Dubai Internet City
Overview
Dubai Internet City (DIC) is the largest Information and communications technology hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Since its inception in 1999, DIC has attracted over 1,600 companies, including some of the world's leading technology organizations including Fortune 500 companies such as Oracle, Visa, Google, and Microsoft. DIC is home to a diverse range of businesses, from small startups to multinational corporations. It is managed by Technology Electronic Commerce and Media group (TECOM), which is a part of Dubai Holding.
DIC is a great place to start or grow your business. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small or medium-sized business, or an international corporation, DIC can offer you the resources and support you need to succeed.
Facilities
Dubai Internet City (DIC) offers a variety of facilities to businesses of all sizes. These facilities include:
- Commercial and retail spaces
- In5 centers
- D/Quarters
- Light industrial units
- Warehouses
To open a company in Dubai Internet City (DIC), you will need to rent a premise within the free zone. The type of premise you rent will depend on your company's business activity and size.
| Type of facility | Annual rent, AED | Number of visas |
|---|---|---|
| Business Center - DIC | ||
| 2-seater office | 72,000 | 3 |
| 3-seater office | 96,000 | 4 |
| 4-seater office | 120,000 | 5 |
| D/Quarters | ||
| Hot desk | 12,000 | 1 |
| Dedicated desk | 36,000 | 2 |
| Private quarter - Type 2 | 54,000 | 2 |
| Private quarter - Type 3 | 66,000 | 3 |
| Private quarter - Type 4 | 81,000 | 4 |
| Private quarter - Type 5 | 97,500 | 5 |
| Private quarter - Type 6 | 114,000 | 6 |
| Commercial space | AED 175-190 per sq.ft | 1 visa per every 60 sq.ft (minimum office space available is 700 sq.ft) |
Note: The lease is subject to 5% VAT. AED 5,000 security deposit is required for a desk space and AED 10,000—for a private quarter space.
Venues
As part of TECOM Group, Dubai Internet City (DIC) offers a wide range of venues for events of all sizes. Whether you're planning a concert, gala dinner, exhibition, brand activation, meeting, or conference, you'll find the perfect space in DIC.
Amphitheatres
The Dubai Knowledge Park Auditorium is a versatile space that can be used for conferences, corporate events, and trainings.
Auditorium and conference facilities
The Dubai Knowledge Park Auditorium for 275 seats as well as conference halls and meeting rooms are equipped with the latest technology, making them perfect for conferences, business meetings, workshops, and trainings.
Outdoor spaces
TECOM offers a variety of outdoor spaces that can be used for events, exhibitions, and brand activations. These spaces include lakeside locations, courtyards, and gardens.
Sound stages and studios
Dubai Studio City is a key filming location and offers a variety of sound stages and multipurpose studios that can be used for events, gala dinners, fashion shows, and product launches.
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Dubai Internet City is dedicated to technology companies, providing an inclusive platform for startups, entrepreneurs, and multinational corporations alike.
Whether your expertise lies in software development, data centers, e-commerce, or IT consultancy, Dubai Internet City is the perfect place to boost and evolve your business.
The primary clusters of business activities permitted in Dubai Internet City include:
- Internet and Multimedia
- Software
- Telecommunication and Network
- IT Services
- Freelancer
- Data Centre
Dubai Internet City also caters to freelance professionals, offering a dedicated freelance permit. The freelance permit lets you operate under your personal name as opposed to a brand name, which sets you up as an individual expert in your field.
DIC COMPANY REGISTRATION COST
Below is an estimated cost of setting up a company in the DMC free zone.
| Item & description | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City - Registration Cost | 3,520.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - License fee - Up to 5 visas | 15,020.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - Four-seater Office Lease | 120,000.00 |
| Dubai Media City - Establishment Card | 2,000.00 |
| Total | 140,540.00 |
DIC FORMATION OF A COMPANY
The registration process for your company in Dubai Internet City depends on the chosen business entity type.
Here is a list of the initial documents required:
- Business Plan
- Passport
- Personal bank statement for the last 3 months (required for Lebanese and Syrian Nationals)
The DMC registration process involves several stages:
- Initial approval: 5 days
- Leasing of an office
- Payment
- Registration: 6 days
COMPANY RENEWAL
If you are not present in Dubai, your representative can handle the company renewal process. The procedure includes:
- Renewal of the office lease
- Renewal of the license
After the company renewal, it is important to inform your bank about the license extension. You need to bring the license to any branch of your bank. Business consultants in Dubai can assist you in this process.
RESIDENCE VISAS IN DUBAI INTERNET CITY
Dubai Internet City offers various visa packages based on the type of office space chosen. Once the business license is issued, the resident visa process is straightforward and involves:
- Establishment card of the company
- Entry permit
- Status adjustment
- Medical test
- Emirates ID
- Resident Visa Stamping in the passport
Sponsorship of dependents
To sponsor dependents under your visa, you will need the following documents:
- Marriage certificate (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE and legally translated to Arabic)
- Birth certificate (for your child) - (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE and legally translated to Arabic)
- Tenancy contract for an apartment in UAE
DIC RESIDENCE VISA COST
Opening a company in the DIC free zone entitles you, your personnel, and your dependents for residence visas.
