DMCC
vs Meydan.
DMCC and Meydan are both UAE free zones offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income (QFZP) and full repatriation of capital. The choice comes down to cost, office requirement, banking acceptance and activity flexibility. DMCC all-in from USD 17,800 (year 1), licence issued in 5-7 days; Meydan all-in from USD 10,120 (year 1), licence issued in 1 (Fawri instant) - 6 days. Below is the line-by-line view, plus the questions UAE-resident founders most often ask before choosing.
DMCC vs Meydan, line by line.
| Attribute | DMCC | Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| All-in year 1 | USD 17,800 | USD 10,120 |
| All-in year 2 | USD 14,180 | USD 8,020 |
| Time to licence (working days) | 5-7 | 1 (Fawri instant) - 6 |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Tax — qualifying / corporate | 0% qualifying / 9% above AED 375k | 0% qualifying / 9% above AED 375k |
| Physical office required | Yes | No |
| Annual audit required | Yes | No |
| Legal system | UAE civil law (federal) | UAE civil law (federal) |
| Regulator | Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (JLT) | Meydan Free Zone (MBR City) |
| UAE double-tax treaty | n/a (UAE) | n/a (UAE) |
| Resident director required | No | No |
All figures are year-one all-in for a single-shareholder, single-activity engagement unless noted. Pricing current as of May 2026.
Pick DMCC when —
- Commodities trading
- Premium jlt address
- Businesses prioritising bank acceptance
- You want lowest-cost option (all-in from USD 17,800)
- You need fastest licence issuance (5-7 working days)
- You can satisfy QFZP substance + de minimis tests for 0% tax
Pick Meydan when —
- E-commerce
- Digital services
- Downtown postcode for client-facing brands
- You want lowest-cost option (all-in from USD 10,120)
- You need fastest licence issuance (1 (Fawri instant) - 6 working days)
- You can satisfy QFZP substance + de minimis tests for 0% tax
Common questions on DMCC vs Meydan.
The questions UAE-resident founders most often ask before choosing between DMCC and Meydan. Each answer is current to 2026.
Which is cheaper — DMCC or Meydan?
Meydan is cheaper in year one. DMCC all-in from USD 17,800; Meydan all-in from USD 10,120. The roughly USD 7,680 gap is driven by government fees and (in UAE free-zone cases) office-lease requirements.
Which is faster to set up — DMCC or Meydan?
DMCC typically issues a licence in 5-7 working days; Meydan in 1 (Fawri instant) - 6 working days. Both are dependent on KYC clearance speed — submit complete documentation on day one to hit the lower end of either range.
What is the tax difference between DMCC and Meydan?
DMCC: 0% qualifying / 9% above AED 375k. Meydan: 0% qualifying / 9% above AED 375k. Both UAE free zones share the same federal 9% rate above AED 375,000 for non-qualifying income.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a DMCC or Meydan company?
Yes for both. DMCC: 100% foreign ownership. Meydan: 100% foreign ownership. No UAE national partner or sponsor required.
Do DMCC and Meydan require a physical office?
DMCC requires a leased office or warehouse. Meydan accepts a flexi-desk or registered address only. This is one of the biggest practical cost differences between the two.
Which has easier UAE bank account opening — DMCC or Meydan?
Both are bankable in the UAE. DMCC and DIFC entities tend to clear KYC fastest (3–6 weeks); IFZA, Meydan and offshore profiles take 4–8 weeks with more questions on flexi-desk-only setups. ArxSetup introduces UAE-resident clients to Mashreq Neo Biz, WIO, Emirates NBD and RAKBANK.
Which is better for my use case — DMCC or Meydan?
DMCC suits commodities trading, premium JLT address, businesses prioritising bank acceptance. Meydan suits e-commerce, digital services, Downtown postcode for client-facing brands. The right answer depends on customer location, banking needs, tax position and operating substance — book a structuring call for a written recommendation.
DMCC or Meydan? A written answer.
We can produce a structured comparison memo for your specific facts — customer geography, banking needs, tax position, substance — and recommend a jurisdiction with reasoning, in writing.