TRW & Co · Company formation
Setting Up a Company in Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai company setup means a company, branch or freelance practice licensed by the Expo City Dubai Authority on the former Expo 2020 site. It offers 100% foreign ownership, service, commercial, holding, industrial and green licences, flexible workspace and residence visas, but like any free zone it needs a separate route to trade on the Dubai mainland.
Key pointThe 50-year tax guarantee in Expo City's establishing law covers local taxes, not federal ones: corporate tax and VAT still apply, and the 0% free zone rate depends on meeting the federal qualifying conditions.
At a glance
Created by Dubai law
Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022 established Expo City Dubai and the Expo City Dubai Authority, which licenses and inspects businesses in its free zone.
Full foreign ownership
The law allows free zone companies to be owned by UAE or non-UAE nationals, so foreign founders can hold 100% of the shares.
Wide licence menu
Service, commercial, business, holding, e-commerce, industrial, logistics and Green licences sit alongside freelance permits and short-term event and retail permits.
Advertised entry prices
At the time of writing, packages were advertised from about AED 12,500, with a Green Licence from AED 10,000 and freelance packages around AED 9,000.
Mainland needs a permit
Under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, mainland activity requires a DET branch licence or temporary permit approved by the free zone authority.
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The short answer: how Expo City Dubai company setup works
Expo City Dubai company setup means forming a company, branch or freelance practice licensed by the Expo City Dubai Authority, the government body that runs the free zone created on the former Expo 2020 site. The zone offers 100% foreign ownership, a range of licence types from service and commercial to holding, e-commerce, industrial and logistics, flexible workspace from coworking desks to whole buildings, and residence visas for owners and staff.
What sets it apart from older Dubai free zones is the setting: a mixed-use district with a sustainability brand, event infrastructure and residential neighbourhoods, close to Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai South area. What it shares with every other free zone are the limits: a free zone licence authorises activity in the zone, and trading on the Dubai mainland needs a separate route.
This guide, current as of October 2026, explains the legal basis, licence types, office options, visas, costs and how Expo City compares with other Dubai free zones. For a general comparison, see our guide to free zone company setup in the UAE.
The legal basis: Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022
Expo City Dubai was established by Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022 Establishing Expo City Dubai, issued in July 2022. The law creates the Expo City Dubai Authority as a public body with its own legal personality and financial and administrative independence, wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. It provides for a free zone and an administrative zone within Expo City, with boundaries set by the Authority's chairman.
What the law provides for businesses
- Licensing. The Authority registers and licenses companies in the free zone, decides which activities are permitted and inspects licensed establishments. No one may carry on activity in the free zone without its licence.
- Ownership. Free zone companies may be owned by one or more persons, whether or not they are UAE nationals.
- Relationship with Dubai authorities. For free zone operations, licensed establishments are generally outside the powers of Dubai Municipality and the Department of Economy and Tourism, except for matters such as public health and safety, the environment and food control, and laws that expressly apply to free zones.
- Customs. Goods brought into or produced in the free zone are exempt from customs duty; goods moved into the emirate's customs territory are treated as imports.
- Local tax and transfer guarantees. The law grants licensed establishments a zero rate of local taxes and freedom to transfer capital, profits and wages for 50 years from its effective date, renewable.
Those local guarantees do not displace federal taxes. Corporate tax and VAT apply under federal law, and any 0% corporate tax treatment depends on the federal qualifying free zone person rules, not on Expo City's own law.
Licence types and entity options
The Authority's licences and permits page lists service, commercial, business, holding, e-commerce, dual licence service, industrial and logistics licences, alongside a Green Licence for sustainability-focused businesses. Applicants can set up a new company or a branch of an existing UAE or foreign company. The table summarises the main routes for an Expo City Dubai company setup.
| Route | Who it suits | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| New company (service, commercial, business, e-commerce and others) | Startups, SMEs and regional businesses | 100% foreign ownership; workspace from desks to whole buildings; visas linked to the package and space |
| Branch of a UAE or foreign company | Established groups wanting a Dubai presence | Parent remains responsible; attested parent documents required |
| Holding licence | Groups holding shares in subsidiaries | Holding activity; consider substance and tax rules |
| Industrial and logistics licences | Light manufacturing, assembly, storage and distribution | Suitable premises required; activity-specific approvals |
| Green Licence | Sustainability-focused businesses | Lower advertised entry price; activity scope tied to sustainability |
| Expo Freelance permit | Individual professionals | Advertised processing in three days; more than 100 professions; residence visa packages |
| Short-term setup and event permits | Pop-up retail, kiosks, food brands and event organisers | Permits from one day to twelve months |
The Authority also publishes a permitted activity list and a guide to restricted activities, which covers areas such as food and beverage, shisha and alcohol. Check the activity list before choosing a licence type, as the licence category follows the activities.
Target sectors and who Expo City suits
Expo City positions itself as a green innovation district, developed in partnership with the federal Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and its buildings carry LEED Platinum and Gold certifications. The businesses that benefit most from an Expo City Dubai company setup tend to be:
- Sustainability and climate businesses that value the district's brand and the Green Licence.
