Skip to content
FreezoneGuide
Compare zonesFind my zoneBy industryGuides
DubaiSpecialised✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Design District (d3)

حي دبي للتصميم

d3 publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000 but no full package price and states incorporation in 7 days (checked 2026-10-24).

Dubai Design District (d3) is a specialised free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA), established in 2015.

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity.
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office.
Team, 3 visas · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. Three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.
Lowest package, any size
—
Licence fee from
AED 15,000
Largest visa quota
Not published
No package states a quota
Minimum office
Not published
Incorporation
7 days
As stated by the zone
Min. share capital
AED 10,000
General trading
Not published
VAT Designated Zone
No
FTA list
Annual audit
Yes

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com, tax.gov.ae.

Figures as published by the zone. “Not published” means no official source states it. Scenario prices are the published package closest to each set-up: solo, no visa = one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity; founder + 1 visa = one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office; team, 3 visas = three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.

Published packages

Freelance permit

GoFreelance

AED 7,520year 1

Flexi-desk · 1 activities

  • Freelance permit in the holder's own name
  • Hot desk in co-working space
  • 24/7 business centre access
  • Standard services pack: Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee
  • Community events and networking
  • Not included: Employment visa (1-year AED 4,600 or 2-year AED 5,042)
  • Not included: Establishment card AED 2,000
  • Not included: Medical insurance
  • Not included: Company name (permit is in personal name)
  • Not included: Sponsoring or hiring staff
Renews AED 7,500Source ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Packages differ in what they include; compare visas, office and fees before choosing.

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
حي دبي للتصميم ↗
Former, merged or alternative names
Dubai Design District (d3) ↗
Licensing / regulating authority
Dubai Development Authority (DDA) ↗
Parent group / government body
TECOM Group (district developer and operator); licensing and registration by Dubai Development Authority ↗
Zone type
Specialised ↗
Year established
2015 ↗
Official website
dubaidesigndistrict.com ↗
Online application portal
axs.force.com/axslogin ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Physical locations / campuses: Dubai Design District, Dubai (d3 office address: Level 2, Building 3). [1]
  • Public contact email: gofreelance@dubaidesigndistrict.com. [2]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 433 3000. [3]
  • Number of registered companies: 1,100. [4]
  1. [1] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com, moet.gov.ae, dda.gov.ae.

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F01 ↗
Licence types offered
Services / consultancy, Trading, Industrial, E-commerce, Freelancer ↗
  • Activity categories offered: Marketing; Fashion; Luxury; Interior, Furniture and Objects; Design; E-Commerce; Ancillary Services; Beauty Care; Art; Freelancer; Marketing Services; Event Management. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 1. [1]
  • Trading and services on one licence: yes. [1]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Beauty Spa (25.8.1) - Dubai Health Authority or DHCA approval before licence; Beauty Advisors (25.8.2) and Nutrition and Fitness Advisors (25.8.3) - restricted to persons/companies approved by Dubai Municipality; Ear & Body Piercing (25.2.8) - licensed by the competent health authorities; E-Commerce (Segment 25.6) - may need National Media Council (now media regulator) registration if dealing in media content; Social Media Influencer (18.9.45) and other media activities - NMC registration; Event Management involving ticketing - DTCM e-ticketing rules (Decree 25 of 2013). [1]
  • Restricted activities: Marketing segment (25.1) companies may not carry out any retail trading activity from the Zone; Showrooms (25.1.2) shall not carry out any trading activity from the Zone; Architectural Design (25.5.4) may not undertake construction documents or project management; Industrial Design (25.5.5) limited to providing prototypes. [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Cost - year one

Lowest licence fee (zero-visa)
AED 15,000 ↗
  • Establishment / immigration card fee: AED 2,000. [1]
  • Visa fees: GoFreelance (freelance permit holders): employment visa AED 4,600 (1 year) or AED 5,042 (2 years); establishment card AED 2,000; requirements include valid medical insurance, passport, photo, UAE phone number. Company employee visa breakdown not published. [1]
  • Extras included: GoFreelance: hot desk, Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee, 24/7 access, community events. [1]
  1. [1] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Cost - ongoing

  • Renewal costs more than the first-year price: no. [1]
  • Visa validity: 2 years. [2]
  • Late renewal penalty: Renewal more than 30 and up to 60 days after expiry: AED 2,500; 60-90 days: AED 5,000; more than 90 days: AED 10,000, in addition to the next year's licence fee; the Authority may refuse renewal and government/sponsorship services. [1]
  • Fee to add activity: AED 500. [3]
  • Fee for shareholder change: AED 3,000. [4]
  • Fee for name change: AED 2,000. [5]
  • Deregistration / liquidation fee: AED 1,500. [6]
  • Typical liquidation time: 4 days. [6]
  • Current promotions and expiry: . [7]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  5. [5] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  6. [6] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  7. [7] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Visas and residency

  • Employee visa available: yes. [1]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [2]
  • Visa process can start before the founder arrives: yes. [3]
  1. [1] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com, dda.gov.ae.

Office and facilities

Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Private office, Retail unit ↗
  • Flexi-desk access terms: Co-working available 24/7, 365 days; managing team 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday. [1]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [2]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Co-working with meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, pantry, 24/7 access; Floating meeting rooms bookable hourly to multi-day; Indoor and outdoor event venues; in5 Design centre (prototyping, fashion and 3D printing labs). [2]
  1. [1] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: Local sales of goods require the import/export activity and a local customs code (customs duty paid on arrival); E-Commerce (25.6 Portal) licensees may need media-regulator registration if dealing in media content. [1]
  • Customs duty in the zone: Licensee chooses: (i) free zone customs code - import and re-export from the Zone, goods stored within the Zone bounded area; (ii) local customs code - customs duty paid on arrival; or (iii) no customs code - no imports. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Goods imported under a free zone customs code may be re-exported duty-free if stored within the Zone bounded area; goods for local sale require a local customs code with duty paid on arrival. [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com, dda.gov.ae.

