Offices in the UAE Free Zones
Office rules by free zone
| Free zone | Office rule | Entry option | Visas |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC | Every company needs a registered office in DMCC | Flexi desk, serviced office or dedicated space | Standard Flexi Desk up to 3; Almas Tower offices of 88 to 323 sq ft up to 6 |
| IFZA | No physical office required for basic packages | Flexidesk, 10 hours a week | Packages of 0 to 3 visas |
| Meydan Free Zone | Flexi desk included with every licence | Licence from AED 12,500 | Up to 6 allocations at AED 1,850 each |
| DIFC | Physical presence mandatory | Innovation Licence flexi desk, USD 500 a month | Up to 4 on the first desk |
| ADGM | Physical presence on Al Maryah or Al Reem Island; SPVs excepted | Dedicated desk for tech start-ups; hot desks not accepted | 3 per dedicated desk on the Tech Startup Licence |
| RAKEZ | A leased facility is mandatory | Shared desk or shared office, 10 hours a week | Flexi desk 1; serviced office 2 per desk, up to 4 |
| Shams | Shared desk facility | No need to be in the UAE to incorporate | Up to 12 |
| SRTIP | Packages with or without visas | Zero-visa package AED 5,500; Maktabi coworking | SME office of 20 to 27 sq m up to 8; ecosystem office of 50 to 80 sq m 10 or more |
Source: DMCC: Set up a new business; DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions; DMCC: Property portfolio; IFZA: Support for startups; IFZA: Office spaces and warehouses; Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown; DIFC: Innovation Licence setup guide; ADGM: Setting up in ADGM; ADGM: Setting up FAQs (Tech Startup Licence); RAKEZ: FAQs; RAKEZ: Serviced offices; RAKEZ: Flexi facilities; Sharjah Media City (Shams): Home; Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park: Go global from Sharjah1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14
Upgrading the office
| Free zone | Next step up | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | Dedicated desk / shared office / dedicated office | AED 3,500 a month / AED 15,000 a year / AED 30,000 a year |
| DMCC | Business centre unit of 100 to 500 sq ft | From AED 4,000 a month |
| DMCC | Almas Tower office of 88 to 323 sq ft | From AED 78,000 a year |
| RAKEZ | Serviced office, at least 3 sq m per desk, 1 to 5 year leases paid in advance | On request |
Source: Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown; DMCC: Property portfolio; RAKEZ: Serviced offices6,3,11
Moving down from an office to a flexi desk can cost visas. RAKEZ, for example, requires visas above the flexi desk limit to be cancelled.10
Working outside the zone
- A free zone company generally operates inside its zone. RAKEZ, for example, states that its free zone companies cannot conduct business outside the free zone area, and that only RAKEZ licence holders can rent its offices.
- In Dubai, free zone companies can trade on the mainland with a DET operating permit of AED 5,000 for six months. Mainland revenue is taxed at 9%.
Source: RAKEZ: FAQs; Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland10,15
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visas does a flexi desk give?
It depends on the zone: one at RAKEZ, up to three on a DMCC Standard Flexi Desk and up to four on the first DIFC Innovation Licence desk.
Sources
- DMCC: Set up a new business
- DMCC: Jumpstart package terms and conditions
- DMCC: Property portfolio
- IFZA: Support for startups
- IFZA: Office spaces and warehouses
- Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown
- DIFC: Innovation Licence setup guide
- ADGM: Setting up in ADGM
- ADGM: Setting up FAQs (Tech Startup Licence)
- RAKEZ: FAQs
- RAKEZ: Serviced offices
- RAKEZ: Flexi facilities
- Sharjah Media City (Shams): Home
- Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park: Go global from Sharjah
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.