Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Partner
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their publishing business. There is no requirement to bring in a UAE national as a local partner or sponsor.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed through Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income and full profit repatriation. This makes it a cost-effective base for publishers targeting regional and global markets.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
This activity code does not require external regulatory approval beyond the Meydan Free Zone trade licence itself. That streamlines your setup timeline and reduces administrative friction at launch.
AML Compliance Exemption Simplifies Operations
Publishing of directories and mailing lists is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements under this activity. This reduces the ongoing regulatory burden for operators in this category.
Strong Government Backing for the Publishing Sector
The UAE has made media and knowledge economy industries strategic priorities under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Publishers benefit from a clear regulatory framework overseen by the UAE Media Council.
Ideal for International Publishers Entering MENA
Dubai's media-hub status and regional distribution reach make it a natural gateway for global publishing groups managing rights, localisation, and distribution across the Middle East and North Africa. A Meydan Free Zone entity gives those groups a fast, fully digital route to market.
Know Exactly What This Licence Does and Does Not Cover
Activity code 5812 covers core directory and mailing list publishing operations but excludes related activities such as production of globes or publishing of advertising and sheet music. Understanding the scope upfront helps you structure your licence correctly from day one.
How to Start a Publishing of Directories and Mailing Lists Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed publishing of directories and mailing lists business serves Dubai's media, publishing, and knowledge economy.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed publishing of directories and mailing lists businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from UAE Media Council oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of media-hub status, regional distribution reach, and rising digital readership is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned media and knowledge as strategic pillars under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, with explicit support for publishing and content.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Publishers and imprints | Founders launching trade, academic, children's, or specialist imprints acquiring rights and producing titles in print and digital. |
| Periodical and digital-first operators | Teams publishing consumer, B2B, specialist, or online-first periodicals, newsletters, and digital titles. |
| International publishers entering MENA | Global publishing groups setting up a Dubai entity to manage regional rights, localisation, and distribution. |
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 publishing market.
5812 - Publishing of Directories and Mailing Lists
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed publishing of directories and mailing lists business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Publishing Of Directories And Mailing Lists 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 production of globes; publishing of advertising material of music and sheet books of independent authors 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 publishing of directories and mailing lists 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.
