Meydan vs DMCC 2026: Cost & Visa Comparison Guide
TL;DR: Meydan costs ~AED 12,500–15,000 all-in (1 visa included); DMCC ~AED 12,900–17,000 (zero visas standard). Both are 2026-approved by DET and FTA. Meydan suits general trading; DMCC is for precious metals and diamonds. Setup takes 3–7 working days via Dubai Business Services.
Meydan vs DMCC: The Core Difference
Choosing between business setup in Dubai free zones depends on your sector, visa needs and prestige. Meydan Free Zone (DET-licensed, south Dubai) and DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Jebel Ali) are two of the most popular, but they serve different markets. Meydan attracts general trading, import–export and light manufacturing. DMCC is the world's largest bullion hub—built for precious metals, diamonds, gemstones and commodity trading. Understanding the cost, visa allowance and renewal terms prevents costly mistakes.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for either zone: WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
Licence Cost & All-in Setup Table
| Item | Meydan | DMCC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-Zone Licence (Year 1) | AED 12,500–13,500 | AED 12,900–14,500 | DET & FTA 2026 rates; Meydan includes 1 visa. |
| Trade Licence Registration | AED 500–800 | AED 600–900 | DET administrative fee. |
| Investor/Residence Visa (per person, optional) | AED 3,500–5,500 | AED 3,500–6,000 | MOHRE approved; validity 2–3 years. |
| UAE Medical & Emirates ID | AED 600–1,200 | AED 600–1,200 | Mandatory for all visa holders. |
| Business Address (Virtual/Desk, Year 1) | AED 1,500–2,500 | AED 2,000–3,500 | DMCC premium; Meydan has lower-cost co-working. |
| Company Registration (MOF/DED) | AED 900–1,300 | AED 900–1,300 | Corporate entity filing. |
| Statutory Insurance (Year 1) | AED 500–1,500 | AED 500–1,500 | Professional indemnity / general liability. |
| TOTAL (1 visa, lean setup) | AED 20,900–27,000 | AED 21,500–29,500 | Indicative at current rates—convert at today's rate. |
| TOTAL (no visa, licence only) | AED 15,400–18,500 | AED 15,500–18,900 | Cheapest entry; investor visa bought separately. |
| Renewal (Year 2+) | AED 8,500–12,000 | AED 9,000–13,500 | Licence + compliance; visa renewal separate. |
All figures are AED; based on DET, FTA and MOHRE 2026 guidelines. DBS provides fully itemised quotes in your home currency upon request.
Visa Quota & Investor Residency
A critical difference: Meydan includes one investor visa (residence permit) in the licence package. DMCC requires you to buy visas separately. If you need 2–3 visas for key staff or family, Meydan's included allocation saves AED 3,500–5,500 per additional person. Both zones offer 100% foreign ownership for most activities. MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) approves both under the 2026 UAE Golden Visa framework. Residence permits last 2–3 years and are renewed concurrently with your licence.
3–7 Day Setup Timeline
- Day 1: Document submission (passport, POI, POS, NOC) to DET or DMCC. DBS compiles and submits on your behalf.
- Day 2–3: Background clearance & visa application filed with MOHRE (if requested).
- Day 4–5: Licence approval issued; MOF entity registration completed.
- Day 6: Trade licence printed; business address activated.
- Day 7: Banking introduction letter issued; UAE bank account onboarding begins (see section below).
Head-to-Head Comparison by Use Case
| Factor | Meydan | DMCC |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | General trading, import–export, e-commerce, consulting, light manufacturing, FMCG distribution. | Precious metals, bullion, diamonds, gemstones, commodity trading, global bullion dealers. |
| Included Visas | 1 investor visa (Year 1) | 0 (buy separately, AED 3.5k–6k/person) |
| Licence Cost (Year 1) | AED 12.5k–13.5k | AED 12.9k–14.5k |
| Address Prestige | Meydan FZE (south Dubai); solid regional reputation. | Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (Jebel Ali); world-renowned for bullion/metals. |
| Sector Flexibility | High—support for most sectors except regulated finance & healthcare. | High for commodities; restricted for non-metals. |
| Renewal Cost (Year 2+) | AED 8.5k–12k | AED 9k–13.5k |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes (most activities) | Yes (most activities) |
Banking & Account Opening: DBS Edge
After licence approval, opening a UAE business bank account is the next bottleneck. Banks require a Dubai free zone company formation package that includes a formal introduction letter, proof of business legitimacy and visa holder registration. Both Meydan and DMCC companies are bank-eligible; however, DMCC firms (especially bullion traders) face slightly stricter AML/KYC scrutiny. DBS holds established relationships with FAB, FIB, RAK Bank and others and provides an on-boarding introduction letter at setup. You must bring: (i) passport & UAE residence visa, (ii) trade licence, (iii) MOF entity registration, (iv) proof of UAE address (lease or utility bill). Most accounts open within 5–10 working days from submission. DBS does not open the account for you, but we fast-track the paperwork and answer all technical questions.
