Dubai Free Zone, Expo City
Expo City Dubai Free Zone, often searched as Dubai Expo City, is the business district built on the Expo 2020 Dubai site in the south of the emirate. It is regulated by the Expo City Dubai Authority under Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022, allows 100% foreign ownership and publishes all-inclusive packages with a shared desk, a company card and a free visa allocation.
Why Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai turns the Expo 2020 site into a permanent, sustainability-led district with Grade A offices, coworking space and direct transport links. For a new company, the main advantage is clear, published pricing with the visa allocation included.
Own your company outright, with no local sponsor or partner required.
Each package bundles approval, registration, the license, a company card and a shared desk.
Up to 6 visas with an AED 0 allocation fee. You pay only for the visas you use.
A dedicated metro station, with Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port close by.
A dedicated license for sustainability businesses, with support valued above AED 400,000.
Grade A offices and coworking space in LEED Platinum and Gold buildings.
2026 packages
Expo City Dubai Free Zone publishes five packages for 2026. Each one includes initial approval, registration, the trade license, a company card and a shared desk, so the price you see covers a working company.
AED 12,520for 1 year
No visa quota
An all-inclusive starter license with a shared desk, for owners who do not need a residence visa yet. You can upgrade at any time.
Renews at AED 12,520 a year
Get this packageAED 17,570for 1 year
4 visas, free allocation
A complete setup for a small team, with the shared desk built into the price and no separate lease to sign.
Renews at AED 17,100 a year
Get this packageAED 22,300for 1 year
6 visas, free allocation
A full standard license with a transparent fee breakdown and room to grow a team of up to six.
Renews at AED 16,700 a year
Get this packageAED 37,080for 1 year
6 visas, free allocation
A General Trading license for companies that buy and sell across many product groups, with an itemized fee breakdown and a 6-visa allocation.
AED 50,700for 3 years
6 visas, free allocation
A 3-year license with a company card and a 6-visa allocation. Over three years it costs less than the Standard Package renewed twice, and it fixes your costs for the full term.
Renews at AED 50,700 per 3-year term
Get this packagePackage prices include VAT and the government fee, and the exact amounts appear on the Expo City Dubai invoice. The General Trading sheet states that the government fee is included but does not mention VAT. Visa costs apply only when you apply for a visa. Expo City Dubai terms and conditions apply, and we confirm the current price before you commit.
Cost estimator
Choose a package, then the visas you plan to apply for. Inside-country visas include the status change; outside-country visas are issued on an entry permit. The allocation itself is free.
Visas inside the UAE
Status change · AED 4,520 per visa
Visas from outside the UAE
Entry permit · AED 3,220 per visa
First-term total
AED 26,820
Standard Package, for 1 year
For estimation only. A 2-year visa costs AED 4,500 inside or AED 3,200 outside the UAE, plus the AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee. Renewal covers the license and package; visas renew on their own 2-year cycle.
What Expo City issues
The Expo City Dubai Authority licenses individuals, new companies and branches, and also offers short-term setups for temporary operations. We match the right structure to your activity before you apply.
Trading in goods within one activity group, or a General Trading license across groups.
Consulting, professional and service activities.
Several categories, such as service and commercial, combined under one license.
For professional individuals who work under their own name.
A new Free Zone company, or a branch of an existing UAE or foreign company.
For companies already licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Packages cover up to 4 or 6 activities within the same license type and group. Retail, restaurant and short-term setups, with leases from 1 day to 12 months, are also available. Some activities, such as food and beverage, are restricted and need additional approval.
Location
Expo City Dubai sits in Dubai's southward growth corridor, close to major logistics, aviation, trade, events and residential districts. The zone presents itself as a gateway to the GCC, Africa and South Asia.
Expo 2020 station on the Dubai Metro Red Line (Route 2020) serves the district.
Within easy reach of Dubai's second international airport.
Close to Jebel Ali Port and the logistics zones around it.
