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Dubai Internet City (DIC) is Dubai’s technology free zone, licensed by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) under the same fee schedule as Dubai Media City and seven other zones. This page sets out the official DIC figures from DDA Licensing Categories Decision No. 1 of 2021 and DIC’s own FAQ, as checked on 4 October 2026.
DIC licence fees
| DIC sector | Annual fee (AED) | Activities allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Internet and multimedia | 15,000 | 5 |
| Software | 15,000 | 5 |
| Telecommunication and network | 15,000 | 5 |
| IT services | 15,000 | 5 |
| Data centre | 15,000 | 3 |
| Freelancer | 7,500 | 1 |
An extra sector on the same licence adds AED 10,000 a year. Registration is AED 3,500 once, and each DDA transaction carries AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham. So the DDA fees for a one-sector company come to at least AED 18,520 in the first year, before rent and visas (our arithmetic).
Office and visas
A DIC company licence needs a leased facility, with a minimum lease of one year and a registered Ejari. DIC allocates one visa for every 60 square feet of commercial space, a more generous ratio than the 80 square feet of most DDA zones. Rents and company visa fees are not published; visas run through TECOM’s axs portal.
Rules
- Legal forms: FZ-LLC with individual or corporate shareholders, or a branch of a UAE or foreign company, which needs no capital.
- No manufacturing in DIC.
- Licence valid one year; late renewal costs AED 2,500 to 10,000 depending on the delay.
- Setup: DDA states 10 working days for provisional approval and 2 for registration.
Freelancers and start-ups
The GoFreelance permit, AED 7,500 a year with a hot desk, covers DIC; a visa adds AED 4,600 for one year plus a AED 2,000 establishment card. Tech start-ups admitted to the in5 incubator pay AED 1,000 a year for the licence for up to three years. Details on DDA free zones licence cost.
Working on the mainland
Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a DIC 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.
DIC against other tech zones
Compare Dubai Silicon Oasis, whose Dtec desks are priced, DWTC Free Zone and IFZA.
Other Dubai free zones we cover: JAFZA, DMCC, DIFC, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai South, Dubai Design District and Dubai Healthcare City.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Dubai Internet City licence?
AED 15,000 a year for each technology sector (internet and multimedia, software, telecom and network, IT services, data centre), plus a one-time AED 3,500 registration and AED 20 in government fees.
How many visas does a Dubai Internet City office give?
One visa for every 60 square feet of commercial space, according to DIC.
What capital does a DIC company need?
AED 10,000 for an FZ-LLC; a branch of a UAE or foreign company needs none.
Official references used for context in this article.
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