Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone
Overview of Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone
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.
Conventional offices, executive offices and flexi-desks
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) 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.
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. This development, also situated within the World Trade Center, is renowned as one of Dubai's most dynamic and fashionable business destinations.
DWTC Business activities
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone accommodates a range of business activities across the following categories:
- Trading
- Services
- Consultancy
A unique feature of this Free Zone is the allowance of multiple activities under a single license — you can incorporate up to 10 or even more, provided they belong to the same category.
However, it's important to note that the DWTC Free Zone does not cater to industrial activities. If your business operations align with the industrial sector, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) Free Zone could be a more suitable option to explore.
DWTC licenses
The Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone offers three types of licenses for businesses of all sizes:
1. Commercial licenses (with and without General Trading Activity)
These licenses allow businesses to import and export goods, as well as to distribute and sell goods.
2. Professional licenses
They allow businesses to provide professional services, such as accounting, legal, and consulting services.
3. Events management licenses
This type of license allows businesses to organize and manage events, such as conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows.
4. E-Commerce licenses
E-Commerce licenses allow businesses to engage in buying and selling of goods or services over the internet.
Company registration costs
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone can be proud of being one of the most cost-effective and affordable free zones in Dubai, offering three distinct packages:
| License Type | Office Type | Size (m²) | Package Value (First Year) | Package Value (Renewal) | Number of Visas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial, Professional, Event Management & E-Commerce | Flexi Desk | 1.6 | AED 22,300 | AED 22,300 | 2 |
| Commercial, Professional, Event Management & E-Commerce | Executive Office | 9.6 | AED 37,300 | AED 37,300 | 3 |
| Commercial (General Trading Activity) | Executive Office | 9.6 | AED 49,300 | AED 47,300 | 4 |
*Please note that the minimum facility required for General Trading Licenses is an Executive Office.
The above packages are exclusive of any Visa charges and Car Parking facilities as well as the following:
- Security Deposit: Dedicated Desk - AED 2,000, Executive Office - AED 4,000
- Annual Ejari Registration: AED 195
- Annual VAT: Hot Desk - AED 750, Executive Office - AED 1,500
- Annual Insurance: Approximately AED 500 per year
DWTC company registration
Company setup in this free zone usually takes about 2 weeks. It can be done by business consultants in Dubai. Your presence will be required only once for signature verification.
You will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport copy
- CV with your professional background
- Short business plan describing your activity
Upon company registration, you will receive:
- Certificate of registration
- License
- Memorandum of Association
In case you require any extra documents, such as Certificate of Incumbency or Certificate of Good Standing, an additional fee of 3,000 AED per document will be charged.
UAE residence visas from DWTC
The visa costs in DWTC Free Zone are the lowest across the UAE:
| DWTC fees | Medical check | Emirates ID | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor visa |
2,000 AED if applicant is outside UAE 3,200 AED if applicant is in UAE |
755 AED | 390 AED |
| Employee visa |
2,000 AED if applicant is outside UAE 3,200 AED if applicant is in UAE |
755 AED | 390 AED |
Visa of Investor is available for shareholders who hold more than 50% of company shares.
All visas are valid for 3 years.
DWTC Visa eligibility
| DWTC Visa eligibility | Flexi desk | Executive office | Conventional office |
| 2 visas | 3 visas | 1 visa/9 sqm |
Company renewal
Renewal of the company takes place after 1 year from the date of registration. The renewal cost consists of the following items:
| Item & description | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
|
DWTC License Annual Renewal |
5,000 |
| Dubai World Trade Centre - Establishment card Annual payment | 2,300.00 |
| Dubai World Trade Centre - Flexi Desk fee Annual renewal | 15,750 |
Audit is not required.
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.
Amendments
Corporate amendments can be done any time after the license is issued:
- Change of activity
- Change of trade name
- Shares transfer
- Change of manager
Each amendment would have a different price. After it is done, the authority will have to issue a new license for you with the amended information.
Liquidation
If you decide to close your DWTC company, you will have to obtain the following clearance letters:
- Bank account clearance and closure letter
- Clearance from DWTC finance department
- Clearance from DU and Etisalat
You will also have to do a newspaper publication about your company closure in any UAE national newspaper.
Once everything is submitted, deregistration will take a few days.
Business setup expert opinion
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone stands out as an excellent choice for establishing a business in Dubai, offering reasonable fees and a wealth of advantages.
This Free Zone 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. The pre-approval process is free of charge, making it a risk-free opportunity for all applicants.
Another significant benefit of the DWTC Free Zone is its flexibility with business office spaces. 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.
Should you require alternative solutions, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone and Dubai South Free Zone are viable options worth considering.
Benefits of DWTC free zone company
- Big choice of affordable office facilities in the center of Dubai
- Possibility to get EJARI for a flexi-desk contract
- Wide choice of business activities
- Option to rent an office in One Central business center instead of the free zone
Start your business in DWTC free zone today
General trading license costs in Dubai World Trade Center
Up to 2 visas
| LICENSE TYPE | VISAS INCLUDED | TOTAL COST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trading license | no visas | AED 54,800 $14,920 | download breakdown |
| General Trading license | 1 visa | AED 57,945 $15,776 | download breakdown |
| General Trading license | 2 visas | AED 61,090 $16,633 | download breakdown |
Before you make choice -
watch this video
Commercial/professional/evens management/e-commerce license costs in Dubai World Trade Center
Up to 2 visas
| LICENSE TYPE | VISAS INCLUDED | TOTAL COST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial/Professional/Events Management/E-Commerce license | no visas | AED 25,050 $6,820 | download breakdown |
| Commercial/Professional/Events Management/E-Commerce license | 1 visa | AED 28,195 $7,676 | download breakdown |
| Commercial/Professional/Events Management/E-Commerce license | 2 visas | AED 31,340 $8,533 | download breakdown |
Top 10 questions about DWTC 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?