A Working Tech Ecosystem
Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Intel, Google, Meta and Samsung run regional operations in DIC. Setting up here puts your business next to the customers, partners and talent pool that already cluster around them.
Dubai Internet City (DIC)
Company Formation
Set up where the region's technology industry already sits. Since 2000, Dubai Internet City has been the UAE's main address for IT and digital business, and it still hosts the regional offices of Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Google and most of the names that matter in tech.
- 100% Ownership
- Operating Since 2000
- TECOM Group
- Tech & Digital
- Innovation Hub
The UAE's Original Technology Cluster
Dubai Internet City (DIC) opened in October 2000, a year after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum founded it, starting with 100 companies and now home to more than 4,000 businesses and 31,000+ tech professionals (as of 2024). Operated by TECOM Group, part of Dubai Holding, it is the UAE's main IT and digital district, hosting regional operations of Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Google and others.
Dubai Internet City opened in October 2000, a year after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum founded it, and it started with 100 companies. It now holds more than 4,000 businesses and 31,000+ tech professionals (as of 2024), and it is still the district global technology firms pick for their Middle East base. Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Cisco, Intel, Google, Meta and Samsung all run regional operations here. For a company setting up, that matters: you arrive inside a working ecosystem of customers, partners and tech talent rather than an empty business park.
DIC is operated by TECOM Group, part of Dubai Holding, and sits within Dubai's Integrated Economic Zones. Its remit is deliberately narrow — software, telecoms, digital media, e-commerce and the services that support them. It also neighbours TECOM's media, design, science and academic districts, so cross-sector hiring and partnerships are easy, and it is close to Dubai Marina, the Palm and the Metro, which is where a lot of tech talent wants to live and work.
Home to the regional offices of the world's largest technology firms
Why Dubai Internet City
DIC competes on ecosystem, not just floor space. For a software, telecoms or digital-media business, being in the same district as the regional headquarters of the biggest names in tech is a hiring, partnership and credibility advantage a general-purpose free zone cannot match.
Access to the TECOM Cluster
DIC is one of TECOM Group's connected districts, alongside Dubai Media City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Science Park and the academic city. Cross-sector recruitment and partnerships across them are straightforward.
Built for IT and Digital Activity
Licensing is tuned to technology work — software development, SaaS, telecoms, digital content, e-commerce, data and AI — rather than retrofitted from a generic trading licence.
Premium Space as You Scale
From co-working and serviced offices through to TECOM's Innovation Hub floors, the district has space for a two-person startup and for a regional headquarters in the same place.
A Location That Helps You Hire
Next to Dubai Marina, the Palm and a Metro station — the part of the city tech talent actually wants to commute to, which makes recruitment and retention easier.
Full Ownership, UAE Free-Zone Status
100% foreign ownership with no local-shareholder requirement, and eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Software, SaaS and platform businesses
- IT services, systems integration and managed services
- Telecoms and connectivity providers
- Digital media, content and adtech
- Data, AI and analytics firms
- E-commerce and digital-first businesses
Dubai Internet City Licence Types
DIC licences are organised around technology and the services that surround it.
Technology & IT Licence
For software development, SaaS, IT services, telecoms, cybersecurity, data and AI businesses — the core of the DIC ecosystem.
- Software development & SaaS
- IT services & systems integration
- Telecoms & connectivity
- Cybersecurity & cloud
- Data, AI & analytics
Digital Media & Content Licence
For digital content, adtech, e-commerce platforms and online media — including the Arabic digital-media work DIC is known for.
- Digital content & publishing
- Adtech & marketing technology
- E-commerce platforms
- Online media
- Gaming & interactive
Service / Professional Licence
For consultancy, technical and professional services that support the technology businesses based in the district.
- Technology & management consultancy
- Technical & engineering services
- Professional & corporate services
- Research & advisory
- Specialist B2B services
Legal Structures Under Dubai Internet City
DIC recognises the standard TECOM / free-zone legal forms. The right one comes down to shareholder count and whether you are incorporating fresh or extending an existing company.
Free Zone LLC (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — the usual choice for a solo founder or a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Free Zone LLC (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, used for co-founded businesses and joint ventures.
Branch of a Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign company that operates under the parent's name and balance sheet, with no separate share capital.
How a Dubai Internet City Company Is Formed
Five steps from activity selection to a banked, visa-ready entity.
- 01
Confirm Activity & Licence
Pick the activities and the matching licence — technology / IT, digital media, or service / professional.
- 02
Reserve the Name & Apply
Reserve the company name and file the licence application with shareholder and activity documents through TECOM's portal.
- 03
Choose Office Space
Select space to fit the licence — a co-working desk, a serviced office, or Innovation Hub floor space as you grow.
- 04
Licence & Establishment Card
On approval, the trade licence and establishment card are issued, which unlocks visa allocation.
- 05
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process investor and employee visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for Dubai Internet City Setup
A standard technology free-zone document set — corporate shareholders add a few group documents.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and the planned technology activities
- Personal information / KYC form
- For corporate shareholders: parent licence, MoA, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose Dubai Internet City
DIC pairs the practical free-zone basics with an ecosystem that is hard to replicate.
