Key takeaways
- The Expo City Dubai free zone was created by Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022, issued on 7 July 2022, which set up Expo City Dubai and the Expo City Dubai Authority (ECDA) on the former Expo 2020 site and established a free zone inside it.
- ECDA licenses every business in the zone. Article 23 says no one may conduct an activity in the free zone “unless they are licensed” by the Authority, and ECDA issued its own Companies Regulations and Licensing Regulations in 2024.
- Published prices start at AED 9,020 for a freelance permit with a one-year residence visa, AED 12,520 for a solo-founder business hub package and AED 17,570 for a package with four visa allocations; a standard company licence is shown at AED 18,080 a year.
- Company names end in “FZ”. There is no minimum share capital unless the Registrar sets one; one director and a company manager are required, and a secretary once there are two or more shareholders.
- The speciality is sustainability. Expo City Dubai calls itself the UAE’s first Green Innovation District, runs an Expo Green Licence and offers LEED-certified offices next to the Dubai Exhibition Centre.
- Short-term permits are unusual. Business Operation Permits and Event Operation Permits let a business trade in Expo City for one day to 12 months without a full licence.
- Tax is federal. The law’s 50-year zero-tax promise sits beside federal corporate tax (9% above AED 375,000 unless the Qualifying Free Zone Person rules are met), and Expo City does not appear on the published VAT designated zones list.
The Expo City Dubai free zone is the free zone established inside Expo City Dubai, the district built on the Expo 2020 Dubai site, by Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022 and licensed and regulated by the Expo City Dubai Authority (ECDA). It offers company and branch licences, freelance permits, a green licence for sustainability businesses and short-term business and event permits, with offices in LEED-certified buildings beside the Dubai Exhibition Centre and the Expo 2020 metro station. Its identity is the Expo legacy: sustainability, events and innovation in a mixed-use city with its own residential communities.
This guide explains the legal basis, the ECDA regulations, the Expo City Dubai licence types and packages with every published price, the Expo City Dubai business setup steps, documents, Expo City Dubai visa options, tax, mainland access, renewal and who should look elsewhere. We are independent of ECDA; where its pages leave a gap, we say so. For wider context, see our Dubai free zones list, the free zone vs mainland comparison and our page on business setup in Dubai.
Expo City Dubai free zone at a glance
| Item | Expo City Dubai free zone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Expo City Dubai Authority (ECDA) | Law No. 14 of 2022, Art. 3 |
| Legal basis | Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022 Establishing Expo City Dubai (issued 7 July 2022) | Dubai Legislation Portal |
| Company rules | ECDA Companies Regulations No. 1 of 2024; Licensing Regulations No. 2 of 2024; Fees Resolution No. 1 of 2025; Violations Resolution No. 2 of 2025 | expocitydubai.com laws and regulations page |
| Location | Expo City Dubai, former Expo 2020 site, next to the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Expo 2020 metro station | expocitydubai.com |
| Best for | Sustainability and climate-tech firms, event and exhibition businesses, freelancers wanting an all-in visa package, companies wanting Grade A campus offices | Our analysis |
| Legal forms | Company (name suffix “FZ”), branch; continuation of a non-ECD entity | Companies Regulations, Arts 3.1, 6.2 |
| Licence types | Commercial, service, manufacturing, e-commerce, holding company, logistics; plus freelance permit, green licence, business and event operation permits | Licensing Regulations, Art. 4.1; expocitydubai.com |
| Activities | Over 2,000 permitted activities; list published by the Registrar | expocitydubai.com; Licensing Regulations Art. 4.5 |
| Setup time (official) | Not published as a number of days | expocitydubai.com |
| Published starting prices | Freelance AED 9,020; Business Hub 1 AED 12,520; Business Hub 2 AED 17,570; standard licence AED 18,080 a year; Expo Multi from AED 38,020 (3 years); green licence “from AED 10,000” | expocitydubai.com, checked 26 September 2026 |
| Visa basis | Package-based allocations (for example four visas in Business Hub 2); freelance packages include one residence visa | expocitydubai.com |
| VAT designated zone | No: not on the designated zones list as published | FTA list (Cabinet Decision 59/2017 as amended), via published copies |
| Mainland trading | Executive Council Resolution 11/2025 (which ECDA itself lists) | expocitydubai.com; Dubai Legislation Portal |
| Website | expocitydubai.com (business setup, laws and regulations) | expocitydubai.com |
Legal basis: Law No. 14 of 2022 and the ECDA regulations
What the law does
- Creates two things (Article 3): “Expo City Dubai” as a zone and the Expo City Dubai Authority as a public authority with legal personality and financial autonomy, and establishes a free zone within Expo City.
