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Nine Dubai free zones that grew out of the TECOM business parks are licensed by one regulator, the Dubai Development Authority (DDA): Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Outsource City. They share one fee schedule, DDA Licensing Categories Decision No. 1 of 2021, which DDA’s legal database still lists as current. This page sets out those official fees and the rules that differ by zone, as checked on 4 October 2026.
DDA licence fees by zone
| Zone | Annual licence fee (AED) | Minimum share capital (AED) | Visa quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City | 15,000 for IT sectors; freelancer 7,500 | 10,000 | 1 per 60 sq ft |
| Dubai Media City | 15,000; advertising and communication 20,000; freelancers 7,500 | 10,000 | 1 per 80 sq ft |
| Dubai Design District (d3) | 15,000; fashion, luxury or interior with manufacturing 20,000; freelancer 7,500 | 10,000; 100,000 with manufacturing | Not stated |
| Dubai Studio City | 15,000; TV or radio station 25,000; TV network 40,000 | 50,000; 1,000,000 for broadcasters | 1 per 80 sq ft |
| Dubai Production City | 15,000; publishing 20,000; signage and packaging manufacturing 25,000 | 50,000 to 500,000 | 1 per 80 to 100 sq ft |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | 15,000; freelancers 7,500 | 10,000 | 1 per 80 sq ft |
| Dubai International Academic City | 15,000 | 50,000 | 1 per 80 sq ft |
| Dubai Science Park | 15,000; manufacturing 25,000 | 10,000 unless listed | 1 per 80 sq ft |
| Dubai Outsource City | 15,000 | 300,000 | 1 per 80 sq ft |
Fees and capital come from the 2021 decision; visa ratios from each zone’s FAQ. Some zone FAQs quote AED 10,000 capital for Studio City and Production City, but the decision sets higher figures for most of their sectors; use the decision. A branch of a UAE or foreign company needs no capital.
Other DDA fees
- Registration: AED 3,500 once, for an FZ-LLC or a branch.
- Government fees: AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham per transaction.
- An extra sector on the same licence: AED 10,000 a year; extra activities in the same sector carry no licence fee under the decision.
- Late renewal: AED 2,500 if 31 to 60 days late, 5,000 if 61 to 90, 10,000 after 90.
- Changes: name change 2,000, share transfer 3,000, capital change 3,000, general manager change 1,000, voluntary winding up 1,500, certificate of good standing 1,000.
Lease and visas
DDA company licences are subject to leasing a facility within the zone, and a registered lease (Ejari) is required for renewal. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Science Park state a minimum lease of one year. Rents are not published by any of the nine zones. Company visas are handled through TECOM’s axs portal, whose price list is not public.
GoFreelance and in5
- GoFreelance (Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, d3, Dubai Knowledge Park): AED 7,500 a year, AED 7,520 with the government fees, a hot desk included, issued in two working days. The visa is AED 4,600 for one year or 5,042 for two, plus a AED 2,000 establishment card. A freelancer cannot hire or sponsor staff.
- in5, the start-up incubator: AED 1,000 a year for the licence during incubation of up to three years, then the full AED 15,000. A co-working desk is AED 15,000 in the first year and a dedicated office AED 40,000; the establishment card AED 2,000 and visas from AED 1,630, including Emirates ID and medical.
Setup and timeline
DDA states 10 working days for provisional approval and 2 for registration; the zone sites say setup usually takes 7 working days. Broadcasting and publishing must be set up as an FZ-LLC, not a branch, and media activities register with the media regulator; training activities need a KHDA approval.
Working on the Dubai mainland
Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a DDA company can get a DET permit at AED 5,000 for up to six months, or a branch licence at AED 10,000 a year. Several zone FAQs still describe the older dual licence route.
What DDA and the zones do not publish
- Office, desk, studio and warehouse rents, outside in5.
- Establishment card and visa fees for ordinary companies.
- Any company package price.
- A fee decision newer than 2021.
Other Dubai free zones we cover: JAFZA, DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai South, DWTC and Dubai Healthcare City.
Frequently asked questions
Which free zones does the Dubai Development Authority license?
Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Outsource City, all under one fee schedule.
How much is a DDA free zone licence?
A one-time AED 3,500 registration plus an annual licence fee by sector: AED 15,000 for most sectors, 20,000 for advertising, publishing or manufacturing in d3, 25,000 for TV stations and some manufacturing, 40,000 for a TV network.
Do I need an office in a DDA free zone?
Yes for a company licence: it is subject to leasing a facility in the zone, with a registered Ejari. The visa quota follows the space, usually one visa per 80 square feet, 60 in Dubai Internet City.
What is the cheapest way into a DDA free zone?
The GoFreelance permit at AED 7,500 a year with a hot desk, or for admitted start-ups the in5 incubator, where the licence is AED 1,000 a year for up to three years.
Official references used for context in this article.
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