In the table below, you can find the DIC residence visa fees.
| Item & description | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City - 1 Year Visa - Outside UAE | 3,276.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - 2 Year Visa - Outside UAE | 3,276.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - 1 Year Visa - Inside UAE | 4,568.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - 2 Year Visa - Inside UAE | 5,019.00 |
| Dubai Internet City - Visa Security Deposit (Required for Each Visa) | 2,500.00 |
| Medical test (result in 24 hours) | 637.50 |
| Emirates ID - 2 years | 390.00 |
CORPORATE AMENDMENTS
DIC allows company owners to make as many changes as required. The costs vary depending on the type of amendment.
Amendments can be categorized as Registry Amendments or License Amendments.
Registry Amendment
This includes Company name change, operating name change, parent company name change, adding or removal of Directors, Financial year change.
License Amendment
This includes Manager name change, Location/Address on License change, Change of business activity/addition of activity within the same segment, removal of an existing segment, removal of activity within the segment, adding new publishing segment, adding new channels.
DIC COMPANY LIQUIDATION
If any business registered with Dubai Internet City wishes to cancel their License and deregister the company, they have to approach the Authority to complete the de-registration procedures.
In case you do not renew and do not cancel your license either, it becomes non-operational. Then the Dubai Internet City authority will initiate company liquidation by itself.
If you made any refundable deposits to the authority, the refunds will be made upon company deregistration.
BUSINESS SETUP EXPERT OPINION
As the title implies, Dubai Internet City is a haven for tech-based businesses. IT companies, from startups to multinational giants, have the opportunity to showcase their products and services, and engage with some of the world's leading technology corporations, as well as numerous regional tech enterprises.
It is particularly recommended for individuals from countries often considered high-risk (such as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, etc) to establish their companies in this free zone. Here, they are less likely to encounter challenges when applying for resident visas or opening bank accounts.
Freelancers and independent tech professionals are not overlooked in this free zone. They can register their freelance permits here with a single visa package, granting them access to many business facilities, along with a prestigious office address and location.
For those who would prefer to set up their business remotely, Dubai Internet City may not be the most suitable choice, as personal presence is required for company establishment. In this case, an alternative option would be Ajman Digital Media City (ADMC).
Benefits of DIC free zone company
- Globally recognized free zone which hosts well known multinational IT giants like Microsoft, Google, and IBM.
- Great choice for IT companies physically residing in Dubai
- World-class infrastructure, including telecommunications, transportation, and utilities
- Excellent networking conditions
Start your business in DIC free zone today
Top 10 questions about DMC free zone company
-
Can I open a bank account remotely?
No, a personal visit to the UAE is required as per the regulations of the UAE Central Bank. Local banks require this visit to verify the client's identity.
-
Do banks give debit and credit cards or loans?
In most cases, you can obtain a debit card for your newly opened company, especially if there is only one shareholder. However, a credit card is usually issued against a fixed deposit. As for loans, banks may consider your eligibility based on your company's operations and profits. It is recommended to apply for a loan after at least one year of company operations.
-
Can a free zone company have offices outside the free zone?
Officially, the office of a free zone company should be located within the free zone where it is registered. However, if you need an office in Dubai, you have the option to rent space in a Business Center and use it on a flexible basis. It is important to note that the minimum required space (flexi desk) in the free zone cannot be canceled.
-
Why do I need a flexi desk or office?
A flexi desk is a mandatory requirement for any company eligible for resident visas. It serves as the minimum physical office space that a company with individuals under its visa must have. Additionally, a flexi desk can facilitate bank account opening as banks require evidence of a company having some form of office or physical presence.
-
Do free zone companies need to pay VAT?
VAT obligations depend not only on the place of registration but also on where the business activities take place. VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. If a free zone company's trading activities take place abroad, the turnover is not considered taxable as long as the transactions occur outside the UAE. However, if goods are imported to the UAE, VAT at a rate of 5% must be added to invoices and paid.
-
Are there any other taxes to be paid?
The UAE is free from income tax. However, there is a 5% import tax on goods brought into the country and a 5% VAT on trading or service transactions that occur within the UAE.
On June 1, 2023, the UAE introduced 9% corporate tax, however, companies registered in UAE free zones are exempt from this tax if they do not make profits from activities on the UAE mainland or this profit is less than AED 375,000 per year. Branches of companies registered in free zones and carrying out activities on the mainland will be taxed at the mainland rate.
-
Why would a free zone company be better for me than an offshore or mainland entity?
The suitability of a free zone company versus an offshore or mainland entity depends on your business model and requirements. However, a free zone setup offers advantages such as 100% foreign ownership, eligibility for resident visas, the ability to conduct business both within and outside the UAE, and greater favorability with banks compared to offshore companies. Additionally, free zones often offer flexi desk spaces instead of executive offices, making it a cost-effective way to start a business without unnecessary obligations.
-
Can you guarantee the opening of a bank account?
While we strive to make the account opening process as smooth as possible, we cannot guarantee the approval as it ultimately depends on the bank. Each case goes through several bank departments for approval, and the bank may contact you directly for clarifications. Providing a clear picture of your business to the bank increases the chances of successful account opening. We do our best to prepare you and your company for a smooth and fast account opening process.
-
When and how should I renew my company? How much does it cost?
Your company should be renewed annually, and the cost is typically lower than the initial setup cost. The renewal fees depend on your company package, and you can obtain the price by downloading the Estimate from our website. Company renewal does not require the personal presence of the owner and can be done by your agent. After renewal, the new license must be presented to the bank to extend the bank account, which is included in our renewal service.
-
How can I pay the fees?
You have multiple options for fee payment. You can make payments via bank transfer, cash, or online using a card.
How can we contact you?