# Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) > DIAC publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000 but no full package price and states incorporation in 7 days (checked 2026-10-24). Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is a education free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA), established in 2007. - Emirate: Dubai - Licensing authority: Dubai Development Authority (DDA) - Official website: https://diacedu.ae/ - Last checked: 2026-10-24 - Page: https://freezoneguide.com/uae/dubai/diac ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Solo, no visa (year 1): one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity | Not published | | Founder + 1 visa (year 1): one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office | Not published | | Team, 3 visas (year 1): three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office | Not published | | Lowest package of any size, without stated conditions (year 1) | Not published | | Lowest licence fee | AED 15,000 | | Largest visa quota in a package | Not published | | Minimum office | Not published | | Licence types | Education | | Minimum share capital | AED 50,000 | | Incorporation time (stated) | 7 days | | On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | No | ## Identity and legal basis - Official name (Arabic): مدينة دبي الاكاديمية العالمية - Licensing / regulating authority: Dubai Development Authority (DDA) - Parent group / government body: TECOM Group - Zone type: Education - Year established: 2007 - Official website: https://diacedu.ae/ - Online application portal: https://axs2.my.site.com/axslogin - Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars: Yes Physical locations / campuses: DIAC campus (Blocks 1-12), Dubai; head office Block 10, Ground Floor. [1] Public contact phone: +971 4 360 2060. [1] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/connect/contact-us) ## Business activities - Official approved activity list: https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdf - Licence types offered: Education - General trading licence available: No Activity categories offered: Higher Education Provider; Non-Academic Services Provider; Educational Support Services; School; Early Learning Centre (Nursery). [1] Activities included in base licence: 1. [1] Activities needing another authority's approval: Higher Education Provider (Segment 22.1): initial Academic Authorization from KHDA before licence (LCD Art. 5.3); Early Learning Centre - Nursery (Segment 22.5): approval of KHDA and/or Ministry of Social Affairs before licence (LCD Art. 5.4); Educational Support Services (Segment 22.3) and School (Segment 22.4): KHDA NOC before licence (LCD Art. 5.5); DIAC (Segment 22) licensees: advertising and publicity must comply with KHDA requirements (LCD Art. 5.6); General Segment activities listed in LCD Art. 8.2 (e.g. clinics, restaurants, real estate) need NOCs from DHA/DHCA, Dubai Municipality, RERA, etc. [1] Typical external approval time: 60 days. [2] Restricted activities: Branch University (22.1.2): only bona fide branches of an approved foreign university, college or school that exercises full control of the branch (LCD Art. 5.1); School (22.4): operation of an existing accredited school from an approved country or one following the IB system (LCD Part Seven); Secondary (22.4.4): school must be accredited/authorised by a recognised international accreditation organisation for Grade 9 and above. [1] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/Services/Higher-Education-Parent-Services/Higher-Education-Parent-Services-1) ## Cost - year one - Lowest licence fee (zero-visa): AED 15,000 MoA / notary / attestation fees: AED 200. [1] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/C7ED0FDBA7B042CCBC23F2743C3329D9.pdf) ## Cost - ongoing Renewal costs more than the first-year price: no. [1] Late renewal penalty: Licence renewed >30 to 60 days after expiry: AED 2,500; >60 to 90 days: AED 5,000; >90 days: AED 10,000 (on top of the next year's licence fee). DDA may also refuse to renew and refuse government/sponsorship services. [1] Renewal grace period: 30 days. [1] Fee for shareholder change: AED 3,000. [2] Fee for name change: AED 2,000. [2] Deregistration / liquidation fee: AED 1,500. [2] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/C7ED0FDBA7B042CCBC23F2743C3329D9.pdf) ## Visas and residency Visa quota rule: One employee (visa) per 80 sq ft of leased space. [1] Employee visa available: yes. [1] Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [1] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/connect/faqs) ## Office and facilities - Office / facility types: Private office, Retail unit, Land plot Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [1] Minimum sqm per visa: 7.43 sqm. [2] Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Venues for meetings and conferences; Business centers; Dedicated business account managers; Auditorium, amphitheatres and conference facilities (TECOM venues); Banks/ATMs, restaurants, supermarkets, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, prayer areas. [3] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/offerings/our-offerings) · [2] [Calculated from the zone's figures (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/connect/faqs) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/connect/faqs) ## Legal structure and ownership - Entity types available: FZ-LLC, Branch of a foreign company, Branch of a UAE company - Legal system: UAE civil law - Minimum share capital: AED 50,000 Minimum shareholders: 1. [1] Maximum shareholders: 75. [1] Corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [2] Share capital must be paid in: yes. [1] Courts and arbitration: Dubai Courts, or an arbitral body where all parties agree in writing (PCR 2016 Reg. 108.1); pledge disputes: Dubai Courts or DIFC Courts if agreed (Reg. 48.2). [1] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/7342AF827E3643E68CAE10D72C883146.