In 2025, around 30 specialised zones across the emirate cater to entrepreneurs in AI, FinTech, HealthTech, Design, E-commerce and Advanced Manufacturing.
This handbook, drawn from the Dubai Startup Guide 2025, details 30 key free zones — outlining their sectors, facilities, visa packages, setup costs and contact details to help founders choose the perfect launch base.
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)
AI, SaaS, cyber-security, FinTech and digital-asset firms with executive desks, offices and METADAFZ support plus multi-tier visa packages.
Supported sectors
- Artificial intelligence
- Software / SaaS
- Cyber-security
- FinTech
- Digital Assets
Facilities
- Desk options: Executive desks
- Offices: Clinical and non-clinical suites (120 – 500sqft)
- Special facilities: Telemedicine suites, 3D Print medical lab
- Shared amenities: Conference centre, valet parking
Support
DAFZ Incubator programmes; strategic-partner introductions; METADAFZ virtual-reality platform for client meetings
Visas
Packages with 1 / 2 / 3 / 6 visas — or 1 visa per 8.33 m² of leased space
Setup
- Setup: 2 – 4 weeks
- Presence: No
- Entry package and cost: 6.65 m² office AED41,790
Contact
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
HealthTech and AI companies with clinical/non-clinical suites, telemedicine and 3D-print labs, fast-track licensing and scalable visa allocations.
Supported sectors
- HealthTech
- Artificial Intelligence
- 3D Printing
- Software / SaaS
Facilities
- Desk options: Executive desks
- Offices: Clinical and non-clinical suites (120–500 sq ft)
- Special facilities: telemedicine suites, 3D-print medical lab
- Shared amenities: conference centre, valet parking
Support
DHCC Accelerator; clinical-trial and patient-network access; licensing fast-track with health authorities.
Visas
No fixed cap; visas scale with facility size (≈ 1 visa per 100–150 m²)
Setup
- Setup: 4–6 weeks
- Presence: Yes
- Entry package and cost: Executive desk AED30,000; mid-size office AED60,000
Contact
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)
EdTech and tech startups access desks, offices and campus facilities with in5 Education, research partnerships and defined visa tiers.
Supported sectors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software / SaaS
- PropTech
- Gaming
- Metaverse/Web3
- FinTech
- Cyber-security
- HealthTech
- EdTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Private offices, office quarters/open quarters
- Special facilities: Campus buildings, lecture halls
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, lounges, outdoor courtyard, recreation zone
Support
in5 Education accelerator and incubator access; university research partnerships; mentoring and pitch events.
Visas
Shared desk = 1 visa; Dedicated desk = 2 visas; Private office = 2+ visas (rule of ~1 employee per 80 sq ft)
Setup
- Setup: 4–6 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Shared desk AED12,000 (1 visa); Office quarter AED54,000 (≥2 visas)
Contact
Dubai Design District (d3)
Creative-tech (Software/SaaS) companies use flexi/coworking and studio spaces, supported by in5 Design labs and sector networking.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS (creative tech)
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Private offices, shell-and-core studios
- Warehouse/light industrial: Light warehousing for design stores
- Special facilities: Fashion ateliers, creative studios
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, breakout areas, FandB and retail strip
Support
in5 Design incubator; 3D-printing and equipment-rental labs; investor matching; fashion/creative networking and events.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi/shared desk AED40,000
Contact
Dubai Industrial City
AgriTech, 3D-printing, HealthTech and SaaS with offices, prebuilt warehouses, industrial plots, worker housing and in5 Industry access.
Supported sectors
- AgriTech
- 3D Printing
- HealthTech
- Software / SaaS
Facilities
- Offices: Private offices, showrooms
- Warehouse/industrial: Prebuilt warehouses, open yards
- Land plots: Heavy- and light-industrial plots
- Special facilities: Worker accommodation, food-tech hub
- Shared amenities: Logistics support, on-site utilities
Support
International Centre for 3D Printing (labs, R&D partners); in5 Industry incubator; proximity to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum Airport.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: 5–6 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: 650 sq ft unit AED35,750
Contact
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
FinTech, AI, SaaS and digital-asset companies with desks/offices, AI Campus, FinTech Hive and common-law courts.
