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Meydan Free Zone is a popular, fast setup — and most companies in it are registered through a channel partner rather than directly with Meydan. That's normal. The friction appears later, when you want to liquidate, move to another provider, or take direct control of your own company, and your agent demands a fee to "release" or unlink it.
It's typically framed as an AED 2,000–10,000 (plus VAT) NOC charge, "as per our terms and conditions," with your access blocked until you pay. If you've already paid this same agent tens of thousands to set the company up — including partner visas — it can feel like being held hostage by a company you own. Here's how to look at it clearly.
First question
Is this fee actually in anything you signed?
A charge is only enforceable if you genuinely agreed to it. Before paying anything, ask in writing for the specific document and clause that creates the NOC fee. Two things commonly surface:
- The agent cites "signed terms and conditions" but, when pressed, never produces a signed contract or quotes the actual clause.
- The fee doesn't appear in their own published terms on their website — even though those terms may run to dozens of sections on fees and services.
If the fee isn't in a contract you signed and isn't in the agent's published terms, that badly weakens their position — especially where the same agent marketed "zero service fee" or "you only pay the Meydan government fee."
"As per the signed terms and conditions" means nothing if no signed terms and conditions exist — and the fee isn't in their published terms either.
⚠️ Undisclosed fees sit badly with UAE consumer-protection rules
The UAE's consumer-protection framework (Federal Law No. 15 of 2020, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023) covers services across the mainland and free zones, and is concerned with consumers getting services at the declared price and free from unfair commercial practices. A large fee that was never disclosed and isn't in any agreement is exactly what that framework exists to address.
Before you do anything else
Lock down your evidence first
Your leverage is your paper trail — capture it before anything can change:
- Screenshot everything The fee demand, the "as per T&Cs" claims, the agent's published terms, and any "zero fee / government fee only" marketing — websites can be edited at any time.
- Keep it in writing Ask for the signed contract and exact clause by email, so refusals or non-answers are on record.
- Save the timeline Dates of your requests, their replies, and any Meydan-portal access block.
- Note what you were promised Especially any "you only pay the government fee" representation at sign-up.
The solution that works
How Meydan owners have got their company released
You don't have to accept the fee as the only way out. The escalation path that has repeatedly worked goes through the authorities — not back through the agent:
- Complain to Meydan Free Zone directly File a formal complaint with the Meydan Free Zone Authority asking them to unlink the channel partner and restore your direct control. If they first try to redirect you to the agent, push back with your evidence and ask them to forward it to their relevant team.
- File a consumer / unfair-practices complaint with DET Submit a complaint through the Department of Economy and Tourism's consumer-rights channel for undisclosed fees and unfair commercial practices. DET mediates between the parties and follows up on the outcome.
- Make the core point plainly The fee isn't in any signed agreement and isn't in the agent's published terms — and contradicts what you were told.
- Be persistent; record every step Keep complaint reference numbers and responses, and escalate within the authority if the first response stalls.
✅ It can — and does — get resolved
Owners who escalated this way have had Meydan officially unlink the channel partner from their account, restoring full control of their dashboard and company, without paying the disputed NOC fee. Meydan and DET are generally willing to support business owners when a third party oversteps.
AED 2–10k
Typical disputed "NOC" demand
Signed?
No contract = weak claim
2 routes
Meydan + DET complaint
Unlinked
The outcome to aim for
When a fee can be legitimate
Not every charge is unfair — read carefully
To be fair to partners: a fee clearly set out in a contract you actually signed, or in published terms you accepted, can be legitimate, and there can be genuine administrative steps in a Meydan transfer or unlinking. The problem isn't that fees exist — it's undisclosed fees, fees with no documentary basis, or fees that contradict what you were told. The test is simple: can they show you where you agreed to it?
Avoid the problem next time: choose transparency upfront
The cleanest protection is to work with a Meydan partner whose fees — including any exit, transfer or NOC charges — are disclosed in writing before you start, and who won't lock your portal access behind surprise demands. Ask, in writing, "what does it cost to leave or transfer?" before you sign up.
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Sources & context: UAE consumer-protection framework — Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 on Consumer Protection, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023 (covers goods and services across mainland and free zones; right to the declared price; protection from unfair commercial practices). Consumer complaints in Dubai are handled via the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) consumer-rights channel. Meydan account unlinking is handled by the Meydan Free Zone Authority. General information, not legal advice — confirm current procedures for your case.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay a NOC fee to unlink my Meydan channel partner?
Not automatically. A fee is only enforceable if you agreed to it — in a signed contract or accepted published terms. If the charge isn't documented anywhere and contradicts "zero fee" marketing, you can dispute it and escalate to Meydan and DET rather than paying.
The agent says it's "per the signed terms and conditions" — what do I do?
Ask them, in writing, to produce the signed document and quote the exact clause. If they can't, that's powerful evidence. Also check their published terms — if the fee isn't there either, document that.
How do I get my Meydan company unlinked?
File a formal complaint with the Meydan Free Zone Authority requesting that the channel partner be unlinked and your direct access restored, supported by your evidence. In parallel, file a consumer/unfair-practices complaint with DET. Owners have been unlinked this way without paying the disputed fee.
They blocked my Meydan portal access — is that allowed?
Blocking your access to a company you own to pressure payment of a disputed, undisclosed fee is exactly the kind of conduct to raise with Meydan and DET. Capture screenshots of the block as evidence.
Can a Meydan transfer or NOC fee ever be legitimate?
Yes — if it's clearly set out in a contract you signed or in published terms you accepted, and there are genuine administrative steps. The issue is undisclosed fees, fees with no documentary basis, or fees that contradict what you were promised.
How do I avoid this when setting up in Meydan?
Before signing, ask in writing what it costs to leave or transfer, and choose a partner that discloses all fees (including exit/NOC) upfront and won't hold your portal access hostage.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice, and does not refer to any specific service provider. Contracts, fees and Meydan procedures vary; your rights depend on your own agreements and the current rules. For complex disputes, consider independent legal advice. For help, contact Fastlane Consultancy.