- Events, exhibitions and experiential businesses that can use the venues and short-term event permits.
- Technology and professional services firms looking for modern office space outside the central business districts.
- Retail and food brands testing concepts through short-term setups.
- Companies tied to the southern corridor, including aviation, logistics and businesses serving Dubai South and the airport area.
- Freelancers who want a permit and residence visa with optional workspace.
Businesses whose customers are mostly on the mainland, or that need a specialised regulator such as a financial services authority, should consider whether another structure fits better.
Setup process step by step
- Define activities and customers. Decide what you will do, where your customers are and whether you will need mainland access.
- Select licence and workspace. Match the activities to a licence type and choose a package and space; workspace and visa allocation are linked.
- Submit the application. File the application with the Authority, with passports, shareholder details and, for corporate shareholders or branches, attested constitutional documents and board resolutions.
- Obtain initial approval and sign documents. Approve the trade name, sign the constitutional documents and the lease or workspace agreement.
- Pay fees and receive the licence. Pay licence, registration and workspace charges under the Authority's fees and service charges list.
- Establish the company. Obtain the establishment card, apply for residence visas and Emirates IDs, and open a corporate bank account.
- Register for tax and compliance. Register for corporate tax, consider VAT registration, and file beneficial ownership information.
Our guides to company incorporation documents and opening a corporate bank account cover the steps common to all UAE setups.
Office options, visas and costs
Workspace
Workspace matters legally as well as practically, because the lease or workspace agreement supports the licence and drives visa allocation. Options run from coworking areas, shared desks and private offices for individuals and small teams to shell-and-core, semi-fitted or branded space and multi-building campuses for larger occupiers. The Future Forward business hub serves startups. Retail and restaurant units can be taken on short-term arrangements. Before signing, check the term, renewal and break rights, fit-out obligations and what happens to the licence if the workspace agreement ends.
Visas
Owners and employees obtain residence visas through the free zone, with the number of visas linked to the package and the space leased. At the time of writing, the Authority advertised an annual licence package with up to four visas, and freelance packages that include a residence visa.
Costs
The Authority publishes "from" prices, which change. At the time of writing its business setup page advertised packages for startups and SMEs from about AED 12,500, an annual licence with up to four visas from about AED 17,500, a three-year package from about AED 38,000, the Green Licence from AED 10,000 and the freelance package at about AED 9,000. Treat these as starting points: the final figure depends on activities, workspace, visas, attestation of documents and bank and tax set-up. Our guide to company setup costs in Dubai explains the components.
Decide your mainland strategy before you sign up. A low-cost Expo City Dubai company setup is good value only if most of your work is inside the zone, outside the UAE or with other free zone businesses. If your customers are mainland companies or consumers, price in a mainland permit, a branch or a separate mainland entity from the start.
How Expo City compares with other Dubai free zones
Dubai has many free zones, each with a different focus. The comparison below is qualitative; costs and terms change and should be checked with each authority.
| Zone | Focus | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|
| Expo City Dubai | Sustainability, events, innovation, mixed-use district | Green and event businesses, startups, freelancers, firms on the southern corridor |
| DMCC | Commodities, trading and a broad business community | Trading firms and companies wanting a central location |
| JAFZA and Dubai South | Logistics, manufacturing, aviation | Warehousing, distribution and industrial users |
| DAFZA and Dubai Silicon Oasis | Airport-linked trade, technology | Tech and trading firms near the existing airport |
| Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City | Technology and media clusters | Established tech and media brands |
| IFZA and Meydan | Broad activity lists, flexible packages | Cost-sensitive service businesses |
| DIFC | Financial services, common-law jurisdiction | Regulated financial firms, holding and family structures |
See our guides to DMCC company setup, JAFZA and Dubai South and IFZA and Meydan for zone-specific detail.
Mainland access and tax
Under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a Dubai free zone establishment can apply to the Department of Economy and Tourism for a branch licence or a temporary permit to carry out activities on the mainland, with prior approval from its free zone authority. The entity must keep separate financial records for mainland activity. Our article on whether a free zone company can do business on the mainland explains the alternatives.
For corporate tax, a free zone company may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income only if it meets the federal qualifying free zone person conditions, including adequate substance and limits on non-qualifying revenue; mainland revenue can affect that status. Bookkeeping, audited financial statements and tax filings are typically delivered with our group company A&A Consultancy, while TRW & Co advises on structuring and the legal analysis.
An illustrative scenario
This scenario is illustrative only; the parties are generic.
A European clean-technology company wants a Gulf hub to manage projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, host client demonstrations and employ a small regional team. It shortlists Expo City, a logistics free zone and a mainland company.
Its analysis runs as follows. Most revenue will come from contracts with project owners across the GCC, invoiced from the parent or a regional entity, and from consultancy to mainland developers. The team values the green district for demonstrations and events.
The company chooses an Expo City Dubai company setup as a branch of the parent with a service licence, taking a small private office with enough visa allocation for its first hires. For the mainland consultancy work, it applies for a DET permit under the 2025 resolution once a contract is signed, and keeps separate accounts for that activity. Its tax advisers model whether the branch can meet the qualifying free zone person conditions given the expected mix of income, and the group puts an intra-group services agreement in place to support its transfer pricing position.
