Dubai Internet City at a glance
Dubai Internet City is the Middle East’s established technology hub, home to global software, cloud and internet brands alongside a growing start-up scene. It is a mid-range option for tech and digital businesses that want a recognised campus address.
Who is DIC suitable for?
- Software and SaaS companies
- Technology consultancies
- Digital and internet businesses
Industries commonly considered
IT Services, Software, Technology, Digital Marketing. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
DIC company formation cost
Indicative band Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.
Year-one budget: AED 25,000–50,000 (indicative band for the TECOM cluster). Renewal: Annual licence and office renewals.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at DIC
The authority (Dubai Development Authority (DDA); district operated by TECOM Group) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with DIC and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Software development and SaaS | Technology / service licence |
| IT consulting | Service / professional licence |
| Digital platforms | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
| Technology services | Technology / service licence |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use DIC’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in DIC
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against DIC’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at DIC: 1–3 weeks, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
In a sector district such as DIC, premises range from small desks to full offices. The type and size you choose typically sets your visa allocation — confirm what is currently offered for your activity.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At DIC: Linked to office size. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally good in their familiarity with DIC entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
A DIC licence does not by itself decide your tax position. Corporate tax registration is required for free zone entities, the 0%/9% structure applies, and qualifying-income rules determine whether a free zone entity keeps a 0% rate on part of its income. VAT registration depends on your turnover and supplies. Read the corporate tax and compliance guide and confirm with a licensed adviser.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence and office renewals. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Recognised technology campus with global brand neighbours
- Networking and partnership opportunities within the tech community
- Office options for start-ups through to large teams
- Central, well-connected location near Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- More expensive than IFZA, Meydan and DSO for a lean start-up
- Activities are focused on technology — check yours is covered
DIC vs mainland
A DIC licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| DIC | DMC | DSO | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai |
| Best for | Technology & software | Media, advertising & creative | Technology & innovation park | SME, startup & holding companies |
| Licence cost | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required) | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa |
| Setup time | 1–3 weeks | 1–3 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 3–7 working days |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Indicative band | Indicative band | Published fees |
Dubai Media City · Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) · IFZA · Dubai Studio City · Compare any zones
DIC company formation: FAQs
What is DIC company formation?
DIC company formation means registering a company under Dubai Internet City's rules in Dubai. Dubai Internet City is the Middle East’s established technology hub, home to global software, cloud and internet brands alongside a growing start-up scene. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (Dubai Development Authority (DDA); district operated by TECOM Group) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in DIC?
Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required). This is an indicative planning band rather than the authority's price list — request a written quote for your activity.
Can foreigners own 100% of a DIC company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with DIC's authority.
What licences are available in DIC?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For DIC the activities most associated with it include software development and saas, it consulting, digital platforms; these typically map to: Confirm the licence category with the authority; Service / professional licence; Technology / service licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through DIC?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at DIC: Linked to office size.
What documents are required for DIC company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does DIC require an office?
In a sector district such as DIC, premises range from small desks to full offices. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a DIC company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of DIC?
Recognised technology campus with global brand neighbours; Networking and partnership opportunities within the tech community; Office options for start-ups through to large teams. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in DIC?
Choose your activity and check it against DIC's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: 1–3 weeks, subject to the authority.
Is Dubai Internet City suitable for a small start-up?
Yes, if you value the campus address and community and can budget above the value-tier zones. If cost is the priority, IFZA, Meydan or DSO are cheaper.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | dubaiinternetcity.com |
| Licensing / operating authority | Dubai Development Authority (DDA); district operated by TECOM Group |
| Fee data status | Indicative band — Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for DIC
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.