Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders and tech firms to retain full ownership of their business. There is no requirement to partner with a UAE national sponsor, giving you complete control from day one.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Network consultancies licensed through Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income. Combined with full profit repatriation, this makes Dubai a highly cost-efficient base for tech and digital-services businesses.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
This business activity does not require sign-off from any external regulatory body before you can begin operations. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence alone is sufficient to start trading under the network consultancies activity code.
Fully Digital Licensing Process Saves Time
Meydan Free Zone offers a completely digital application and licensing process, reducing setup time and administrative burden. This is especially valuable for international tech groups entering the MENA market who need a fast, efficient route to market.
Strong Market Demand Backed by Government Strategy
The UAE has made the digital economy a strategic priority under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, creating sustained demand for licensed network consultancies. Enterprise tech spend and a growing regional talent pool reinforce this opportunity further.
AML Compliance Exemption Reduces Regulatory Burden
This business activity is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements, simplifying your ongoing regulatory obligations. That means less administrative overhead and more focus on delivering services to clients.
Regional Reach Across Dubai, UAE, and Beyond
A Meydan Free Zone network consultancies licence covers client delivery across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets. This broad geographic scope makes it well suited to IT consultancies, software founders, and global tech firms targeting the MENA region.
How to Start a Network Consultancies Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed network consultancies business serves Dubai's technology, software, and digital-services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed network consultancies businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from standard UAE technology-sector regulatory oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of digital-economy targets, enterprise tech spend, and a growing talent pool is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned the digital economy as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, with explicit support for software and digital services.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Software and tech founders | Entrepreneurs building software products, platforms, or digital services for regional and global customers. |
| IT consultancies and service providers | Businesses delivering implementation, integration, consulting, and managed IT services to enterprise clients. |
| International tech groups entering MENA | Global software and tech firms establishing a Dubai entity for regional sales, delivery, and partnerships. |
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 tech market.
6202.96 - Network Consultancies
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed network consultancies business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Network Consultancies 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 network consultancies 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.
References
- UAE Digital Economy Strategy, AI Office
- ² Dubai Internet City
- ³ DIFC Innovation Hub
