Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.
18,375 AED
3-4 weeks
Guaranteed
2 years
When setting up a company in DTEC, you can choose from the following legal entity types:
Branch: An existing company, whether based in the UAE or internationally, can open a branch in DTEC. The branch must carry out the same business activity as its parent company.
FZE (Free Zone Establishment): A legal entity with a single shareholder.
FZCO (Free Zone Company): A company structure that requires a minimum of two shareholders.
Carefully choose the business activities and the appropriate license type offered by the DTEC free zone. This step is critical—selecting the wrong activity, registration authority, or location can lead to complications during the company registration process and may cause issues when opening a bank account or applying for a residence visa.
Dubai South has a streamlined documentation process, requiring only a minimal set of documents:
A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
Your email address, residential address, and mobile number
Several proposed company names and a clear description of your intended business activities
Once all documents are prepared and the necessary forms are completed, you’ll need to pay the applicable registration fees to move forward with your application.
Once your company is successfully registered, you will receive the following essential documents:
Certificate of Incorporation
Trade License
Lease Agreement
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA & AoA)
The Establishment Card contains key details about your company and its visa quota. It is typically issued within 3 to 5 working days after registration.
Once your entry permit is issued, you’ll have 60 days to enter the UAE if you’re currently abroad, in order to complete your medical test and biometric procedures for your residency visa. If you’re already in the UAE, your visa status will be changed from your current tourist or residency visa to the new one without the need to exit the country.
As part of the residency process, you’ll need to undergo a medical examination and submit the required documents for your residence visa. The number of visas you can obtain for owners and employees depends on the specific company registration package you choose.
After your residence visa is approved, you can proceed to obtain your Emirates ID. The processing and issuance of both the visa and Emirates ID typically take around 5 to 7 working days.
To open a corporate bank account in the UAE, apply to a local or international bank of your choice. Once your application is processed and you receive your account details, you can begin operating your business in the UAE.
| LICENSE | COST |
|---|---|
| Service license + flexi-desk + 2 visas | 18,375 AED |
| Trade license + fixed desk + 3 visas (in Technohub 1 Building) | 27,675 AED |
| Trade license + fixed desk + 3 visas (in Dubai Digital Park – A5 Building) | 29,250 AED |
The annual license fee in the DTEC free zone is AED 5,000 for a service license, applicable for the first five years. After this period, when the company transitions to the Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone, the fee increases to AED 8,000.
If you have an ambitious IT project, DTEC is the perfect environment for technology startups and innovative development. It offers everything needed to create cutting-edge products, including modern, cozy, and high-tech spaces with amenities such as cafes, free Wi-Fi, printing equipment, conference rooms, and even showers, allowing you to work 24/7.
For those looking to live and work in the same location, Dubai Silicon Oasis offers residential buildings with a wide range of amenities, making it a city within a city where everything is conveniently accessible.
DTEC is an excellent and affordable choice for young companies in IT and creative industries looking to establish themselves in Dubai. The setup costs here are lower than in many other free zones outside Dubai.
If you plan to grow, after five years, you’ll need to transition from DTEC to Dubai Silicon Oasis.
DTEC fosters a creative environment and a community of like-minded individuals. It regularly hosts training programs, accelerator programs, and professional meetings and events to help you grow.
Additionally, DTEC’s flexible visa processing system is well-suited for those from high-risk nationalities, as it imposes minimal restrictions on visa applications.
However, if your business involves heavy manufacturing, trading, or consultancy, DTEC may not be the best fit, as it focuses primarily on technology-based activities. For non-tech activities, consider exploring the UAQ Free Zone, JAFZA Free Zone, or Hamriyah Free Zone.
For businesses involved in trading, we recommend looking into the Dubai South Free Zone. While the pricing may be slightly higher, Dubai South offers a broader range of business activities to choose from.
In DTEC, you can choose between a service or trade license, with each license allowing up to five business activities.
DTEC caters to a wide array of activities, fostering a vibrant and specialized community. The available options include, but are not limited to:
Start your IT business in the UAE’s growing market, whether it’s software development or IT consulting.
Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.
With a Professional License, you can offer specialized services in fields like consulting, management, education, real estate, and more.
