Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone (DWTC Free Zone)
Created in 2015 under the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), the DWTC Free Zone stretches from the landmark Exhibition Halls on Sheikh Zayed Road through the Grade-A business district One Central and now into the new One Za’abeel towers. The zone puts you minutes from DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali Port—an unparalleled address for international trade and events.
Why Set Up in DWTC Free Zone?
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| 100% foreign ownership | Full capital & profit repatriation, no currency controls |
| 0% personal tax & customs duty | Free-zone exemption; 50-year corporate-tax holiday for qualifying income |
| Dual-licensing | Add a Dubai DET (mainland) permit under the same trade name—no extra office required |
| Prime MICE ecosystem | Co-located with the region’s busiest exhibition & events campus |
| Seven licence categories | From General Trading to Virtual-Assets activities |
| Scalable workspace | Flexi desks, serviced offices, shell-and-core floors in One Central |
| Fast digital setup | All applications & signatures via the DWTCA smart portal; licence in 3-5 days |
| World-class neighbours | Home to Fortune 500 brands and sector leaders in finance, tech, media & commodities |
Licence Categories
| Category | Typical Activities |
|---|---|
| Commercial | Import, export, distribution of approved goods |
| General Trading | Multi-line trading (special approvals for pharma, F&B, etc.) |
| Professional | Consultancy, IT, marketing, HR, design, education |
| Event Management | Exhibition organising, conference services, production |
| E-Commerce | Online trading platforms & marketplaces |
| Family Office | Single-family wealth & asset-management services |
| Virtual Assets | Crypto exchange, brokerage, custodial services (subject to VARA approval) |
You can combine multiple activities under one licence as long as they fall within the selected category.
Office & Facility Options
| Workspace | Visa Quota* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot / Flexi Desk | 1–3 | Shared desk in One Central Business Centre |
| Serviced Office | 3–10 | Furnished, plug-and-play suites from 10 m² |
| Executive Suite | 10 + | Customisable full floors in One Central or One Za’abeel |
| JAFZA Warehouse | On demand | For firms needing bonded storage or light assembly |
*Visa allowance scales with leased square footage (≈ 9 m² per visa).
Company-Formation Timeline
| Step | Duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Name & activity approval | 1 day | Initial confirmation |
| 2. KYC upload & e-signature | 1–2 days | MoA, Share Register |
| 3. Fee payment | Same day | Provisional licence |
| 4. Office lease executed | 1 day | Final licence & Tenancy |
| 5. Establishment Card | 2–3 days | Immigration portal open |
| 6. Visas (optional) | 5–7 days | Residence stamped |
Entire process can be handled remotely via Smart Business Creation’s power of attorney.
Document Checklist
| Individual Shareholder | Corporate Shareholder |
|---|---|
| Passport & UAE entry stamp copy | Notarised Certificate of Incorporation |
| Passport-size photo | Memorandum & Articles |
| Proof of address | Board Resolution & PoA |
| CV / business profile (for regulated activities) | Certificate of Incumbency (≤ 3 months) |
All corporate docs must be notarised, legalised and translated into English or Arabic.
Visa Workflow
- Entry Permit (e-Visa)
- Medical & biometrics
- Residence stamp (2 years)
- Emirates ID delivered
Standard UAE rule: staying abroad > 6 months cancels an active visa.
How Smart Business Creation Supports You
- Feasibility & cost modelling – choose the right licence mix
- Name reservation & document drafting – error-free submissions
- Fast-track licensing – average 3-5 working days to go live
- Visa & HR onboarding – employees, dependants, nanny/driver visas
- Bank-account opening – introductions to top local & international banks
- Ongoing PRO care – renewals, amendments, dual-licence applications
