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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇺🇦Founder profile

Meydan Free Zone Incorporation for Ukrainian IT Contractors

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityEligible
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$7,500

Ukrainian IT contractors can establish a Free Zone LLC in Meydan to access the UAE's 9% corporate tax regime. This structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital.

The process requires coordination between UAE corporate registration and Ukrainian tax residency obligations under the existing double taxation agreement.

§ 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
$12,000
≈ $500.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) setup
    $7,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $4,500
Total$12,000
§ 02Tax residency · Ukrainian IT Contractors

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

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

Home-country rule

Diia City tax regime; war-time residency displacement rules

Editorial verdict

Leverage Meydan's digital-first process to minimize physical travel, ensuring your Ukrainian tax residency status is documented to avoid double taxation under the UAE-Ukraine DTA.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Potential double taxation if Diia City residency is not properly managed
  • 02Mandatory economic substance requirements for UAE tax residency
  • 03Strict beneficial ownership reporting under UAE AML regulations
§ 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
01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) 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

The DTA helps prevent paying tax on the same income in both jurisdictions. You must obtain a Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE to claim these benefits and avoid tax liability in Ukraine for your UAE-sourced income.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Ukrainian IT Contractors — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

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Claim on Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)