Direct access to the exhibition and events venue on site.
Road links to central Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.
Close to new residential and business communities that bring customers and talent.
Green License
Expo City Dubai's Green License (officially styled Green Licence) is designed for clean energy, circular economy, green technology and climate action businesses, from startups to established companies with strong ESG practices. Holders gain access to support services and amenities with an estimated potential value of more than AED 400,000.
A dedicated list of business activities that accurately describes green products and services.
Discounted Green License rates, with flexible terms and dual licensing available.
Preferential leasing and occupancy terms at Expo City Dubai.
Expert support to achieve and maintain LEED and WELL certification.
An advisory session and discounted pilots through the Urban Lab program.
Fast-track access to the UAE Green Intellectual Property Desk at Expo City.
| Green License package | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Leased premises, 1 year | Approval and registration, license, company card, flexible employee allocation | AED 14,000 |
| Leased premises, 3 years | Approval and registration, license, company card, flexible employee allocation | AED 32,000 |
| Leased premises, 5 years | Approval and registration, license, company card, flexible employee allocation | AED 48,000 |
| Shared desk, Basic | Approval and registration, 1-year license, company card, unlimited shared desk access | AED 10,000 |
| Shared desk, Premium | Premium shared desk package, details on request | AED 15,000 |
How it compares
Entrepreneurs who consider Expo City Dubai usually compare it with IFZA and Meydan. The figures below come from Expo City's published packages and our indicative IFZA and Meydan tables.
| Expo City Dubai | IFZA | Meydan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package with no visas | AED 12,520 | AED 12,900 | AED 12,520 |
| Package with 4 visas | AED 17,570 | AED 20,900 | AED 19,920 |
| VAT in the price shown | Included | Excluded | Excluded |
| Sustainability license | Green License | Not offered | Not offered |
| Location | Expo 2020 site, south Dubai | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Nad Al Sheba, central Dubai |
| Best for | Teams that need visas, green businesses | Low-cost setup, flexible activities | A prestige central address |
Every cost line
The individual fees behind the packages, as itemized in Expo City Dubai's 2026 package sheets. Use them to check a quote or to plan visas after setup.
| Cost item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Initial approval | AED 500 | Once, at application |
| Registration and Articles of Association | AED 5,000 | Once, at incorporation |
| General Trading license, 1 year | AED 25,000 | Yearly, General Trading only |
| Company card | AED 2,500 | Included in every package |
| Shared desk lease | AED 4,000 a year | Standard, General Trading and Beyond |
| Residence visa, inside the UAE (2 years) | AED 4,500 | Per visa, includes status change |
| Residence visa, outside the UAE (2 years) | AED 3,200 | Per visa, issued on entry permit |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee | AED 20 | Per visa application |
| Visa allocation fee | AED 0 | Free on every package |
How we help
We match your activities, visa needs and term to the right Expo City package.
We prepare the name, activity selection and shareholder file, and apply for initial approval.
Registration, the trade license, the company card and your shared desk are issued.
We handle residence visas and arrange corporate banking introductions once your company is established.
Why FZM
You will work directly with a Dedicated Senior advisor from day one. Your advisor will assess your requirements, identify the most suitable jurisdictions, manage the entire application process, and remain your long-term point of contact for ongoing guidance and support.
Keep exploring
Good to know
Maha BadrHighly recommended. A professional team, prompt on every detailed query and seamless on every requirement, trade license, corporate tax, bank account, residence ID, medical.
Largo HomeSimply impeccable. They didn't just meet deadlines, they anticipated them, with quick and effective solutions even in complex situations.
Maciej KolodziejczykVery efficient. Company formation, employment contract, residency visa, and all the prerequisites handled. Friendly and professional throughout.
Ready to incorporate
A 30-minute consultation is all it takes to receive a tailored proposal, a transparent quotation, and a written roadmap delivered the same day. You will deal directly with an experienced advisor throughout the process.
