Compare Meydan Free Zone vs Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
Meydan Free Zone
The Verdict
Starts from AED 12,500 (Budget) — best for Consultants, startups, and SMEs seeking a prestigious Dubai address with low overhead and no paid-up share capital requirement..
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
The Verdict
Starts from AED 11,000 (Mid-Range) — best for Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities..
Meydan Free Zone
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
Feature Comparison
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Cost Scenarios
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 15,000
Annual Renewal
AED 12,500
Year 1 Total
AED 12,000
Annual Renewal
AED 12,000
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
License Packages
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
Meydan Free Zone
5 PackagesLicense with 0 Visa Allocation
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 12,500
NoteIdeal for businesses that do not require UAE residency visas. The renewal fee is the same as the first-year fee.
License with 1 Visa Allocation
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 14,370
NoteThis is a popular package for solo entrepreneurs requiring a UAE residency visa.
License with 2 Visa Allocations
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 16,220
License with 3 Visa Allocations
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 18,070
NoteSuitable for a small team of partners or employees.
License with 6 Visa Allocations
Premium TierAnnual Cost
AED 23,600
NoteA comprehensive package for a growing team.
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
3 PackagesE-Office / Virtual Office Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 11,000
NoteThis is the most common entry-level package for startups and solo entrepreneurs. The annual renewal cost is also AED 11,000.
Executive Office Package (2 Visa)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 16,000
NoteA step-up package for small teams requiring a physical office space. Several tiers exist with increasing visa quotas.
General Trading Package (7 Visa)
Premium TierAnnual Cost
AED 35,000
NoteAllows for broad trading activities without restriction to specific product categories.
Who Wins Where?
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Budget Priorities
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority offers a lower starting price point at AED 11,000
Setup Speed
Meydan Free Zone typically processes new licenses in ~1 days
Visa Capacity
Meydan Free Zone allows up to 6 visas without requiring a physical office space
Tax Optimization
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Brand Prestige
Both offer highly competitive, standard market positioning
Lean Startups
Mixed results — each jurisdiction has specific cost vs speed trade-offs
Detailed Feature Breakdown
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
About Each Zone
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Meydan Free Zone
Meydan Free Zone primarily targets entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs, particularly in the digital, consulting, and service-based industries. [27, 29] Its primary investor profile consists of international businesspersons and freelancers seeking cost-effective solutions, 100% foreign ownership, and a prestigious Dubai address near Downtown. [29, 36] Key industries include trading, e-commerce, media, professional services, and technology. [4, 8]
Key Advantages
Consultants, startups, and SMEs seeking a prestigious Dubai address with low overhead and no paid-up share capital requirement.
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority
Hamriyah Free Zone is optimized for heavy industry, oil and gas, petrochemicals, maritime trade, manufacturing, and logistics. It targets a wide range of investors from SMEs to large multinational corporations seeking 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and robust infrastructure for import, export, and manufacturing activities within the MENA region and beyond.
Key Advantages
Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities.
Ask The Experts
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 11,000. In the broader market context, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Meydan Free Zone typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 1 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Meydan Free Zone, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Meydan Free Zone: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Hamriyah Free Zone Authority: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.
Meydan Free Zone: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Hamriyah Free Zone Authority: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Consultants, startups, and SMEs seeking a prestigious Dubai address with low overhead and no paid-up share capital requirement.
Industrial, manufacturing, and trading companies requiring port access and warehousing facilities.