Free Zones for Technology / IT in Dubai (2026)
The 11 Dubai free zones that license technology / IT activity, ranked by published year-1 cost, with visa quotas and setup times. Data as of July 2026.
Take the matching quiz11 free zones in Dubai license technology / IT activity. Among the zones publishing firm package prices, year-1 costs run AED 12,900–30,000 as of July 2026. International Free Zone Authority has the lowest firm published entry cost at AED 12,900–30,000. Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Outsource City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai South Free Zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone price on request or publish only indicative figures, so their costs are not directly comparable. Meydan Free Zone reports the shortest setup at 1–5 days. Which one fits depends on your visa count, office type and banking needs.
Dubai free zones licensing technology / IT
Ranked by published year-1 example cost, lowest first. Figures are typical packages as of July 2026, not quotes.
| Free zone | Year 1 cost | Typical visa ceiling | Setup time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City | AED 7,500–90,000 * | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | AED 7,500–90,000 * | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai Outsource City | AED 7,500–90,000 * | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai Science Park | AED 7,500–90,000 * | 15 | 5–14 days |
| International Free Zone Authority | AED 12,900–30,000 | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai International Financial Centre | USD 15,000–100,000 | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai South Free Zone | AED 15,000–50,000 * | 50 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | AED 20,000–40,000 * | 50 | 5–14 days |
| Meydan Free Zone | AED 22,600–24,300 | 50 | 1–5 days |
| Dubai Airport Free Zone | AED 25,000–60,000 * | 15 | 5–14 days |
| Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone | AED 25,000–60,000 * | 50 | 5–14 days |
* Indicative or quote-based — that zone does not publish firm package pricing, so the figure is not directly comparable with the rest.
Looking UAE-wide rather than Dubai only? See every UAE free zone for technology / IT .
Questions
Which free zone in Dubai is best for technology / IT?
11 free zones in Dubai license technology / IT activity. Among the zones publishing firm package prices, year-1 costs run AED 12,900–30,000 as of July 2026. International Free Zone Authority has the lowest firm published entry cost at AED 12,900–30,000. Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Outsource City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai South Free Zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone price on request or publish only indicative figures, so their costs are not directly comparable. Meydan Free Zone reports the shortest setup at 1–5 days. Which one fits depends on your visa count, office type and banking needs.
How many free zones in Dubai allow technology / IT activity?
11 of the 52 free zones FreezoneMatch scores list technology / IT among their licensed activities in Dubai: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Outsource City, Dubai Science Park, International Free Zone Authority, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai South Free Zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone. As of July 2026.
What does a technology / IT licence cost in Dubai?
Among the zones publishing firm package prices, year-1 costs run AED 12,900–30,000 as of July 2026, based on each zone's published example package. The lowest is International Free Zone Authority at AED 12,900–30,000. These are typical package figures, not quotes — final cost depends on visa count and office type, and 8 of these zones price on request.
How many visas can a technology / IT company get in Dubai?
Visa quotas in Dubai are driven mainly by office type rather than by zone choice — a flexi-desk caps you low almost everywhere. Among these zones, Dubai South Free Zone models the highest typical ceiling at 50. Confirm the quota for the specific office package you intend to take.