How much is a 1-visa business setup package in a Dubai free zone?

What Is a 1-Visa Business Setup Package?

A one-visa business setup package is generally designed for an entrepreneur who wants to establish a free-zone company with the ability to obtain one UAE residence visa through the company.

The term “1 visa” can be confusing, however, because free zones may use different terminology.

A package may include:

• One visa allocation or quota.

• The actual investor or partner residence visa.

• An establishment or immigration card.

• Medical examination.

• Emirates ID application or typing.

• Change-of-status services if the applicant is already in the UAE.

• Flexi-desk or coworking facilities.

• Business licence.

Not every package includes all of these items.

This distinction is one of the most important things to understand when comparing business setup packages Dubai offers in 2026.

How Much Does a 1-Visa Business Setup Cost in Dubai?

There is no universal Dubai free-zone price because each authority sets its own licence, office and immigration fees.

For a straightforward Dubai example, Meydan Free Zone currently publishes the following package structure for several business categories:

0-visa setup: AED 12,500

1-visa setup: AED 14,350

3-visa setup: AED 18,050

The one-visa price includes the LLC-FZ licence, one visa allocation, three business activity groups, a lease agreement and flexi-desk. However, Meydan separately lists certain establishment and visa-processing costs.

This means an entrepreneur should not automatically assume that AED 14,350 represents the complete amount required to finish the entire residence-visa process.

2026 Cost Breakdown for a Meydan 1-Visa Setup

For a practical Dubai benchmark, the current published Meydan pricing can be understood as follows:

• 1-visa business setup package: AED 14,350 — includes the LLC-FZ licence, one visa allocation, three business activity groups, lease agreement and flexi-desk.

• Establishment Card: AED 2,000 — listed separately by Meydan.

• Investor Visa: AED 4,000 — the published investor/partner visa service charge.

• Medical and Emirates ID assistance: AED 2,250 — listed as an additional service. If the applicant is already in the UAE, AED 1,500 change-of-status may also apply.

Using the published components, the basic package plus the establishment card, investor visa and medical/Emirates ID assistance would total approximately AED 22,600, before any applicable change-of-status charge.

Important Disclaimer

The cost prices stated above are baseline estimates or currently published authority charges and are subject to market fluctuations, supplier changes, government or free-zone updates and variable logistics fees. The final amount can also vary according to business activity, nationality, visa status, office requirements, immigration processing and optional services. Contact Takween Advisory for the latest and most accurate prices before making a business setup decision.

Why Is the Advertised 1-Visa Price Sometimes Lower Than the Final Cost?

The main reason is that free zones may separate company-formation charges from immigration services.

For example, Meydan's published AED 14,350 one-visa package includes a visa allocation, but the authority separately lists the establishment card, investor visa and medical/Emirates ID assistance.

Therefore, when you see a business setup advertisement stating “1 visa included,” ask what included actually means.

A quotation could mean:

Licence + visa quota

or:

Licence + complete investor residence visa process

These are not necessarily the same thing.

What Is a Visa Allocation?

A visa allocation represents the company's authorised capacity to sponsor a particular number of UAE residence visas.

It does not necessarily mean that the applicant's residence visa has already been issued.

This distinction is also visible in other free-zone terms. For example, Shams Free Zone states that visa allocation approval does not itself result in issuance of the residence visa and separately refers to a visa allocation fee.

Entrepreneurs should therefore ask whether their quotation includes the actual visa issuance process, medical examination and Emirates ID procedures.

What Is Included in a Typical One-Visa Package?

A typical one-visa free-zone package can include the core company licence and a workspace solution.

At Meydan, the published one-visa package includes three business activity groups, an LLC-FZ licence, one visa allocation, lease agreement and flexi-desk.

Other free zones can structure their packages differently.

For example, DMCC's current Jump Start Package includes a company licence, establishment card, standard flexi-desk and one UAE residency visa, along with other package benefits.

This is why comparing only the headline price can produce an inaccurate picture of the actual value and total cost.

How Takween Advisory Can Help

Choosing between business setup packages Dubai requires more than comparing advertised prices.

Takween Advisory can help entrepreneurs assess the intended business activity, compare appropriate Dubai and UAE free-zone structures, understand visa requirements, review package inclusions and estimate the broader first-year setup budget.

The objective is to help clients understand what they are actually paying for rather than selecting a package based only on a headline figure.

Takween Advisory can also assist with company formation, licensing, visa coordination, banking support and related corporate services, depending on the business requirements.

Conclusion

A one-visa business setup in a Dubai free zone does not have one fixed 2026 price.

Meydan Free Zone currently publishes a AED 14,350 one-visa package, which includes the licence, one visa allocation, three business activity groups, lease agreement and flexi-desk. The authority separately lists AED 2,000 for the establishment card, AED 4,000 for an investor visa and AED 2,250 for medical and Emirates ID assistance.

For the latest and most accurate package pricing based on your activity and visa requirements, contact Takween Advisory for professional guidance.