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DubaiTechnology✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Internet City (DIC)

مدينة دبي للإنترنت

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

Dubai Internet City (DIC) is a technology free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA), established in 1999.

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
No
VAT Designated Zone
No
FTA list
Annual audit
Yes

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dic.ae, dda.gov.ae, 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 (shared TECOM freelance package for DMC, DIC, DKP and d3)

AED 7,520year 1

1 visa · Flexi-desk · 1 activities

  • Freelance permit (ICT Freelancers activities for DIC)
  • Hot desk in business centre
  • 24/7 access
  • High-speed Wi-Fi
  • Meeting room access
  • Coffee
  • Community events
  • Not included: Employment visa AED 4,600 (1 year) or AED 5,042 (2 years)
  • Not included: Establishment card AED 2,000
  • Not included: Medical insurance
  • Not included: Sponsoring employees (not allowed)
Renews AED 7,500Source ↗
Conditions apply

in5 Tech licence (incubation, by application)

—year 1

  • No application or initial registration fee
  • Reduced visa cost AED 1,500 per visa
  • Zero visa deposit
  • Reduced deregistration fee AED 1,000
  • Access to in5 workspace, mentorship, workshops, investor access
  • Not included: Standard licence fee applies after the first 3 years
Renews AED 1,000Source ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dic.ae.

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

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
مدينة دبي للإنترنت ↗
Licensing / regulating authority
Dubai Development Authority (DDA) ↗
Parent group / government body
TECOM Group PJSC (district developer and operator); licensing and registration by Dubai Development Authority ↗
Zone type
Technology ↗
Year established
1999 ↗
Official website
dic.ae ↗
Online application portal
axs2.my.site.com/axslogin ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Physical locations / campuses: Dubai Internet City, Dubai (DIC head office: Building 4). [1]
  • Public contact email: gofreelance@dic.ae. [2]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 391 1111. [1]
  • Number of registered companies: 4,000. [3]
  1. [1] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F01 ↗
Licence types offered
Services / consultancy, E-commerce, Freelancer ↗
General trading licence available
No ↗
  • Activity categories offered: Software; Internet and Multimedia; Telecommunication and Network; IT Services; ICT Freelancers; Data Centre. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 5. [1]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Social Media Platforms (18.2.8), E-services (18.2.5), Interactive Services (18.7.5) and similar media activities - registration with the National Media Council (LCD 3.2); E-Commerce (Segment 25.6) - may need National Media Council registration where dealing in media-related content (LCD 3.2); General segment activities listed in LCD Art. 8.2 (e.g. Telecommunications Services 26.4.24 - telecom regulator approval) and Service Provider segment 26.1 (existing DED licence required, Art. 8.1). [1]
  • Restricted activities: Manufacturing plants - DIC FAQ says DIC only facilitates FZ-LLC incorporation or branches and directs manufacturing to Dubai Industrial City; Telecommunication and Network segment: manufacture of physical components within the Zone and direct trading of physical components and products into the UAE market not allowed; Software segment covers blockchain excluding cryptocurrency-related activities. [2]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Cost - year one

Lowest licence fee (zero-visa)
AED 15,000 ↗
  • Establishment / immigration card fee: AED 2,000. [1]
  • Visa fees: GoFreelance permit holders: employment visa AED 4,600 (1 year) or AED 5,042 (2 years); establishment card AED 2,000; also need valid medical insurance, UAE phone number, passport and photo. in5 start-ups: reduced visa cost AED 1,500 per visa and zero visa deposit. Company employee visa costs not published. [1]
  • Extras included: GoFreelance: hot desk, Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee, 24/7 access, community events; in5 (approved start-ups): workspace, mentorship, workshops, access to investors. [1]
  1. [1] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

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; more than 60 and up to 90 days: AED 5,000; more than 90 days: AED 10,000 - payable in addition to the next year's licence fee; the Authority may also refuse renewal and withhold government 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] dic.ae · 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] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: 1 visa per 60 sq ft of leased space. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [1]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [2]
  • Visa process can start before the founder arrives: yes. [3]
  1. [1] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Office and facilities

Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Private office, Retail unit ↗
  • Flexi-desk access terms: GoFreelance co-working space available 24/7, 365 days; managing team 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday. [1]
  • Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [2]
  • Minimum sqm per visa: 5.57 sqm. [3]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [2]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Meeting rooms and conference venues; Amphitheatre and auditorium event venues; Banks, courier services, printing shops, restaurants, supermarkets; Fitness centres; Healthcare clinics; 24-hour security; Prayer areas; Wi-Fi access; in5 Tech centre (workspace, tech facilities, event venues). [2]
  1. [1] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dic.ae.

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: E-Commerce (Segment 25.6 Portal) applies to DIC; such licensees may need National Media Council registration where dealing in media content. Goods imported for local sale need a local customs code with duty paid on arrival; with a free zone customs code goods are stored within the Zone bounded area for re-export. [1]
  • Customs duty in the zone: Licensee chooses: (i) free zone customs code from Dubai Customs - import and re-export from the Zone, goods stored within the Zone bounded area; (ii) local customs code - customs duty paid on arrival of goods; or (iii) no customs code - no imports allowed. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Goods imported under a free zone customs code may be re-exported without local duty 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 dic.ae, 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. Freelance permit holders 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]
  • 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 of onshore UAE companies, if applicable); Audited accounts kept and supplied on demand. [3]
  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

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 holding a valid visa); Power of attorney for legal representative (notarised and attested to UAE Embassy level), if any; NOC from external authorities where required by LCD Article 8. [1]
  • Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate members provide certificate of incorporation, certificate of continuity/existence/good standing and parent MoA/AoA; the incorporation resolution and any power of attorney must be notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy. [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] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

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 letter proving 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] dic.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dic.ae.

Industry-specific regulation

  • Media content licensing / filming permits: Media-type activities (social media platforms, e-services, interactive services, publishing, broadcasting) must register with the National Media Council; E-Commerce licensees may need to where dealing in media content. [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

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, E-commerce, Freelancer.

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

Notes and history

  1. History · 1999-10-29

    Dubai Internet City was unveiled on 29 October 1999; the DIC FAQ notes that the free zone itself was established by decree in 2000. In its 25th-anniversary release of October 2024, DIC reported more than 4,000 businesses and over 31,000 professionals. [source 1][source 2]

  2. Legal basis · 2014-10-27

    Dubai Internet City (DIC) 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]

  3. 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]

  4. 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 (DIC's are in Part One), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source]

  5. Good to know

    Companies in DIC 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 DIC. [source 1][source 2][source 3]

  6. Good to know

    Some property offered on the DIC website is in other TECOM Group districts: its warehouses are in Dubai Industrial City, and its light industrial units are in Dubai Production City and Dubai Science Park. [source 1][source 2]

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

Questions worth asking

How much does a DIC licence cost?

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

How long does DIC company setup take?

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

Can I get a general trading licence in DIC?

DIC does not offer a general trading licence.

Is DIC a VAT Designated Zone?

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

What is the minimum share capital in DIC?

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

About this data

Every fact comes from DIC'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 →