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DubaiSpecialisedHealthcare✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Science Park (DSP)

مجمع دبي للعلوم

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

Dubai Science Park (DSP) is a specialised and healthcare free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA).

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
Not published
No package prices published. One founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity.
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
Not published
No package prices published. One founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office.
Team, 3 visas · year 1
Not published
No package prices 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, dsp.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.

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
مجمع دبي للعلوم ↗
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
Specialised, Healthcare ↗
Official website
dsp.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 Science Park, Al Barsha South 2, Dubai (head office: DSP Towers - North, Ground Floor). [1]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 390 2222. [1]
  • Number of registered companies: 500. [2]
  1. [1] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F01 ↗
Licence types offered
Services / consultancy, Trading, Industrial, Healthcare ↗
  • Activity categories offered: Therapeutics; Food; Agricultural, Forestry, Horticulture; Environment; Medical/Scientific Devices or Equipment; Specialty Supplies; Diagnostics and Analysis; Life Science Services; Life Science Associations (Non Profit); Renewable Energy; Energy; Energy Efficiency Equipment; Air and Environment; Water and Waste Water; Recycling and Solid Waste; Transportation; Green Building; Organic Products; Association (Non-Profit Organizations); Conformity Assessment and Certification Agency. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 1. [1]
  • Trading and services on one licence: yes. [1]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Scientific office for pharmaceutical companies - Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) approval for the leased premises (per DSP FAQ; see REVIEW on Emirates Drug Establishment); Life Science Associations - Non-Profit (Segment 23.9) - prior approval from the Community Development Authority (CDA); General segment health facilities (e.g. Pharmacy 26.1.11, Ambulatory Care Facility, Dental Clinic, Poly Clinic, Medical Laboratory) - Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or DHCA approval; Any activity needing a NOC from external authorities under LCD Article 8. [1]
  • Restricted activities: Life Science Associations - Non-Profit (23.9) only for bona fide non-profit, non-commercial representatives; Manufacturing and Production segments allow one activity each and need prior Authority approval when added to an existing licence; Property Management Services limited to properties in the Zone. [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 ↗

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

Cost - ongoing

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

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

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: One sponsored employee per 80 sq ft of leased space. [1]
  • How to increase quota and cost: Lease more space: quota is one employee per 80 sq ft of leased space. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [1]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [1]
  1. [1] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Office and facilities

Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office, Warehouse, Light industrial unit, Retail unit ↗
Warehouse available
Yes ↗
  • Flexi-desk access terms: D/Quarters lists 24/7 access. [1]
  • Warehouse sizes: 6,400 to 16,800 sq ft. [2]
  • Cold storage available: yes. [2]
  • Minimum sqm per visa: 7.43 sqm. [3]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [4]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: D/Quarters co-working: meeting rooms, lounges, high-speed Wi-Fi and printers, lockers, cafe, pantry, prayer rooms, outdoor courtyard, gaming room, 24/7 access; Venues: DSP Conference Hall, Boardroom and Concourse; LEED Silver Laboratory Complex (shell and core labs); in5 Science start-up incubator vertical. [1]
  1. [1] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: Goods for the local market require a local customs code with customs duty paid on arrival; a free zone customs code allows only import and re-export with goods stored in the Zone bounded area. [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 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 dsp.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 found; all Licensees must keep Audited Accounts (LCD 2.8). [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 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 GM holds a valid visa); Power of attorney for legal representative (if any), notarised and UAE-embassy attested. [1]
  • Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate members provide certificate of incorporation, certificate of continuity/good standing, parent MoA/AoA; the incorporation resolution and any power of attorney must be notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy; external NOCs per LCD Art. 8 if applicable. [2]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dsp.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; requires UBO declaration 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] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Industry-specific regulation

  • Healthcare and education approvals: Pharmaceutical scientific offices: DSP has an MoU with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) under which DSP-registered companies may apply for scientific office approval for their DSP premises through MOHAP's 'Licensing of a Pharmaceutical Facility' service. Health facilities licensed under DDA General segments (e.g. Pharmacy, Ambulatory Care Facility, Dental Clinic, Poly Clinic, Medical Laboratory) need Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or DHCA approval or NOC before licensing/renewal. Life Science Associations (non-profit) need prior Community Development Authority approval. Any other approvals required by Dubai or UAE law remain the licensee's responsibility. [1]
  1. [1] dsp.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Activity fit (our view)

Likely possible

  • None

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: Services / consultancy, Trading, Industrial, Healthcare.

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

Notes and history

  1. Legal basis · 2014-10-27

    Dubai Science Park (DSP) 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 (DSP's are in Parts Eight (life sciences and health) and Nine (energy and environment)), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source]

  4. History · 2026-02-05

    In February 2026 DSP marked two decades of operation, reporting over 90 laboratories and more than 6,500 professionals in the life, energy and environment sciences. The same release notes that the in5 Science start-up incubator was launched with DSP in 2023, and that the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding with DSP on intellectual property protection and patent registration in August 2025. [source]

  5. Good to know

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

  6. Good to know

    The GoFreelance freelance permit shown on the DSP website is a TECOM Group offer that covers Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Design District and Dubai Knowledge Park; DSP is not one of the listed districts. [source]

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

Questions worth asking

How much does a DSP licence cost?

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

How long does DSP company setup take?

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

Is DSP a VAT Designated Zone?

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

What is the minimum share capital in DSP?

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

About this data

Every fact comes from DSP'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 →