Meydan
Digital-first setup with a wide activity catalogue and a central Dubai proposition.
UAE company formation
Choose the right free zone for your UAE business
Compare Meydan, IFZA, RAKEZ, SHAMS and SPC by location, activity, workspace and visa needs—then build the company, banking and compliance plan around the model that actually fits.
Meydan · DubaiIFZA · DubaiRAKEZ · Ras Al KhaimahSHAMS · SharjahSPC · Sharjah
Five options compared
Different free zones suit different operating models
The lowest advertised licence price is rarely the full decision. Activities, visas, facilities, approvals, banking profile and annual renewals should be assessed together.
| Free zone | Location | Often considered for | Workspace and visas | Key point to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan | Dubai | Professional services, consulting, e-commerce, trading and digitally managed companies. | Official packages advertise an included flexi-desk and visa options. | Exact activity groups, mainland operating route and total visa-related charges. |
| IFZA | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Commercial and professional licences, international founders and remote formation. | Flexible workspace options include flexi-desks, virtual-office solutions and upgrades. | Package availability is generally accessed through IFZA professional partners; confirm complete scope. |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | Services and trading, plus businesses needing offices, warehouses or industrial facilities. | Broad facility range—from shared workspaces to offices, warehouses and industrial land. | Choose the correct free-zone or non-free-zone structure and facility for the activity. |
| SHAMS | Sharjah Media City | Creative, media, digital, consulting, freelance and SME activities. | SHAMS advertises shared-desk packages with allocations of up to 12 visas, subject to the selected setup. | Confirm activity eligibility and whether external approvals or a dedicated facility are required. |
| SPC | Sharjah Publishing City | Publishing, media, e-commerce, services and multi-activity entrepreneurial businesses. | Lease agreements, co-working, offices, retail, warehouse and visa support are available. | Confirm the chosen activity bundle, immigration capacity, facility and banking conditions. |
IFZA
Partner-led formation with commercial, professional and flexible workspace options.
RAKEZ
Strong choice when physical facilities, logistics or industrial expansion matter.
SHAMS
Creative and media heritage with a broad SME and entrepreneur proposition.
SPC
Publishing roots, broad activities and a varied workspace and support ecosystem.
How it works
From activity analysis to operational company
A structured setup protects the licence, banking and tax position from avoidable inconsistencies.
1
ScopeDefine the model
Activities, clients, countries, owners, revenue flows, visas and premises.
2
CompareSelect the zone
Match the licence and facility to the real operating plan.
3
FileSubmit documents
Names, KYC, application, shareholder and corporate documents.
4
EstablishLicence & immigration
Receive documents, establish immigration file and process visas if needed.
5
OperateBank, tax & accounts
Complete banking, registrations, bookkeeping and renewal controls.
Application preparation
Documents and decisions to prepare
Requirements vary by shareholder type, nationality, activity and authority. A clean file reduces clarification rounds.
✓Passport copy and photograph for each individual shareholder and manager
✓Proof of address and, where requested, current visa or Emirates ID
✓Proposed company names and precise business activities
✓Shareholding, management and ultimate beneficial ownership
✓Corporate documents, legalisation and resolutions for company shareholders
✓Visa count, office or facility needs and expected UAE presence
✓Business plan or source-of-funds evidence where the activity or bank requires it
After incorporation
A free-zone licence is not the end of compliance
The company must keep its licence, banking, accounts, tax position and actual activities aligned.
Corporate tax
Free-zone entities are within the UAE corporate-tax framework. A 0% rate may apply to qualifying income only when the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met; other taxable income can be subject to the standard rate.
VAT and bookkeeping
Assess UAE VAT registration and invoicing obligations, maintain reliable accounting records, and prepare filings from the same reconciled data.
Banking and substance
Bank approval is separate from company licensing. The activity, ownership, customer geography, contracts, premises and source of funds must form a credible, documented profile.
Tax outcomes depend on the company’s facts and current law. Obtain case-specific advice before relying on a free-zone tax treatment.
Official references
Sources used for the comparison
Meydan Free Zone · IFZA · RAKEZ · Sharjah Media City SHAMS · SPC Free Zone · UAE Federal Tax Authority guidance for Free Zone Persons.
Packages, activities, visa allocations, facilities, processing times and promotions can change. Confirm the current written quotation and authority requirements before filing.
Choose the structure before buying the package.
We compare the five options against your activity, shareholders, visas, banking and tax requirements.
Book your UAE setup assessment