To ensure your business meets the requirements for DTEC registration, it’s highly recommended to seek guidance from business setup consultants in Dubai. Their expert advice will help you choose the best solution and improve the chances of a successful approval.
DTEC offers various workspace options tailored to your needs:
A reserved workspace with a dedicated desk, chair, and basic facilities, allowing you to leave your computer and belongings securely.
Fully equipped office space with furniture and essentials, allowing you to move in and start working immediately.
A shared workspace available for a limited number of hours, offering the basic facilities required for company registration.
A fully equipped dedicated workspace. It offers privacy, essential support services, and a professional environment for business growth.
A work space within a free zone that you can design and furnish according to your business needs, offering complete flexibility.
DTEC offers modern business facilities that are accessible 24/7, including:
Comfortable workspaces
High-speed Wi-Fi
Conference rooms
Cafes
Telephone booths
Stylish common areas
Showers
Gaming room
One dedicated parking space for every 50 sqm of office space
In addition, DTEC organizes various accelerator programs, professional events, and social gatherings every month.
It’s important to note that after five years, you will need to transition to a full-time physical office within Dubai Silicon Oasis. This move will give you the flexibility to have an office of any size and expand your team as needed.
DTEC follows the visa procedures and costs set by the Silicon Oasis free zone.
| APPLICANT | DTEC VISA FEE | MEDICAL CHECKUP | EMIRATES ID | REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside the UAE | 3,000 AED + Employee Protection Insurance | 650 AED | 330 AED | 1,500 AED |
| Inside the UAE | 4,600 AED + Employee Protection Insurance | 650 AED | 330 AED | 1,500 AED |
Please note that certain nationalities may be required to submit an attested birth certificate upon request from immigration. Additionally, the company manager must provide a legalized educational degree during the visa processing. The manager can hold a UAE residence visa issued either by DTEC or any other location within the UAE.
Renewing your DTEC company can be done remotely, so there’s no need for your personal presence. Just make the payment and submit the originally signed lease agreement for your facility. The renewal process usually takes 3-4 working days.
| DTEC license renewal fee (for a service license) | 5,000 AED |
|---|---|
| Flexi desk renewal (annual rent) | 7,500 AED |
| Establishment card renewal | 2,200 AED |
| Renewal assistance fee | 3,750 AED |
DTEC offers flexibility in modifying various aspects of your business. You can make changes to:
Company name
Business activity
Director/manager
Shareholding structure
Facility type (flexi-desk or office)
Most amendments will require the personal presence of the company owner or general manager.
If you decide to liquidate your DTEC company, a liquidation fee of AED 1,000 will be charged during the license registration. This fee covers all costs associated with company cancellation, including advertising for liquidation. The liquidation process typically takes around 1 month and includes the following key steps:
Visa cancellation (7–10 working days), if there are any visas associated with the company
Establishment card cancellation (7–10 working days), if the company was visa-eligible
License cancellation
During liquidation, you must provide a final audit report, return all original company documents, and terminate any existing lease agreements and visas.
If you have a corporate bank account, it must be closed before initiating the liquidation. A closure confirmation letter from the bank is required.
Once the company is dissolved, you will receive an official deregistration letter from DTEC as formal confirmation of the liquidation.
The Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Center (DTEC) is an innovation hub located within the Silicon Oasis Free Zone, designed specifically for IT startups. It provides an ideal environment for launching and growing your business, offering both residential and business facilities within the same area.
DTEC-registered companies are allowed to operate within the free zone for up to 5 years. After this period, they must transition to the Silicon Oasis Free Zone.
There is no requirement to rent an office for registration. Instead, a flexi-desk agreement is provided with the license.
To maintain the flexi-desk agreement, at least 36 hours of usage per month is required, or the lease may be canceled.
There are no paid-up capital requirements, but annual audits are mandatory.
The resident visa issued is valid for 2 years, and the company license must be renewed annually to keep the visa valid. Additionally, visa holders must enter the country at least once every 180 days to maintain their visa status.
The brand name Visa Kings Global is used under licence by Visa Success Limited. Visa Success Limited is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Visa Success Limited does not give financial, legal or tax advice.
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