Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Understand What Other Credit Granting Covers
This activity licenses businesses to provide credit granting services to retail, corporate, or institutional clients under UAE regulatory oversight. It does not cover credit for house purchases by deposit-taking institutions, operational leasing, or membership organization giving activities.
Know Who This Business Is Right For
Licensed other credit granting suits financial services firms, investment and holding structures, and international banks or fintechs entering the MENA market through Dubai. It is particularly relevant for global groups that need a UAE-licensed entity to serve regional clients.
Secure Central Bank Approval Before Operating
Third-party approval from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is mandatory and must be obtained before you begin operations under this activity code. This approval is separate from and in addition to your Meydan Free Zone trade licence.
Note the AML Exemption for This Activity
Other credit granting businesses licensed through Meydan Free Zone are exempt from AML compliance requirements under this specific activity code. Always confirm the current regulatory position with your licensing adviser before commencing operations.
Leverage Meydan Free Zone's Ownership and Tax Benefits
Setting up 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 faster and more cost-effective routes into Dubai's financial services market.
Align With Dubai's Financial Services Strategy
The UAE has designated financial services as a strategic pillar under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, creating explicit policy support for licensed financial activities. This government backing, combined with strong regional capital flows, underpins sustained demand for licensed credit granting businesses.
How to Start a Other Credit Granting Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed other credit granting business serves the UAE's financial services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed other credit granting businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from Central Bank of the UAE and SCA regulatory oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of financial-centre status, mature regulation, and strong regional capital flows is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned financial services as a strategic pillar under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for licensed financial activities.
Who is this for?
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.
6492.00 - Other Credit Granting
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed other credit granting business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as credit granting for house purchase by specialized institutions that also take deposits; operational leasing, see division 77, according to type of goods leasedgrant; giving activities by membership organizations 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 other credit granting business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
Third-party approval is required for this business activity from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The relevant approval must be obtained in addition to your Meydan Free Zone trade licence before commencing operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