Tax status

VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list)
No ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from tax.gov.ae.

Compliance and reporting

Annual audited financial statements required by the zone
Yes ↗
Beneficial-owner register filing required
Yes ↗
  • Audit exemption threshold or conditions: No turnover threshold; all Licensees must keep Audited Accounts. Freelancers (GoFreelance permit) exempt from annual audit. [1]
  • Audit submission deadline: Within seven days after the annual general meeting (PCR 65.5), and on demand by the Authority (LCD 2.8). [2]
  • Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Independent accountants and auditors; Dealers in precious metals and stones; Real estate agents and brokers; Trust and company service providers; Law firms and legal consultancy offices. [3]
  • Annual return and renewal documents: Online licence renewal on axs before expiry; NOC from external authorities for licensed activities (if applicable); Certificate of good standing / current trade licence of parent (branches, if applicable); Audited Accounts on demand. [4]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Setup process and speed

Typical incorporation time stated by the zone
7 days ↗
Direct application without an agent
Yes ↗
  • Documents for an individual shareholder: Application form; Valid passport copies of members, directors and General Manager (with residence visa page if any); Resolution for the incorporation of an FZ-LLC; Declaration of Appointment as General Manager (if GM holds a valid visa); Power of attorney for legal representative (if any), notarised and UAE-embassy attested; Lease confirmation for d3 office. [1]
  • Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate members provide certificate of incorporation, certificate of continuity/good standing, parent MoA/AoA; the incorporation resolution must be notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy; external NOCs per LCD Art. 8 if applicable. [2]
  • Refund policy if rejected: GoFreelance: all application fees are non-refundable. No refund policy found for company registration. [3]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Adding shareholders: Online via axs or DDA customer service centres; AED 3,000 per transaction + AED 500 AoA amendment + AED 20; about 5 working days; needs special resolution, acquisition resolutions, UBO form and bank proof of paid-up capital. [1]
  • Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [2]
  • Multiple licences under one group: yes. [3]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dubaidesigndistrict.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaidesigndistrict.com.

Industry-specific regulation

  • Media content licensing / filming permits: Media activities (publishing, broadcasting, social media influencer, e-services, interactive services) must register with the National Media Council (federal media regulator); filming/photography shoots at d3 need the relevant permits. [1]
  • Healthcare and education approvals: Beauty Spa requires DHA or DHCA approval before licence; Beauty Advisors and Nutrition and Fitness Advisors restricted to persons approved by Dubai Municipality. [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

  • None

Not offered

  • None

Our assessment from the zone's published licence types. Always confirm your exact activity on the zone's official activity list. Official activity list ↗ Licence types the zone publishes: Services / consultancy, Trading, Industrial, E-commerce, Freelancer.

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Notes and history

  1. Legal basis · 2014-10-27

    Dubai Design District (d3) is one of the business districts of the free zone run by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). The zone was created as the Dubai Technology & Media Free Zone under Law No. 1 of 2000 and is now governed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2014, issued on 27 October 2014, which renamed it the Dubai Creative Clusters and gave its authority the power to license and register businesses there. [source 1][source 2]

  2. History · 2018

    The authority set up under Law No. 15 of 2014 was first called the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority; Law No. 10 of 2018 changed its name to the Dubai Development Authority. Several DDA rules still in force carry the older names, including the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Licensing Regulations 2003 and the Dubai Creative Clusters Private Companies Regulations 2016. [source 1][source 2]

  3. History · 2021-04-07

    DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 on licence categories, issued on 7 April 2021, replaced Decision No. 1 of 2018. It lists the activity segments that can be licensed in each DDA district (d3's are in Part Ten), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source]

  4. History · 2025-04-28

    d3 opened in 2015. In April 2025 it reported more than 1,100 businesses and 20,000 creative professionals, and an expansion of six office buildings adding more than 500,000 sq ft of leasable space, announced by TECOM Group in August 2024 and due for completion in the first half of 2028. [source]

  5. Good to know

    Companies in d3 are licensed and registered by DDA, not by the district itself or by TECOM Group, which operates the district (the district's website describes it as a member of TECOM Group). The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism's list of free-zone company registrars (updated 23 October 2026) names DDA as the registrar for d3. [source 1][source 2][source 3]

  6. Good to know

    The warehouses advertised on the d3 website are in Dubai Industrial City, a separate TECOM Group district. Within d3 itself, storage space is offered in the basements of the commercial buildings. [source]

  7. Good to know

    d3 also leases units to companies holding a Dubai mainland (DED) licence. According to the d3 FAQ, those licences are processed with the DED directly rather than by DDA, and such companies apply for visas at the immigration offices instead of through the axs portal. [source]

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dubaidesigndistrict.com, moet.gov.ae.

Questions worth asking

How much does a d3 licence cost?

d3 publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000. Visa, office and registration costs are extra.

How long does d3 company setup take?

d3 states about 7 days for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued.

Is d3 a VAT Designated Zone?

d3 does not appear on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones.

What is the minimum share capital in d3?

d3 states a minimum share capital of AED 10,000.

About this data

Every fact comes from d3's own channels or a UAE government source, linked next to it. Last checked 2026-10-24. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

Rules for every zone

Explained in the guides on corporate tax, VAT Designated Zones and mainland access.

How we check

Prices are re-checked every 90 days and other facts on a schedule. How we verify →