DIC company formation process
- Choose your business activities and license type. Determine the business activities of your future company and the corresponding license type. This aspect is vital for a successful business setup, as choosing the wrong activity and license can cause errors during company registration, leading to problems with opening a bank account or obtaining residency visas for yourself and your employees.
- Determine the legal entity of your business. Specify the legal status of your business in Dubai Internet City. Available legal entities for company formation at DIC include an FZ-LLC (Free Zone Limited Liability Company) and a branch of an already existing local or foreign company.
- Prepare and file the required documentation.
Prepare and submit the necessary documents together with the
application form. DIC requires the following documents for an FZ-LLC
company formation:
- Passport
- Business plan
- Personal bank statement for the last 3 months (required for Lebanese and Syrian Nationals)
Registering a company branch at DIC requires the following set of documents:
- Scanned passport copies (Shareholder(s) and General Manager)
- Passport-size photos
- Mobile Number (Shareholder(s) and General Manager)
- Address (Shareholder(s) and General Manager)
- E-mail Address (Shareholder(s) and General Manager)
- CV for General Manager
- Emirates ID (If applicable)
- Trade name document of the foreign entity
- Business activities
- Business plan
- Company profile
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (notarized by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin)
- Board resolution (notarized by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin)
- Certificate of registration for the foreign entity (notarized by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin)
- Certificate of good standing for the foreign entity (notarized by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin)
- Proof of physical address of the foreign entity
While the issuance of a DIC business license itself takes only 48 hours, the company formation process also includes a pre-approval period (5-7 working days) and the issuance of office lease papers (3-4 weeks). Also, this step involves paying all the registration and processing fees.
- Collect the license and registration documents.
Secure the license and registration documents for the company,
including:
- Business plan
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business license
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Share certificate
- Lease agreement
- Secure your Establishment Card. Receive the Establishment Card containing information about your company and visa quotes. The issuance process takes 3-5 working days.
- Apply for an entry permit. Apply for an entry permit. If you’re outside of the UAE during the processing of the entry permit, you will need to come to the country when the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one. The issuance process for the entry permit takes 5-7 working days.
- Take a medical test and submit visa documents. Undergo a medical checkup and submit documents for a residence visa, as well as biometrics scanning for your Emirates ID. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees of the company. The medical checkup and biometrics scanning each take 1 day.
- Collect your Emirates ID. Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card. The issuance process for an Emirates ID takes 5-7 working days after the submission of biometrics.
- Open a bank account. Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. Once you receive your account details, you are free to start running your business.
With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don't even have to arrive in Dubai — the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.
DIC license costs
The basic cost of a Dubai Internet City license is AED 15,020. However, for some business setup packages that include leasing a dedicated desk, the price of a license is reduced to the cost of the registration fee, which is 3,520. Also, a Freelancer license costs AED 7,500.
Estimated cost of a setup package with a dedicated desk facility
| ITEM & DESCRIPTION | COST |
|---|---|
| License and registration cost | 3,520 AED |
| Dedicated desk lease | 36,000 AED |
| Lease VAT | 1,800 AED |
| Lease refundable deposit | 5,000 AED |
| Establishment Card | 2,000 AED |
| Total | 48,320 AED |
Estimated cost of a setup package with a 190 m² office facility
| ITEM & DESCRIPTION | COST |
|---|---|
| License cost | 15,020 AED |
| Registration fee | 3,520 AED |
| 190 sq.m. office lease cost | 150,000 AED |
| Lease VAT | 1,800 AED |
| Lease refundable deposit | 15,000 AED |
| Establishment Card | 2,000 AED |
| Total | 187,340 AED |
Additional costs not included in typical packages:
- Visa-related fees
- Medical checkup
- Emirates ID
Is DIC suitable for your business?
- Globally recognized free zone hosting well-known multinational IT giants
- Great choice for IT companies physically residing in Dubai
- World-class infrastructure including telecommunications, transportation, and utilities
Yes
- If you are looking for a business setup solution in an established and renowned free zone in Dubai, as DIC is the largest information and communications technology hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- If your business is media or tech-related, as DIC focuses on such fields as IT, multimedia, and telecommunications.
- If you are a freelancer or an independent tech specialist, as DIC offers freelance permits with single visa quotas.
- If you prefer a free zone with highly-developed infrastructure, as DIC offers a variety of facilities and amenities, from offices in business centers and commercial spaces to event venues of all sizes.
- If you or your staff come from countries considered as high-risk countries (such as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, etc.), as you will be less likely to encounter challenges when applying for resident visas or opening bank accounts in DIC.
You can also consider an alternative solution such as a business setup in Dubai Media City or Dubai Silicon Oasis, which are also media and IT-oriented.
No
- If you prefer remote business setup, as DIC requires personal presence for company formation. In this case, an alternative option would be Ajman Digital Media City (ADMC) or IFZA.
- If you’re planning to engage in business activities related to industry or logistics, as DIC mainly focuses on IT and tech fields. For such activities, we would recommend applying to SAIF or JAFZA.
DIC licenses and business activities
Dubai Internet City is dedicated mainly to technology companies, providing an inclusive platform for startups, entrepreneurs, and multinational corporations alike. As such, DIC’s business activity list is quite vast, with numerous activity categories related to software development, data centers, IT consultancy, telecommunications, multimedia, and Internet-based solutions.
