DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT

The Dubai Design District (D3) is the result of careful consultations with the local design community, and an avenue to provide a creative ecosystem that does beyond what is expected of a typical creative neighbourhood. d3 forms inspiring, authentic, and relevant ideas that shape Dubai’s future as a prime destination for design, the arts, and culture.

WHY D3?

• Area for local talent to work alongside international design, art and fashion houses
• Community where creatives freely live, work and play
• Dual licensing with the Dubai mainland
• Clearly laid out rules and regulations
• Excellent connectivity
• Managed by Tecom, which also manages similar knowledge clusters across Dubai
• Full range of design-related activities
• All Free Zone benefits

FORM YOUR D3 COMPANY NOW!

Similar Free Zones in Dubai

DMCC

Dubai South (Dubai World Central)

Advantages of company formation in Dubai Design District

• 100% foreign ownership
• 0% corporate tax for 50 years
• 0% personal income tax
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits
• 0% import or re-export duties
• No currency restrictions
• No restrictions on foreign talent or employees

In addition to this, company formation in D3 can derive benefits from the extensive network of double-tax avoidance treaties that the United Arab Emirates has signed with countries worldwide, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Austria and Holland.

Dubai offers the additional benefits of a very high standard of living and a vibrant expatriate community with people from over 180 nations living and working in the region.

Company formation in Dubai Design District can take the following legal forms:

FZ-LLC (Limited Liability Company)

An FZ-LLC is formed as a separate legal entity, with shareholders as individuals and/or corporates. Minimum capital requirement depends on the business activity. Its shareholders can be an individual, corporate, or both.

The liability of its shareholders is limited to the value of the share capital they hold in the company.

Branch Company

A branch or a representative office of a parent company which already exists outside of the D3 Free Zone. The parent company can be based outside, or inside the UAE. A branch company –

• derives its power and authority from the parent entity thus does not have separate legal personality.
• will not have a board of directors or company secretary
• must retain the same name as the parent entity and end with the designation (Branch).

We can help you structure your company through our D3 company formation services. Contact us to discuss your requirements. 

A wide range of design-related activities can be chosen for company formation in Dubai Design District.

• Marketing
• Fashion (except Manufacturing)
• Fashion – (including Manufacturing )
• Luxury (except Manufacturing)
• Luxury – (including Manufacturing )
• Interior, Furniture and Objects (except Manufacturing)
• Interior, Furniture and Objects –( including Manufacturing)
• Design
• E-Commerce
• Ancillary Services
• Beauty Care
• Art
• Freelancer
• Marketing Services
• Event Management

Click here to download an updated list of business activities allowed company formation in Dubai Design District.

Company formation in Dubai Design District requires physical office space. There are no desk-spaces available (except for freelancers).

Commercial offices are usually in shell and core state, with full Fitout required to be carried out by the company.

Offices can only be booked after the company’s initial approvals are received.

Here are the documents required for company formation in Dubai Design District:

FZ-LLC – Individual Shareholder

• Application Form
• Business Plan
• Passport copy of the shareholder/s, director/s, general manager, company secretary
• CV of the shareholder(s)
• Bank Reference Letter of the shareholder(s)
• Resolution of the Incorporation of FZ-LCC
• NOC for manager from UAE Sponsor (if applicable)
• RIC form for shareholder(s), director(s), & manager
• Share capital proof from bank or deposit receipt in trust account

FZ-LLC – Corporate Shareholder

• Application for Registration
• Business Plan
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Certificate of Continuity or Good Standing
• MoA and AoA of Parent Company
• Resolution for the Incorporation of FZ-LLC
• NOC for manager from UAE Sponsor (if applicable)
• RIC form for shareholder(s), director(s), & manager
• Share capital proof from bank or deposit receipt in trust account
• Passport copy of the shareholder/s, director/s, general manager, company secretary

Branch – Foreign Company

• Application for Registration
• Business Plan
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Certificate of Continuity or Existence or Good Standing
• MoA and AoA of Parent Company
• Resolution for the Incorporation of FZ-LLC
• NOC for manager from the current UAE Sponsor (if applicable)
• RIC form for manager
• RIC form for corporate

Branch – UAE Company/UAE Establishment

• Application for Registration
• Business Plan
• Trade License of Parent Company issued by DED
• MoA and AoA of Parent Company
• Resolution for the establishment of Branch
• NOC from the Current UAE Sponsor (if applicable)
• RIC form for manager
• RIC form for corporate

* if any of the documents are in any language other than English and Arabic, then, it must be legally translated into English.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum share capital starts at AED 10,000.

The minimum capital requirement may vary and depend on the activity or segment.

You can download the list of required documents here.

Click here to access the template formats of resolutions and required documents for company formation in Dubai Design District.

Here are the approximate costs incurred during Company formation in Dubai Design District:

The following are the costs associated with company formation in Dubai Design District:

Registration fee – US$ 960 (AED 3,520)

License fee (per segment) – US$ 4,110 (AED 15,020)

Additional segment fee  for manufacturing activity – US$ 1,362 (AED 5,000)

License fee for additional segments (per segment) – US$ 4,110 (AED 15,020)

Share Capital* – US$ 13,700 (AED 50,000) – This has to be deposited in an account in the name of the company. Can be subsequently used as working capital.

Dubai Internet City has only physical offices to choose from. The company would be eligible for 1 visa for every 8 square metres of office space.

Commercial offices (unfitted) – from 1,000 square feet at US$ 50 per sq.ft. per annum. 

VISAS

The company will have to apply for an Establishment Card, in order to commence the processing of visas. An additional document required is a Power of Attorney, in case a PRO is appointed.

Establishment Card – AED 1,770 (US$ 482)

Power of Attorney – AED 1,500 (US$ 410)

The next step will be applying for the visas. Here are the approximate costs:

Employment Visa – applicant outside the country – AED 3,280 (US$ 894)

Employment Visa – applicant inside the country, no status change – AED 4,120 (US$ 1,125)

Employment Visa – applicant inside the country, with status change – AED 4,910 (US$ 1,340)

Visa Guarantee (refundable deposit) – AED 2,500 (US$ 682)

Medical Test, Emirates ID – AED 1,240 (US$ 338)

Download your cost sheet for company formation in Dubai Design District here.

How can 10 Zone help with company formation in the D3?

10 Zone has:

• been setting up businesses in Dubai since 2004
• experts in consultancy and company formation
• a team of highly qualified Lawyers, Chartered Accountants and Relationship Managers
• capabilities to assist you in English, Arabic, French, German, Turkish, Hindi, Afrikaans & Tagalog.

Our Services

• Assistance in company formation
• Assistance in bank account opening
• Visa processing
• VAT registration
• HR & Payroll
• Contracts and Agreements
• Secretarial and Annual Compliances
• Marketing and branding

ALL SERVICES