Dubai Free Zone Guide 2025: The ultimate handbook for entrepreneurs

Compare 30 Dubai free zones — from DIFC to DMCC — with setup costs, visa packages, facilities and key sectors for startups in 2025

Dubai free zones power one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems — combining 100 per cent foreign ownership, tax advantages and streamlined licensing.

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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

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.

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

• Not published

Visas

Same as DIAC: 1 visa (shared desk) • 2 visas (dedicated desk / office) • 1 employee per 80 sq ft.

Dubai Media City (DMC)

Media-focused SaaS with desks, private offices and broadcast facilities, backed by in5 Media and production support.

Supported sectors

• Software / SaaS

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

• Not published

Dubai Outsource City

SaaS/BPO and shared-services operators with serviced offices, call-centre floors and disaster-recovery suites.

Supported sectors

• Software / SaaS

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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)

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

Dubai Production City (DPC)

Media/publishing tech with desks, offices and light-industrial units plus in5 Media and production facilities.

Supported sectors

• Software / SaaS

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

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)

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

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.

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

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

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

DUQE

Multi-sector company formation with flexi/virtual offices and concierge setup services with visa options.

Supported sectors

• Software / SaaS

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

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

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

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

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

• Not published

Visas

• Not published

Source: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/startup/dubai-free-zone-guide-2025