DTEC Free Zone Setup, Dubai, UAE

Reviewed by Shobhna Thapa, Legal Advisor

How to set up your business in DTEC free zone

A dedicated home for tech startups inside Dubai Silicon Oasis. Here's how the licence, office and visa process works.

100% Foreign Ownership Tech & Startup Focused From AED 5,275 Co-Working Community

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DTEC, the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, is a free zone inside Dubai Silicon Oasis built for tech startups and innovation-driven businesses. Setting up involves choosing between an FZE (single shareholder) or FZCO (multiple shareholders) structure, selecting an office package from Flexi Desk through to Private Office, and applying for your trade licence and visas. Published packages start from around AED 5,275, with fully licensed, one-visa packages running to roughly AED 15,045 depending on office type and visa count. DTEC suits tech and startup-focused businesses best; a business needing large physical or industrial space is usually better served by a general-purpose free zone.

Why It Matters

Why DTEC suits tech and innovation-focused founders

DTEC, the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, is a free zone inside Dubai Silicon Oasis built specifically for tech startups, entrepreneurs and innovation-driven businesses. It combines a trade licence with access to a genuine startup community, co-working space and technology-sector networking, something a purely administrative free zone licence doesn't offer. Getting your structure, licence type and office package right from the start means your setup matches how your business actually operates day to day.

Choosing Your Structure

FZE vs FZCO in DTEC

FZE (Free Zone Establishment)

A single-shareholder structure, suited to a solo founder or a company setting up a wholly owned subsidiary.

FZCO (Free Zone Company)

Allows two or more shareholders, suited to co-founders or a business bringing on investors from the start.

Startup Community

Access to a genuine tech and entrepreneur network, not just a licence and an address.

Flexible Office Options

Choose from Flexi Desk, Fixed Desk or Private Office depending on how your team works.

100% Foreign Ownership

Full ownership and full repatriation of capital and profits, with no local partner required.

Before You Apply

Requirements you'll need to confirm

Business Activity

Confirm your activity falls within DTEC's tech and innovation-focused licence categories.

Structure Choice

FZE or FZCO, depending on your number of shareholders.

Office Package

Flexi Desk, Fixed Desk or Private Office, matched to your visa count and how your team works.

Document Checklist

Passport copies, application form and business plan summary for all shareholders.

Getting Started

DTEC setup: the step-by-step process

Choose Your Activity

Confirm your business activity fits DTEC's tech and startup-focused licence categories.

Reserve Your Trade Name

Submit your preferred company name for approval.

Choose FZE or FZCO

Decide your shareholder structure based on your founding team.

Select Your Office Package

Flexi Desk, Fixed Desk or Private Office, matched to your visa needs.

Submit Your Application

File your licence application with supporting shareholder documents.

Pay Fees

Settle registration and licensing fees.

Receive Your Licence

Collect your trade licence and open a corporate bank account.

Process Visas

Apply for investor and employee visas against your approved office package.

Budgeting

Requirements and cost

Item	Detail
Package starting price	AED 5,275*
Flexi Desk service licence	From AED 11,995*
One-visa all-in package	From AED 15,045*
Licence renewal	From AED 10,250*
Nationality requirement	Open to any nationality

*Indicative only, based on published competitor package pricing at the time of research. Confirm current pricing directly with our team before budgeting a total.

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Frequently Asked, and Ready When You Are

DTEC setup, answered, plus a direct line to our team

What is DTEC free zone?+

DTEC, the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, is a free zone located within Dubai Silicon Oasis, designed for tech startups, entrepreneurs and innovation-driven businesses, offering trade licences alongside co-working space and a startup community.

How much does it cost to set up a business in DTEC free zone?+

Published packages start from around AED 5,275, with a Flexi Desk service licence from roughly AED 11,995 and a one-visa all-in package from roughly AED 15,045. Final cost depends on licence type, office package and visa count.

What is the difference between an FZE and FZCO in DTEC?+

An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) has a single shareholder, while an FZCO (Free Zone Company) allows two or more shareholders. Both structures are available in DTEC depending on your ownership plans.

What office options does DTEC offer?+

DTEC typically offers a Flexi Desk (shared co-working access), a Fixed Desk, and a Private Office, with cost rising from Flexi Desk through to Private Office.

How long does DTEC company formation take?+

A typical DTEC setup runs in phases: initial approval and document submission on day one, licence issuance over the following few days, and visa processing shortly after, usually completing within one to two weeks depending on activity and visa count.

Is DTEC the right choice for every business?+

DTEC suits tech, startup and innovation-focused businesses that benefit from its community and co-working environment. A business needing a large physical office, industrial space, or a non-tech commercial activity may be better served by a general-purpose free zone.

Talk to an advisor

Send your details and our team will reply with next steps and a tailored quote.

+971 52 960 4444 hidubai@smartzonesuae.com 11th Floor, Suite No. 1108, Silver Tower, Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.

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Call now or send your details above. Our advisory team will confirm your licence type, office package and total cost, free of charge.