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Dubai · Dubai Development Authority (DDA) · all zones

Dubai Development Authority

The Authority has the mandate to play a leading role in the future growth of Dubai’s economy by enhancing economic competitiveness and setting global standards for business and talents by providing an attractive and stimulating business environment that fosters their growth and offers a full range of integrated services related to strategic sectors and urban development. dda.gov.ae

visit needed official price list tier 1 since 2000 FZ-LLCBranch
Compare package prices dda.gov.ae
Licence-only total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
One-visa total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
Minimum share capital
not yet confirmed
Yes
Typical days to licence
not yet confirmed
unproven or unpublished

Packages, as published

Official rows come from the authority's own list. A row marked agent comes from a reseller because the authority does not publish that package, and it can contain a margin.

PackageLicenceVisasWorkspaceSetupRenewalKindSource
GoFreelance permitOfficial GoFreelance permit fee amount not yet confirmed + amount not yet confirmed Knowledge Dirham + amount not yet confirmed Innovation Dirham, includes hot desk. Visa and establishment card extra. Freelancer n/a shared desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official emirae.pro
in5 incubator licenceOfficial in5 licence fee amount not yet confirmed/year during incubation (up to 3 years). Co-working desk amount not yet confirmed first year extra. Establishment card and visa extra. Incubator n/a none not yet confirmed not yet confirmed official emirae.pro
Entry-level package (Dubai Internet City)Agent quoted starting price 'from amount not yet confirmed+'. Final cost amount not yet confirmed-30,000 for Year 1 with 1 investor visa. IT n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent insight-dubai.ae
Company setup package (DDA zones)Agent quoted starting price 'from amount not yet confirmed'. Includes workspace, community and premises. General n/a office not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent cosecdubai.com
Knowledge Park HR & Recruitment packageAgent quoted starting price 'from amount not yet confirmed*'. HR & Recruitment n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent proconsultancyuae.com
Knowledge Park Education & Training packageAgent quoted starting price 'from amount not yet confirmed*'. Education & Training n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent proconsultancyuae.com

Fees, line by line

The figures our sum is built from. Only a proven fee is shown; the rest read not yet confirmed, and a reseller-only figure says so on its line.

Registrationnot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Licencenot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Establishment cardnot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Immigration cardnot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Residence visa, per personnot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Medical and Emirates ID, per personnot yet confirmedinvestindubai.gov.ae
Minimum share capitalnot yet confirmedmust be paid upinvestindubai.gov.ae
Knowledge Dirham per transactionnot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Innovation Dirham per transactionnot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Late renewal (31-60 days)not yet confirmedemirae.pro
Late renewal (61-90 days)not yet confirmedemirae.pro
Late renewal (after 90 days)not yet confirmedemirae.pro
Name changenot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Share transfernot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Capital changenot yet confirmedemirae.pro
General manager changenot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Voluntary winding upnot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Certificate of good standingnot yet confirmedemirae.pro
Extra sector on same licence (annual)not yet confirmedemirae.pro
Workspace
GoFreelance hot desknot yet confirmedDDA zones (Media City, Internet City, d3, Knowledge Park) · counts for the visa quota · source
in5 co-working desknot yet confirmedin5 incubator · counts for the visa quota · source
in5 dedicated officenot yet confirmedin5 incubator · counts for the visa quota · source
Reseller prices seen against the official line
Insight Dubainot quotedEntry-level package (DIC)source
Cosec Dubainot quotedCompany setup packagesource
Pro Consultancy UAEnot quotedKnowledge Park HR & Recruitment packagesource
What a missing number means

The line stays visible and reads not yet confirmed. A figure the research records but the verification pass has not proven is never shown, and never becomes a zero.

Company and licence types

Company types
  • Free Zone Limited Liability Company
    Individuals and/or corporates (minimum one shareholder) [dda.gov.ae](https://dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business)
  • Branch of a Foreign/UAE Company
    Parent company (foreign or UAE) [dda.gov.ae](https://dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business)
Licence types
  • not researched

How the authority processes it

Each step names who holds it. Days are the authority's published figure or a gap.

  • step 1 · days gap
    Submit applicationApplicant
  • step 2 · days gap
    Initial application approvalDDA
  • step 3 · days gap
    Submit documents and paymentApplicant
  • step 4 · days gap
    License issuanceDDA
The authority's portal
NameDDA Registration and Licensing eServiceshttps://dda.gov.ae/dda-services/registration-licencing-services/
Who filesboth
Fully onlineYes
E-signaturenot stated
API or integrationUnknown
Partner programmenot stated
Selling to the UAE mainland

Only with a dual license under Law No. 13 for FZ-LLC companies; otherwise restricted to free zone territory dic.ae

Corporate tax

No explicit confirmation in provided sources; DDA is a UAE free zone and likely eligible for qualifying free zone person status under UAE corporate tax law, but not verified.

