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DubaiEducationSpecialised✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)

قرية دبي للمعرفة

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

Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) is a education and specialised free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA), established in 2003.

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, dkp.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 package; DKP education activities)

AED 7,520year 1

1 visa · Flexi-desk · 1 activities

  • Freelance permit in the permit holder's own name
  • Flexible co-working workspace (choose a spot daily), 24/7 access
  • High-speed Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee
  • Community and networking 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: Hiring or sponsoring staff (not permitted)
Renews AED 7,520Source ↗

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

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

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
قرية دبي للمعرفة ↗
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
Education, Specialised ↗
Year established
2003 ↗
Official website
dkp.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 Knowledge Park, Dubai (head office: Ground Floor, Block 2A; axs service centre: Block 8, Ground Floor). [1]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 390 1111. [1]
  • Number of registered companies: 700. [2]
  1. [1] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F01 ↗
Licence types offered
Education, Services / consultancy, Freelancer, Other ↗
  • Total number of approved activities: 47. [1]
  • Activity categories offered: Professional and Management Development Training; Computer Training; Language Training; Fine Arts Training; Child Skills Development Training; Tutoring Services; Technical & Occupational Skills Training; Human Resources Consultancy; Research & Development; Content Development; Assessment and Testing; Executive Search; Freelancers; Association (Non Profit). [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 1. [1]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Professional and Management Development Training, Computer Training, Language Training, Fine Arts Training, Child Skills Development Training, Tutoring Services, Technical & Occupational Skills (Segments 21.1-21.7) - KHDA No Objection Certificate before licence (LCD 5.5); Supplementary Education Services (21.6.1) - only curricula offered at approved UAE schools; approving bodies include MOE, KHDA, ADEC; Professional Association - Non-Profit (Segment 21.14) - prior approval from the Community Development Authority (LCD 6.1); Training institutes: KHDA Educational Services Permit (initial approval, then permit after trade licence); courses under other regulators need that regulator's approval, e.g. Dubai Health Authority for medical and cosmetic courses; Any activity: approvals/NOCs from relevant UAE authorities as applicable (LCD 2.12, 2.15). [1]
  • Typical external approval time: 8 days. [2]
  • Restricted activities: Assessment and Testing (21.11.1): recruitment and placement services are not included or allowed; Tutoring Services (21.6.1): only curricula offered at approved UAE schools; tutoring for curricula not approved for UAE schools excluded; Freelancer permits: sole practitioner only (LCD 9.1); freelancer cannot hire or sponsor staff or use a company name (GoFreelance FAQ); DKP licence: operation only within the free zone (DKP FAQ). [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] web.khda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, web.khda.gov.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; requirements: passport photo, UAE phone number, valid medical insurance, original passport. Company visa costs not published. [1]
  • Extras included: GoFreelance only: flexible co-working desk, 24/7 access, Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee, community events. [1]
  1. [1] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dkp.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; 60-90 days: AED 5,000; more than 90 days: AED 10,000; the Authority may also refuse renewal. [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] dkp.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] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: One sponsored employee per 80 sq ft (about 7.43 sqm) of leased space; hot-desk freelancers: one visa. [1]
  • Max visas without dedicated office: 1. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [1]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [1]
  • Visa process can start before the founder arrives: yes. [2]
  1. [1] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Office and facilities

Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office, Retail unit ↗
  • Flexi-desk access terms: Co-working 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: 7.43 sqm. [3]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [4]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Business Centre hot desks and small offices; Meeting rooms (GoFreelance); Auditorium, conference hall, courtyard and plaza event venues; Food court, cafes, retail and pharmacy; Outdoor sports facility. [2]
  1. [1] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • 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 of goods; or (iii) no customs code - no imports. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Goods imported under a free zone customs code can be re-exported duty-free if stored within the Zone bounded area; goods for local sale need 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 dkp.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. GoFreelance freelancers 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 via axs before expiry; NOC from external authorities for licensed activities (if applicable, e.g. KHDA for training segments); Certificate of continuity/good standing or current trade licence for 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; KHDA NOC for training/tutoring segments (LCD 5.5). [1]
  • Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate members provide certificate of incorporation, certificate of continuity/good standing and parent MoA/AoA; the incorporation resolution and 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] dkp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Moving to larger premises: DKP suggests new partners start with a small Business Centre office for the first year and grow from there; commercial offices and Built-to-Suit buildings are available for larger needs. [1]
  • Adding shareholders: Online via axs or DDA customer service centres (one at DKP Block 8); AED 3,000 per transaction + AED 500 AoA amendment + AED 20; about 5 working days. [2]
  • Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [3]
  1. [1] dkp.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, dkp.ae.

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

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

Industry-specific regulation

  • Healthcare and education approvals: KHDA is the education regulator. DKP training and tutoring licensees (Segments 21.1-21.7) need a KHDA No Objection Certificate before the DDA licence is issued (LCD 5.5). Training institutes in Dubai free zones apply through the KHDA e-services portal with the free zone trade name reservation and initial approval; KHDA Educational Services Permit fee AED 15,020 (1-2 activities), 18,020 (3-4), 20,020 (5-6) or 25,020 (more than seven), including AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee; 8 working days; KHDA initial approval valid six months. Courses under other regulators need their approval (e.g. Dubai Health Authority for medical and cosmetic courses). Higher education (Segment 22.1, DIAC) needs KHDA academic authorisation before licence (LCD 5.3). [1]
  1. [1] web.khda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from web.khda.gov.ae.

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

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: Education, Services / consultancy, Freelancer, Other.

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

Notes and history

  1. Legal basis · 2014-10-27

    Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) 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 (DKP's are in Part Six), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source]

  4. History · 2023-12-20

    DKP started in 2003 with 30 customers. At its 20th anniversary in December 2023 it reported more than 700 customers, including higher-education institutes, vocational academies and training centres. [source]

  5. 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]

  6. Good to know

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

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

Questions worth asking

How much does a DKP licence cost?

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

How long does DKP company setup take?

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

Is DKP a VAT Designated Zone?

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

What is the minimum share capital in DKP?

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

About this data

Every fact comes from DKP'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 →