20,000 AED
1 month
Guaranteed
2 years
Company registration can be completed remotely, whether you’re based in the UAE or abroad. The entire process typically takes around one month. It begins with the identification and confirmation of the leased space by Expo City. Once confirmed, the applicant must submit all required documents through the ECD Portal. If the application is being submitted by a representative on behalf of the shareholder, an attested Power of Attorney is required.
Choosing the wrong activity, registration authority, or location can lead to complications during the company registration process, and may affect your ability to open a bank account or obtain a residence visa.
At Expo City Dubai, you can choose from the following legal entities for registration:
Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) – Ideal for newly established businesses
Free Zone Branch (FZB) – Suitable for branches or subsidiaries of existing companies
Additionally, you have the option to apply for a Freelance Permit or a Business Operation Permit, depending on your business needs.
To complete your company registration, you’ll need to provide a full set of documents for both the initial and final approval stages.
For Companies:
Passport copies of all licensed parties
UAE visa or previous entry stamp copies
Specimen signatures of all shareholders
Proposed trade name(s)
Selected business activity(ies)
Articles of Association
Shareholder resolution
For Individuals:
Qualification certificates and/or professional portfolio
Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
UAE visa or previous entry stamp copy
Recent colored photograph
No Objection Certificate (NOC), if sponsored
Once all documents are compiled and necessary paperwork is prepared, the required registration fees must be paid to move forward with the application process.
Once your application is approved, you will receive the following official documents:
Registration Certificate
Business License
Lease Agreement
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA & AoA)
The Establishment Card holds key details about your company and is essential for sponsoring residence visas on behalf of your business.
If you’re applying from within the UAE, once your entry permit is issued, you’ll need to convert your current visa status to a residence visa. If you’re applying from outside the UAE, you must enter the country, get your entry permit stamped upon arrival, and then proceed with the residence visa process by submitting the required documents.
Complete the mandatory medical examination and submit all necessary documents to obtain your residence visa. The number of visas available for company owners and employees may vary depending on the chosen registration package.
After your residence visa is approved, you can proceed to obtain your Emirates ID. Typically, the processing and issuance of both the visa and Emirates ID take about 5–7 working days from the date of visa approval.
Submit an application to a local or international bank in the UAE to open your corporate bank account. Once your account is set up and you receive the account details, you can begin operating your business in the UAE.
Service licenses allow you to include up to 5 business activities, while commercial licenses can cover 7 to 12 activities, depending on whether it’s a single-group or dual-group license. Any additional activity beyond the allowed limit will incur a fee of AED 500 per activity.
| ITEM | COST |
|---|---|
| Initial approval | 500 AED |
| Company registration (FZ-LLC, Branch) | 5,000 AED |
| Commercial license (one group, up to 7 activities) | 10,000 AED |
| Service license (up to 5 activities) | 10,000 AED |
| Business license (combining service and commercial activities under 1 license) | 20,000-23,000 AED |
| Freelance permit | 7,000 AED |
| Establishment card | 2,100 AED |
Yes – Expo City Dubai is a great choice if:
You’re starting a business with a physical presence in Dubai and want a premium location featuring world-class infrastructure. Designed as a “city of the future,” Expo City offers sustainable buildings, lush green spaces, car-free roads, smart technology-equipped facilities, a wide range of cafes, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues—all within a 15-minute walk.
You value visibility and networking. Expo City offers excellent opportunities to build partnerships, with three former EXPO-2020 pavilions now converted into office clusters—nearly fully occupied by global companies, making it a thriving business hub.
Easy access matters to you. Expo Free Zone (FZ) is well-connected via four major highways—Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Emirates Road, and Al Khail Road—and has its own dedicated Expo 2020 Metro Station.
Logistics are key to your operations. Expo City Dubai provides industrial licenses and warehouse facilities. It’s conveniently located near Al Maktoum International Airport, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports reachable within an hour.
You need a business setup for a limited time. Expo FZ offers short-term operational permits ranging from 1 day to 12 months, ideal for events or temporary operations. However, a valid Dubai mainland license is required.
You’re planning to open a restaurant and want to serve alcohol. This is permitted in Expo City, though it requires obtaining several approvals from relevant government authorities.
No – Expo City may not be ideal if:
You are involved in heavy manufacturing and require specialized licenses, large-scale warehouses, or industrial production spaces. In this case, other free zones such as RAKEZ or JAFZA may be more suitable.
You don’t need a physical office. At Expo City, renting an office space is mandatory before starting the license registration process.
