Starts from AED 21,995 (Premium) — best for E-commerce businesses seeking a specialized ecosystem with integrated logistics, warehousing, and proximity to Dubai International Airport..
Starts from AED 45,000 (Premium) — best for Established international universities, higher education providers, and large-scale training institutes seeking a dedicated academic ecosystem..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 21,995
Annual Renewal
AED 21,995
Year 1 Total
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Annual Renewal
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Detailed Breakdown
No breakdown available
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
E-commerce/Service Smart Desk Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 21,995
NoteCost is an estimate for a service license; e-commerce licenses may be slightly higher. Total cost cited as approximately AED 21,995.
Fitted Office Package
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 61,870
NoteTotal cost cited as approximately AED 61,870 for a 25 sq. m. office.
Custom Solution (e.g., University Branch, Training Center)
Custom TierAnnual Cost
Custom
NotePricing is provided upon application and is highly dependent on the scale of the institution. Indicative license fees from third-party consultants start around AED 15,000 annually, plus facility costs.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai CommerCity offers a lower starting price point at AED 21995
Dubai CommerCity typically processes new licenses in ~3 days
Dubai International Academic City allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Both are widely recognized as premium, tier-1 jurisdictions
Dubai CommerCity wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Dubai CommerCity targets regional and international e-commerce businesses, including online retailers, e-commerce service providers, and logistics companies. The primary investor profile ranges from startups and SMEs to large multinational corporations looking to establish or expand their e-commerce operations in the MENA region. It offers a complete turnkey solution covering all aspects of the e-commerce value chain.
Key Advantages
Dubai CommerCity is the definitive choice for any e-commerce business, from startup to enterprise, that prioritizes a fully integrated, turnkey ecosystem with scalable logistics and a collaborative community, all strategically located next to Dubai International Airport.
Businesses focused on heavy manufacturing, activities requiring large land plots for development, sea-freight-centric bulk trading, or companies seeking licenses for crypto assets or holding company structures.
DIAC primarily targets the higher education sector, attracting international university campuses, training institutes, and e-learning providers. Its primary investor profile consists of established global academic institutions seeking to establish a presence in the MENA region, as well as service providers that support the educational ecosystem, such as consultancies, research and development centers, and student service providers.
Key Advantages
Established international universities, colleges, online education platforms, and training providers seeking to establish a credible, flagship presence in the MENA region within a world-class, collaborative academic ecosystem.
Businesses involved in general trading, logistics, industrial manufacturing, or any non-educational services, as the zone is highly specialized and lacks the required licenses and infrastructure like warehouses.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai CommerCity is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 21,995. In the broader market context, Dubai CommerCity is officially positioned as "Premium".
Dubai CommerCity typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 3 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai CommerCity, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai CommerCity: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Dubai International Academic City: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.
Dubai CommerCity: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai International Academic City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Dubai CommerCity is the definitive choice for any e-commerce business, from startup to enterprise, that prioritizes a fully integrated, turnkey ecosystem with scalable logistics and a collaborative community, all strategically located next to Dubai International Airport.
Established international universities, colleges, online education platforms, and training providers seeking to establish a credible, flagship presence in the MENA region within a world-class, collaborative academic ecosystem.