Documents the authority asks for

Individual shareholder
  • not researched
Corporate shareholder
  • not researched

After the licence

Financial year, audit, corporate tax, VAT, UBO and renewal, as the authority states them.

Financial year
RuleFirst financial year can be 6-18 months as determined by company and notified to authority within 3 months of incorporation; subsequent financial years are 12 months; company may change year-end by notice, but no financial year may exceed 18 months or be shorter than 6 months dda.gov.ae.source
First period, maximum monthsnot yet confirmedsource
Can choose the year endYessource
Audit and financial statements
Audited accounts requiredYessource
Who mustAll FZ-LLCs and branch offices gulfnews.comsource
Submission deadlineWithin 6 months of financial year-end adamconsulting.aeWithin 6 months of financial year-end [adamconsulting.ae](https://www.adamconsulting.ae/en/dda-companies-financial-statement-audit-deadline/)source
Approved auditor listYessource
Fee or penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
NotesAudited financial statements and Financial Statements Report Summary Sheet must be submitted via AXS portal. Failure may lead to fines under Decision No (2) of 2017 adamconsulting.ae.source
VAT
Mandatory threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Voluntary threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Designated zoneNosource
Notes5% VAT on taxable supplies; software and IT services to UAE clients taxed at 5%; services outside UAE may be zero-rated sgaworld.aesource
Corporate tax
Registration deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
QFZP conditionsQFZP status available for qualifying IP income (e.g., copyrighted software) using nexus approach; other income taxed at 0% up to amount not yet confirmedk, 9% above; audited accounts required sgaworld.aesource
Return deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
Late registration penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
UBO, ESR and AML
UBO register requiredYessource
Where the UBO register is filedMaintained at registered office; supply to Authority on demand dda.gov.aesource
ESR statusApplicable if conducting relevant activities; must submit ESR notification and report annually adamconsulting.aesource
AML / goAML registrationnot yet confirmedsource
Licence renewal
WhenAnnuallyAnnuallysource
RequirementsSubmit audited financial statements; Pay renewal feesource
Late penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Banking
Banks commonly usednot yet confirmedsource
Typical account opening daysnot yet confirmedsource
Minimum balance (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Pain pointsnot yet confirmedsource
Accounting records
RequiredYessource
Retention yearsnot yet confirmedsource
StandardIFRSsource
Annual obligations
Submit audited financial statements and summary sheet via AXS portalAnnualWithin 6 months of financial year-endsource
File corporate tax returnAnnualAnnually (deadline not specified)source
File VAT returns (if registered)AnnualQuarterly or as per tax periodsource
ESR notification and report (if applicable)AnnualAnnuallysource
Renew trade licenceAnnualAnnuallysource
Closing the company
Processnot yet confirmedsource
Cost (AED)not yet confirmedsource

How we file it

Internal view of the authority's channels and screens. It is what a filing integration has to work against, not a promise that the filing is live. integration source

Application channels
Online portal (AXS)no URLwho can use: Applicant must be one of: Member, Legal Representative, Negotiator. Legal Representative/Negotiator requires a notarized and attested Power of Attorney.login: Create an account on the AXS portal (likely required).Portal is AXS, accessed via the Free Zone Business Communities Website (DDA website). Service request channels: online 24/7 and Partner Relationship Manager (Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm).source
Agent or partner programme
Existsnot stated
Namenot named
Feesnot yet confirmed
Commission or discountnot stated
How to applynot stated
Contactnot stated
Requirementsnot stated
Screens inside the portal
  • step 1
    Navigate to Free Zone Business Communities Website, select 'Set up your business', choose FZ-LLC with Natural and Corporate Persons.Applicant
  • step 2
    Complete the application form.Applicantinputs: Company name, Activity selection, Member details (natural person: name, nationality, passport details; corporate: company name, registration number, etc.), General manager details, Share capital
  • step 3
    Upload required documents.Applicantuploads: Application Form (generated by system), Valid passport copies of Director(s) and General Manager with Residence Visa Page (if any), Resolution for Incorporation of an FZ-LLC Company (notarized and attested for corporate members), Company Incorporation Certificate, For Corporate Member(s), Certificate of Continuity or Existence or Good Standing, For Corporate Member(s), MoA and AoA of Parent Company for Corporate Member(s), NOC from external authorities according to LCD, Article 08 (if applicable), Declaration of Appointment as General Manager (if holds a valid visa), Power of Attorney for Legal Representative/Negotiator (notarized and attested)
  • step 4
    Pay fees as per invoice.Applicantinputs: Payment details
  • step 5
    Receive acknowledgement of submission.System
Formats, signatures, payment
Document formatsnot stated
Signatures and identityResolution and Power of Attorney must be notarized by Notary Public and attested by UAE Embassy for corporate members. Identity verified via passport copies (and residence visa page if applicable). Application form may require digital signature. Physical signatures on notarized documents.
PaymentFees: Registration Fee amount not yet confirmed (official), License Fee calculated based on activities, plus amount not yet confirmed Knowledge Dirham and amount not yet confirmed Innovation Dirham per transaction. Payment via invoice through available online payment methods on the portal. Company Register service fee amount not yet confirmed (official) plus dirhams.
Status trackingAcknowledgement sent upon submission. Provisional approval takes 10 working days, registration 2 working days. Status likely communicated via email or portal. No explicit tracking dashboard mentioned.
API or bulk filingNo API or bulk submission capability found. The unified digital window 'Invest in Dubai' may offer API in future, but not for DDA currently.
After the licence, onlineCompany Register (amount not yet confirmed); Consultant/Contractor Registration (amount not yet confirmed); Preliminary Design Approval; Building Permit (via Dubai Building Permit platform); Dual License application (via DDA Customer Services Center)

