED customer invoicing
- Flexible flexi-desk and executive office leasing without heavy real estate capital lockups or long-term lease mandates
Meydan Grandstand & Business Hub
100% Foreign Equity Ownership & Repatriation
Maintain complete 100% foreign ownership of your corporate entity with zero requirement for a local Emirati nominee or national service agent. Retain full operational sovereignty, capital rights, and unrestricted global profit distribution.
- 100% foreign shareholder equity
- Zero mandatory local sponsor
- Full profit & capital repatriation
- Zero currency exchange controls
Prime Central Dubai Location in Nad Al Sheba
Establish your registered business address at the iconic Meydan Hotel in Nad Al Sheba, situated just 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Command institutional prestige with global clients, Tier 1 banks, and enterprise counterparties.
- 15 minutes to Downtown & DIFC
- Iconic Nad Al Sheba location
- Executive hotel meeting suites
- Prestigious business identity
Integrated Meydan Pay Instant Digital Settlement
Benefit from an exclusive digital payment platform and e-wallet solution integrated directly with Meydan Free Zone. Receive a dedicated digital IBAN alongside your commercial license to accept credit/debit card payments and issue invoices from day one without underwriting delays.
- Immediate digital IBAN generation
- Built-in credit card processing
- Direct AED currency settlement
- Zero initial deposit requirement
0% Corporate Tax Scope on Qualifying Income
Operate under the UAE Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022). Businesses conducting qualifying activities with foreign counterparties or other free zone persons enjoy a 0% federal Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
- 0% CT on qualifying foreign trade
- 0% personal income tax in UAE
- Access to UAE double tax treaties
- Compliant audited tax profile
Multi-Sector Activity Bundling (1,500+ Activities)
Select from over 1,500 commercial, professional, consulting, and media activities. Meydan allows founders to bundle up to three distinct activity classes (e.g. IT Consulting, General Trading, and Digital Media) under a single commercial license without paying separate entity registration fees.
- Combine up to 3 activity classes
- Over 1,500 permitted ISIC activities
- Consulting & trading synergy
- Zero penalty fee for bundling
No Upfront Paid-Up Share Capital Deposit
Incorporate your business without being required to deposit upfront paid-up share capital into a local bank account or present bank deposit certificates. Retain 100% liquidity to allocate directly into marketing, inventory, and operational hiring.
- No mandatory bank deposit proof
- Fast-track digital clearance
- Low initial capital commitment
- Preserve working liquidity
Strategic Advantages of Meydan Free Zone Formation
Discover the core operational, fiscal, and commercial benefits that make Meydan the preferred hub for global digital founders.
Authority Strategic Highlights
- Central Dubai Nad Al Sheba location only 15 mins to Downtown & Airport
- Direct Meydan Pay instant IBAN generation and merchant card billing
- Combine up to 3 distinct activity classes on one commercial license
- 0% Corporate Tax qualifying person status under Federal Decree-Law No. 47
Permitted License Categories in Meydan
Select individual activities or combine up to 3 business categories on a single license.
Meydan Free Zone offers straightforward licensing with full online setup. Choose from over 1,500 approved activities across trading, consulting, and media.
Aviation & Aerospace Logistics
Aircraft chartering, avionics trading, aircraft parts supply, maintenance logistics, and airline support services.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
IT, Telecom & High-Tech Hardware
Semiconductors, telecommunications hardware, consumer electronics distribution, and software solutions.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Cold-chain medical distribution, pharmaceutical trading, diagnostic equipment, and surgical supplies.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
Luxury Goods, Jewelry & Watches
High-value precious metals trading, luxury watch distribution, haute horlogerie, and fine jewelry wholesale.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
General Trading & Global Commerce
Cross-border import, export, re-export, and supply chain management across international markets.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
Management Consultancy & Regional HQ
Corporate advisory, regional operational headquarters, holding structures, and international business management.
- Import, export & wholesale
- Consumer goods & electronics
- Customs registration support
Workspace Options & Visa Quotas
Choose between flexible shared desks and private offices inside the Meydan Grandstand.
Your workspace tier determines the number of residence visas your company can sponsor. Upgrade anytime as your team grows.
Flexi Desk
Solo & RemoteShared desk access within the Meydan Business Centre in Nad Al Sheba. Best for remote founders and solo consultants.
- Registered address in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
- 5 hours of meeting room access per month
- High-speed Wi-Fi and business lounge access
- Zero utility bills or maintenance fees
Dedicated Private Office
Physical PresenceA lockable, private furnished office suite inside the Meydan Grandstand complex. Includes dedicated parking and phone line.
- Fully furnished private office suite with 24/7 access
- Dedicated telephone line & commercial mail handling
- Up to 6 residence visa allocations under company sponsorship
- Access to premium Meydan Hotel amenities and parking
Multi-Visa Office Suite
Growing TeamsExpanded commercial office space for established companies and regional teams requiring higher visa quotas.
- Customizable office layouts for larger teams
- Higher visa quota allocations based on floor space
- Dedicated PRO support for employee visa processing
- Priority boardroom and presentation room booking
UAE Residence Visa Process
Establishment Card
Immigration file opened with GDRFA to activate your company visa quota.
Entry Permit
60-day digital entry permit issued with in-country status change.
Medical & Biometrics
Fast-track medical fitness test and Emirates ID fingerprint capture.
Visa & Emirates ID
Digital 2-year residence visa issued and physical Emirates ID delivered.
Corporate Banking Considerations & Treasury Settlement
Navigate UAE bank account opening with certainty through Meydan Pay and Tier 1 commercial banking pathways.
