Starts from AED 45,000 (Premium) — best for Established international universities, higher education providers, and large-scale training institutes seeking a dedicated academic ecosystem..
Starts from AED 44,500 (Mid-Range) — best for Established textile trading businesses requiring physical warehouse and showroom space close to traditional Dubai trading areas..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
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Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
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.
No Pre-Bundled Packages
This jurisdiction offers custom pricing based on specific requirements rather than set packages.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai Textile City offers a lower starting price point at AED 44500
Dubai Textile City typically processes new licenses in ~? days
Dubai Textile City allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Dubai International Academic City carries a premium market perception and positioning
Dubai Textile City wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
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.
Dubai Textile City is a purpose-built economic zone designed to cater exclusively to the textile and garment industry. The primary investor profile includes international and local wholesale traders, importers, exporters, and distributors of fabrics, apparel, and related goods. The zone provides a comprehensive ecosystem for textile commerce with a focus on efficient logistics and trade facilitation.
Key Advantages
Established wholesale textile, fabric, and garment traders who require physical warehouses and/or showrooms in a dedicated Dubai industry hub to optimize their international import/re-export logistics and minimize taxes.
Startups or SMEs seeking low-cost virtual offices or flexi-desks, e-commerce businesses, service-based consultants, or any company not directly involved in the physical trade or manufacturing of textiles and garments.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai Textile City is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 44,500. In the broader market context, Dubai Textile City is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Dubai Textile City typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around N/A days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai Textile City, in-person visits or specific attestations may be required to complete the process.
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 Textile 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 International Academic City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Textile City: Golden Visa support is not directly facilitated through the zone, though you may still apply independently if you meet federal requirements.
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.
Established wholesale textile, fabric, and garment traders who require physical warehouses and/or showrooms in a dedicated Dubai industry hub to optimize their international import/re-export logistics and minimize taxes.