- Gives ECDA its functions (Article 5): supervising the city’s development, managing Expo 2020’s intellectual property, allocating land, licensing establishments, regulating imports and collecting fees.
- Makes licensing compulsory (Article 23): no one may conduct any activity in the free zone “unless they are licensed” by the Authority.
- Customs (Article 16): free zone goods are exempt from customs duties when exported outside the UAE.
- Tax (Article 17): a “zero (0) tax rate for fifty (50) years” for licensed establishments and their employees. Federal corporate tax and VAT still apply; see below.
- Ownership (Article 19): no nationalisation or limitation of private ownership.
The 2024 regulations
ECDA’s Companies Regulations No. 1 of 2024 and Licensing Regulations No. 2 of 2024, both issued under Law 14/2022, are the rulebook for your company. ECDA also publishes a fees and service charges list (Resolution No. 1 of 2025) and a violations and penalties list (Resolution No. 2 of 2025). Both 2025 lists are published as image-based PDFs; we could not extract individual fee or fine amounts from them, so this guide relies on the prices shown on ECDA’s package pages and tells you where to check the rest.
ECDA’s laws page also lists the federal AML law (Decree-Law 10/2025) and its regulations, the UBO rules (Cabinet Decision 109/2023) and penalties (132/2023), Dubai’s company-registration laws, and Executive Council Resolution 11/2025 on free zone companies working in the mainland. It is a useful single page for compliance officers.
What the Expo City Dubai free zone is known for
- The Expo 2020 legacy. The district reuses the Expo site, its pavilions and infrastructure, with the Dubai Exhibition Centre on its doorstep.
- Sustainability. Expo City Dubai describes itself as the “UAE’s first Green Innovation District”, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, with LEED Platinum and Gold certified buildings and an Expo Green Licence.
- Events. Event Operation Permits and Business Operation Permits let organisers and pop-up businesses trade for days or months.
- A lived-in city. Residential projects such as Expo Valley Views, Al Waha Residences and Sidr Residences sit inside the district, which suits founders who want to live near work.
- Location. Expo City describes itself as adjacent to what will be the world’s largest airport, Al Maktoum International, in the Dubai South growth corridor.
- Recognition. Expo City Dubai cites “Global Free Zones of the Year 2025” and “Middle East Free Zones of the Year 2025” awards on its site.
Expo City Dubai does not name anchor tenants on the free zone pages we read, so we do not list any. Its closest rivals by profile are Dubai South (same corridor, logistics and aviation), DWTC Free Zone (events) and Meydan Free Zone (low-cost licences).
Expo City Dubai licence types and legal forms in the Expo City free zone
Legal forms
- Company. The name “must immediately be followed by the suffix ‘FZ'” (Companies Regulations, Art. 6.2(a)). There is “no prescribed minimum share capital”, though the Registrar “may, from time to time, specify a minimum share capital” for particular types or activities (Arts 21.4 to 21.5).
- Directors and manager. At least one director and a company manager (Art. 38.1); directors must be at least 18 and not disqualified for dishonesty offences (Art. 38.6).
- Secretary. Required “if the Company is owned by two (2) or more Shareholders” (Art. 50.1).
- Registered facility. Every entity “must at all times maintain a registered facility in the ECD Free Zone” (Art. 10.1).
- Beneficial owners. The application must give “details of the natural persons who are the UBOs” (Art. 6.2(f)).
- Branch. A branch of a UAE or foreign company, with the parent carrying its liabilities.
- Continuation. A non-ECD entity can continue into Expo City as a company (Chapter 12).
Licence categories
The Licensing Regulations list commercial, service, manufacturing, e-commerce, holding company and logistics licences, and “any other Licence category which the ECDA may make available” (Art. 4.1). The business setup page also refers to light industrial licences. Licensees may carry out “lawful activities which are ancillary to the Permitted Activities” (Art. 4.6).