Supported sectors
- FinTech
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software / SaaS
- Digital Assets
- PropTech
- Metaverse/Web3
- Cybersecurity
Facilities
- Desk options: flexi-desk, fixed desk
- Offices: private offices (100–1,500 sq ft), shell-and-core
- Special facilities: AI Campus, FinTech Hive, PropTech hub, event theatre
- Shared amenities: meeting rooms, auditorium, business lounges
Support
DIFC Courts (common-law); FinTech Hive and LEAP accelerator; strong VC network and demo days.
Visas
- ~1 visa per desk (flexi or dedicated)
Setup
- Setup: Not published
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED22,000; Dedicated AED25,680; Private AED45,500
Contact
Dubai Internet City (DIC)
AI, SaaS, gaming and cybersecurity firms with flexi/fixed desks, labs and the in5 Tech accelerator with investor programmes.
Supported sectors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software / SaaS
- PropTech
- Gaming
- Metaverse/Web3
- FinTech
- Cybersecurity
- HealthTech
- EdTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, fixed desk
- Offices: Serviced and shell-and-core
- Special facilities: in5 Tech centre, gaming lab, conference halls
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, café zones
Support
in5 Tech incubator; prototyping labs; investor office hours; workshops and community events.
Visas
- Dedicated desk allows up to 2 visas
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks (≤6)
- Presence: Yes
- Entry package and cost: Freelancer desk AED50,000; Company desk AED57,000
Contact
Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)
EdTech and AI providers with desks, offices and education facilities linked to in5 Education and industry networking.
Supported sectors
- EdTech
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software / SaaS
Facilities
- Desk options: flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: private offices, campus classrooms
- Special facilities: testing labs, HRD studios
- Shared amenities: meeting rooms, lounges, outdoor courtyard
Support
in5 Education links; EdTech co-creation with academic tenants; industry networking sessions.
Visas
Same scheme as DIAC (guide’s cluster): 1 visa (shared) / 2 visas (dedicated) / 80 sq ft per employee.
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks (≤6)
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED22,000; Dedicated AED25,680; Private AED45,500
Contact
Dubai Logistics City
SaaS and AI businesses with executive/flexi desks, offices and logistics warehouses plus bonded-corridor access.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, executive suite
- Offices: Private and furnished offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Logistics warehouses, air-side facilities
- Special facilities: Bonded logistics corridor
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, business lounge
Support
Visas
Same as DIAC: 1 visa (shared desk) • 2 visas (dedicated desk / office) • 1 employee per 80 sq ft.
Setup
- Setup: 2 – 4 weeks (≤6)
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED 22,000 and Dedicated AED 25,680 and Private AED 45,500
Contact
Dubai Media City (DMC)
Media-focused SaaS with desks, private offices and broadcast facilities, backed by in5 Media and production support.
Supported sectors
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Private offices, broadcast studios
- Warehouse/light industrial: Light production stores
- Special facilities: Sound stages, event venues
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, outdoor courtyard
Support
in5 Media incubator; production-equipment rental; mentor network; media industry workshops and festivals.
Visas
Setup
- Setup: 1–3 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi desk AED5,000; Private office AED15,000
Contact
Dubai Outsource City
SaaS/BPO and shared-services operators with serviced offices, call-centre floors and disaster-recovery suites.
Supported sectors
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Serviced offices, call-centre floors
- Special facilities: Disaster-recovery suites
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, recreation areas
Support
in5 Tech access; mentorship; talent-pool events; BPO roundtables.
