Starts from AED 0 (Premium) — best for Maritime, shipping, and industrial companies requiring large-scale workshops, warehouses, or prime office space with direct port and dry-dock access..
Starts from AED 22,000 (Premium) — best for R&D companies, life sciences startups, and established pharmaceutical firms that require specialized lab/office facilities and a strong industry ecosystem..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
—
Annual Renewal
—
Year 1 Total
AED 42,500
Annual Renewal
AED 33,000
No breakdown available
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
No Pre-Bundled Packages
This jurisdiction offers custom pricing based on specific requirements rather than set packages.
Commercial License + Flexi-Desk
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 33,000
NoteThis is an estimated starting package. The annual cost combines a base license fee (AED 15,000) and an estimated Flexi-Desk cost (AED 18,000). One-time setup fees are additional.
Commercial License + Small Office
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 47,000
NoteAnnual cost is an estimate combining a base license fee (AED 15,000) and an estimated small office lease (from AED 32,000). One-time setup fees are additional. Visa allocation depends on office size (approx. 1 visa per 100 sqft).
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai Science Park offers a lower starting price point at AED 22000
Dubai Science Park typically processes new licenses in ~? days
Dubai Science Park 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 Science Park 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 Maritime City targets the global maritime industry, focusing on sectors such as ship repair, yacht manufacturing, maritime services, and logistics. Its primary investor profile includes marine service providers, engineering firms, yacht and vessel manufacturers, repair and maintenance companies, and shipping and logistics operators seeking a strategic location with specialized infrastructure.
Key Advantages
Dubai Maritime City is the definitive choice for businesses core to the maritime industry—ship repair, yacht manufacturing, marine engineering, and shipping—that require purpose-built, specialized infrastructure and direct integration with a global port operator like DP World.
Businesses without a direct link to the maritime industry (e.g., general trading, media, IT services) and solo entrepreneurs, as the zone does not offer freelance permits and its costs are aligned with its specialized, capital-intensive facilities.
Dubai Science Park (DSP) is a hub for businesses in the life sciences, energy, and environmental sectors. [5, 7] Its target investor profile includes entrepreneurs, SMEs, and multinational enterprises dedicated to scientific research, development, and innovation. [3] The community is home to over 500 companies, including global names like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Jotun, and more than 6,500 professionals. [3]
Key Advantages
Best for companies across the entire science value chain—from R&D and lab testing to light manufacturing and regional distribution—specifically in the life sciences, environmental, and energy sectors seeking a collaborative, purpose-built environment.
Businesses outside the core science sectors, such as general trading of unrelated goods, media, or tourism. It is also not suited for heavy industrial manufacturing requiring vast land plots or companies seeking the absolute lowest-cost setup option.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai Science Park is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 22,000. In the broader market context, Dubai Science Park is officially positioned as "Premium".
Dubai Science Park typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around N/A days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai Science Park, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai Maritime 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 Science Park: 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 Maritime City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Science Park: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Dubai Maritime City is the definitive choice for businesses core to the maritime industry—ship repair, yacht manufacturing, marine engineering, and shipping—that require purpose-built, specialized infrastructure and direct integration with a global port operator like DP World.
Best for companies across the entire science value chain—from R&D and lab testing to light manufacturing and regional distribution—specifically in the life sciences, environmental, and energy sectors seeking a collaborative, purpose-built environment.
