Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Tax Burden
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone grants full foreign ownership and zero corporate tax on qualifying income. You also benefit from complete profit repatriation, making it a financially attractive entry point into Dubai's information-services market.
Strong Regulatory Framework Backs Your Business
Licensed other information service activities operate under TDRA and UAE Data Office oversight, providing a clear and stable compliance environment. This structured framework reduces regulatory uncertainty and supports long-term operational confidence.
Tapping Into a Strategic Government-Backed Sector
The UAE has designated the data economy as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy. This means active government investment and explicit support for hosting and information services businesses.
Three Core Audience Types Stand to Benefit
The licence suits hosting and data-service operators, information and content-service providers, and international groups seeking a Dubai entity for regional reach. Each segment gains access to enterprise cloud demand and a fast-growing digital economy.
Third-Party Approval Is a Required Step
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 stage early helps avoid delays in your launch timeline.
Know What the Activity Code Does Not Cover
Related but distinct services fall under separate activity codes and cannot be delivered under this licence. If your planned offering sits in a different industry class, you will need to identify and apply for the correct corresponding code.
AML Compliance Exemption Simplifies Operations
This business activity is exempt from anti-money laundering compliance requirements, reducing your administrative and reporting burden. That exemption can meaningfully lower ongoing operational overhead compared to regulated financial-adjacent activities.
How to Start an Other Information Service Activities N.E.C. Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed other information service activities n.e.c. 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 other information service activities n.e.c. 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.
6399.00 - Other Information Service Activities N.E.C.
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed other information service activities n.e.c. business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Other Information Service Activities N.E.C. 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 other information service activities n.e.c. 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.
References
- UAE Digital Economy Strategy, AI Office
- ² TDRA
- ³ Dubai Internet City