Automation risks

  • Notarization and attestation of physical documents required
  • Original signatures on resolutions and POA
  • Manual review of documents
  • Potential CAPTCHA on portal
  • Account verification may require Emirates ID or passport
  • No API for submission
  • Reliance on physical documents for corporate members

Open integration gaps

  • Exact URL of AXS portal not found
  • Document format requirements not specified (likely PDF)
  • Detailed portal steps (screen-by-screen) not available
  • Login/account creation process not detailed
  • Payment methods not specified
  • Agent or partner program existence not confirmed
  • Terms of service regarding automation not found

What we still do not know about Dubai Development Authority

The research names its own holes. They stay on the page until a source fills them.

Prices

  • Official lease/office rental rates not published for any DDA zone.
  • Company establishment card fee not found; freelancer/in5 establishment card is amount not yet confirmed.
  • Company visa fees not published; freelancer visa fee is amount not yet confirmed/year.
  • Medical and Emirates ID costs not separately listed; in5 visa from amount not yet confirmed includes them.
  • Immigration card fee not mentioned.
  • Current fee decision may be newer than 2021; confirm with DDA.
  • Visa quota for in5 incubator not specified.
  • Agent package details (visa count, office type) are approximate.
  • License fee of amount not yet confirmed applies to most sectors; higher fees for advertising (20,000), TV/radio (25,000), TV network (40,000), manufacturing (25,000) etc. as per DDA Decision.
  • Share capital minimum of amount not yet confirmed is the default; some zones/sectors require higher (e.g., Dubai Outsource City 300,000, Studio City 50,000 to 1,000,000).

Structure and process

  • No comprehensive list of license types/segments found; only examples from Decision No. 1 of 2021 (Publishing, Broadcasting TV, Broadcasting Radio).
  • Activity catalogue count, URL, and mixing rules not available in provided sources.
  • Required documents for individual and corporate shareholders not listed.
  • Corporate tax qualifying free zone person status not confirmed by provided sources.
  • Bank account opening process not covered.
  • API/integration details, partner/agent program, e-signature capabilities not specified.

Compliance

  • corporate_tax.registration_deadline
  • corporate_tax.return_deadline
  • corporate_tax.late_registration_penalty_aed
  • audit.fee_or_penalty_aed
  • licence_renewal.late_penalty_aed
  • visa_and_labour details
  • banking details
  • deregistration process and cost
  • aml_goaml_registration requirement
  • annual_obligations specific costs/penalties

Sources

Everything above was read from these pages. The read date is on each line.

DDA Company Setup: Media City, Internet City and D3 Costs | Cosechttps://cosecdubai.com/free-zones/ddaread 2026-10-20
Setting up a Business | Dubai Development Authorityhttps://dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-businessread 2026-10-20
Registration - FZ-LLC with Natural & Corporate Persons | Dubai Development Authorityhttps://dda.gov.ae/en/registration-licensing/setting-up-a-business/free-zone-limited-liability-company/registration-fz-llc-with-natural-and-corporate-personsread 2026-10-20
DECISION NO (1) OF 2021https://dda.gov.ae/-/media/F96847B045314EC080C15F0051E557A6.pdfread 2026-10-20
DDA Free Zones License Cost (2026): Internet City, Media City, d3https://emirae.pro/guides/dda-free-zones-license-cost/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Internet City Setup: Cost & Process 2026 | Insighthttps://insight-dubai.ae/free-zones/dic/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone (UAE): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)https://proconsultancyuae.com/zones/dubai-knowledge-park/read 2026-10-20
Free zone set-up costshttps://www.investindubai.gov.ae/en/business-setup/free-zone-companies/free-zone-set-up-costsread 2026-10-20