DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC CITY

Established in 2007, DIAC is the world’s largest free zone that is dedicated to higher education, and serves over 24,000+ students from around the world, enrolled under 400 undergraduate and post-graduate programs. It continues to cater to the needs of the region’s diverse and developing the academic community in the emirate.

WHY DIAC?

• Base for numerous regional and international colleges and universities
• Home to over 24,000 students from around the world
• More to come as DIAC continues to adapt to the needs of its robust and talented academic community.
• Clearly laid out rules and regulations
• Managed by Tecom, which also manages similar knowledge clusters across Dubai
• Vibrant learning community, comprising teaching professionals from multiple disciplines
• All Free Zone benefits

FORM YOUR DIAC COMPANY NOW!

Similar Free Zones in Dubai

Dubai Knowledge Park

Dubai World Central

Advantages of company formation in Dubai International Academic City

• 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 the DIAC 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 International Academic City 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 DIAC 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 DIAC company formation services. Contact us to discuss your requirements. 

A wide range of service activities can be chosen for company formation in Dubai International Academic City.

• Professional and Management Development Training
• Computer Training
• Language Training
• Fine Arts Training
• Child Skills Development Training
• Tutoring Services
• Technical & Occupational Skills
• Assessment and Testing
• Educational Support Services

Click here to download an updated list of business activities allowed for company formation in DIAC Free Zone.

Well-designed office spaces are made available for educational institutions.

Company formation in DIAC requires physical office space. You can choose from offices in the Dubai Knowledge Park, or Dubai International Academic City. Available are:

• Commercial Offices
• Business Center Offices
• Executive Offices

The Dubai Knowledge Park also has conference facilities for its member companies.

Here are the documents required for company formation in DIAC:

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. Branch companies have no capital requirements.

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 International Academic City.

Here are the approximate costs incurred during Company formation in DIAC Free Zone:

License starts at US$ 4,100 (AED 15,000)

Registration fees – US$ 1,000 (AED 3,520) (one time)

Share capital – US$ 2,725 (AED 10,000) (applicable for FZ-LLC registration)

Visa starts at US$ 962 (AED 3,500) for a three-year visa

Commercial Office in Dubai Knowledge Park  – US$ 51 (AED 190) per square foot per annum.

Commercial Office in Dubai International Academic City – From US$ 31 (AED 115) per square foot per annum.

Business Centre shared desks – From US$ 6,800 (AED 25,000) per annum ( 2 visa option).

Download your fact sheet for company formation in DIAC here.

How can 10 Zone help with company formation in the Dubai International Academic City?

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