The lesson is that the zone's brand and facilities justified the choice, but only after the mainland and tax questions were answered. An Expo City Dubai company setup decided on price alone could have produced a structure that did not match where the revenue was coming from.
Risks and common mistakes
Choosing a licence before checking activities
The licence type follows the activities, and some activities are restricted or need third-party approvals. Founders who pick the cheapest package first sometimes find their real activity is not covered, or that it needs a different licence category with higher fees. Review the permitted and restricted activity lists, and ask the Authority to confirm in writing any activity you are unsure about.
Assuming the free zone licence covers mainland work
Serving mainland customers directly on a free zone licence alone risks penalties and can jeopardise free zone tax status. Plan the mainland route, whether a DET permit, branch licence, distributor or separate mainland company, before signing contracts with mainland clients.
Underestimating visa and space needs
Visa allocation is tied to the package and space. A business that grows faster than planned may need to move to a larger space or upgrade its package mid-term. Discuss growth plans and upgrade terms before signing.
Treating "50 years tax-free" as a federal tax holiday
The guarantees in Expo City's establishing law concern local taxes and transfers. Federal corporate tax and VAT apply, and the 0% free zone corporate tax rate is available only if the federal conditions are met. Model the tax position before relying on it.
Checklist and next steps
- Map your activities against Expo City's permitted and restricted lists.
- Decide whether you need mainland access and how you will obtain it.
- Choose the licence, package and workspace with visa needs in mind.
- Prepare and attest shareholder and parent company documents.
- Plan banking, corporate tax and VAT from day one.
- Compare Expo City with at least one other free zone suited to your sector.
TRW & Co advises on Expo City Dubai company setup and the wider structuring decisions behind it, including group structure, shareholder arrangements and commercial contracts. To discuss your plans, contact our Dubai team.
Frequently asked questions
01Is Expo City Dubai a free zone?
Yes. Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022 established Expo City Dubai with a free zone and an administrative zone, managed by the Expo City Dubai Authority. The Authority registers and licenses companies in the free zone, decides permitted activities and inspects licensed establishments. Companies in the free zone may be wholly foreign-owned, goods brought into the zone are exempt from customs duty, and the law gives local tax and transfer guarantees for 50 years from its effective date.
02What licences can I get in Expo City Dubai?
The Authority lists service, commercial, business, holding, e-commerce, dual licence service, industrial and logistics licences, plus a Green Licence for sustainability-focused businesses. Individuals can apply for an Expo Freelance permit covering more than 100 professions. Short-term setup and event permits, valid from one day to twelve months, cover pop-up retail, kiosks and events. The licence type follows the activities, so check the permitted and restricted activity lists first.
03How much does it cost to set up a company in Expo City Dubai?
Expo City publishes starting prices that change over time. At the time of writing, it advertised packages for startups and SMEs from about AED 12,500, an annual licence with up to four visas from about AED 17,500, a three-year package from about AED 38,000, a Green Licence from AED 10,000 and a freelance package of about AED 9,000 including a residence visa. Final costs depend on activities, workspace, visas, document attestation and other set-up steps.
04Can an Expo City Dubai company work with mainland clients?
Dealing with mainland customers needs care: carrying out activities on the Dubai mainland needs a separate route. Under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, a free zone establishment can apply to the Department of Economy and Tourism for a branch licence or temporary permit, with its free zone authority's approval. Alternatives include appointing a mainland distributor or forming a mainland company. Mainland revenue can affect free zone corporate tax status.
05Do Expo City Dubai companies pay corporate tax?
Yes, they are within the federal corporate tax regime and must register. A free zone company may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets the qualifying free zone person conditions, including adequate substance in the zone, audited financial statements and limits on non-qualifying revenue. The 50-year tax guarantee in Expo City's establishing law concerns local taxes and does not override federal corporate tax or VAT.
06Can freelancers get a visa through Expo City Dubai?
Yes. Expo City offers the Expo Freelance permit for independent professionals, advertised as issued in three days, with packages that include a one-year or two-year residence visa and Emirates ID processing. More than 100 professions are available. Optional workspace, from coworking to furnished offices, can be added. Check the eligibility requirements for your profession and whether you can use a business name under the permit before applying.
Sources and official materials
- Dubai Law No. (14) of 2022 Establishing Expo City Dubai (Dubai Legislation Portal) — Legal basis, Authority powers, free zone guarantees
- Expo City Dubai: Licences and permits — Licence types, freelance and short-term permits
- Expo City Dubai: Free zone services — Free zone services, workspace and permit guides
- Expo City Dubai: Expo Freelance — Freelance permit and visa packages
- Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 (Dubai Legislation Portal) — Free zone establishments operating on the Dubai mainland
- Federal Tax Authority — Corporate tax, free zone persons and VAT
General information only, current as at 27 October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. UAE law differs between the onshore jurisdiction, the DIFC, ADGM and the free zones, and changes frequently; check current official sources and take advice on the facts of your matter.