Permits and special licences
| Product | What it is | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Freelance, package 1 | One-year freelance permit with a one-year residence visa, “covering everything from entry permit to Emirates ID”; over 100 professions | AED 9,020 a year |
| Expo Freelance, package 2 | Two-year permit with a two-year residence visa | AED 16,020 |
| Expo Green Licence | For qualifying sustainability activities, subject to an eligibility check | “From AED 10,000” (business setup page; the green licence page table showed no figure when checked) |
| Business Operation Permit | Short-term trading (for example kiosks, pop-ups) for one day to 12 months | Not shown on the page |
| Event Operation Permit | For organising events in Expo City | Not shown on the page |
The regulations also provide for a “Permission” status for persons without a full licence, for specific activities and periods set by the Registrar (Licensing Regulations, Art. 13). That is the legal basis for the short-term permits.
The activity list
Expo City Dubai says over 2,000 activities are permitted. The Registrar publishes and updates the list (Art. 4.5), downloadable from the free zone page. ECDA also publishes a separate guide to restricted activities such as food and beverage, shisha and alcohol. Regulated activities still need their own regulator: VARA for virtual assets, KHDA for training, Dubai Health Authority for health services, Dubai Municipality for food and cosmetics.
Expo City Dubai free zone packages and costs
ECDA shows package prices on its pages and publishes a full fees list as a PDF. The table sets out every price we could read on 26 September 2026.
| Package or line | Published price | What is included | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expo Freelance 1 | AED 9,020 a year | Permit plus one-year residence visa from entry permit to Emirates ID | Expo Freelance page |
| Expo Freelance 2 | AED 16,020 | Two-year permit and residence visa | Expo Freelance page |
| Business Hub package 1 (solo founder) | AED 12,520 a year | Business licence; shared desk or coworking option | Business hub packages page |
| Business Hub package 2 (hiring teams) | AED 17,570 a year | Licence, four visa allocations, six business activities, company card | Business hub packages page |
| Standard licence (new company or branch) | AED 18,080 a year | Licence; one to three year terms; office leased separately | New company or branch page |
| Expo Multi | From AED 38,020 | Three-year setup | Business setup page |
| Expo Green Licence | From AED 10,000 | Green licence for eligible activities | Business setup page |
| Other ECDA service fees (amendments, visas, cards, certificates) | See ECDA Fees and Service Charges List | Resolution No. 1 of 2025 (image-based PDF) | Laws and regulations page |
Reading the Expo City Dubai prices
- Business Hub 2 is the visa package. The AED 5,050 step from package 1 buys four visa allocations, three more activities and the company card. Each person’s visa processing, medical, Emirates ID and insurance are not stated as included; ask before you sign.
- The freelance package is all-in. It is the only published price that includes a residence visa from entry permit to Emirates ID.
- Offices are extra outside the business hub packages. Al Wasl and District offices are leased separately, from single suites to whole buildings.
- Government-side costs. The federal medical examination fee is AED 250 at standard centres, and ICP charges AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart services for Emirates ID; health insurance is compulsory in Dubai.
- Terms and conditions. Each business hub package has its own terms PDF; read them for renewal pricing and what happens to unused visa allocations.
ECDA’s full fees list (Resolution No. 1 of 2025) and its penalties list (Resolution No. 2 of 2025) are image PDFs. Ask your ECDA account manager for the specific lines that apply to you, such as amendment, visa and late-renewal fees, and keep the written reply with your file.
Expo City Dubai business setup, step by step
Every Expo City Dubai business setup runs through ECDA’s online portal and an account manager.
ECDA describes a four-step route for companies and branches: consult an account manager, apply online, pay, verify and sign, then finalise and receive the licence. In more detail:
- Check the activity. Confirm it is on the permitted list and not on the restricted list; for the green licence, complete the qualification form.
- Choose the package and space. Freelance, business hub, standard licence with an office, Expo Multi or green licence.
- Apply online with the business setup application form (company or branch) and the UBO declaration.
- Pay, verify and sign the constitutional documents and the lease.
- Receive the licence. ECDA does not publish a number of days.
- Company card and visas. Obtain the company (establishment) card, then visa allocations and residence visas.
- UBO filing within 60 days of incorporation and changes within 15 days (Cabinet Decision 109/2023).
- Corporate tax registration within three months (FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024); AED 10,000 penalty if late.
- Bank account with a UAE bank; see our corporate bank account guide.
Documents
- Individuals: passport copy and the details required by the application form (name, address, nationality), plus visa and Emirates ID copies for UAE residents.
