Dubai · Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) · all zones
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Technology and innovation hub offering modern commercial and industrial spaces, digital infrastructure, R&D facilities, and testing grounds for robotics, UAVs, autonomous cars, and AI-powered Smart City integrations dso.ae.
remote setup
official price list
0% tax possible as QFZP
tier 2
since 2021
FZCOBranch
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
No
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unproven or unpublished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.
| Package | Licence | Visas | Workspace | Setup | Renewal | Kind | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dtec Flexi Desk Service LicenseFrom just amount not yet confirmed per year, year 1 only; includes service licence and workspace, eligibility for 2 visas | Service | n/a | flexi desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | official | dso.ae |
| Dtec Fixed Desk Trade Licenseamount not yet confirmed per year, year 1; includes trade licence and fixed desk, eligibility for 3 visas | Trade | n/a | dedicated desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | official | dso.ae |
| Dtec Furnished Private Officeamount not yet confirmed per year, inclusive of two visas per desk | Trade | n/a | office | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | official | dso.ae |
| Dtec Service License (DSO guide)Total cost Year 1 as per DSO business setup guide; includes annual rent, establishment card, license fee | Service | n/a | flexi desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | official | dso.ae |
| Dtec Trade License (DSO guide)Total cost Year 1 as per DSO business setup guide | Trade | n/a | dedicated desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | official | dso.ae |
| DSO Commercial Office License + 1 Visa (agent)Agent package including license, office, 1 visa, establishment card, insurance | Service | n/a | office | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | freezonecompare.com |
| Dtec Service License + Flexi Desk (0 visas) (agent)Agent package with 0 visas | Service | n/a | flexi desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | freezonecompare.com |
| Dtec Unfurnished Private Office (agent)From amount not yet confirmed per year, year 1 | Trade | n/a | office | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | freezoneradar.ae |
Promotions the authority advertises
- Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec) offers subsidised membership packages including visa, co-working space, license, access to events (source: dso.ae)
- D-Tech Programme offers subsidised rates for accepted startups (source: diac.ae)
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 confirmeddso.ae
Licencenot yet confirmeddso.ae
Establishment cardnot yet confirmeddso.ae
Immigration cardnot yet confirmeddso.ae
Residence visa, per personnot yet confirmeddso.ae
Medical and Emirates ID, per personnot yet confirmeddso.ae
Minimum share capitalnot yet confirmednot paid updso.ae
Branch licence operating outside free zone (annual)not yet confirmedfreezoneradar.ae
Temporary activity permitnot yet confirmedfreezoneradar.ae
Free Zone Mainland Operating Permitnot yet confirmedmirdxbpro.com
DET branch of a free zone company (annual)not yet confirmedmirdxbpro.com
Third party insurance (from, for commercial offices)not yet confirmeddso.ae
Security deposit (10% of annual rent, one-time)not yet confirmeddso.ae
Office rent (minimum 13.5 sqm, agent estimate)not yet confirmeduaefreezonefinder.com
Medical examination (agent estimate)not yet confirmeduaefreezonefinder.com
Emirates ID (agent estimate)not yet confirmeduaefreezonefinder.com
Visa refundable deposit (agent estimate)not yet confirmeduaefreezonefinder.com
Workspace
Reseller prices seen against the official line
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 Company
At least one shareholder, individual or corporate [dso.ae](https://www.dso.ae/documents/d/dubai-silicon-oasis/dso-business-setup-guide). - Branch
No separate legal personality; parent company remains fully liable [dso.ae](https://www.dso.ae/license-types).
Licence types
- Service Licence
Specified services only dso.ae. - Trade Licence
Import, export, distribution of items and goods dso.ae. - Industrial Licence
Import raw materials, manufacture, process, assemble, package, export finished products dso.ae.
How the authority processes it
Each step names who holds it. Days are the authority's published figure or a gap.
- step 1 · days gapRegister on DSO PortalApplicant
- step 2 · days gapFill in business details (activity, license type, structure)Applicant
- step 3 · days gapUpload required documentsApplicant
- step 4 · days gapApplication review and paymentDSO Authority
- step 5 · days gapLicense and lease agreement issueDSO Authority
The authority's portal
NameDSO Portalhttps://www.dso.ae/
Who filespublic
Fully onlineYes
E-signaturenot stated
API or integrationNot mentioned
Partner programmenot stated
Selling to the UAE mainland
Allowed only through a local agent/distributor dso.ae.
