Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone

License cost from AED 8,000

Residence visas for 2 years

Company formation from 3-4 working weeks

Bank account Guaranteed

Emirabiz experts’ opinion

DWTC authorized partner

Is DWTC suitable for your business?

Yes,

• if your business is a startup or an SME seeking to either expand locally or tap into regional or global markets.
• If your preferred business activities have to do with trading, consultancy, or other professional services.
• if you are looking for an affordable business setup in a free zone in Dubai with minimum document requirements, as DWTC is considered one of Dubai’s most cost-effective free zone with a variety of package solutions on offer, including flexi-desks.
• If you prefer your company to be based in a vibrant business hub with high-end infrastructure and great opportunities for networking, as DWTC is strategically located within the esteemed World Trade Center area in the heart of Dubai.
• If you or your staff come from countries considered as “high-risk” states (such as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, etc.), as DWTC increases your chances of success in obtaining a resident visa based on pre-approval or in opening a bank account.

Should you require alternative solutions, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone and Dubai South Free Zone are viable options worth considering.

No,

• if you’re planning to engage in business activities focused on heavy industry or logistics and require such facilities as warehouses, industrial units, or land lots. In this case, we would recommend applying to JAFZA or RAKEZ.
• If you’re looking for a business setup outside of Dubai.

DWTC company formation process

Company setup in the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone is managed by the DWTC Authority and usually takes about 3-4 working weeks. It can also be carried out by business consultants in Dubai. Physical presence of the company shareholders is not required.

Company registration procedure in DWTC

Step 1. 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.

Step 2. Determine the legal entity of your business.

Define your company’s legal status. DWTC offers several company types for establishing a business depending on the preferred number of shareholders and business activities:

• FZE (Free Zone Establishment) – an LLC with a single shareholder who can be either an individual or non-individual (company).
• FZCO (Free Zone Company) – a free zone LLC formed by multiple shareholders which may include both individuals and non-individuals (companies).
• Branch - a branch opened by a parent company within DWTC with 100% ownership by the parent company and subject to its name and activities. Parent companies can be both foreign and UAE-based.

Step 3. Prepare and file the required documentation.

Prepare and submit the necessary documents together with the application form. To get the initial approval for company registration in the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone you will need to present the following documents:

• Passport copy
• CV with your professional background
• Short business plan describing your activity

After the initial approval you will have to submit some additional documentation:

• Specimen signature of a general manager
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Bank certificate for deposit of share capital
• Board resolution

Also, this step involves paying all the registration and processing fees.

Step 4. Collect the license and registration documents.

Secure the license and registration documents for the company, including:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business license
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Lease agreement

In case you require any extra documents, such as Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Good Standing, you will be charged with an additional fee of AED 3,000 per document.

Step 5. Secure your Establishment Card.

Receive the Establishment Card containing information about your company and visa quotes.

Step 6. 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.

Step 7. Take a medical test and submit visa documents.

Undergo a medical checkup and submit documents for a residence visa and an Emirates ID. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees of the company.

Step 8. Collect your Emirates ID.

Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card.

Step 9. 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.

DWTC license costs

One of the reasons the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone stands out as an excellent choice for establishing a business in Dubai is because it is one of the most cost-effective and affordable free zones in Dubai providing a wealth of advantages for very reasonable fees. Among a variety of setup solutions, DWTC offers three distinct packages:

Note that the minimum facility required for General Trading licenses is an executive office. Also, the General Trading license requires an additional deposit of 12,000 AED per year.

The above packages are exclusive of any visa charges and car parking facilities as well as a one-time refundable security deposit of AED 3,500.

DWTC licenses and business activities

The Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone accommodates a broad spectrum of business activities across the following general categories:

• Trading
• Services
• Consultancy

A unique feature of DWTC is the allowance of multiple activities under a single license — you can incorporate up to 10 activities, provided they belong to the same category. If you need to add an activity from a different category (different parent code) under the same license, you may get one for an additional cost of 1,500 AED. It's important to note that the DWTC does not cater to industrial activities.

The Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone offers 4 types of licenses for businesses of all sizes. In the table below, you can find the list of business licenses supported by DWTC and their descriptions.

