Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Choose the Right Free Zone for Your Business
Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and a fully digital licensing process. This makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective entry points into Dubai's information-services market.
Understand What Activity Code 6311.03 Covers
This activity code licenses you to operate an application service provisioning business, including core service delivery, client onboarding, and regional distribution. It does not cover installation of mainframe computers, programming consultancy, or facilities management, which fall under separate codes.
No Third-Party Approval Required
Unlike many regulated business activities in Dubai, application service provisioning under Meydan Free Zone requires no third-party regulatory approval to begin operations. Your trade licence alone is sufficient to start serving clients.
Tap Into a Strategically Backed Digital Economy
The UAE has designated the data economy as a core pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, with direct government investment in hosting and information services. TDRA and the UAE Data Office provide a clear and stable regulatory framework for operators.
Know Who This Business Setup Suits Best
This licence is ideal for hosting and data-service operators, information and content-service providers, and international firms seeking a regional Dubai entity. Any business delivering application infrastructure, data processing, or aggregated information services to enterprise or consumer clients fits this profile.
Benefit From Full Profit Repatriation
Meydan Free Zone allows operators to repatriate 100% of their profits with no restrictions, a significant advantage for international information-services groups managing cross-border revenue. Combined with zero corporate tax on qualifying income, this structure maximises financial efficiency.
Confirm AML Exemption Before You Launch
Application service provisioning is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements under this activity classification. This reduces administrative burden and simplifies your operational setup compared to other regulated financial or data-adjacent activities.
How to Start an Application Service Provisioning Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed application service provisioning business serves Dubai's information services and data-economy market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed application service provisioning businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from TDRA and UAE Data Office oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of data-centre capacity, enterprise cloud demand, and digital-economy targets is exactly where the opportunity lies.
Sources: UAE Digital Economy Strategy, AI Office, TDRA, Dubai Internet City
The UAE has positioned the data economy as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, with explicit support for hosting and information services.
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Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Hosting and data-service operators | Businesses providing hosting, data processing, streaming, and application infrastructure to enterprise and consumer clients. |
| Information and content-service providers | Teams running news, search, portal, directory, or aggregated information services for regional audiences. |
| International information-services groups | Global firms establishing a Dubai entity for regional hosting, data, and information services. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai information-services market.
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6311.03 - Application Service Provisioning
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed application service provisioning business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Application Service Provisioning core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as installation of mainframe and similar computers programming consultancy facilities management processing and hosting fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed application service provisioning business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Planning to set up your business in Dubai? Explore our comprehensive guide on Becoming a Hosting Service Provider, covering licensing requirements, costs, approvals, and the step-by-step business setup process.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
Business Activities List
References
- ¹ UAE Digital Economy Strategy, AI Office
- ² TDRA
- ³ Dubai Internet City