Corporate tax
DSO is a qualified free zone; 0% corporate tax on qualifying income dso.ae.
Documents the authority asks for
Individual shareholder
- Passport copy dso.ae
- NOC for UAE residents only dso.ae
- Bank statement/reference letter or audited financial report dso.ae
- Project Summary Letter dso.ae
- Letter of Intent dso.ae
- Application form dso.ae
Corporate shareholder
- Passport copy of shareholder/manager dso.ae
- Copy of Memorandum & Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation dso.ae
- Trade Licence of mother company (if local) dso.ae
- Project Summary Letter dso.ae
- Letter of Intent dso.ae
- Application form dso.ae
After the licence
Financial year, audit, corporate tax, VAT, UBO and renewal, as the authority states them.
Financial year
Audit and financial statements
Audited accounts requiredYessource
Who mustAll companies licensed by DSO, regardless of size or turnover; no exemptions for new or low-activity companies.source
Submission deadlineWithin 4 months of the end of the company's financial year.Within 4 months of the end of the company's financial year.source
Approved auditor listYessource
Fee or penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
NotesAuditor must be DSO-registered. Mandatory rotation of audit firm every 4 years. Auditor must confirm company activity matches trade licence. Audit is a precondition for licence renewal.source
VAT
Mandatory threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Voluntary threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Designated zonenot yet confirmedsource
NotesVAT registration mandatory once taxable supplies exceed amount not yet confirmed per year. Designated zone status for VAT should be verified before making intra-zone supplies.source
Corporate tax
Registration deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
QFZP conditionsMust meet substance, qualifying activity, and de minimis conditions (non-qualifying income <5% of total revenue or amount not yet confirmed, whichever lower). Audited IFRS financial statements required.source
Return deadlineWithin 9 months of the end of the Tax Period.Within 9 months of the end of the Tax Period.source
Late registration penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
UBO, ESR and AML
UBO register requiredYessource
Where the UBO register is filedDSO Authority (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership declaration form provided at application; updates filed with DSO).source
ESR statusApplicable if conducting relevant activities; must file ESR notifications.source
AML / goAML registrationnot yet confirmedsource
Licence renewal
Banking
Annual obligations
Licence renewalAnnualAnnually on the anniversary date of licence issuance.source
Submit audited financial statementsAnnualWithin 4 months of financial year-end.source
Corporate Tax registration and returnAnnualReturn within 9 months of tax period end; registration deadline not specified.source
VAT registration and returnsAnnualAs required (typically quarterly).source
UBO register updateAnnualAs required.source
ESR notificationAnnualAs required.source
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
DSOA Customer Portal (eservices.dso.ae)https://eservices.dso.ae/who can use: Applicants (founders) or authorized representatives (agents)login: Create account on portal with email and passwordPrimary channel for DSO company registration. Allows submission of application, document upload, fee payment, digital signing of agreements, and license issuance. dso.aesource
Invest in Dubai Digital Window (unified platform)no URLwho can use: All investors in Dubai, including free zoneslogin: UAE Pass or other digital identity (not specified)Decree No. 13 of 2024 mandates submission through this digital window for all company registrations in Dubai, including DSO. Applications are then processed by DSOA's electronic systems. Exact URL not provided in sources. dso.aesource
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 1Create account / loginApplicantinputs: Email, Password, Personal details
- step 2Submit application formApplicantinputs: License type (Service, Trade, Industrial), Business activities (ISIC/DED codes), Trade name options, Shareholder details
- step 3Upload required documents for initial approvalApplicantinputs: Document type selectionuploads: Passport copies of shareholders and manager, Project summary letter, Power of Attorney (if signing on behalf), Memorandum & Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation (for corporate shareholders/branches), Trade licence of mother company (if local shareholder), Unit Title Deed (if applicable), Office Tenancy Contract (after initial approval)
- step 4Pay feesApplicantinputs: Payment method
- step 5Sign E-Agreement (lease) and share capital letter (FZE/FZCO only)Shareholdersinputs: Digital signatureuploads: Signed lease agreement, Bank share capital letter
- step 6Receive initial approval & security clearanceDSOA (automatic)
- step 7Sign Memorandum of Association (MoA) and other legal documentsShareholdersinputs: Digital signaturesuploads: Signed MoA, Board resolutions (if applicable)
- step 8Receive e-licenseDSOA (automatic)
Formats, signatures, payment
Document formatsnot stated
Signatures and identityDigital signatures via portal; video-verification available for remote incorporation. Identity verified through passport upload and possibly video call. aziend.com
PaymentOnline payment via portal after approval. Fees include license, lease, and other charges. dso.ae
Status trackingReal-time tracking of application status (security clearance, trade name reservation, license generation) available on the portal. aziend.com
API or bulk filingNo API or bulk submission capability found. All applications are submitted via the web portal.
