Phone-alt Whatsapp Telegram

TECOM — Technology Electronic Commerce and Media Group

Key facts about setting up a company in Expo City Dubai

Company setup from

15,000 AED

Residence visas for

2 years

Get a free consultation

TECOM company formation process

Company formation within TECOM Group free zones must be initiated personally by the business owners or with the assistance of a professional business consultant. In Dubai Industrial City (DIP), licenses are issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), whereas in other TECOM free zones, company registration is handled by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA).

Although TECOM Group aims to streamline the registration process across all its free zones, there can be variations in setup requirements depending on the specific zone. Therefore, it’s highly advisable to consult experienced business setup professionals in Dubai.

While the license registration itself can be completed without the physical presence of shareholders, they will need to be present after registration to sign company documents and collect the office keys from the free zone authorities.

The company formation process may differ based on the selected business community, industry sector, company structure, and other factors. For example, a freelance permit can be processed in as little as one week, whereas obtaining an industrial license may take several months. All registrations require leasing a workspace, with the smallest option being a hot desk that comes with a 1-visa quota.

Carefully define the business activities for your company and choose the appropriate license type. This step is crucial for a smooth business setup, as selecting the wrong activity or license can result in issues during registration, potentially causing problems with opening a bank account or securing residency visas for you and your employees.

Determine the legal structure of your business. The available legal entities for company formation in TECOM free zones include:

  • Free Zone LLC (Limited Liability Company)

  • Startup Office

  • Branch of an existing local or foreign company

Gather and file all necessary documents along with your application. For company formation in TECOM free zones, the following documents are typically required:

  • Passport copies of all shareholders

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association

  • CVs of shareholders or directors

  • Proposed trade names (minimum of 5 options)

  • NOC from a local partner (if applicable)

  • Business plan

  • Bank reference letter

  • Proof of share capital

At this stage, you’ll also need to pay all applicable registration and processing fees to proceed with the setup.

Once your company is approved, collect the essential documents that officially establish your business, including:

  • Business Plan

  • Certificate of Incorporation

  • Business License

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association

  • Share Certificate

  • Lease Agreement

Receive your Establishment Card, which includes key company details and outlines your visa quota allocation.

Submit your application for an entry permit. If you’re outside the UAE when it’s issued, you must enter the country within 60 days to complete the required medical test and biometric procedures for your 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.

Undergo the mandatory medical examination and submit all required documents for your residence visa, along with biometric data for your Emirates ID. The number of visas available for company owners and employees may vary depending on your chosen registration package.

Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card.

Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. Once you receive your account details, you are free to start running your business.

With our support, you can navigate the entire registration process smoothly and efficiently. There's no need to travel to Dubai for the initial setup — everything can be done remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical tests, visa processing, and opening your corporate bank account.

Get a free consultation

TECOM license costs

The base cost of obtaining a license in TECOM free zones starts at approximately AED 15,000. However, certain business setup packages that include a dedicated desk can significantly reduce this cost, with the license fee lowered to just the registration fee of AED 3,520. Additionally, a Freelance License is available at a cost of AED 7,500.

Here’s an estimated breakdown of a setup package that includes a dedicated desk facility:

ITEM & DESCRIPTIONCOST
Professional/Commercial/Industrial license~ 15,000 AED
Freelancer license7,500 AED

Additional costs included in a typical setup package apart from the license fee:

  • Registration fee
  • Establishment Card
  • Lease cost
  • Visa-related fees
  • Medical checkup
  • Emirates ID
Jahney

Discuss your unique case with our expert right now

Get a free consultation

Is TECOM suitable for your business?

Yes, consider TECOM Free Zones if:

  • You’re looking to establish your business in one of Dubai’s premier business communities under TECOM Group, backed by state-owned Dubai Holding.

  • Your business operates in sectors such as media, technology, manufacturing, design, education, or science—industries well-supported across TECOM’s 10 specialized free zones.

  • You’re a freelancer or independent professional, as TECOM offers freelance permits with single visa quotas.

  • You need access to world-class infrastructure, with TECOM free zones providing a wide range of facilities including business centers, warehouses, commercial outlets, and event spaces.