- Corporate shareholders: the corporate registration details required by Art. 6.2(c) of the Companies Regulations, usually a certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution and good standing, notarised and attested. See our document attestation service.
- Everyone: the UBO declaration naming the individuals who ultimately own or control the company.
Which Expo City Dubai licence should you choose?
The Expo City Dubai free zone sells more product types than most zones, so the first decision is which one fits. The table matches common situations to the Expo City Dubai licence or permit that usually suits them, using ECDA’s published prices.
| Your situation | Usual Expo City Dubai licence or permit | Published price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| One professional, needs a residence visa, no company | Expo Freelance 1 or 2 | AED 9,020 (1 year) / AED 16,020 (2 years) | Only package with the residence visa included |
| Solo founder, no staff yet | Business Hub package 1 | AED 12,520 a year | Licence plus shared desk or coworking |
| Small team, up to four visas | Business Hub package 2 | AED 17,570 a year | Four visa allocations, six activities, company card |
| Company or branch needing its own office | Standard licence plus lease | AED 18,080 a year plus rent | Flexible one to three-year licence terms |
| Wants to lock in three years | Expo Multi | From AED 38,020 | Three-year setup |
| Sustainability or climate business | Expo Green Licence | From AED 10,000 | Eligibility check; green ecosystem |
| Pop-up, kiosk or event | Business or Event Operation Permit | In ECDA fees list | One day to 12 months, no company needed |
Three questions settle most cases. Do you need a residence visa for yourself only (freelance) or for staff (business hub 2 or a standard licence)? Will you trade for less than a year (operation permit)? Is your activity on the green list (green licence)? If none of these is decisive, compare the Expo City Dubai licence with Meydan and IFZA on total first-year cost.
Planning Expo City Dubai visa costs
An Expo City Dubai visa has three cost layers, and only some are in the package price.
- The right to sponsor. Business Hub 2 includes four allocations; the freelance packages include one residence visa. For a standard licence, the allocation depends on your space and ECDA’s fees list.
- Per-person processing. Entry permit or change of status, residence and Emirates ID. The freelance packages include these from entry permit to Emirates ID. For company packages, ask ECDA whether they are included.
- Government and insurance costs. The federal medical examination fee is AED 250 at standard centres; ICP charges AED 100 per year of residence plus AED 100 smart services for Emirates ID; health insurance is compulsory in Dubai.
Family members of an Expo City Dubai visa holder are sponsored by the resident through GDRFA. A tenancy contract in one of Expo City’s residential communities can support the family application. If you cancel an Expo City Dubai visa, the holder gets a grace period to leave or change status; after it, overstay fines of AED 50 a day apply.
Ask ECDA for the visa lines in writing before you choose between Business Hub 2 and a standard licence. The AED 510 difference between the two headline prices is small next to four sets of visa processing fees.
Offices and workspaces in the Expo City free zone
| Option | What ECDA describes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Shared desk and coworking | Included as options in the business hub packages | Solo founders, freelancers |
| Future Forward Business Hub | Furnished offices and shared business hubs | Start-ups and small teams |
| Al Wasl offices | 9,000 to 13,000 sq ft with panoramic views | Regional headquarters |
| District offices | 1,000 to 30,000 sq ft in a campus setting; shell and core, semi-fitted or branded | Growing and established companies |
| Retail and restaurants | Kiosks (about 550 sq ft average), semi-fitted and fully fitted units, pop-ups | Food and retail brands |
ECDA does not publish a visa-per-square-foot rule. The published link between space and visas is package-based: four visa allocations in Business Hub 2 and one residence visa in each freelance package. For anything larger, get the allocation in writing with the lease offer.
Expo City Dubai visa options
An Expo City Dubai visa is a Dubai residence visa sponsored by your free zone company (or, for freelancers, through the freelance package), issued through the Dubai residency system (GDRFA) with a file number starting with 2. ECDA’s pages describe “integrated access to government and free zone services” but do not publish processing times or a step-by-step visa guide, so treat any time quoted to you as an estimate.
- Freelancers: the freelance packages include a one or two-year residence visa, from entry permit to Emirates ID.
- Company founders: an investor or partner visa using one of the company’s allocations.
- Staff: employment visas on the company’s allocations; free zone staff are registered with the free zone rather than MOHRE. Our free zone visa service explains the differences.
- Families: residents can sponsor a spouse and children through GDRFA, subject to income and housing rules. Expo City’s own residential communities can supply the tenancy.
