Starts from AED 7,520 (Premium) — best for Design, fashion, art, and luxury brand companies seeking a prestigious address and a collaborative creative ecosystem..
Starts from AED 11,900 (Mid-Range) — best for Tech startups, R&D firms, and knowledge-based businesses seeking a dedicated tech ecosystem with integrated living and working facilities..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 11,040
Annual Renewal
AED 7,520
Year 1 Total
AED 20,400
Annual Renewal
AED 22,000
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
Freelance Permit Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 7,520
NoteThis is the cost for the permit only. Establishment Card and visa are additional costs. This package is part of the TECOM 'GoFreelance' program.
Commercial License with Co-Working
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 25,000
NoteEstimated starting package cost for a new FZ-LLC, including license, registration, establishment card, and one visa allocation with a flexi-desk facility.
Commercial License with Office
Premium TierAnnual Cost
AED 40,000
NoteEstimated cost, as office rental is the main variable. Calculated based on license fee of ~15,000 plus office rent at ~AED 200/sqft for a small 100 sqft unit, plus establishment card.
License with Flexi Desk
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 22,000
NoteCost estimate based on a trade/service license (AED ~12,000) plus a flexi-desk (AED ~10,000). Total package costs are often marketed around AED 22,000 - 25,000.
License with Small Private Office
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 37,000
NoteCost estimate based on license fee (AED 12,000) plus a small office (~13.5 sqm/145 sqft) starting from AED 25,000. Visa eligibility is typically 1 per 9 sqm.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai Silicon Oasis offers a lower starting price point at AED 11900
Dubai Design District typically processes new licenses in ~7 days
Dubai Silicon Oasis allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Dubai Design District carries a premium market perception and positioning
Mixed results — each jurisdiction has specific cost vs speed trade-offs
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Dubai Design District (d3) targets businesses and professionals in the creative industries, including design, fashion, architecture, art, and digital media. [7] Its primary investor profile ranges from individual freelancers and startups, supported by incubators like in5, to major international brands and design houses such as Dior, Adidas, and Foster + Partners. [3, 22, 28] The free zone provides a comprehensive ecosystem with specialized facilities, showrooms, and co-working spaces to support this creative community.
Key Advantages
d3 is the definitive choice for creative-led businesses in design, fashion, and luxury that prioritize community, brand prestige, and collaboration. It's for companies who see their location as a strategic asset, not just an address.
Businesses involved in general trading, heavy industrial manufacturing, crypto/virtual assets, or those requiring large-scale logistics and warehousing. These sectors are better served by other specialized jurisdictions.
Dubai Silicon Oasis targets technology and innovation-focused companies, ranging from startups and SMEs to multinational corporations. [4, 18] Key industry clusters include Information Technology, Electronics, AI & IoT, Robotics, FinTech, E-commerce, and Research & Development. [4, 32] The primary investor profile consists of entrepreneurs and established companies in the tech sector seeking a supportive ecosystem with advanced infrastructure, R&D facilities, and access to a skilled talent pool. [16, 24]
Key Advantages
Dubai Silicon Oasis is the definitive choice for technology and innovation-led businesses, from startups to global MNCs, that require a comprehensive ecosystem with advanced infrastructure, R&D facilities, and an integrated live-work community. It is particularly strong for companies with a physical product or hardware component.
Businesses focused on general trading, heavy industrial activities, or those purely seeking the lowest possible setup cost without the need for a physical presence or specialized ecosystem.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai Silicon Oasis is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 11,900. In the broader market context, Dubai Silicon Oasis is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Dubai Design District typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 7 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai Design District, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai Design District: 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 Silicon Oasis: 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 Design District: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Silicon Oasis: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
d3 is the definitive choice for creative-led businesses in design, fashion, and luxury that prioritize community, brand prestige, and collaboration. It's for companies who see their location as a strategic asset, not just an address.
Dubai Silicon Oasis is the definitive choice for technology and innovation-led businesses, from startups to global MNCs, that require a comprehensive ecosystem with advanced infrastructure, R&D facilities, and an integrated live-work community. It is particularly strong for companies with a physical product or hardware component.