  • You or your team members are from countries typically considered high-risk (e.g., Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey), as TECOM zones such as Dubai Internet City generally offer smoother visa and banking procedures.

Alternative Suggestions:
If you’re in media, consider Sharjah Media City (Shams); for IT and media, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is also a strong choice.

No, TECOM Free Zones may not be ideal if:

  • You prefer to set up your business remotely, as TECOM often requires the personal presence of company owners. In that case, Ajman Media City (AMC) or IFZA offer more flexible options.

  • You’re seeking to establish your business outside of Dubai.

  • Your business involves heavy industry or logistics—sectors not typically supported in TECOM free zones. Instead, consider SAIF Zone or JAFZA for such activities.

  • You’re aiming to operate with a flexi-desk, as TECOM usually mandates renting a physical office within the free zone to obtain a license.

TECOM licenses & business activities

TECOM offers a comprehensive and inclusive platform tailored for individuals, startups, SMEs, and multinational companies. Each TECOM business district is typically industry-focused, bringing together businesses that operate within similar sectors—creating dynamic ecosystems under one roof. This sector-specific approach means that the range of permitted business activities across TECOM free zones is extensive, especially in fields such as media, information technology, manufacturing, design, education, and scientific research.

To get started, simply select the free zone that aligns best with your industry and business goals.

Below is a table outlining the common types of business licenses available in TECOM free zones, along with their respective descriptions.

Commercial License

A Commercial License enables you to start a business in retail, wholesale, or import-export, providing access to both local and international markets.

Professional License

A Professional License allows you to provide expert services across various sectors, including consulting, management, education, real estate, and other specialized professions.

Each TECOM free zone may also offer additional license types tailored to the specific industries and sectors it supports. In addition, TECOM provides a dedicated freelance permit for independent professionals. This permit allows you to operate under your personal name, positioning you as an individual expert rather than a business brand.

TECOM facilities

TECOM offers a diverse range of versatile facilities designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. While some free zones cater to specific industries and facility types, they all share high-quality building standards and top-tier infrastructure.

When establishing a company within a TECOM business community, you will need to lease a property within the free zone. The type of property you rent will depend on your business activity and company size. Please note that all leases are subject to a 5% VAT. Additionally, a desk space requires a security deposit of AED 5,000, while private office space requires AED 10,000.

The available facility options within TECOM free zones include:

Warehouse

A dedicated facility designed for companies that require storage space for goods and materials, often equipped to support light industrial operations

Commercial spaces

Versatile spaces tailored for businesses offering a wide range of products or services, easily adaptable to suit different business models.

Light industrial unit

A space tailored for businesses engaged in light manufacturing, testing, or repair activities.

TECOM residence visas

Establishing a company in one of TECOM’s free zones grants residence visas for you, your employees, and dependents. TECOM provides different visa packages depending on the type of office space selected. Once the business license is granted, the process for obtaining a residence visa is simple and involves the following steps:

  • Establishment Card for the company

  • Entry permit

  • Status adjustment

  • Medical checkup

  • Emirates ID

TECOM free zone visa costs vary based on the chosen package.

ITEMTECOM FEE
Visa4,220 AED
Emirates ID390 AED
Refundable visa security deposit per applicant2,500 AED
Medical checkup (result in 24 hours)760 AED
Total7,870 AED

All visas are valid for 2 years, and the company license must be renewed annually to maintain the validity of the residence visa. Additionally, the visa holder is required to enter the country at least once every 6 months to keep the visa active.

Complete UAE Residency Guide

Requirements, terms, and prices

download guide

TECOM company license renewal

Companies based in TECOM free zones must renew their registration annually. The renewal process includes:

  • Renewal of the office lease

  • Renewal of the business license

As a result, the renewal will incur costs similar to the initial registration, including license fees and office rent. Additionally, an annual financial audit of the company is required.

FEECOST
License renewal (minimal cost, does not include other associated fees like lease, etc)15,000 AED

To renew your business license:

  1. Submit the application form along with the required documents to the free zone authorities.

  2. Sign the renewed lease agreement.

  3. Pay the renewal fees.

  4. Await the approval and renewal of your license.

If you’re not in Dubai, a representative can handle the renewal process on your behalf.

