Free Zone services

The Expo City Dubai Free Zone Authority offers a wide range of over 180 services: from company registration, licensing, and company cards to short-term operation permits (from one day to twelve months), freelance permits, and special approvals. Additionally, the Authority provides visa and documentation services, including employment and business visit visas, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and official company and individual letters. Whether you're launching, expanding, or streamlining operations, Expo City Dubai Free Zone is designed to support your success.

Leasing a space is required to obtain an ECD licence or permit, except for Freelance Permits, where leasing a space is optional.

Capital investment is dependent on the type of licence that a client wishes to establish. Please contact our Client Relations Centre on CRC@expocitydubai.ae for more information.

An ECD licence continuation refers to the transfer of an established company ⁄ organisation from one free zone to another while maintaining its business history and establishment date.

The name on the Freelance Permit must align with the individual's passport information and cannot be substituted with a company name.

An ECD ID is a mandatory identifier that every employee of an ECD-licensed entity must obtain (in digital and/or physical form) and present upon request during inspections by ECDA law enforcement officers to ensure business compliance.

The employee allocation determines the number of employees an ECD-licensed entity is permitted to employ. It is calculated based on the leased space, taking into consideration the business activity, layout of the premises and considerations related to health and safety. Employee visas and all ECD IDs - including those issued to non-sponsored employees, contractors and consultants - all count towards the employee allocation.