100% foreign ownership with no local-shareholder requirement
A district built around technology, with global tech HQs as neighbours
Part of the connected TECOM cluster for cross-sector talent and partnerships
Licensing tuned to software, telecoms, digital media and e-commerce
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Office options from co-working to Innovation Hub floors
A central location next to Dubai Marina and the Metro that aids hiring
Operating reputation since 2000 — established infrastructure, not a new launch
Tax & Compliance Position — Dubai Internet City
DIC entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. VAT applies in the standard way — DIC is a services / technology zone, not a goods Designated Zone.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
DIC entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income; software, IP and qualifying technology activities are common QFZP candidates.
QFZP eligibilityQFZP eligibility needs Qualifying Income, adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials. IP and software-licensing income has specific QFZP rules — we assess each business individually.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Standard VAT Regime
DIC entities follow standard UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold, with input-tax recovery on business costs. Exported digital services are frequently zero-rated; we confirm the treatment per service.
Not a Designated ZoneDIC is a technology and services free zone, not a Designated Zone for goods under Cabinet 59/2017 — Designated-Zone treatment is not relevant to its software and services tenant base.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Trade-licence renewal with the free zone authority
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register with the free zone authority
- Data-protection alignment for businesses handling personal data
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT)
Sectors Active in Dubai Internet City
DIC's tenant base is technology and the digital economy.
Software & SaaS
Telecoms & Connectivity
Digital Media & Content
E-Commerce
AI, Data & Analytics
Cybersecurity & Cloud
Technology Consulting
Tech-Enabled Services
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs Dubai Internet City setups end-to-end — from activity scoping through to a banked, visa-ready entity registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Tech-Activity Fluency
We map software, SaaS, telecoms and digital-media activities to the right DIC licence, and flag the IP and data implications early.
QFZP for Software & IP
Qualifying Free Zone Person assessment for technology and IP income, so the 0% rate is claimed correctly and survives the annual re-test.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard DIC technology firms, with the compliance file they ask for.
Investor & Employee Visas
Investor and employee visas processed alongside Emirates ID and medicals — scaled to a growing tech headcount.
Corporate Tax & VAT
FTA registrations and ongoing filings, including zero-rating review for exported digital services.
Ongoing Compliance
Licence renewals, audited financials, ESR, UBO and data-protection alignment handled so the entity stays in good standing.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of a Dubai Internet City setup — formation, structuring, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for Dubai Internet City
Three things that come up in every DIC engagement once the licence is issued.
Ecosystem-Aware Setup
We set up technology businesses regularly and know how DIC, the wider TECOM cluster and the talent market actually work together.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, office, bank, visas and tax — handled by one team on one engagement letter.
Tax Done for Software & IP
QFZP and VAT handled for the way technology and IP income actually arises, not a generic template.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
Dubai Internet City suits technology, software, telecoms and digital-media businesses. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE companies through Avyanco.
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
Dubai Internet City — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Dubai Internet City.
What is Dubai Internet City?
Dubai Internet City (DIC) is the UAE's main technology free zone. It was founded in October 1999 and opened in October 2000, and it is operated by TECOM Group, part of Dubai Holding. It is home to more than 4,000 businesses and 31,000+ professionals (as of 2024), including the regional headquarters of global technology firms, and it focuses on IT, software, telecoms and digital media.
What kinds of business is DIC best for?
Software and SaaS companies, IT and managed-services firms, telecoms providers, digital-media and content businesses, e-commerce, and data / AI ventures. The draw is the technology ecosystem and the talent pool that has built up around the district since 2000.
Who operates and regulates DIC?
DIC is operated by TECOM Group (part of Dubai Holding) and sits within Dubai's Integrated Economic Zones. Company registration and licensing run through TECOM, and the entity is then subject to the UAE's federal tax and compliance rules.
Can a foreign founder own 100% of a DIC company?
Yes. As a free zone, DIC permits full foreign ownership with no UAE-national shareholder requirement.
Does DIC qualify for the 0% UAE Corporate Tax rate?
DIC is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax purposes. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person under the FTA's regime; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Software and IP income has specific QFZP rules, which we assess at the planning stage.
What office options does DIC offer?
Co-working desks and serviced offices for early-stage companies, through to leased and Innovation Hub floor space for established firms and regional headquarters. The right option depends on the licence and your headcount plan.
How is DIC different from a general-purpose free zone?
A general free zone gives you a licence and an address. DIC gives you those plus a technology ecosystem — the regional offices of major tech firms, a tech-focused talent market, and the connected TECOM districts next door. For a technology business, that ecosystem is usually the deciding factor.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the official Dubai Internet City / TECOM Group sources and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of Dubai Internet City, TECOM Group, Dubai Holding and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Named companies are referenced as publicly known tenants and are not Avyanco clients or partners.
Free zone licence categories, office options, tenant mix and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. The legacy 'tax-free' free-zone incentives have been superseded by the UAE Corporate Tax regime. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with TECOM Group and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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