As mentioned, 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 facilities
Dubai Internet City offers a variety of facilities to businesses of all sizes. These facilities include:
- Commercial and retail spaces
- In5 centers
- D/Quarters
- Light industrial units (LIU)
- Warehouses
To open a company in DIC, you will need to rent a premises within the free zone. The type of premises you rent will depend on your company's business activity and size. Note that the lease is subject to 5% VAT. Also, a desk space requires an AED 5,000 security deposit, while a private quarter space - AED 10,000.
Executive office
A fully equipped dedicated workspace. It offers privacy, essential support services, and a professional environment for business growth.
Warehouse
A facility for companies needing storage space for goods and materials, often equipped for light industrial use.
Light industrial unit
A space designed for businesses involved in light manufacturing, testing, or repairing.
Commercial spaces
Spaces designed for businesses selling various types of services or products and adaptable to different business models.
Dedicated desk
A reserved workspace with a dedicated desk, chair, and basic facilities, allowing you to leave your computer and belongings securely.
Estimated cost of facility rent and visa quotas in DIC
| FACILITY TYPE | ANNUAL RENT | NUMBER OF VISAS |
|---|---|---|
| DIC Business Center | ||
| 2-seater office | 72,000 AED | 3 |
| 3-seater office | 96,000 AED | 4 |
| 4-seater office | 120,000 AED | 5 |
| D/Quarters | ||
| Hot desk | 12,000 AED | 1 |
| Dedicated desk | 36,000 AED | 2 |
| Private quarter - Type 2 | 54,000 AED | 2 |
| Private quarter - Type 3 | 66,000 AED | 3 |
| Private quarter - Type 4 | 81,000 AED | 4 |
| Private quarter - Type 5 | 97,500 AED | 5 |
| Private quarter - Type 6 | 114,000 AED | 6 |
| Commercial space | 175-190 AED per sq.ft. | 1 visa per every 60 sq.ft. (minimum office space available is 700 sq.ft.) |
As part of TECOM Group, Dubai Internet City 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 for it in DIC.
Venues available at DIC
| VENUE TYPE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Amphitheaters | Amphitheaters, located in DIC and Dubai Media City, offer exceptional venues for hosting memorable events. With seating capacities of 1,000 and 15,000 respectively, they provide the setting for concerts, corporate gatherings, and community celebrations, combining functionality with a remarkable ambiance. |
| 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. |
DIC residence visas
Opening a company in Dubai Internet City entitles you, your personnel, and your dependents to residence visas. DIC 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 checkup
- Emirates ID
DIC visa costs
| ITEM | DIC FEE |
|---|---|
| Visa | 4,220 AED |
| Emirates ID | 390 AED |
| Refundable visa security deposit per applicant | 2,500 AED |
| Medical checkup (result in 24 hours) | 760 AED |
| Total | 7,870 AED |
All visas allocated through DIC are valid for 2 years, and the company license will need to be renewed annually to keep this resident visa valid. The visa holder will also need to come into the country at least once every 6 months to keep the visa valid.
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 into Arabic
- Birth certificate (for your child) - attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE and legally translated into Arabic
- Tenancy contract for an apartment in UAE
DIC company license renewal
Any company in the Dubai Internet City must be renewed on a yearly basis. The procedure includes:
- Renewal of the office lease
- Renewal of the license
As such, company renewal will repeat certain costs of DIC company registration: license fees + office rent. You also need to carry out the annual financial audit of your company.
| FEE | COST |
|---|---|
| DIC license renewal (minimal cost, does not include other associated fees like lease, etc) | 15,000 AED |
To renew your business license, submit an application form with the required documents to the free zone authorities, sign the renewed lease agreement, pay the renewal fees, and wait for your license to be renewed.
If you are not present in Dubai, your representative can handle the company renewal process.
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.
DIC company 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 amendments:
- Company name change
- Operating name change
- Parent company name change
- Addition or removal of Directors
- Financial year change
License amendments:
- Manager name change
- Change of location/address in the license
- Change of business activity/addition of activity within the same segment
- Removal of an existing segment
- Removal of activity within the segment
- Adding a new publishing segment
- Adding new channels
Most of the amendments do not require the presence of the company owner and can be done by consultants specialized in business setup in Dubai.
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 free zone authority to initiate the deregistration procedures. To liquidate a company in DIC, its shareholders must first provide notice for company termination and appoint a liquidator for cancellation of the company (typically an auditing firm).
The liquidation procedure at DIC consists of the following steps:
-
Provide the following mandatory documents:
- Board resolution signed by the shareholders and stating the reason for the company liquidation
- Deregistration documentation
- Business license and all other company incorporation documents
- Auditor Liquidation Certificate
- Audit report
- Pay cancellation fees and settle other payments. Once this is done, the liquidation process is initiated.
- All residence visas and other immigration-related documents issued under the company need to be canceled as well.
- Once the liquidation is complete, you will be notified and receive the corresponding documents.
If you do not renew and do not cancel your license either, it becomes non-operational. In this case, 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.
About DIC
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 and Fortune 500 companies such as Oracle, Visa, Google, and Microsoft. It is managed by Technology Electronic Commerce and Media Group (TECOM), which is a part of Dubai Holding.
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.
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.