The Dubai Silicon Oasis free zone is an integrated technology park in Dubai. Our published free zone comparison lists it for tech and innovation startups, with setup from AED 14,000, a speed of 4 to 7 days, and a built-in tech ecosystem and R&D incentives as its key advantage. This page covers what the setup involves, what the license allows, and what drives the cost.
First Idea Consultant LLC has been forming companies for founders in the UAE since 2015. We handle all emirates, all free zones and all offshore jurisdictions, Dubai Silicon Oasis included. Dubai Silicon Oasis company formation runs from activity and license selection through to the establishment card and the visa process.
Dubai Silicon Oasis at a glance
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) is the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis, an integrated free zone technology park. One point confuses people researching the zone: IFZA entered Dubai Silicon Oasis under an agreement with DSOA announced on 21 October 2020, which allowed new and existing IFZA companies to work from DSO. An address in Silicon Oasis therefore does not tell you which authority a company is licensed by, so be clear whether you are buying a DSO free zone license or an IFZA one.
| Free Zone | Best For | Setup Cost | Speed | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Tech & innovation startups | From AED 14,000 | 4 to 7 days | Built-in tech ecosystem & R&D incentives |
| Meydan | Startups & consultants | From AED 12,500 | 3 to 5 days | Premium location, quick digital setup |
| IFZA | SMEs & traders | From AED 12,900 | 3 to 5 days | Cost-effective with global credibility |
The full comparison, including DMCC, DIFC, Dubai South, DAFZA and JAFZA, sits on our Dubai free zone license page. Government fees and requirements can change without prior notice, so treat every starting figure as an indication and ask for a written quote.
What the license allows, and what it does not
A free zone license authorises your activity within the free zone, under the rules of the authority that issues it. It is not, by itself, permission to trade in the Dubai mainland market. Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a free zone establishment may conduct activities outside the free zone and within the Emirate only after obtaining a license or permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
That route exists in practice. In October 2025, Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation, part of DET, launched the Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit with the Dubai Free Zone Council. Eligible companies holding a Dubai Unified License apply through the Invest in Dubai platform.
- The permit is valid for six months at a cost of AED 5,000, renewable for the same fee every six months.
- The initial phase covers non-regulated activities including technology, consultancy, design, professional services and trading, with plans to extend to regulated sectors, so eligibility depends on your activity.
- Mainland activities attract 9% corporate tax on the related revenues, and separate financial records must be kept in line with Federal Tax Authority requirements.
Free zone marketing copy sometimes reads more broadly than this, so follow the Resolution. If mainland customers are central to your plan, weigh the permit route against a Dubai mainland license.
Workspace and visas
Dubai’s official investment portal states there are no compulsory physical office space requirements for free zone companies, and that free zones provide virtual and flexible desk solutions for business licenses. Any office you do lease must be within your own free zone. That is what makes a flexi-desk setup workable for a small technology team.
Visas are the constraint founders most often underestimate. Most Dubai free zone authorities impose a quota on the number of visas each business can issue. The quota is set by the authority, and published allowances differ from one free zone and one workspace product to the next, so ask for the figure that applies to the license you are buying rather than assuming a number quoted for another zone. A company can raise its quota by moving to larger offices or by applying to the free zone authority, which decides at its discretion. Work out how many people you need to sponsor in year one before choosing the cheapest desk.
After the license comes the establishment card, issued in Dubai by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai). It opens the company’s immigration file so the company can sponsor visas, with the quota, entry permits, medicals and stamping following from there. Visa, license and immigration approvals are subject to the relevant UAE authorities.
Corporate tax and VAT
Juridical persons established in a UAE free zone are within the scope of Corporate Tax as taxable persons and must register, from a business’s first financial year starting on or after 1 June 2023.
A company meeting the conditions to be a Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income and 9% on income that is not Qualifying Income. The conditions include adequate substance in the free zone, the arm’s length principle, transfer pricing documentation, audited financial statements, and non-qualifying revenue below a de minimis limit, stated by the Federal Tax Authority as the lower of AED 5 million or 5% of total revenue. One detail is widely reported wrongly: a Qualifying Free Zone Person does not also receive the 0% band on taxable income up to AED 375,000 that other businesses get.
Whether a zone counts as a Free Zone or a Designated Zone for Corporate Tax is set by Cabinet decision, so confirm it with the relevant authority rather than assume it. VAT is administered by the same body, with a voluntary registration threshold of AED 187,500.
Dubai Silicon Oasis license cost, and what we handle
Our comparison puts Dubai Silicon Oasis setup from AED 14,000. What you pay depends on the license, the workspace product, the number of visa allocations, the establishment card, and per-person costs such as the medical and Emirates ID biometrics. Our published package pricing covers IFZA and Meydan in fixed tiers; for Dubai Silicon Oasis we quote in writing against your activity and visa count rather than publish a total that would not match your case. Use the cost calculator for a first estimate, or see our packages.
We handle zone and license selection, company registration, the establishment card and visa process end to end, corporate tax registration, and bank account opening assistance. Bank account opening is subject to each bank’s KYC, compliance requirements and final approval, and we do not advertise guaranteed approval.
Amir Aslam is our named expert. We hold 67 Google reviews, which you can read on our reviews page.
Very professional company. Amir is a friendly and approachable professional who provided excellent guidance throughout the entire process of setting up our company and bank accounts. Everything was handled efficiently and clearly, which made the experience smooth and stress-free. Highly recommended.
Ronald Bakker
Best consulting company in Dubai to get license and banking services.
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Talk to us about business setup in Dubai Silicon Oasis
Send your business activity and visa count, and we will come back with license options and a written cost breakdown.
- Message us on WhatsApp about a Dubai Silicon Oasis setup
- Call or WhatsApp: +971 56 500 6694
- Office: Park Regis, ParkLane Tower - Office 812 - Business Bay - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
- Or send an enquiry through our contact page
Frequently asked questions
How much does Dubai Silicon Oasis business setup cost?
From AED 14,000 according to our published comparison. The final figure depends on your activity, the workspace product and the number of visas, and government fees may change without prior notice.
How long does the setup take?
Our comparison lists 4 to 7 days for the formation stage. Residence visas run on their own timeline afterwards, through the establishment card, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID steps.
Do I need to rent an office in Dubai Silicon Oasis?
Not necessarily. Dubai’s official investment portal confirms there are no compulsory physical office space requirements for free zone companies, and that free zones offer virtual and flexible desk solutions. Any office you lease must be within your own free zone, and the workspace product you take affects the visa quota the authority allocates.
Can a Dubai Silicon Oasis company sell to customers in the Dubai mainland?
Not on the free zone license alone. Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a free zone establishment needs a license or permit from DET to work outside the free zone and within the Emirate. The Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit costs AED 5,000 for six months.
Can I register the company without travelling to Dubai?
It depends on the authority, so confirm the position for your chosen license before you plan travel. IFZA, for example, states that no physical presence is required during the incorporation process, and formation handled from abroad is what our remote business setup service covers. The residence visa is different: the medical fitness test must be attended in person, and Emirates ID fingerprint and signature capture must be done in person for anyone aged 15 or over.