Once your company is renewed, inform your bank about the license extension by presenting the renewed license at any bank branch. Business consultants in Dubai can assist you throughout this process.

TECOM company amendments

TECOM free zones offer flexibility for company owners to make various amendments as needed, with costs varying based on the type of change. Amendments are generally divided into two categories: Registry Amendments and License Amendments.

Registry Amendments:

  • Company name change

  • Operating name change

  • Parent company name change

  • Addition or removal of directors

  • Financial year change

License Amendments:

  • Manager name change

  • Change of location/address on the license

  • Change or addition of business activity within the same segment

  • Removal of an existing segment

  • Removal of an activity within a segment

  • Adding a new publishing segment

  • Adding new channels

Most amendments can be handled by specialized business consultants without the need for the company owner’s personal presence.

TECOM company liquidation

To cancel a business license and deregister a company in a TECOM free zone, the company must approach the free zone authority to initiate the deregistration process. Shareholders are required to give notice for the company’s termination and appoint a liquidator, usually an auditing firm, to handle the liquidation.

The liquidation procedure involves the following steps:

  1. Provide the following required documents:

    • Board resolution signed by shareholders, stating the reason for liquidation

    • Deregistration documentation

    • Business license and all incorporation documents

    • Auditor’s Liquidation Certificate

    • Audit report

  2. Pay cancellation fees and settle any outstanding payments to initiate the liquidation.

  3. Cancel all residence visas and immigration-related documents issued under the company.

  4. Receive the deregistration documents once the liquidation process is completed and finalized.

If a company fails to renew or cancel its license, it will be considered non-operational. In such cases, the free zone authority will automatically initiate the liquidation process. Any refundable deposits made to the authority will be refunded upon company deregistration.

With our support, you can navigate the entire registration process smoothly and efficiently. There's no need to travel to Dubai for the initial setup — everything can be done remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical tests, visa processing, and opening your corporate bank account.

Get a free consultation

About TECOM

TECOM, or Technology, Electronic Commerce, and Media Group, is a prominent real estate company with a portfolio of 10 industry-specific business districts (free zones). It is a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, a state-owned global investment company. Each TECOM free zone is tailored to support specific industry sectors, offering corresponding licenses and facilities.

The TECOM free zones include:

  1. Dubai Internet City (DIC)

  2. Dubai Media City (DMC)

  3. Dubai Design District (d3)

  4. Dubai Industrial City (DIP)

  5. Dubai Science Park (DSP)

  6. Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)

  7. Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)

  8. Dubai Studio City (DSC)

  9. Dubai Production City (DPC)

  10. Dubai Outsource City (DOC)

TECOM’s journey began with the creation of Dubai Internet City in 1999, which has since evolved into the largest ICT hub in the MENA region. Today, TECOM’s free zones are home to over 11,000 companies, including multinational giants like Microsoft, Visa, Google, Dell, Oracle, Siemens, and CNBC Arabia. These zones host more than 124,000 professionals across diverse fields. In 2022, TECOM Group posted a net profit of AED 725.6 million.

The TECOM business districts are primarily focused on sectors such as media, technology, manufacturing, design, education, and science, supporting a vast array of business activities. Each free zone functions as a dynamic business ecosystem, providing world-class infrastructure, facilities, and amenities. Located in Dubai, a globally recognized business hub, TECOM offers unmatched strategic advantages for development and networking.

Additionally, TECOM has launched various innovative projects to support entrepreneurs and startups, including business incubators, laboratories, higher education campuses, the “axs” smart services platform, and the GoFreelance initiative for independent professionals.

Whether you’re a freelancer, a startup, an SME, or a multinational corporation, TECOM’s free zones offer the resources and support necessary for your business success in Dubai. With a constant drive for innovation and development, TECOM continues to implement new solutions to assist businesses and professionals in achieving their goals.

Request a free assessment

+44 0203 0111 456

Contact online

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.

Information affecting all users of this website can be found on our Legal Notices page which you are deemed to have read and accepted.

© 2025 Visa Success Limited All rights reserved.