Visas
1 visa (shared desk); 2 visas (dedicated/office); ~1 employee per 80 sq ft
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED12,000; Dedicated AED36,000; Private AED54,000
Contact
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
AI, SaaS, FinTech and 3D-printing startups with coworking, private offices and TechnoHub R&D labs via DTEC/TechnoHub.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
- Digital Assets
- Metaverse/Web3
- Cybersecurity
- 3D Printing
- EdTech
- HealthTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Coworking station, flexi-desk
- Offices: Private offices (160 sq ft+)
- Warehouse/light industrial: Light industrial units
- Special facilities: TechnoHub labs, R&D centre, robotics and 3D-print zone
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, maker space
Support
DTEC and TechnoHub incubators; VC connections; corporate RandD partner labs; hackathons and tech events.
Visas
Flexi-desk permits 2 visas.
Setup
- Setup: ≈2 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi desk AED12,000
Contact
Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC)
SaaS, gaming, AI and cybersecurity startups with flexi/fixed desks, incubator pods, labs and investor access.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Gaming
- Artificial Intelligence
- 3D Printing
- Cyber Security
- Digital Assets
- Metaverse/Web3
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, fixed desk
- Offices: Private offices, incubator pods
- Special facilities: Start-up labs, pitch arena
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, café lounge
Support
Meeting spaces, lockers, advisory clinics, DTEC Sandbox, investor network and start-up events.
Visas
Flexi-desk permits 2 visas
Setup
- Setup: ≈2 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi desk AED12,000
Contact
Meydan Free Zone
Multi-sector tech (SaaS, AI, FinTech, PropTech, etc.) with digital licensing, business-centre services and visa-tier packages.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
- PropTech
- Digital Assets
- Metaverse/Web3
- EdTech
- HealthTech
- AgriTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Dedicated offices
- Special facilities: Business centre, e-signature platform
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
Meydan Plus e-commerce suite (marketplace integration, payment gateways, bonded warehousing)
Visas
Licence packages with 0 / 1 / 3 visas
Setup
- Setup: 1–2 weeks
- Presence: No
- Entry package and cost: Licence AED12,500 (0 visa) · AED14,350 (1 visa)
Contact
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
Tech and digital-asset clusters (AI, SaaS, FinTech, gaming) with desks/offices and specialised centres including Crypto Centre.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
- PropTech
- Digital assets
- Gaming
- Metaverse/Web3
- Cybersecurity
- Agritech
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, dedicated desk
- Offices: Dedicated offices, tower floors
- Warehouse/industrial: Light storage units
- Special facilities: AI Centre, Tech Centre, Crypto Centre, e-commerce zone
- Shared amenities: conference space, member lounges
Support
Sector “Knowledge Series” and industry clubs; subsidised tech licences via AstroLabs/Brinc accelerator links
Visas
Standard flexi-desk: up to 3 visas; Special flexi-desk: 1 visa
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks
- Presence: No
- Entry package and cost: Basic “Biz” AED35,484
Contact
Dubai South (Logistics District)
Tech and sector-diverse firms with desks, offices, modular warehouses and the EZDubai e-commerce hub.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
- PropTech
- HealthTech
- AgriTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, dedicated desk
- Offices: Furnished offices, executive offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Modular warehouses
- Land plots: Industrial and commercial plots
- Special facilities: EZDubai e-commerce hub
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, business centre
Support
EZDubai e-commerce cluster (fulfilment partners, customs-bonded zone); logistics-innovation events.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: ≈3 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Licence 0-visa AED12,500; 1-visa AED15,950 (office rent AED1,300–1,600/m²)
Contact
Dubai Studio City
Gaming, Web3 and SaaS creators with desks, production suites, sound stages and post-production facilities via in5 Media/Gaming links.
Supported sectors
- Gaming
- Metaverse/Web3
- Software / SaaS
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Private offices, production suites
- Warehouse/industrial: Sound stages, equipment storage
- Special facilities: Post-production labs, dubbing studios
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, outdoor courtyard
Support
in5 Media and Gaming access; sound-stage discounts; equipment rental; mentor sessions.
