How to Start a Financial Business Service in UAE with Meydan Free Zone

Money moves fast. And in Dubai, money moves faster.  

Building a financial business service in Dubai — one of the world’s most resilient economies, backed by AED 4.2 trillion in banking assets — puts you at the crux of where global capital and opportunity meet.

So, how do you as an entrepreneur take control of the rails and capitalise on this momentum?​

You start smart. With the right license. The right structure. This is where Meydan Free Zone comes in.

Why Dubai Is Ideal For Financial Businesses

Dubai is beyond just a city. It’s a financial magnet for entrepreneurs where the perks are beyond just good.  

0% personal income tax. A stable dirham pegged to the dollar. An ecosystem that acts as a bedrock for financial advisory, planning, and fintech services.

Does it get any better?​

Here’s how your financial business service in Dubai can have an edge:

• There’s over 150 double tax treaties that will allow you to retain profits seamlessly
• A growing base of SMEs and international companies who need financial support services
• Digital-first government policies that push for open banking, cashless ecosystems, and blockchain technology in fintech
• 100% foreign ownership and limited liability structures for long-term security
• Access to entities like Meydan Free Zone, where you can enjoy a paperless setup built to keep up with the dynamic pace of the finance industry

What You Can Offer as a Financial Business Service in Dubai

At Meydan Free Zone, we don’t just help you set up — we help you stay agile, compliant, and built for growth.

With a financial consultancy license in Dubai, you can offer services like smarter financial planning, budgeting support, reporting optimisation, or even build fintech tools that power decision-making behind the scenes.

And the best part? You can launch fast with Meydan Free Zone — no endless approvals, no unnecessary delays.

But like any regulated industry, there are limits. You won’t be able to manage investment portfolios, offer trading services, or give licensed investment advice without approvals from relevant financial authorities.

That’s where we come in. Our team helps you stay within scope — and shows you exactly what’s needed if you decide to go beyond. From financial consultancy to full investment advisory, we make your next steps crystal clear.

Ready to launch your financial services business in Dubai? Start with Meydan Free Zone.

Reasons Why You Should Start a Financial Business with Meydan Free Zone

Whether you’re launching a financial consultancy firm or a novel fintech product, Meydan Free Zone gives you the exact tools to have a jumpstart in the finance industry — you’ll be quick, compliant, and future-proof.

• Improve Time-To-Value With Instant Licensing: Ever heard of the phrase time is money? It might resonate if you’re in the financial space. And with Meydan Free Zone, you don’t waste it on red tape. For non-regulated licensing services like budgeting or backend fintech support, you can get a license in under an hour with Fawri and generate revenue instantly.
• Business Banking That Understands Finance: Opening a business bank account can be a little tricky if you want to offer financial planning services in Dubai. That’s why at Meydan Free Zone, we work with partner banks who understand your business model and are ready to onboard financial service providers like you without delays and endless documentation.
• Room To Evolve Your Financial Business Model: Need to offer budgeting, financial management consultancy, or fintech UX support — all under one umbrella? There’s no problem. At Meydan Free Zone, we let you combine up to 3 activity groups from over 2500 business activities, under one license. Ideal for hybrid financial service firms that blend strategy, software, and support functions.
• Compliance Made Easy For Financial Entrepreneurs: From UBO declarations to KYC and AML, our built-in checks align with what financial firms need to stay clean and client-ready from day one. And corporate tax registration? We’ve got that handled too.

What It Costs To Setup A Financial Business with Meydan Free Zone

Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of a financial license in Dubai issued through Meydan Free Zone.

In Conclusion

Starting a financial business service in Dubai is a strategic move—and with Meydan Free Zone, it’s simple.

From instant licensing and 100% ownership to built-in compliance and banking support, we make sure your setup is seamless, secure, and ready to grow. No red tape. Just real momentum, from day one.

FAQs

1. What are the financial regulatory requirements in UAE?

In simple terms: you need approval from authorities like DFSA or FSRA to do regulated activities like investment advisory or lending. But if you’re offering support services like consultancy or budgeting, Meydan Free Zone lets you operate without additional regulatory approvals.  

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2. Can I start a financial services company in Dubai without DFSA approval?

Yes, if your services are non-regulated. At Meydan Free Zone, we allow you to start fast with a valid license for financial consulting, planning, or fintech support.

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3. What’s the best Dubai free zone for financial services?

If you’re launching a financial services company, Meydan Free Zone is ideal. This includes services like budgeting, financial planning, or advisory. At Meydan Free Zone, we offer instant licensing, 100% ownership, and support with compliance, banking, and visas—all tailored for finance professionals.

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4. How to start a financial services company in Dubai?

Choose your activities, submit your company name options, and apply through Meydan Free Zone. If your services are unregulated, you’ll be licensed in under 60 minutes—no NOC or extra paperwork required.

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5. Can I combine different financial activities under one license?

Absolutely. Meydan Free Zone lets you combine up to three activity groups, like budgeting, consultancy, and fintech support from over 2500 activities. This is perfect for modern financial businesses that are offering hybrid services.

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6. Do I need an office to start a financial business in Dubai?

No. Meydan Free Zone includes a Flexi-Desk in your license package, so you get a compliant workspace without extra cost. Want to keep things lean and digital? This is ideal for you.  

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7. Is Meydan Free Zone compliant with UAE tax and KYC rules?

Yes. Meydan Free Zone bakes in key financial regulatory requirements in UAE like KYC, UBO declarations, and corporate tax registration, so that your financial business is compliant from day one.

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