- Golden Visa: eligible investors and entrepreneurs can apply separately; see our Golden investor visa service.
Every residence visa needs a medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics in the UAE; our Emirates ID typing service handles the application.
Tax, VAT and customs in the Expo City Dubai free zone
Corporate tax. Law 14/2022 promises a 50-year zero rate, but federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 applies to free zone companies. Every Expo City free zone company registers within three months and files annual returns. Tax is 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above, unless the company is a Qualifying Free Zone Person with qualifying income, adequate substance, audited accounts and non-qualifying revenue under the lower of 5% or AED 5 million (Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023). Qualifying activities are listed in Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025, which replaced Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023; services such as consulting and sales to individuals are not on it. See our corporate tax registration guide.
VAT. Expo City Dubai does not appear on the VAT designated zones list as published under Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017 as amended, so its companies charge 5% VAT like mainland businesses once registered (mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies). Check the FTA’s current list.
Customs. Article 16 of Law 14/2022 exempts free zone goods from customs duty when exported outside the UAE. Goods sold into the UAE market pay duty and import VAT under the normal rules.
Working with the Dubai mainland from the Expo City free zone
ECDA lists Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 on its own laws page. Under it, a free zone company can get a DET branch licence (AED 10,000 a year) or a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit (AED 5,000, temporary, launched by Dubai Media Office on 8 October 2025) to operate in the mainland. The Licensing Regulations themselves apply only within the free zone. A mainland distributor or a separate mainland company are the alternatives.
Expo City Dubai licence renewal and ongoing compliance
| Obligation | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal | “Apply to renew it prior to the date of expiry”; the Registrar “may grant, in its discretion, a limited grace period” | Licensing Regulations, Arts 10.2, 10.6 |
| Premises | “Have a valid Lease or Freehold” for the registered facility | Licensing Regulations, Art. 5.12(b) |
| Suspension or termination | For ceasing operations, non-compliance, false information or activities outside the licence | Licensing Regulations, Art. 12.1 |
| Director changes | Notify “within five (5) Business Days” | Companies Regulations, Art. 39.6 |
| Name change | File the resolution within seven business days | Companies Regulations, Art. 17.2 |
| Accounts and auditor | Prepare accounts, appoint an auditor, provide copies as the Registrar directs | Companies Regulations, Arts 67 to 78 |
| UBO | 60 days from incorporation; changes in 15 days | Cabinet Decision 109/2023 |
| AML | Federal Decree-Law 10/2025 and Cabinet Resolution 134/2025 | ECDA laws page |
| Fines | Violations and Penalties List, Resolution No. 2 of 2025 (amounts not extractable from the published image PDF) | ECDA laws page |
Our UBO register guide covers the beneficial owner filing in detail.
Expo City Dubai free zone: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Own founding law (14/2022) and modern 2024 regulations | Full fee and penalty lists are image PDFs; ask for the lines in writing |
| Published package prices, including an all-in freelance visa package | No published setup time |
| Short-term business and event permits, rare among zones | Location on the southern edge of Dubai; long commute from the north |
| Green licence and LEED-certified offices for sustainability brands | Not a VAT designated zone |
| Residential communities and metro link inside the district | Visa numbers above package levels not published |
Who the Expo City Dubai free zone suits
- Suits: sustainability and climate-tech businesses, event organisers and exhibitors, freelancers who want a visa included, companies wanting a landmark Grade A campus and founders who want to live and work in the same district.
- Look elsewhere if: you need logistics, bonded storage or aviation activities (Dubai South or JAFZA); the lowest-cost digital licence (Meydan or IFZA); an events focus in central Dubai (DWTC); or mainly mainland customers (a mainland company).
The guide to all UAE free zones compares every zone, and our free zone company setup support can shortlist them for you.
Expo City Dubai free zone in practice: four cases
These cases are built from the situations we see most often. Names and identifying details are left out, and the figures are the published ones.
1. A freelance sustainability consultant who needed an Expo City Dubai visa
A consultant moving to Dubai wanted a permit and her own residence without forming a company. Expo Freelance package 1 at AED 9,020 included the permit and a one-year residence visa from entry permit to Emirates ID. We checked that her profession was among the listed professions and that no outside regulator’s approval was needed, and budgeted health insurance separately.
