Free Zones

Dubai Internet City: Company Setup & Accounting Guide

2025-11-20 · 4 min read · By Aureus Worldwide

Dubai Internet City (DIC), part of TECOM Group, is the Middle East's flagship technology free zone and home to global tech companies, software firms, fintechs and startups. Based in Dubai, it offers an ICT-focused cluster with the ecosystem, talent access and address that technology businesses look for. This guide explains how a Dubai Internet City company setup works, the activities it supports, the steps, and the accounting and tax obligations that follow.

Why choose Dubai Internet City

DIC's main draw is its ecosystem: a dense community of technology companies, partners and talent in one of the most recognised tech addresses in the region. It offers 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation and a single-authority process through TECOM. It suits businesses that benefit from being among peers, customers and partners in the ICT sector rather than those purely chasing the lowest cost.

Who it suits

Dubai Internet City is a strong fit for:

• Software and SaaS companies
• IT services, systems integration and consulting
• Fintech and digital-platform businesses
• Telecoms, cloud and cybersecurity firms
• Tech startups and regional offices of global firms

Licence and activities

DIC issues licences focused on technology and related services, tied to defined activity lists.

Confirm the current activity list and any sector approvals with the free zone authority.

Facilities and ecosystem

DIC typically offers offices, co-working and business-centre options within a campus designed for technology firms, alongside networking, events and access to a large talent pool. Premises choices affect visa allocations, so size them with your hiring plans and confirm current options with TECOM.

Setup steps

1. Choose your activity and licence type.
2. Reserve a compliant company name.
3. Select your structure and shareholders (full foreign ownership permitted).
4. Choose premises, office, co-working or business centre.
5. Submit documents and receive approval and the trade licence.
6. Process establishment card and visas.
7. Open a corporate bank account, see our bank account guide.

Our company formation team can run this end to end.

Accounting, audit and tax considerations

A DIC company has the same UAE-wide obligations as any other entity:

• Bookkeeping. Tech businesses should track revenue recognition for subscriptions and projects carefully, see our accounting service.
• Audit. Free zones commonly expect audited financial statements at renewal; our audit team arranges this through licensed partner firms.
• Corporate Tax. Register and file federally. A QFZP may access 0% on qualifying income with substance and within the de minimis limits; otherwise 9% applies above AED 375,000. See our tax service and the QFZP guide.
• VAT. Register at the threshold; exported digital services and cross-border supplies need correct place-of-supply treatment.

Setup timeline and costs

A Dubai Internet City setup is usually measured in days to a few weeks once documents are complete, with timing influenced by premises selection and any regulated activity. As an established TECOM zone in a prime tech address, DIC's costs reflect its ecosystem and location, and they depend on the licence type, the premises (co-working through to dedicated office), the number of visas and your activities. TECOM revises its packages periodically, so confirm current fees and packages directly with the free zone authority rather than relying on third-party figures, and size the package to a realistic team plan as you scale.

Staying compliant after setup

A DIC licence is renewed annually, and obligations continue between renewals. Diarise the renewal date and prepare early so visas and banking are not disrupted. Technology businesses should keep revenue-recognition records for subscriptions and projects current throughout the year, alongside Corporate Tax registration and any VAT filings, taking care with the place-of-supply treatment of exported digital services. Reviewing your premises and visa allocation before each renewal keeps a fast-growing tech company aligned with its headcount and avoids last-minute disruption.

Dubai Internet City at a glance

Dubai Internet City versus Dubai Media City

DIC is the technology cluster, while its sister TECOM zone Dubai Media City is built for media, content and advertising. Choose based on whether your business is ICT-led or media-led. For a broader framework, see choosing the right UAE free zone.

How Aureus Worldwide helps

Aureus Worldwide helps technology founders set up in Dubai Internet City end to end, selecting the right licence, premises and visas through our company formation team. We then keep you compliant with accounting, Corporate Tax and VAT, and arrange audit through licensed partners. We confirm changeable packages with TECOM before you commit. To set up in Dubai Internet City, contact us.

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