Compare Meydan Free Zone and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Management & Business Consultancy setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Meydan Free Zone vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for Management & Business Consultancy: 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
Management consulting is classified as a professional services activity and generally receives fast-track approval across UAE free zones. No specific educational degree is mandated by the free zone authority, although having an MBA or professional certification (PMP, CMA) can expedite bank account opening.
Management consulting qualifies as a qualifying free zone activity. The 0% corporate tax rate applies to qualifying income. Consulting services supplied within the UAE are subject to 5% VAT, while services exported outside the GCC may qualify for zero-rating.
Consultancy firms should be prepared to explain their target client base (government vs. private sector) and average engagement value. Banks are generally comfortable with this activity when the applicant demonstrates prior experience and a clear pipeline of engagements.
Meydan's single-desk and virtual office setup keeps management consulting firms' fixed costs below AED 15,000 per year while maintaining a prestigious Meydan Road address near Downtown Dubai.
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.
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.
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.
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