Expo City offers the following types of licenses:
Turn your passion into a profession with a Freelance License in the UAE—enjoy the freedom and flexibility to work on your own terms.
A Commercial License enables you to start a business in retail, wholesale, or import-export, providing access to both local and international markets.
A Project Management License enables you to assist companies in efficiently managing and completing complex projects.
Expo City Dubai offers a diverse range of business activities, catering to the needs of entrepreneurs, from freelancers to large corporations.
Commercial Activities:
With a commercial license, you can engage in various activities such as trading spare parts, building materials, technology, food, jewelry, and more.
Professional Activities:
Freelancers in fields like writing, web development, web design, training, social media influencing, production, photography, public relations, music, market analysis, journalism, interior design, and more can benefit from the freelance permit.
Industrial Activities:
Expo City also supports the establishment of production lines for a wide array of products across industries such as military, oil & gas, electricity, telecom, motor vehicles, power generation, clothing, beauty and personal care, and more.
For a complete list of permitted business activities, please contact your business consultant for further details.
Expo City Free Zone offers a wide range of modern workspace solutions, from flexible work areas to permanent offices and warehouses, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to meet diverse business needs.
Office spaces are housed in premium, sustainability-focused buildings. The ground floors feature a variety of cafes, restaurants, and retail stores, catering to different preferences and budgets.
For warehouse facilities, the employee allocation is set at one employee per 12 square meters.
A dedicated facility designed for companies that require storage space for goods and materials, often equipped to support light industrial operations
Versatile spaces tailored for businesses offering a wide range of products or services, easily adaptable to suit different business models.
A shared workspace available for a limited number of hours, offering the basic facilities required for company registration.
Visa quote in the Expo City Dubai free zone depends on the leased space.
| ITEM | COST |
|---|---|
| Employment visa – outside UAE (1 year) | 2,500 AED |
| Employment visa – outside UAE (2 years) | 3,000 AED |
| Employment visa – inside UAE (1 year) | 3,100 AED |
| Employment visa – inside UAE (2 years) | 3,500 AED |
Renewing your company is a simple and annual process that can be handled remotely by your appointed representative. The renewal fee is generally equal to the initial setup cost. For companies with UAE bank accounts, it’s crucial to provide the updated license to the bank to ensure uninterrupted services.
If you’re outside Dubai, your representative can manage the entire renewal process, which includes:
Renewing the office lease
Renewing the company license
Submitting the updated license to the bank
Business consultants in Dubai are available to assist with these steps.
If your company is eligible for visas, you’ll also need to renew the E-channel. Additionally, an audit report is required for the renewal process. Typically, the entire procedure takes about one week.
All company amendments, including share transfers, can be completed without the physical presence of shareholders or managers.
Common amendments include:
Transfer of shares
Change of company name
Modification of business activities
Appointment or change of company manager
Expo City Free Zone offers a simple and streamlined company liquidation process, with the current closure fee set at approximately AED 2,000. The entire procedure typically takes around one month and involves the following key steps:
Visa Cancellation (7–10 working days) – applicable if the company has active visas
Establishment Card Cancellation (7–10 working days) – required for visa-eligible companies
License Cancellation
To proceed with liquidation, you must submit a final audit report and return all original company documents. Any active lease agreements must be terminated, and all visas must be officially closed.
If your company held a corporate bank account, it must be closed prior to initiating the liquidation process. A closure confirmation letter from the bank is required.
Once all steps are completed, you will receive an official deregistration letter from the free zone, confirming the successful liquidation of your company.
Expo City Dubai is a visionary destination designed for both business and lifestyle, built around the advanced concept of a “city within a city.” It provides everything a modern individual needs within a 15-minute walk—from state-of-the-art office spaces and furnished residences to a mega mall, diverse dining options, retail outlets, and fitness centers.
Launched as a legacy of the global Expo 2020 exhibition held in Dubai in 2021, the Expo City Dubai Free Zone features high-tech office clusters, its own metro station, expansive green spaces, eco-friendly buggies for on-site transport, running and cycling tracks, and vibrant year-round entertainment venues.
The free zone offers seamless access to government services and free zone facilities, ensuring smooth and efficient business operations. It provides a range of incentives, including:
Duty-free environment
100% foreign ownership
Full repatriation of capital and profits
Flexible visa options, including up to 5-year employment visas
No restrictions on hiring foreign talent
Competitive visa allocation
Expo City Dubai is the perfect environment for businesses of all sizes—from freelancers to global corporations—offering endless opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and growth.
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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