Visas
Same scheme as DIAC (1 visa shared / 2 visas dedicated / ~80 sq ft rule)
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED12,000; Dedicated AED36,000; Private AED54,000
Contact
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
Multi-sector tech companies with flexible desks/offices, business concierge support and licence options with 0–4 visas.
Supported sectors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software / SaaS
- FinTech
- PropTech
- Digital Assets
- Metaverse/Web3
- Cybersecurity
- 3D Printing
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, virtual desk
- Offices: Shell-and-core, unfurnished offices
- Special facilities: Business concierge centre
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
IFZA Business Accelerator; Partners network, training, marketing support.
Visas
Trading/Service/Consultancy licences: 0–4 visas
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Licence (0 visa) AED12,900
Contact
Dubai Production City (DPC)
Media/publishing tech with desks, offices and light-industrial units plus in5 Media and production facilities.
Supported sectors
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Private offices, sound stages
- Warehouse/industrial: Printing and packaging units
- Special facilities: Media production suites
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, breakout areas
Support
in5 Media incubator; equipment-rental hub; investor meet-ups; sector networking.
Visas
1 visa (shared); 2 visas (dedicated/office); 1 employee per 80–100 sq ft
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED12,000; Dedicated AED36,000; Private AED54,000
Contact
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
3D-printing, SaaS and FinTech firms with offices, warehouses and logistics/manufacturing plots with visa guidance.
Supported sectors
- 3D Printing
- Software / SaaS
- FinTech
- Digital Assets
- Cybersecurity
Facilities
- Desk options: Coworking space
- Offices: Furnished offices, business park units
- Warehouse/industrial: Warehouses; light industrial units
- Land plots: Logistics and manufacturing plots
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
On-dock logistics advantages; trade-facilitation services; 3D-printing pilot zone.
Visas
~1 visa per 10 m² (workstation package up to 2 visas)
Setup
- Setup: ≈2 weeks
- Presence: Yes
- Entry package and cost: 26.88 m² office AED52,636
Contact
Dubai Science Park (DSP)
HealthTech and AI with labs, offices and biotech facilities plus in5 Innovation access and regulatory pathways.
Supported sectors
- HealthTech
- Artificial Intelligence
- 3D Printing
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, coworking
- Offices: Laboratories, light-industrial units, offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Warehouse units
- Special facilities: Wet and dry labs, biotech incubator
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, recreation areas
Support
in5 Innovation Centre access; MOHAP MoU enabling scientific-office approvals; life-science investor network.
Visas
1 visa (shared); 2 visas (dedicated/office); ~1 employee per 80 sq ft
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Flexi AED12,000; Dedicated AED36,000; Private AED54,000
Contact
Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone (DWTC)
SaaS and virtual-asset firms with desks/offices, event facilities and special licence tracks with multiple visa tiers.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Digital Assets
- Metaverse/Web3
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
- Cybersecurity
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, executive desk
- Offices: Standard and flexible offices, serviced business centre
- Special facilities: Large event halls, crypto centre
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, conference venues
Support
Special licence tracks for Start-ups, Virtual-Assets, Home-Business and Family-Offices; ability to operate virtually from Expo City.
Visas
Packages with 0-7 visas. Minimum 80 sq ft per visa.
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: No
- Entry package and cost: Not published (multiple visa tiers)
Contact
Dubai CommerCity
SaaS/AI/FinTech for e-commerce with desks, offices, fulfilment warehousing and bonded-duty solutions.
Supported sectors
- Software / SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- FinTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Smart desk, coworking
- Offices: Fitted/premium, shell-and-core
- Warehouse/industrial: E-commerce warehouses
- Special facilities: Fulfilment centre, event hall
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, business lounge
Support
Bonded warehouse and customs duty deferral; e-commerce enablement ecosystem (last-mile partners, digital-commerce labs).
