FREE ZONE · DUBAI · UAE
Dubai Internet City Free Zone (UAE): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
- Activity combinations
- 31 5 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 20,540* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 6,192 – 20,540* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 15–32 days fastest → slowest filed
About Dubai Internet City
Dubai Internet City (Dubai Internet City) accounts for 31 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 5 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is Software Development & IT with 22 packages, followed by Telecommunications (4 packages).
Entry packages start at AED 6,192*, the median combination runs from AED 20,540*, and the fullest configurations in the catalog reach AED 20,540*. Filed setup timelines range from 15 to 32 days depending on the activity mix, visa quota and office option.
Dubai Internet City is Dubai Internet City, the region's oldest and best-known technology cluster, home to global tech majors. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with Dubai Internet City licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
Fit check
Who is Dubai Internet City best for?
- Software and IT companies that want to operate next to global tech majors.
- Telecommunications and connectivity-related businesses.
- Regional offices of international technology firms.
- Tech teams that value a recognised address in Dubai's original internet cluster.
Verdict
Pros & cons
Pros
- The most recognisable technology address in the region, hosting leading global tech companies for decades.
- A tightly focused catalog: 22 of 31 combinations are in Software Development & IT.
- Established infrastructure and community - the cluster anchors Dubai's tech corridor alongside Media City and Knowledge Park.
- Freelance and general-services options exist for solo tech professionals.
Cons
- Only 5 activity clusters, so the zone fits tech companies almost exclusively.
- Filed timelines are mid-range: 15 to 32 days in the snapshot.
- Non-tech activities - trading, consulting, industrial - are scarce, so check the catalog before committing.
- A prime location on the Al Sufouh corridor comes at a cost above peripheral Dubai zones.
Activities
Top activity clusters at Dubai Internet City
| Activity cluster | Packages at Dubai Internet City | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Software Development & IT | 22 | from AED 15,712* |
| Telecommunications | 4 | from AED 20,540* |
| Marketing & Advertising | 2 | from AED 20,540* |
| Visa & Immigration | 2 | from AED 6,192* |
| General Services & Freelance | 1 | from AED 15,712* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at Dubai Internet City
- Scope tagging
- 19% visa / 0% bank share of packages tagging visa / bank steps
- Establishment card
- 68% of the catalog 3,161 packages platform-wide include the step
- Corporate bank account
- 61% of the catalog 2,840 packages platform-wide include the step
- Investor visa
- 44% of the catalog 2,047 packages platform-wide include the step
- Head office address
- Building 4, Dubai Internet City, Al Sufouh, Dubai
The typical Dubai Internet City sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Dubai jurisdictions.
FAQ
Dubai Internet City: questions
How much does a Dubai Internet City license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, 31 combinations are tracked, starting from AED 6,192*. The median package runs from AED 20,540* and the range stretches to AED 20,540*. The spread reflects activity type, visa quota and office option. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at Dubai Internet City take?
Filed packages at Dubai Internet City complete in 15 to 32 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can a Dubai Internet City license cover?
The catalog maps 31 Dubai Internet City combinations onto 5 activity clusters. The strongest are Software Development & IT; Telecommunications; Marketing & Advertising. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is Dubai Internet City located and who is it for?
Dubai Internet City is based in Dubai — Dubai Internet City, the region's oldest and best-known technology cluster, home to global tech majors. As a free zone jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Where is Dubai Internet City located?
The authority is headquartered at Building 4, Dubai Internet City, Al Sufouh, Dubai. License applications are submitted to this authority — online or at its customer service desk, depending on the license type.
Which authority issues licenses in Dubai Internet City?
Dubai Internet City (Dubai emirate) is the issuing authority. Its September 2026 catalog tracks 31 activity combinations, with entry packages from AED 6,192*.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in Dubai Internet City?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.