Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Choose the Right Free Zone for Production
Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. Its fully digital licensing process makes it a fast and cost-effective entry point into Dubai's creative-industries market.
Understand What This Licence Actually Covers
Activity code 5911.95 covers the core production of TV programs, commercials, and visual materials for retail, corporate, or institutional clients. It also includes regulated delivery, client contracting, and regional market reach across Dubai and the wider UAE.
Know the Activities That Fall Outside This Licence
Wholesale or trade of recorded video tapes, CDs, and DVDs, simultaneous closed captioning of live events, and work by own-account directors or technical specialists are classified under separate activity codes. Operating outside your licensed scope creates compliance risk.
Secure Third-Party Approval Before You Launch
This activity requires regulatory clearance from a relevant authority before your trade licence is issued. Your operational model, facility setup, and supporting documentation must all be reviewed and approved as part of the process.
Operate Within a Clear Regulatory Framework
The UAE Media Council and Dubai Film and TV Commission provide structured oversight for licensed production businesses. This framework gives operators a defined compliance pathway and strengthens credibility with regional and global clients.
Tap Into Strong Regional and Streaming Demand
The UAE has designated creative industries as a strategic pillar under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit government support for film, video, and music production. Streaming-led commissioning and regional content demand create sustained commercial opportunity for licensed operators.
Identify Whether This Business Model Fits You
This licence suits production companies, post-production specialists, and international studios establishing a MENA-focused Dubai entity. If your work centres on editing, VFX, rights management, or commercial content creation, this activity code is designed for your operation.
How to Start a TV Programs, Commercials and Visual Materials Production Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed t.v programs, commercials & visual materials production business serves Dubai's film, video, music, and creative-industries market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed t.v programs, commercials & visual materials production businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from UAE Media Council and Dubai Film and TV Commission oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of production infrastructure, regional content demand, and streaming-led commissioning is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned creative industries as a strategic pillar under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for film, video, and music production.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Production companies and studios | Founders and operators producing films, series, commercials, videos, or music for regional and global clients. |
| Post-production and distribution specialists | Businesses focused on editing, sound, VFX, distribution, or rights management. |
| International production groups | Global studios, networks, and streamers establishing a licensed Dubai entity for MENA operations. |
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 creative-industries market.
5911.95 - TV Programs, Commercials and Visual Materials Production
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed t.v programs, commercials & visual materials production business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. T.V Programs, Commercials & Visual Materials Production 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 wholesale of recorded video tapes, CDs, DVDs trade of video tapes, CDs, DVDs; time (i.e. simultaneous) closed captioning of live television performances, meetings, conferences, etc; activities of own account actors, cartoonists, directors, stage designers and technical specialists 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 t.v programs, commercials & visual materials production 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.
