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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via MEYDAN Free Zone·🌐Founder profile

Meydan Free Zone Incorporation for Chinese Cross-Border Founders

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$12,500

Meydan Free Zone offers a digital-first incorporation environment for Chinese founders seeking a UAE-based entity. The structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital.

Founders must align their corporate structure with PRC tax residency requirements and SAFE Circular 37 obligations. This jurisdiction requires strict adherence to UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 regarding corporate tax filings.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$25,000
≈ $1,042/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupMEYDAN Free Zone setup
    $12,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $12,500
Total$25,000
§ 02Tax residency · Chinese Cross-Border Founders

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, with 0% VAT applicable to qualifying exports of services.

Home-country rule

PRC individual foreign income tax (Bulletin 3, 2020) applies to worldwide income for tax residents; SAFE Circular 37 must be filed for outbound investment structures.

Editorial verdict

Ensure your PRC tax residency status is documented before incorporation to manage SAFE Circular 37 compliance and avoid double taxation on worldwide income.

Key compliance risks
  • 01PRC individual foreign income tax liability
  • 02Mandatory SAFE Circular 37 registration for outbound investment
  • 03UAE Economic Substance Regulations compliance
  • 04Bank account opening delays for non-resident directors
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingMEYDAN Free Zone submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,306
$102.00
Annual
$1,306
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; 0% VAT for out-of-UAE trade
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

PRC residents must register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) when establishing an offshore special purpose vehicle (SPV) for outbound investment. Failure to comply can result in restrictions on profit repatriation and future capital injections.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Chinese Cross-Border Founders — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with MEYDAN Free Zone

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