Established in 2004 by Law No. 16 of 2005 and fully owned by the Dubai government, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) provides both a living and a working integrated community. Operating under the umbrella of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, Silicon Oasis is a premier free trade zone offering business setup incentives and high-tech infrastructure within an urban master-planned tech park.
Dubai Silicon Oasis is a free zone and also a big business and residential community in Dubai. It is one of the most attractive places for business setup in UAE.
It serves as a technology hub, for IT, industrial, research and development businesses.
DSO has a total capacity of 97,740 sq. m of commercial space dedicated to offices for lease. DSO has created a high-tech eco-system to promote technological collaboration and innovation. DSO identifies six key elements for its high-tech ecosystem: large enterprises, startups & medium-sized businesses, universities and an incubation Centre, venture capital funds, a high-tech infrastructure and government & business services.
The DSO community possesses a range of residential and lifestyle facilities which include schools, universities, hospitals, community centers, shopping complexes, swimming pools and tennis courts. The DSO community has been landscaped with green parks, interconnected courtyards, and children's play areas in addition to 24-hour security, daily maintenance and a fully completed road network.
Business setup in Dubai Silicon Oasis has also received a substantial boost due to its dynamic commercial and social environment, and presence of advanced industrial zones, office towers, villas & apartments, R&D units, educational institutions, and healthcare units.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Ecosystem & Community Overview:
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a master-planned 15-minute city for business and sustainable living, dedicated to fostering knowledge and innovation. Operating under the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), this 7-square-kilometer smart city serves as a launchpad for entrepreneurs, scale-ups, SMEs, and global tech leaders aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
DSO is home to prestigious global corporations including Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Henkel, Orange, 3W Networks, Gulf Data Hub, and Wacker. It also houses groundbreaking innovation initiatives such as W Motors, Talabat autonomous delivery robots, Fakeeh University Hospital drone medical delivery systems, autonomous driving trial zones, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
Before registering in DSO, it helps to see how a free zone setup compares with a Dubai mainland company:
| Factor | Mainland company | Free zone company (DSO) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% allowed on selected activities only | 100% allowed on all activities |
| Repatriation of profits | 10% of profits per year (up to 50% of capital) held in a statutory reserve | 100% repatriation of profits |
| Import duty | 5% on most products, with exemptions | Exempt from import/export duties within the free zone |
| Trade restrictions | Can trade freely across the UAE and internationally | Trades within the free zone and internationally; UAE trade needs a local agent/distributor |
| Emiratisation | Minimum 2% Emirati nationals required once a company has 50+ employees | No mandatory hiring quota for foreign staff |
| Visa process | Requires a local service agent to apply | Automatic visa eligibility; cost varies by free zone |
| Business community | Various independent stakeholders | Centralised, one-stop-shop support from the free zone authority |
Dubai has 28 free zones in total, each with its own rules DSO is the one built specifically around technology, industrial, and R&D activity.
Strategic location and accessibility are major reasons why businesses choose Dubai Silicon Oasis DSO for their corporate headquarters. The free zone features an interconnected arterial road network linking directly to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) and Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66).
Furthermore, the community is fully integrated into Dubai's public transportation matrix. DSO will be directly served by the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line extension project, providing rapid rail connectivity across major commercial hubs, Dubai International Airport (DXB), and residential districts across the emirate.
Dubai Silicon Oasis is a geographically designated free zone under the UAE Corporate Tax Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022). Businesses incorporated within the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority DSOA framework qualify for a 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income, subject to regulatory compliance guidelines issued by the UAE Ministry of Finance. Investors also enjoy 100% capital repatriation, full foreign ownership, and complete exemption from personal income taxes.
Any established company, whether in the UAE mainland or abroad, can register its branch in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The activity of the branch must be identical to the parent company's legal business activities.
An FZE is a distinct legal entity incorporated by a single shareholder. The shareholder can be either an individual entrepreneur or a corporate entity.
An FZCO is a legal entity registered with a minimum of two shareholders (up to 50 max). Shareholders can be individual investors, corporate entities, or a combination of both.
Business Operation Permit: A special operational permit for businesses operating within private developer-owned towers in the Administrative Zone of DSOA using a license issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET / DED).
Entrepreneurial Business License: An EBL license structured to accelerate young tech entrepreneurs and startup founders through incubation support, shared desk space, and business mentorship services.
Need a hand with any of these steps? Contact our advisers and we'll manage the process end to end.
| License | Annual rent | Establishment license fee | Annual card fee | Year 1 total | Years 2–5 (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service License | AED 13,500 | AED 2,000 (1st yr) / AED 2,200 (after) | AED 5,000 | AED 24,675 | AED 21,375 |
| Trade License | AED 13,500 | AED 2,000 (1st yr) / AED 2,200 (after) | AED 8,000 | AED 27,675 | AED 24,375 |
For companies taking commercial office space directly (DSO HQ, Dubai Digital Park, Technohub, and other DSO locations), each license includes 5 business activities. Published DSOA pricing:
| License | Annual rent | License fee | One-time registration & legal docs | Security deposit | 3rd-party insurance | Annual card fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service & Trade License | From AED 1,580–2,500/sqm/yr + 5% VAT | AED 12,000/yr | AED 6,900 | 10% of annual rent | From AED 480/yr | AED 2,200 |
| Industrial License (Light Industrial Units) | From AED 480/sqm/yr + 5% VAT | AED 12,000/yr | AED 6,900 | 10% of annual rent | From AED 1,150/yr | AED 2,200 |
The base DSOA license fee is AED 12,000 per year for a commercial office setup, plus a one-time registration and legal documentation fee of AED 6,900, a security deposit equal to 10% of annual rent, and an annual card fee of AED 2,200. Dtec's subsidised startup package runs AED 24,675 in year one for a Service License, or AED 27,675 for a Trade License, dropping to AED 21,375–24,375 in following years. Final cost depends on your office type and business activity contact us for an itemised quote.
You can register a Branch Office of an existing company, a single-shareholder Free Zone Establishment (FZE), or a multi-shareholder Free Zone Company (FZCO) with up to 50 shareholders. A Business Operation Permit is also available for companies based in privately-developed DSOA towers.
Yes. DSO is a designated free zone under UAE Corporate Tax Law, and businesses that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions can benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
DSO offers 100% foreign ownership on all activities and 100% profit repatriation, versus selected activities and partial repatriation on the mainland. Mainland companies can trade UAE-wide without a local agent, while DSO companies trading within the UAE typically need one.
DSO is built as a technology and innovation hub, making it a strong fit for IT, software, electronics, automotive R&D, and industrial or light manufacturing businesses that want office space and residential community facilities on the same campus.
Our business advisers have been setting up new businesses in UAE for years and know all the ins and outs. They will be happy to give you the advice that you need and will most likely already have experience in setting up your business type.
A professional firm with regional focus and having global representation, UAE Free Zones spectrum of services covers all aspects of doing business in the UAE. Founded in 2001, we have been known for giving consistent, flexible and personal consultations for our clients.
We are committed to provide the best business advisory services on a timely basis with personal dedication to each client, helping them with their plans and being available to help and solve simple as well as complex problems.
Business consultants in Dubai play a big role in business setup company in Dubai because they are the people who will provide the information that you are looking for.
For complete information on how to apply for a business license in Dubai Silicon Oasis, please contact us.