Compare Meydan Free Zone and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for IT Services & Infrastructure setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Meydan Free Zone vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for IT Services & Infrastructure: Meydan Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 (95% bank approval) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park at AED 5,510 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 12,500 | 2-3 days | Moderate | Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai
IT consulting, cloud services, cybersecurity, and data processing activities are all bundled under Meydan's Standard License. Combined with MeydanPay (free payment gateway) and 95% banking approval, it's the most cost-effective Dubai base for IT service companies.
April 2025: Fawri License launched — 60-minute LLC setup
2024-2025: Expanded activities from 1,500 to 2,500+
March 2025: Mainland branch access via Resolution No. 11 of 2025
MeydanPay launched — instant IBAN issuance
Company setup in Meydan Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year.
Meydan Free Zone processes company registrations in 2-3 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 95%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Meydan Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Meydan Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Meydan Free Zone if: Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai. Choose Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if: R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
Get a personalized setup quotation with real fees, banking odds, and timeline for your activity.
Email yourself a link to this comparison so you can come back to it later.
Adjust visa quotas and demographics to calculate the complete setup costing model.
Get your personalized feasibility dossier — real fees, banking odds, and timeline for your activity and nationality. Free, no obligations.