After the licence, onlineResidency visa processing; Emirates ID application; Bank account opening assistance (via partner network); Company register certificate issuance (likely available online)
Automation risks
- CAPTCHA challenges
- Two-factor authentication (OTP)
- Session timeouts
- IP-based rate limiting
- Video verification step requiring human interaction
- Document upload validation that may reject automated scans
- Frequent UI changes
Open integration gaps
- Official fee schedule not found in provided sources
- Document format requirements (PDF, JPG, etc.) not specified
- API availability not confirmed
- Agent/partner program details missing; no official program found
- Terms of service not available to check for automation prohibitions
- Exact post-license services online not fully listed (e.g., company register certificate confirmed for DDA but not DSO)
- Invest in Dubai digital window URL not provided
What we still do not know about Dubai Silicon Oasis
The research names its own holes. They stay on the page until a source fills them.
Prices
- Official visa fees (employment package, medical, Emirates ID) not published on dso.ae or dtec.ae.
- Renewal fees for Dtec flexi desk and fixed desk packages not stated; only year 1 prices available.
- Contradiction in minimum share capital: DSO business setup guide states amount not yet confirmed for FZCO, while dso.ae/business-setup-process states amount not yet confirmed for FZE/FZCO.
- Exact breakdown of Dtec package costs (license fee, establishment card, rent) not clearly itemized in official sources.
- VAT applicability on Dtec packages not specified.
- Office rent for DSO commercial offices not published; only per sqm rate given, minimum area not specified officially.
- No official total first-year cost for a DSO commercial office with minimum space.
Structure and process
- Activity catalogue count and mixing rules not found
- Specific portal URL for application not provided (only main website)
- API or integration details not mentioned
- Partner/agent program details not found
- E-signature capability not specified
- Bank account opening process not covered
- Physical visit requirements not specified
- Discrepancy in minimum share capital between sources (amount not yet confirmed vs amount not yet confirmed)
Compliance
- financial_year.first_period_max_months: not specified in sources.
- accounting_records.retention_years: not mentioned.
- audit.fee_or_penalty_aed: specific penalty amount not provided; risiansaccounting.com says 'Varies'.
- corporate_tax.registration_deadline: not explicitly stated in sources.
- vat.voluntary_threshold_aed: not provided.
- vat.designated_zone: commenda.io advises verifying DSO's designated-zone status; not confirmed in sources.
- esr_ubo_aml.aml_goaml_registration: no information on goAML registration.
- annual_obligations: costs and penalties for licence renewal, audit submission, VAT, UBO, ESR not specified.
- licence_renewal.late_penalty_aed: no specific amount found.
- visa_and_labour: no information on visa or labour obligations.
- banking: no details on commonly used banks, account opening timelines, minimum balances, or pain points.
- deregistration: process and cost not covered.
- Audit submission deadline discrepancy: farahatco.com states 4 months; risiansaccounting.com states 6 months. Used 4 months from DSO-specific source.
Sources
Everything above was read from these pages. The read date is on each line.
DSO Costs & Review 2026, From amount not yet confirmedhttps://freezonecompare.com/free-zones/dso/read 2026-10-20
DSO Cost 2026: Licence from amount not yet confirmed, Visa Feeshttps://freezoneradar.ae/dubai-silicon-oasis/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Silicon Oasis Company Setup Cost 2026: DSO & Dtechttps://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-silicon-oasis-company-setup/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Silicon Oasis License Cost, From amount not yet confirmed (2026) | Sijilhttps://sijil.ae/en/zones/dsoread 2026-10-20
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Free Zone 2026 | Tech & IT Setup Guidehttps://uaefreezonefinder.com/dso/read 2026-10-20
Business Setup Processhttps://www.dso.ae/business-setup-processread 2026-10-20
DUBAI INTEGRATED ECONOMIC ZONES AUTHORITY IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS 2023https://www.dso.ae/documents/d/dubai-silicon-oasis/dieza_implementing_regs_2023-pdfread 2026-10-20
Business setup guide in Dubai Silicon Oasishttps://www.dso.ae/documents/d/dubai-silicon-oasis/dso-business-setup-guideread 2026-10-20