2. A climate-tech start-up hiring four people
A three-founder start-up needed four visas in year one. Business Hub 2 at AED 17,570 included four allocations, six activities and the company card. Because there were several shareholders, the regulations required a company secretary. We asked ECDA in writing what each visa would cost to process and whether the Expo Green Licence route was cheaper for its activities.
3. An exhibitor wanting a three-month pop-up
A foreign brand wanted a kiosk during a season of events. A Business Operation Permit, available from one day to 12 months, avoided forming a company. We collected the application form and legal documents and confirmed the permit fee from ECDA before signing the space offer.
4. A regional headquarters in the Expo City free zone
A European engineering firm wanted a branch in a LEED-certified office. A branch licence at the standard licence price plus a District office lease fitted. Corporate documents needed notarisation and attestation, and the UBO chain had to reach the individuals at the top of the group.
Expo City Dubai free zone myths: what circulates online that is not true
| Claim | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| “Expo City is part of Dubai South free zone.” | It has its own law (14/2022) and its own authority, ECDA. |
| “Expo City free zone companies pay no tax for 50 years.” | Federal corporate tax and VAT apply; the 0% QFZP rate is conditional. |
| “You need a full company to trade at Expo City.” | Business and event operation permits allow short-term trading. |
| “There is a minimum capital.” | None is prescribed, though the Registrar may set one for some activities. |
| “Every package includes visas.” | Only Business Hub 2 (four allocations) and the freelance packages (one residence visa) state visas. |
How to verify every Expo City Dubai free zone figure
| Figure or rule | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Legal basis, licensing, 50-year rate, customs | Law No. 14 of 2022, Arts 3, 5, 16, 17, 23, Dubai Legislation Portal |
| FZ suffix, capital, secretary, facility | ECDA Companies Regulations No. 1 of 2024 |
| Licence categories, renewal, grace period | ECDA Licensing Regulations No. 2 of 2024 |
| Package prices | expocitydubai.com business setup, business hub, freelance and new company pages |
| All other fees and fines | ECDA Resolutions No. 1 and No. 2 of 2025 |
| QFZP rules; VAT zones | Cabinet Decision 100/2023; MD 229/2025; FTA designated zones list |
| Mainland permit and branch | Resolution 11/2025; Dubai Media Office, 8 October 2025 |
Expo City Dubai free zone: how MIRDXB PRO helps
MIRDXB PRO is an independent PRO and business-setup consultancy in Al Barsha 1, Dubai. We are not the Expo City Dubai Authority and not listed as an ECDA partner. We help you choose between Expo City and other zones and handle the government work around the licence.
What we do
- Match your activity to ECDA’s permitted and restricted lists and to any outside regulator.
- Compare the freelance, business hub, standard, Expo Multi and green licence routes, and other zones.
- Prepare application forms, UBO declarations and attested corporate documents.
- Run residence visas, medicals, Emirates ID and family visas.
- Register corporate tax and VAT and arrange a mainland permit if needed.
How it works
- WhatsApp us your activity, owners and visa needs.
- We reply in writing with the package and ECDA’s published prices.
- We quote our fee in writing before we start.
- We prepare the file and track the Expo City Dubai business setup, company card and visas.
- We diarise renewal, UBO and tax deadlines.
What it costs
ECDA and government fees are passed on at cost on the issuer’s receipt; our fee is quoted in writing first. See our fees page and our business setup service.
Why founders use us
- We cite the official source for every rule and price.
- We are independent of every free zone.
- We tell you when a package already covers what you need.
- Visit us in Al Barsha 1: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 09:00 to 18:00, Friday 09:00 to 12:00.
What we will and will not do
- We will show every ECDA and government fee on the issuer’s own receipt.
- We will tell you if another zone suits your business better.
- We will not claim to be ECDA, an ECDA partner or a government body.
- We will not promise approvals or processing times that are not published.
Related guides
- Free zones in the UAE
- Dubai free zones list
- Dubai South free zone company setup
- DWTC free zone company setup
- Meydan Free Zone company setup
- Free zone vs mainland visas
- Corporate tax registration
- Establishment card explained
Expo City Dubai free zone: frequently asked questions
Who regulates the Expo City Dubai free zone?
The Expo City Dubai Authority (ECDA), created by Dubai Law No. 14 of 2022. Article 23 of the law says no one may conduct an activity in the free zone unless licensed by the Authority, and ECDA’s 2024 Companies and Licensing Regulations govern companies there.
How much does an Expo City Dubai licence cost?
