Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Why Dubai Is Ideal for This Business
Dubai's capital markets and financial services sector is backed by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, making it a strategic hub for financial transaction processing. Strong regional demand, cross-border payment flows, and a growing fund sector create sustained opportunity for licensed operators.
Who Should Consider This Licence
This activity suits financial-auxiliary service providers, capital-markets and fund operators, and international financial firms entering the MENA region. It is particularly relevant for global groups establishing a Dubai entity to access regional brokerage, advisory, and settlement markets.
Key Benefits of Meydan Free Zone Setup
Incorporating through Meydan Free Zone gives you 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. The fully digital licensing process makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective routes into the Dubai financial services market.
What the Activity Licence Actually Covers
Under activity code 6619.01, you are licensed to operate financial transaction processing and settlement services, including credit card transactions, delivered under relevant regulatory oversight. This spans client onboarding, core service delivery, back-office operations, and regional market reach across Dubai and the wider UAE.
Regulatory Framework and Oversight Bodies
The activity operates under oversight from the Securities and Commodities Authority and the Central Bank of the UAE, providing a clear and structured compliance framework. This regulatory clarity is a competitive advantage for operators seeking credibility in regional and international markets.
Third-Party Approval Is Required Before Licensing
Before your trade licence is issued, your operational model, facility, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority. Planning for this approval step early in your setup process helps avoid delays.
Know the Boundaries of This Activity Code
This licence does not cover insurance agent and broker activities, fund management, or other related but distinct financial services, which each fall under separate activity codes. Confirming your exact service scope against the correct code before applying will save time and ensure compliance.
How to Start a Financial Transaction Processing And Settlement Activities, Including For Credit Card Transactions Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed financial transaction processing and settlement activities, including for credit card transactions business serves the UAE's financial-auxiliary and capital-markets services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed financial transaction processing and settlement activities, including for credit card transactions businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from SCA and Central Bank of the UAE oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of capital-markets infrastructure, cross-border flows, and a growing fund sector is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for auxiliary activities.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Financial-auxiliary service providers | Businesses providing brokerage, advisory, custody, administration, or related services to financial-market participants. |
| Capital-markets and fund operators | Teams running or supporting securities, commodities, derivatives, fund, or wealth-management activities. |
| International financial firms entering MENA | Global financial groups establishing a Dubai entity for regional brokerage, advisory, and auxiliary 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 financial services market.
6619.01 - Financial Transaction Processing And Settlement Activities, Including For Credit Card Transactions
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed financial transaction processing and settlement activities, including for credit card transactions business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Financial Transaction Processing And Settlement Activities, Including For Credit Card Transactions 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 activities of insurance agents and brokers; management of funds 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 financial transaction processing and settlement activities, including for credit card transactions business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your operational model, facility, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