DWTC facilities

The Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone provides clients with access to conventional (standard) offices, executive offices and flexible workspace solutions housed within the historic Sheikh Rashid Tower. This tower, as Dubai's first skyscraper constructed in 1979, is a landmark in itself and is home to the Dubai Financial Market.

The flexible workspaces or 'flexi-desks' are readily available, offering the versatility that today's businesses require. However, due to exceedingly high demand, the availability of office spaces may vary and are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Facility options available in DWTC include:

Regardless of your specific needs, you are bound to find a suitable location either within the free zone itself or at one of the business centers in the vicinity.

Beyond its own premises, the free zone extends its offerings by allowing clients to rent workspaces at one of the business centers in the One Central Development or in Convention Tower. One Central, also situated within the World Trade Center, is renowned as one of Dubai's most dynamic and fashionable business destinations, and Convention Tower is a 13-storey commercial building for major corporate entities with huge office spaces on offer.

DWTC residence visas

Just as other UAE free zones, the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone allows for resident visa eligibility. The number of available visa quotas depends on your company type and the size of premises you have selected.

• Flexi-desk: up to 2 visas
• Executive office: up to 6 visas

The visa costs in DWTC are among the lowest across the UAE.

DWTC visa costs (AED):

An Investor visa is available for shareholders who hold more than 50% of company shares.

All visas are valid for 2 years.

DWTC company license renewal

The renewal of a company in DWTC has to be done after 1 year from the date of registration. The procedure includes the renewal of the license and office lease. In order to execute company renewal, you need to pay:

• License fees
• Establishment Card costs
• Office (facility) fees

These payments amount to the following:

To renew your business license, contact your business setup consultant who will prepare an application 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.

In DWTC, an audit is not required for license renewal. In case your company has registered for VAT, you need to provide your tax registration certificate to the free zone when you renew the company.

DWTC company amendments and regulations

Corporate amendments in the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone can be done any time after the license is issued. The most frequently requested amendments include the following changes:

• Change of activity
• Change of trade name
• Shares transfer
• Change of manager

Each amendment would have a different price. After it is done, the free zone authority will have to issue a new license for you with the amended information.

DWTC company liquidation

If you decide to close your company in the Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone, you will have to return the original documents and pay the liquidation fee.

The liquidation procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Provide the following mandatory documents:

• Notarized attested special resolution signed by the shareholders and stating the reason for the company liquidation
• Deregistration documentation
• Business license and all other company incorporation documents
• Bank account clearance and closure letter
• Clearance from the DWTC finance department
• Clearance from DU and Etisalat

2. Pay cancellation fees and settle other payments. Once this is done, the liquidation process is initiated.

3. All residence visas and other immigration-related documents issued under the company need to be canceled as well.

4. Once the liquidation is complete, you will be notified and receive the corresponding documents.

You will also have to post a newspaper publication about your company closure in any UAE national newspaper. Once everything is submitted, deregistration will take a few days.
 

About DWTC

The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone, inaugurated in 2016, is one of the most recent additions to Dubai's portfolio of affordable free zones. Nestled within the heart of Dubai's commercial hub, it presents an exceptional environment that is not only perfect for startups and SMEs aspiring to expand locally but also those seeking to tap into regional and global markets. 

Strategically situated within the esteemed World Trade Center area, this bustling hub is frequently host to a wide array of exhibitions, offering a constant stream of networking and business opportunities. It further extends its offerings with a diverse range of office spaces, open for lease to businesses from any sector in pursuit of a prestigious commercial address.

Managed by the DWTC Authority, the free zone encompasses an expansive area that begins at the iconic Sheikh Rashid Tower, known historically as the Trade Centre Tower, and extends all the way to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and One Central, the latest commercial development within the DWTC. 

In terms of accessibility, the location excels with the Dubai International Airport just a 10-minute drive away and a plethora of hotels and banks within convenient walking distance. These factors collectively enhance the attractiveness of this vibrant and dynamic free zone, making it a coveted location for businesses.

DWTC is often the preferred choice for individuals from certain "high-risk" nationalities, as it offers the prospect of obtaining a resident visa based on pre-approval.