Selecting the right UAE free zone is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when establishing your company in the Emirates. Among the most trusted and accessible jurisdictions are Meydan Free Zone in Dubai and Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) in the emirate of Ajman. Both offer 100% foreign ownership, modern licensing options, and pathways to UAE residency — but they operate very differently.
Your choice will depend on your business activity, budget, operational goals, and how quickly you want to launch. This comparison provides a clear, stage-by-stage breakdown of how each free zone works so you can make an informed decision. And with Theta7 as your formation partner, you can establish your company in either jurisdiction with speed, accuracy, and long-term compliance support.
A modern, digital-first free zone located in central Dubai. Known for its fully online formation system, quick approval timelines, and credibility with international clients.
One of the UAE’s oldest economic jurisdictions known for cost-effective licensing, structured onboarding processes, and predictable visa pathways.
Best for:
Meydan → Investors seeking a Dubai address and digital processes
Ajman → Investors seeking affordability with structured regulatory steps
Minimal documentation to start:
Passport copy
Photo
Contact details
Three company names
Business activity
Corporate shareholders get a 45-day grace period post-license to submit attested documents.
More detailed personal information is required upfront:
Passport copy
Photo
Contact details
Mother’s name
Marital status
Religion
Residential address
Three company names (English & Arabic)
Corporate shareholders must submit attested docs earlier in the process.
✔ Meydan is ideal for fast, minimal-document incorporation.
✔ Ajman requires more personal information upfront but offers clear compliance pathways.
Name approval is integrated directly into the digital application.
Name reservation is a separate mandatory step, often requiring English and Arabic versions.
✔ Meydan’s process is faster and more automated.
✔ Ajman’s process is more traditional but ensures strong regulatory clarity from the start.
In Meydan, this stage begins once Theta7 submits your company application through the digital portal. The system then generates a payment link for the government fees associated with your setup. After payment is completed, Meydan automatically sends digital KYC links to each shareholder. Once the KYC is approved, the file progresses toward license issuance.
Application submitted on Meydan portal
Payment link generated and settled
Digital KYC email issued to shareholders
KYC approved → application moves forward
Ajman uses a more structured onboarding model. Once Theta7 enters the required company and shareholder details, the system generates an Onboarding Request. AFZ issues a payment link, and once payment is made, Ajman provides a document pack that must be signed and re-uploaded. Approval of the document pack completes the onboarding stage.
Initial company & shareholder details entered
Onboarding Request generated
Payment activates onboarding
Document pack issued for signing
Signed documents uploaded & approved
✔ Meydan → Application submitted → Payment → KYC → Approval
✔ Ajman → Initial details → Onboarding payment → Document pack → Approval
✔ Meydan is fast and fully digital
✔ Ajman is structured and signature-based
After all shareholder KYC statuses are approved, Meydan issues the full set of incorporation documents digitally. These include:
Trade License
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Certificate of Formation
Share Register
Lease Agreement
For corporate shareholders, Meydan also provides a 45-day grace period after issuance to submit attested documents — offering flexibility not available in many other free zones.
KYC approved
License issued
Full incorporation pack delivered digitally
Corporate attestation allowed post-issuance
In Ajman, license issuance occurs immediately after the onboarding process is approved. Once AFZ verifies the signed document pack, they release your:
Trade License
MOA
Shareholder certificates
Welcome Kit
Supporting incorporation documents
All documents are delivered digitally through the “Welcome Kit” link.
Document pack approved
License & Welcome Kit issued
All incorporation documents delivered together
✔ Meydan issues the license after KYC approval
✔ Ajman issues the license after onboarding approval
✔ Meydan = digital-first, rapid document generation
✔ Ajman = structured approval + consolidated welcome kit
After the company license is issued, both jurisdictions begin the immigration process for clients who have selected visa packages. However, the workflow differs significantly.
Meydan uses a flexible Dubai-based immigration pathway. Once the license is active, Theta7 applies for your Immigration Card, which enables all future visa activity. After the card is issued, the entry permit application is submitted for each applicant.
Immigration Card issued through Meydan portal
Entry Permit (e-Visa) applied
Change of Status processed if the client is inside the UAE
Entry Permit issued via email
Key Advantage:
Flexible, Dubai-based immigration handling with fewer sequential approvals.
Ajman requires four mandatory sequential approvals before an entry permit can be applied. These approvals are done through AFZ and the Ajman immigration system.
Security Approval
Establishment Card issuance
E-Channel Activation
Entry Permit (Inside or Outside UAE)
Only after all four steps are approved can the applicant proceed with UAE entry or Change of Status.
Key Advantage:
A structured, compliance-heavy immigration pathway.
✔ Meydan → Immigration Card first → Entry Permit issued quickly
✔ Ajman → 4-step approval chain → Entry Permit issued after all stages
✔ Meydan = faster, fewer steps
✔ Ajman = regulated, sequence-based process
Once the entry permit (e-Visa) is active, the client proceeds to medical testing and biometrics for Emirates ID.
Clients completing their Meydan visa can complete medical tests anywhere in Dubai, including Smart Salem centres for fast-track results. Biometrics can be completed at any Dubai Happiness Centre.