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business/free-zone-limited-liability-company) ## Market access and customs - Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence: No Customs duty in the zone: Licensees choose one of: (i) a free zone customs code from Dubai Customs allowing import and re-export from the zone, with goods stored within the zone bounded area; (ii) a local customs code, paying customs duty on arrival of goods; or (iii) no customs code, in which case no imports are allowed. [1] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdf) ## Tax status - VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list): No ## Compliance and reporting - Annual audited financial statements required by the zone: Yes Audit submission deadline: No fixed filing deadline stated; audited accounts must be prepared, retained and supplied to DDA on demand (LCD 2021 Art. 2.8). [1] Annual return and renewal documents: Commercial licence renewal via axs portal; NOC from external authorities per licensed activity (if applicable, e.g. KHDA); Certificate of continuity/good standing or current trade licence for branch of onshore UAE company (if applicable). [2] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/existing-businesses/license-renewal/commercial-license-renewal) ## 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 natural member(s), director(s) 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/negotiator (notarised and attested up to UAE Embassy), if any; NOC from external authorities per LCD (e.g. KHDA) where applicable. [1] Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Incorporation resolution notarised by a Notary Public and attested by the UAE Embassy; plus incorporation certificate, certificate of continuity/existence/good standing and Memorandum & Articles for each corporate member; POA notarised and UAE-embassy attested. [2] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business/free-zone-limited-liability-company/registration-fz-llc-with-natural-person) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business/free-zone-limited-liability-company/registration-fz-llc-with-corporate-person) ## Operations, ecosystem and flexibility Adding shareholders: Share transfer: AED 3,000 per transaction; Articles amendment AED 500; change of director/secretary AED 200 per person (max AED 1,000); plus AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams per transaction. [1] Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [2] Multiple licences under one group: yes. [3] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/C7ED0FDBA7B042CCBC23F2743C3329D9.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dda.gov.ae/-/media/7342AF827E3643E68CAE10D72C883146.pdf) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://diacedu.ae/connect/faqs) ## Industry-specific regulation Healthcare and education approvals: KHDA approval is required alongside the DDA licence. Higher Education Providers need initial KHDA Academic Authorization before the licence (LCD Art. 5.3); Schools and Educational Support Services need a KHDA NOC (Art. 5.5); nurseries need KHDA and/or Ministry of Social Affairs approval (Art. 5.4); advertising must follow KHDA rules (Art. 5.6). KHDA higher-education permit: international branch campus application AED 150,000 (1-5 programmes), 175,000 (6-10), 200,000 (11+); MoE-accredited private universities AED 1,000; plus AED 20; 60 working days; Phase 3 needs the commercial licence, building lease and completion certificate. All programmes in Dubai free zones need KHDA approval and registration before advertising or recruiting; branch campuses choose UQAIB quality assurance or CAA accreditation, other free-zone private HEIs need CAA. [1] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/Services/Higher-Education-Parent-Services/Higher-Education-Parent-Services-1) ## Notes and history - **Legal basis (2014-10-27):** Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) 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](https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/BAE2F2CC37134C81BEF31967C4E00193.pdf) [source](https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F014C4.pdf) - **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](https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/40B654B2ED71469291C9F2A98C8C9EF9.pdf) [source](https://dda.gov.ae/en/legal-database/laws-and-regulations) - **Good to know:** Companies in DIAC 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 DIAC. [source](https://diacedu.ae/discover/about-us) [source](https://www.moet.gov.ae/company-registrars-in-free-zones) [source](https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F014C4.pdf) - **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 (DIAC's are in Part Seven), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source](https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F014C4.pdf) - **Good to know:** The DIAC About page reports more than 28,000 students and over 500 programmes in the district (page retrieved October 2026). [source](https://diacedu.ae/discover/about-us) - **History (2025-09-25):** Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park together form TECOM Group's Education Cluster. On 25 September 2025 both districts signed a strategic partnership with Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to strengthen the higher-education sector. [source](https://dkp.ae/media/press-release/khda-diac-and-dkp-park-sign-strategic-partnership-to-reaffirm-citys-global-education-standing) - **History (2026-01-22):** In January 2026 the Government of Dubai Media Office reported that TECOM Group had acquired an integrated university campus of more than 300,000 sq ft in DIAC for AED 125 million. [source](https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/january/22-01/tecom-group-strengthens-premium-education-cluster) ## FAQ ### How much does a DIAC licence cost? DIAC publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000. Visa, office and registration costs are extra. ### How long does DIAC company setup take? DIAC states about 7 days for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued. ### Can I get a general trading licence in DIAC? DIAC does not offer a general trading licence. ### Is DIAC a VAT Designated Zone? DIAC does not appear on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones. ### What is the minimum share capital in DIAC? DIAC states a minimum share capital of AED 50,000. ## Compare with - [DIAC vs DHCC](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=dhcc&z=diac) - [DIAC vs DKP](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=diac&z=dkp) - [DIAC vs Meydan Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=diac&z=meydan) Rules that apply to every zone: [corporate tax](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/qualifying-free-zone-person-corporate-tax.md), [VAT Designated Zones](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/vat-designated-zones.md), [mainland access](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/free-zone-vs-mainland.md) --- 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. --- Source: FreezoneGuide (https://freezoneguide.com/). AED, as published by each zone on its official channels. 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.