Meydan Pay Instant Settlement
An exclusive digital e-wallet and dedicated IBAN solution built directly into the Meydan Free Zone ecosystem for immediate commercial billing.
- Instant digital IBAN issued alongside your trade license
- Seamless customer invoicing and merchant credit card processing
- Direct AED currency clearing with zero initial deposit mandates
- No physical branch visit or lengthy underwriting wait-times
Digital Business Neo-Banks
Modern fintech corporate accounts providing swift digital onboarding and robust API integration for tech and service companies.
- Wio Bank & Mashreq NeoBiz priority onboarding via Effective Desk
- Multi-currency corporate IBANs (AED, USD, EUR, GBP)
- Instant virtual and physical corporate debit cards
- Seamless integration with Xero, QuickBooks, and Zoho Books
Tier 1 UAE Commercial Banks
Full-service corporate banking relationships with premier national institutions for enterprise operations and international trade.
- Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD)
- Trade finance facilities, Letters of Credit (LC), and Bank Guarantees
- Dedicated commercial relationship manager and international wire desk
- Effective Desk Fiduciary Escort ensuring 100% compliance dossier approval
Required Formation Documents & Verification Dossier
Comprehensive shareholder KYC materials and cross-border attestation requirements for authority registration.
Valid Passport Copies
High-resolution color passport scans for all individual shareholders, directors, and appointed managers.
- Color scan of full photo page and bio-data page
- Passport must carry minimum 6 months validity remaining
- Clear display of MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) lines
UAE Entry Stamp / Visa
Copy of previous UAE tourist visa, residence visa cancellation, or airport immigration entry stamp.
- Tourist / visit visa copy or entry stamp showing UID number
- If existing UAE resident: visa cancellation paper & Emirates ID
- Enables in-country visa status adjustment without exiting the UAE
3 Trade Name Choices
Three proposed company name options adhering to Meydan naming guidelines and UAE linguistic standards.
- Must not conflict with registered trademarks or sensitive terms
- Must end with legal suffix (e.g. FZ-LLC or Limited)
- Effective Desk conducts instant pre-clearance against DED & MFZ databases
Proof of Address & CV
Residential address proof (utility bill, tenancy contract) and professional profile for Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO).
- Utility bill or registered bank statement dated within 90 days
- Comprehensive founder CV detailing industry track record
- Essential for Tier 1 UAE commercial bank compliance underwriting
Corporate Holding Dossier
Required only when a foreign parent company is setting up a subsidiary or branch under Meydan Free Zone.
- Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA)
- Board Resolution authorizing Meydan branch setup & appointing manager
- Power of Attorney (POA) and Certificate of Good Standing from home registry
- Full notarization and MOFA / UAE Embassy attestation required
The Complete Step-by-Step Meydan Setup Process
A structured, transparent roadmap from initial name reservation to active corporate operations.
Activity Selection & Name Clearance
Effective Desk assists in selecting optimal activity codes from over 1,500 categories. We reserve your trade name and file the initial registration dossier on the Meydan digital portal.
Authority Deliverable: Approved Name Reservation CertificateDigital MoA Execution & License Delivery
Shareholders digitally sign the Memorandum of Association via secure electronic portal. Meydan authority issues your official commercial trade license, certificate of incorporation, and lease agreement.
Authority Deliverable: Official Commercial Trade License & MoAResidency Visas & Corporate Bank Activation
We obtain your establishment card, entry permit, VIP medical test, and Emirates ID capture. Simultaneously, we connect you with Meydan Pay or Tier 1 bank onboarding desks.
Authority Deliverable: UAE Residence Visa, Emirates ID & Active Bank AccountMeydan Free Zone License & Package Structure
Understand the core fee components that make up a Meydan Free Zone company incorporation.
DAFZA Smart Desk Package
The core non-negotiable government components required to register, incorporate, and license your business entity.
Base Trade License Fee
Covers official government registration, trade name reservation, and 1-year commercial licensing for up to 3 activity groups.
Workspace Lease Agreement
Standard business centre flexi-desk agreement satisfying statutory registered address requirements in Nad Al Sheba.
Immigration Establishment Card
Enables your incorporated company to access GDRFA immigration systems and sponsor investor or employee residence visas.
DAFZA Premium Corporate Office / LIU
Flexible additions adjusted dynamically based on your operational headcount, residency needs, and renewal horizon.
Residency Visa Processing
Includes entry permit, VIP medical test, Emirates ID typing, and 2-year residence visa stamping fees per applicant.
Multi-Year License Incentives
Meydan offers significant discounts for founders opting for 2-year, 3-year, or 5-year trade license renewals upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Operational, legal, and compliance clarity for global founders.
Yes. Through the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones (DIEZ) dual-licensing framework or by appointing a licensed local commercial distributor, DAFZA companies can sell goods and services directly across the UAE mainland.
Standard incorporation typically takes 5 to 7 business days from submission of complete documentation. Visa processing and corporate banking follow immediately afterward.
Initial licence issuance can be completed remotely through power of attorney. However, shareholders and visa applicants must visit Dubai for brief VIP medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics.
DAFZA entities conducting qualifying activities under UAE Corporate Tax Law enjoy a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income while maintaining complete international tax compliance.
Have a specific structuring or tax question?
Our senior corporate structuring partners evaluate your commercial activities, visa requirements, and banking eligibility.
Ready to Establish Your <span class="gradient-text-inverse">DAFZA Enterprise</span>?
One conversation can clarify your UAE structure, banking requirements, and compliance priorities — with practical guidance from a Dubai-based advisory team.