Medical test in Dubai (Smart Salem option available)
Biometrics at any Dubai Happiness Centre
Fast and flexible scheduling options
Key Advantage:
Full flexibility in medical and biometric centre choices.
Ajman requires clients to follow stricter location rules:
Medical exam can be completed in Dubai
Biometrics must be done in an Ajman-approved centre — not Dubai
This rule applies even if the client is staying or operating in Dubai.
Medical test (Dubai or Ajman)
Biometrics strictly in Ajman
EID form processed through Ajman’s immigration system
Key Advantage:
Consistent identity verification under Ajman’s governance.
✔ Meydan → Dubai-based medical + Dubai biometrics (flexible)
✔ Ajman → Dubai medical allowed, Ajman biometrics mandatory
✔ Meydan faster & flexible
✔ Ajman ensures strict locality compliance
After biometrics, both free zones finalise the residence visa and Emirates ID.
Once medical and biometrics are uploaded, Meydan processes the client’s residence visa electronically. Emirates ID printing follows and is delivered to the UAE address via courier.
Visa approved electronically
Emirates ID printed
Delivered by courier (Zajel/ICP delivery partners)
Ajman Free Zone also follows a fully digital residence visa process. Once your medical test and biometrics are approved and all required documents are uploaded, AFZ finalises your residency through the Ajman Immigration system. Your residence visa (electronic residence permit) is then made available directly through the UAEICP mobile app, where you can view and download it instantly. Emirate ID printing follows, and the physical card is delivered to your UAE address via courier.
Electronic residence visa issued
Downloaded directly via UAEICP app
Emirates ID printed
Delivered to your address by courier
✔ Both Meydan and Ajman issue electronic residency permits, not physical passport stamps
✔ Meydan and Ajman visas are accessed via UAEICP
✔ Meydan often processes slightly faster due to Dubai system efficiencies
✔ Ajman follows a structured review before the e-visa is issued
Once the residence visa and Emirates ID are issued (for clients choosing visa packages), the next major step is opening a UAE corporate bank account. Theta7 supports this stage for both Meydan and Ajman clients.
A company licensed in Dubai generally benefits from stronger recognition with banks. Meydan’s digital documentation and Dubai jurisdiction make the onboarding process smoother for many clients.
Strong credibility due to Dubai address
Faster acceptance with most major banks
Digital and traditional banking options available
Theta7 prepares the compliance pack & introductions
Key Advantage:
Higher perceived trust level because the company is registered in Dubai.
Ajman companies can also open accounts in UAE banks, but the bank may require more detailed profiling depending on the activity and nationality of the shareholder. With proper compliance preparation, AFZ companies are accepted by both traditional and digital banks.
Standard approval process
May require more detailed investor information
Supported fully by Theta7’s banking coordination team
Key Advantage:
Cost-effective licensing combined with accessible banking when properly prepared.
✔ Meydan companies often achieve smoother and faster bank approvals
✔ Ajman companies are approved with the right compliance preparation
✔ Theta7 increases approval likelihood for both jurisdictions
Under UAE law, every company must register for Corporate Tax within 90 days from the date the trade license is issued — regardless of the free zone selected. Theta7 manages the full process to ensure your business remains compliant from day one.
Meydan Free Zone
Once your Meydan license is issued, Theta7 registers your company for UAE Corporate Tax within the required 90-day deadline. We then manage all ongoing bookkeeping, reporting, and VAT requirements (if applicable).
Corporate Tax registration within 90 days of licensing
Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping
VAT registration & filings
Annual financial statements
Audit coordination if required
Ajman companies must also register for Corporate Tax within 90 days of license issuance. Theta7 handles the registration, ensures your financial records are maintained properly, and supports all VAT and reporting obligations.
Corporate Tax registration within 90 days
Bookkeeping & monthly/quarterly reporting
VAT registration & filings
Annual financial statements
Ongoing compliance updates
For a clearer understanding of how Corporate Tax works in the UAE, you can refer to our simplified guide here:
👉 Theta7 Corporate Tax Registration Simplified
✔ Both Meydan and Ajman follow the exact same 90-day Corporate Tax registration rule
✔ Compliance obligations are identical across UAE free zones
✔ Theta7 ensures both types of companies remain compliant and audit-ready
Meydan Free Zone and Ajman Free Zone both offer excellent pathways to launch and grow a business in the UAE, but they serve different needs. Meydan delivers Dubai-level credibility, faster digital processing, and strong banking favourability — ideal for consultants, global entrepreneurs, and businesses targeting premium markets. Ajman, on the other hand, provides cost-effective licensing, a structured onboarding process, and efficient operational support — a strong choice for budget-conscious founders and SMEs looking to maximize value.
No matter which jurisdiction you choose, both provide 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of profits, modern visa services, and compliance with UAE’s federal tax framework. What truly determines your success is working with an expert partner who handles the complexities for you — accurately, professionally, and with full transparency.
Theta7 is a trusted, experienced business setup provider for both Meydan and Ajman Free Zones. We manage everything from company formation, visas, and banking support to corporate tax registration, accounting, and ongoing compliance — all under one roof.
Whether you're ready to set up your company or need personalised guidance on which free zone fits your goals, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
👉 Book your consultation today with Theta7 and launch your UAE business with confidence.
