Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)

• Physical locations / campuses: Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai (single 7.2 sq km site bounded by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Dubai-Al Ain Road): DSO HQ, Dtec (Technohub 1 and A5 Dubai Digital Park), Techno Hub, Dubai Digital Park, High Bay building, light industrial units and warehouses. [1]
• Public contact email: hello@dso.ae. [2]
• Public contact phone: +971 600 59 55 57. [2]
• Number of registered companies: 28,000. [3]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Activity categories offered: IT, Computer and Network Services; Digital, Media, and Web Services; Consultancy and Advisory Services; Cybersecurity and Risk Management; Electronic and Technical Equipment Services; Electronic and Technical Equipment Trading. [1]
• Restricted activities: Spoiled commodities; Commodities violating intellectual property protection laws; Commodities prohibited by the UAE or the Government; Commodities with inscriptions or figures conflicting with heavenly revealed religions or breaching public order or morality; Military commodities and ammunition, except under a permit from the competent authority; Commodities, services and products whose trading is prohibited in the UAE. [2]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dlp.dubai.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Extras included: Company setup included in Dtec desk and office packages; Access to Dtec events, mentorship and acceleration programmes; Introductions to banking and service partners by setup advisor. [1]

1. [1] connect.dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Flexi-desk access terms: 24/7 key card access. [1]
• Warehouse sizes: Operational warehouse units approx. 3,228-5,380 sq ft with 214 sq ft office, 12 m racking height; LIUs 3,868 sq ft (2,307 sq ft warehouse + 1,560 sq ft two-storey office); High Bay building 172,000 sq ft in total. [2]
• Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [3]
• Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Bookable meeting rooms; Conference facilities; Café; Games room; Private phone booths; Storage lockers; P.O. boxes; Showers; Printing and shredding; Partner labs. [1]

1. [1] connect.dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
3. [3] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Minimum shareholders: 1. [1]
• Corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [2]
• Foreign corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [2]
• Share capital must be paid in: yes. [1]
• UAE-resident manager required: yes. [1]
• Courts and arbitration: Courts of Dubai. [1]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Dual licence cost: AED 10,000. [1]
• Can open mainland branch: yes. [1]
• Customs duty in the zone: Goods brought into, made in, stored in or used in the Free Zone are exempt from customs duty; no duty on export outside the UAE; goods moved from the Free Zone into the UAE customs area are treated as imports and dutiable. [2]
• Customs duty exemption details: Customs duty exemption for goods brought into, produced, stored or used in the Free Zone and for exports outside the UAE; duty applies when goods enter the UAE customs area. [2]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dlp.dubai.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• The zone states that it is a Free Zone for UAE corporate-tax purposes: yes. [1]
• The zone states that its companies can qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person: yes. [1]

Corporate-tax statements above come from the zone or from general FTA guidance. The schedule of Free Zones under Cabinet Resolution 54/2023 was not available to this research, and the FTA advises taxpayers to confirm their Free Zone or Designated Zone status with the Free Zone authority. The 0% rate applies only to the Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions; other income is taxed at the standard rate.

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Audit exemption threshold or conditions: No audit exemption threshold found in the DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023; every FZCO and PLC must have accounts audited. [1]
• Audit submission deadline: FZCO: accounts prepared and audited within 30 days after the financial year end (Reg 67.5) and filed with the Registrar within 30 days after the audit report (Reg 67.6(b)); auditor appointed within 6 months after year end (Reg 65.3(b)). PLC: within 6 months after year end. [1]
• Annual return and renewal documents: Audited accounts and auditor's report filed with the Registrar; Notice of changes in ultimate beneficial owners; Valid lease for licence renewal. [1]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24

• Documents for an individual shareholder: Online Application Form; Company Profile / Brochure; Business Plan; Audited Financial Report (upon request); Six Months Personal Bank Statement (upon request); Passport Copy, Emirates ID, Visa (if applicable) of Shareholders; Passport Copy, Emirates ID, Visa (if applicable) of Manager; Passport Copy, Emirates ID, Visa (if applicable) of Director & Company Secretary; No Objection Letter for Manager from Sponsor (if UAE resident); Ultimate Beneficial Owner Passport; Ultimate Beneficial Owner Proof of Address; Shareholders resolution (attested by Dubai Silicon Oasis for FZCO-individual). [1]
• Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Parent/shareholder company certificate of incorporation or registration (or trade licence for GCC companies), MoA/AoA, parent or shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney and certificate of incumbency must be notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin; documents in Arabic or English. [1]
• Trade name rules: Names approved by the Registrar at its discretion; must not infringe UAE intellectual property or other laws; a Branch uses the parent company's name followed by 'Branch'. [2]

1. [1] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24
2. [2] dso.ae · opened 2026-10-24