Visas
Fixed-office package: up to 3 visas per desk
Setup
- Setup: 1–2 weeks
- Presence: No
- Entry package and cost: Smart desk AED29,000
Contact
Expo City Dubai
Metaverse/Web3, AI, EdTech and PropTech companies with desks, serviced offices and a smart-city innovation campus.
Supported sectors
- Metaverse/Web3
- Artificial Intelligence
- EdTech
- PropTech
Facilities
- Desk options: Single desks, coworking (including women-only coworking)
- Offices: Serviced offices, business hubs
- Special facilities: Smart-city testbed, innovation campus
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms, event space
Support
Not published.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks
- Presence: Yes
- Entry package and cost: Standard office AED32,000
Contact
Dubai Textile City
Textile trading operations with offices above showrooms, warehouses and bonded-hub facilities.
Supported sectors
- Textile and garment trading (non-digital service)
Facilities
- Offices: Office space above showrooms
- Warehouse/industrial: Warehouses, showrooms
- Special facilities: Bonded textile hub
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
TEXMAS membership network; sector trade shows.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: Not published
Presence: Not published
Entry package and cost: Not published
Contact
Website: https://www.texmas.com/
DUQE
Multi-sector company formation with flexi/virtual offices and concierge setup services with visa options.
Supported sectors
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk, virtual office
- Special facilities: Company-formation concierge
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
Company-formation concierge; agent network for banking, PRO and legal services.
Visas
Licence packages with 0–6 visas
Setup
- Setup: ≈1 week
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Not published
Contact
DUCAMZ – Dubai Car and Automotive City
Automotive trading and services with offices, showrooms, warehouses and testing bays.
Supported sectors
- Automotive trade, logistics and services
Facilities
- Offices: Standard offices, showrooms
- Warehouse/industrial: Warehouses, workshops
- Special facilities: Vehicle testing bays
- Shared amenities: Customer parking
Support
JAFZA land-side privileges: streamlined access to Jebel Ali Port and Dubai airports for vehicle logistics.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: 5–6 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Office/showroom AED14,500
Contact
- (Operates under DP World/JAFZA cluster)
Dubai Gold and Diamond Park
Gems and jewellery businesses with trading offices, manufacturing workshops and retail souk access.
Supported sectors
- Gems and jewellery trading/manufacturing
Facilities
- Desk options: Flexi-desk (Business Centre)
- Offices: Gem-trading offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Jewellery manufacturing workshops
- Special facilities: Retail souk for gold and gems
- Shared amenities: Secure vaulting, meeting rooms
Support
JAFZA membership benefits (customs facilitation, logistics corridors); gem-trading events.
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: Not published
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Not published
Contact
• (Cluster information via Ministry of Economy / JAFZA)
International Humanitarian City (IHC)
Humanitarian logistics organisations with offices, warehouses and conference facilities.
Supported sectors
- Humanitarian logistics and NGOs
Facilities
- Desk options: Executive desk
- Offices: Business-centre offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Humanitarian logistics warehouses
- Special facilities: Global relief hub
- Shared amenities: Conference facilities
Support
Not published (coordination hub for UN/INGOs)
Visas
Not published
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Small office (200 sq ft) AED20,000
Contact
Dubai Maritime City
Marine and logistics tech with maritime offices, industrial units, ship-repair yards and dry-dock plots.
Supported sectors
- Marine and logistics tech; shipbuilding/repair
Facilities
- Offices: Maritime offices
- Warehouse/industrial: Industrial units, ship-repair yard, workshops
- Land plots: Dry-dock plots
- Special facilities: Yacht-manufacturing zone
- Shared amenities: Meeting rooms
Support
Visas
Setup
- Setup: 2–4 weeks
- Presence: Not published
- Entry package and cost: Small office (200 sq ft) AED20,000
Contact