Tax, Compliance & Home-Country Obligations
UAE free zones are tax-neutral (0% corporate tax on zone profits under Federal Decree Law No. 47/2022 and the FTA ruling). However, your home country may still tax worldwide income. We strongly advise consulting a licensed tax advisor in your country of residence before setup—they will confirm your personal and corporate filing obligations. DBS advises on UAE tax rules and filing (VAT, withholding, corporate register), but we do not offer tax advice outside the UAE. For compliance, you must renew your licence annually, file a simple commercial register return with DET, and ensure all visa holders maintain valid residence status.
Why Choose DBS for Your Meydan or DMCC Setup?
DBS is Dubai Business Services: radical cost transparency, no hidden fees, no jargon. We specialise in business setup in Dubai—company formation, trade licences, investor visas and banking introductions only. Within 48 hours, we send you a fully itemised quote showing every fee (licence, visa, insurance, address) in your home currency, updated at today's exchange rate. We handle the DET submission, visa filing with MOHRE, MOF registration and banker introduction. No surprises; no legal or tax dodges—just clarity and speed. Over 95% of our clients complete setup in 5–7 working days.
Ready to decide? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 now for a free, zero-obligation comparison and a fully itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meydan or DMCC cheaper?
Licence-only, both cost ~AED 12.5k–14.5k in Year 1. Meydan is slightly cheaper (includes 1 visa; DMCC does not). All-in with one visa, Meydan runs AED 20.9k–27k; DMCC AED 21.5k–29.5k. Renewal is AED 8.5k–13.5k annually for both. DBS provides a precise quote in your currency.
Which has more visas, Meydan or DMCC?
Meydan includes 1 investor visa (residence permit) in Year 1. DMCC includes zero and charges AED 3.5k–6k per visa. If you need 2–3 team visas, Meydan saves you AED 3.5k–5.5k per extra person. Both allow 100% foreign ownership; visas are for staff residency.
Which is better for trading?
Meydan is ideal for general trading (import–export, e-commerce, FMCG, wholesale). DMCC is designed for precious metals, bullion, diamonds and commodity trading. If you trade non-metals, Meydan is more flexible. If you handle bullion, DMCC's global reputation and compliance framework is unmatched.
Which has the better address?
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Jebel Ali) is world-renowned for precious metals and bullion. Meydan (south Dubai) is respected for general trading and manufacturing. Choose DMCC if your clients/partners expect a bullion-hub address; choose Meydan for broader commercial credibility.
Which should a first-time founder choose?
Meydan. It includes a visa, is slightly cheaper, supports diverse sectors and has no commodity restrictions. Setup is 3–7 working days. DMCC is best if you specifically trade bullion/metals. DBS recommends Meydan for most first-time founders seeking simplicity and cost savings.
How long does setup take for either zone?
Both take 3–7 working days via DBS. Day 1: DET/DMCC submission; Days 2–3: MOHRE visa clearance; Days 4–5: licence approval & MOF registration; Day 6: trade licence printed; Day 7: banking introduction issued. Total elapsed time assumes all documents are ready from Day 1.
Can I open a UAE bank account after setup?
Yes. Both Meydan and DMCC firms are bank-eligible. You'll need your trade licence, MOF entity registration, passport, UAE visa and a proof of address. DBS provides the banker introduction letter. Most accounts open 5–10 working days after bank submission. DMCC (bullion) faces stricter AML screening.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
Talk to DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free, fully itemised cost breakdown in your own currency — and a straight answer on banking and tax.