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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇮🇳Founder profile

MEYDAN via Shuraa — Indian SaaS Founders

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityEligible
Setup timeline14–30days
Year-1 total$7,500

Indian SaaS founders relocating to Dubai use Shuraa's consultative MEYDAN setup for coordinated license, visa, and bank opening. Shuraa specializes in Indian client onboarding — familiar with RBI ODI paperwork and Indian bank clearance requirements.

Under Federal Decree-Law 47/2022, UAE CT applies 9% above AED 375,000 taxable income. Free Zone Person meeting substance retains 0% on qualifying income.

India side: RBI Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) filing above USD 250,000 aggregate capital contribution; LRS covers below.

§ 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 · Indian SaaS Founders

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE MEYDAN FZ under Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022: 9% CT above AED 375,000 taxable income; Free Zone Person may preserve 0% on qualifying income with adequate substance.

Home-country rule

ODI (Overseas Direct Investment) RBI approval required for equity

Editorial verdict

Shuraa offers coordinated MEYDAN + visa + bank setup with Indian-friendly onboarding; RBI ODI still triggers above USD 250,000 aggregate contribution.

Key compliance risks
  • 01RBI ODI filing required above USD 250,000 aggregate capital contribution
  • 02UAE CT 9% above AED 375,000 taxable income (Federal Decree-Law 47)
  • 03Indian residency 182-day test — relocation triggers NRI status
  • 04Substance requirements to preserve qualifying income treatment
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
14–30days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d8
d15
d23
d30
01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) submits formation docs
d0–d11
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d9–d23
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d18–d30
§ 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

Shuraa provides supporting documentation (MEYDAN license, invoice for capital contribution, business plan) for your AD Bank's ODI filing. Actual ODI submission via Form OA and Form FC is your Indian CA's or AD Bank's work — Shuraa cannot file directly with RBI.

More profiles for UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Indian SaaS Founders — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Claim on Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)