ECDA publishes AED 12,520 a year for the solo-founder business hub package, AED 17,570 for the package with four visa allocations, AED 18,080 a year for a standard licence and from AED 38,020 for the three-year Expo Multi. Other fees are in ECDA’s fees list.
Is there a freelance Expo City Dubai visa?
Yes. Expo Freelance costs AED 9,020 for a one-year permit with a one-year residence visa, or AED 16,020 for two years, covering entry permit to Emirates ID, for over 100 professions. Health insurance is separate.
How many Expo City Dubai visa allocations can a company get?
The published figure is four visa allocations in Business Hub package 2. ECDA does not publish a visa-to-space rule for larger offices, so ask for the allocation in writing with your lease offer.
What is the Expo Green Licence?
A licence for businesses whose activities qualify as sustainability-focused, checked through a qualification form. The business setup page shows it from AED 10,000. It is part of Expo City’s role as the UAE’s first Green Innovation District.
Can I trade at Expo City for a few weeks only?
Yes. Business Operation Permits and Event Operation Permits cover short-term activity from one day to 12 months, for example kiosks, pop-ups and events. The fee is set in ECDA’s fees list; ask for it before you sign the space offer.
Is there a minimum share capital?
No minimum is prescribed by the Companies Regulations, but the Registrar may set one for particular activities or entity types. Company names must end in “FZ”.
Is Expo City Dubai part of Dubai South?
No. It sits in the same southern corridor near Al Maktoum International Airport, but it has its own law, Law No. 14 of 2022, and its own authority, ECDA. Dubai South is a separate free zone.
Do Expo City free zone companies pay corporate tax and VAT?
Yes. They register for corporate tax within three months and pay 9% above AED 375,000 unless they qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Expo City is not on the published VAT designated zones list, so VAT applies as on the mainland.
How long does Expo City Dubai business setup take?
ECDA describes a four-step process (consult, apply online, pay and sign, receive the licence) but does not publish a number of days. Corporate shareholders should allow extra time for attesting documents abroad.
Can an Expo City free zone company work in the Dubai mainland?
With a permit. Under Executive Council Resolution 11/2025, which ECDA lists on its laws page, a free zone company can hold a DET branch licence (AED 10,000 a year) or a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit (AED 5,000).
What happens if I renew late?
The Licensing Regulations require you to apply before expiry. The Registrar may grant a limited grace period at its discretion; otherwise the licence can be suspended or terminated, and fines are set in ECDA’s violations list.
Can MIRDXB PRO handle my Expo City Dubai business setup?
Yes. We are an independent consultancy, not ECDA. We choose the package, prepare documents, apply, and run visas, tax registration and UBO filings. ECDA and government fees are at cost; our fee is quoted in writing before we start.
Can you compare Expo City with other zones for me?
Yes. Send us your activity, team size and visa needs. We compare Expo City Dubai with Dubai South, Meydan, IFZA and others on published prices, visas and tax, and reply in writing.
Keeping visas, company cards and renewals up to date after setup is what our PRO services in Dubai team handles.
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 14 of 2022 Establishing Expo City Dubai
- ECDA: Companies Regulations No. 1 of 2024
- ECDA: Licensing Regulations No. 2 of 2024
- ECDA: Resolution No. 1 of 2025, fees and service charges list
- ECDA: Resolution No. 2 of 2025, violations and penalties list
- Expo City Dubai: Laws and regulations
- Expo City Dubai: Free zone
- Expo City Dubai: Business setup
- Expo City Dubai: Business hub packages
- Expo City Dubai: Expo Freelance
- Expo City Dubai: New company or branch
- Expo City Dubai: Expo Green Licence
- Expo City Dubai: Short-term business setup
- Expo City Dubai: Office spaces
- Expo City Dubai: Business at Expo City Dubai
- Government of Dubai: Free zones in Dubai
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025
- Dubai Media Office: Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit
- Ministry of Finance: Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023
- Ministry of Finance: Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025
- Federal Tax Authority: Decision No. 3 of 2024
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT designated zones
26 September 2026. We re-check ECDA’s packages and regulations when they change.
Please note. The rules and prices in this guide come from the Dubai Legislation Portal, ECDA’s regulations and website, the Government of Dubai, the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Tax Authority and Dubai Media Office, verified 26 September 2026. ECDA’s invoice and decisions are final. The cases are illustrative. MIRDXB PRO is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with the Expo City Dubai Authority. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
