Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Company Formation in the UAE: Cost, Licence, Visa and Requirements (2026)

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) at a glance

Dubai Silicon Oasis is a technology-focused free zone and integrated community, home to start-ups, software and hardware companies. It combines competitively priced licences with incubator support and on-site offices and residences.

Who is DSO suitable for?

• Software and AI start-ups
• Hardware and IoT companies
• Technology consultancies

Industries commonly considered

IT Services, Software, Technology, Manufacturing. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.

DSO company formation cost

Indicative band Indicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.

Year-one budget: Depends on package and office. 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 DSO

The authority (Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA)) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with DSO and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.

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 DSO’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.

How to set up a company in DSO

1. Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against DSO’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
2. Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
3. Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
4. Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
5. Receive the licenceTiming at DSO: 1–2 weeks, subject to the authority.
6. Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
7. 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 DSO, 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 DSO: Linked to package. 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 DSO 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

UAE corporate tax applies to free zone companies too: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, unless the entity is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, which can access 0% on qualifying income if strict conditions are met and 9% on the rest. Every free zone entity must register for corporate tax. Whether DSO income qualifies depends on your activity, customers and substance. Our tax guide explains the tests.

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

DSO vs mainland

A DSO 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

IFZA · Dubai Internet City · Meydan Free Zone · Dubai South · Compare any zones

DSO company formation: FAQs

Sources and verification

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.

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