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DWTC Free Zone is the free zone of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, in the World Trade Centre district on Sheikh Zayed Road. Unlike most Dubai zones, it publishes an on-demand licensing calculator with a price for each licence type, visa, establishment card and workspace. This page sets out those official figures and the zone’s rules as checked on 4 October 2026.
The DWTC on-demand licence calculator
| Item | Price (AED, plus 5% VAT) |
|---|---|
| Professional, commercial, event management or e-commerce licence | 12,000 |
| General trading licence | 24,000 |
| Single family office licence | 24,000 |
| Multi family office licence | 34,000 |
| Visa allocation, per visa | 2,000 |
| Visa fee, employee / investor | 3,000 / 3,500 |
| Establishment card | 2,300, required once you take at least one visa |
| Co-working, 5 hours a year (up to 2 visas) | 525 |
| Co-working, 30 hours a month (up to 3 visas) | 23,625 |
| Private office (up to 6 visas) | 57,750 |
DWTC explains that the visa allocation fee secures the quota under the licence, while the visa fee is paid when each visa is issued. Its FAQ separately says flexi desks are limited to one visa, which conflicts with the calculator’s two visas for the smallest co-working option, so confirm the quota before you choose.
What a first year costs
A professional licence with the smallest co-working address and no visa: AED 12,525 plus VAT. With one employee visa: add 2,000 allocation, 2,300 establishment card and 3,000 visa fee, AED 19,825 plus VAT (our arithmetic from the calculator). The Emirates ID is not included. DWTC’s 2024 rules also list a one-time registration fee and a refundable security deposit in a tariff table marked “proposed”; ask whether they apply on top of the calculator.
Company forms, capital and office
- Forms: FZE with one shareholder, FZCO with up to ten, a branch of a UAE company or of a foreign company.
- Capital: minimum AED 1,000; paid-up capital is required only above AED 300,000. A shareholder who wants an investor visa needs at least AED 50,000.
- Office: a physical office is not mandatory, but a business address is; DWTC allows a minimum of 80 square feet per visa.
- Licence: valid one year and renewed yearly; late renewal is fined AED 1,000 a month up to AED 3,500. More than 1,200 activities across seven licence types, including virtual assets, for which no price is published.
Timeline
DWTC says new company formation typically takes three to five working days after initial approval, and a visa three to five working days.
Working on the Dubai mainland
Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a DWTC 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.
DWTC against other Dubai zones
DWTC’s AED 12,000 licence with a AED 525 address is a lower published entry than most central Dubai zones. Compare IFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis, DMCC and the free zone comparison table.
What DWTC does not publish
- The price of the virtual assets licence.
- The renewal fee, beyond the one-year term and the late fine.
- Prices of its home business packages at Expo Village.
- Whether the 2024 registration fee and deposit apply on top of the calculator.
Other Dubai free zones we cover: JAFZA, DIFC, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai South, Dubai Development Authority zones, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Design District and Dubai Healthcare City.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a DWTC Free Zone licence?
AED 12,000 a year for a professional, commercial, event management or e-commerce licence with up to 10 activities, AED 24,000 for general trading, plus 5% VAT and a required business address from AED 525.
How much does a visa cost in DWTC Free Zone?
Each visa needs a AED 2,000 allocation fee and a AED 3,000 employee or AED 3,500 investor visa fee, and the company a AED 2,300 establishment card, plus VAT. Emirates ID is extra.
Is an office mandatory in DWTC Free Zone?
No physical office is required, but a business address is; co-working of five hours a year at AED 525 qualifies. DWTC allows at least 80 square feet per visa.
What is the minimum capital in DWTC?
AED 1,000; paid-up capital is required only above AED 300,000. An investor visa needs at least AED 50,000.
Official references used for context in this article.
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