Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their IT infrastructure business. There is no requirement to partner with a UAE national or local sponsor.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed under this activity benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income alongside full profit repatriation. This makes Dubai a financially attractive base for hosting, data processing, and cloud infrastructure operations.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
Unlike many regulated tech activities, IT infrastructure under code 6311.99 requires no third-party government approval beyond the Meydan Free Zone trade licence. This significantly reduces setup time and administrative complexity.
Backed by UAE's Digital Economy Strategy
The UAE has made the data economy a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, creating sustained government-level demand for hosting and information services. Operators enter a market with explicit policy support and long-term investment momentum.
Clear Regulatory Framework via TDRA Oversight
The activity operates under TDRA and UAE Data Office oversight, giving businesses a defined compliance structure to work within. A clear regulatory environment reduces uncertainty and supports enterprise client confidence.
Broad Commercial Scope Across Multiple Client Types
Licensed operators can serve retail, corporate, and institutional clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets. The activity covers core delivery, client contracting, and operational support under a single licence.
Exempt From AML Compliance Requirements
This business activity is classified as exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance obligations, reducing the regulatory burden on operators. Combined with a fully digital licensing process, setup and ongoing administration remain streamlined.
How to Start an IT Infrastructure Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed it infrastructure 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 it infrastructure 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.
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.
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.
6311.99 - IT Infrastructure
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed it infrastructure business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. It Infrastructure 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. Related but distinct services fall under separate activity codes.
Activities that are separately regulated or that belong to a different industry class are classified under their own codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed it infrastructure business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
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.
