Dubai Industrial City (DIC) is a TECOM Group industrial and logistics district close to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, with its own Etihad Rail freight terminal. Despite the name often used online, DIC is not a free zone: businesses here are licensed as Dubai mainland companies by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly the Department of Economic Development, DED), while the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) issues fit-out and building permits. It suits light and medium manufacturers, food producers, logistics firms and traders who need land, warehouses or offices. We help you choose the right mainland licence and legal form, secure the space in DIC and handle the licence, approvals, visas and corporate bank account.
- Location: near Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, with access to Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
- Status: not a free zone; companies hold a Dubai mainland licence
- Licensing authority: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
- Building and fit-out permits: Dubai Development Authority (DDA)
- Company types: Limited Liability Company (LLC), Sole Proprietorship, Branch of a UAE or foreign company
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership for most activities; some strategic activities need an Emirati partner
- Space: industrial land from 62,000 sq. ft to above 5 million sq. ft, warehouses from 5,132 to 11,250 sq. ft, offices from 500 to 80,000 sq. ft
- Licence validity: one year, renewable annually
Who Dubai Industrial City Suits
- Light and medium manufacturers
- Food and beverage producers
- Base metal, machinery and mineral businesses
- Transport and logistics companies
- Chemical storage, printing press and carton manufacturing operations that need a warehouse
- Research and development units linked to industry
- Companies that want to sell directly on the Dubai mainland without a separate mainland office
Licence Types in Dubai Industrial City
Because DIC companies are licensed by DET, you choose from the standard Dubai mainland licence types. The licence lists the exact activities your company may carry out.
Industrial licence
For manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation or collection. Many manufacturers also need a national industrial licence from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which we apply for alongside your DET licence where it applies.
Commercial licence
For buying and selling goods and services, including import, export and logistics activities.
Professional licence
For services based on professional, intellectual or artistic skills, such as consultancy.
Other approvals
Some activities, such as food production or chemical storage, need approval from another government department before or after the licence. We list these for you at the start so there are no surprises.
Company Types in Dubai Industrial City
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common choice for a factory or logistics business. Each partner's liability is limited to their share of the capital, and an LLC can have up to 50 partners.
Most activities allow 100% foreign ownership. See our guide to LLC company formation in Dubai for the details.
Sole Proprietorship
Owned by one person, who is personally liable for the business's obligations. Rules for foreign owners depend on the activity, so we confirm eligibility first.
Branch of a UAE or foreign company
An existing company can open a branch in DIC. DET asks for the parent company's board resolution to open the branch and a copy of its commercial registration, plus a no-objection certificate where the parent is in a free zone or another emirate.
Land, Warehouse and Office Space
DIC offers industrial land with power access of up to 4 megawatts per plot, warehouses, open yards, offices, showrooms, retail units and workers' accommodation. Warehouses can be used for logistics, food manufacturing, chemical storage, printing presses and carton manufacturing, among other uses. They come without racking, so you can install your own system. The number of employees a company can have depends on the office size and business activity, and visa entitlement is set under DET rules. Our PRO team handles the establishment card, visas and Emirates IDs once the licence is issued.
DIC or a free zone? A DIC company holds a mainland licence, so it can sell directly to customers anywhere in the Dubai market. A free zone company, for example in JAFZA, works under its free zone's own rules and corporate tax regime. If most of your customers are in the UAE, DIC is often the simpler fit. If you mainly re-export, a free zone may suit you better. We compare both for your business before you commit to land or a lease.
How to Set Up a Company in Dubai Industrial City
- Free consultation: we confirm your business activity, licence type and legal form.
- Activity check: we check if your activity needs approval from another authority, such as a national industrial licence or an environmental or food approval, and tell you up front.
- Reserve the trade name and apply to DET for initial approval.
- Choose your land, warehouse or office in DIC and sign the lease; DDA permits apply if you build or fit out.
- Sign the memorandum of association (for an LLC), submit the documents and pay the fees to receive your licence.
- Apply for the establishment card, investor and employee visas and Emirates IDs.
- Open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.
Documents You Need
For individual shareholders: passport copy, passport photo, and UAE visa or Emirates ID if you already live in the UAE.
For a company shareholder or a branch: the parent company's commercial registration or certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association and a board resolution, usually attested.
For the premises: the signed DIC lease or land agreement, which DET needs to register your licence address.
We send you the exact checklist for your activity.
Dubai Industrial City Setup Costs
Your cost depends on the licence type, the legal form, the land or warehouse you lease, any fit-out, the number of visas and the outside approvals your activity needs. DIC does not publish a fixed package price; it states that its pricing follows market rates. Tell us your activity, space and visa needs and we send you a written, itemised quote covering DET fees, approvals and space.
Corporate Tax for Dubai Industrial City Companies
DIC companies hold a mainland licence, so the free zone 0% regime for Qualifying Free Zone Persons does not apply. Every company must register for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above AED 375,000 at 9%. Our group's tax agency can handle registration, VAT and filing.
Why Set Up in Dubai Industrial City With Jitendra Business Consultants
Company formation in the UAE since 2001, with 5,500+ companies formed. One group for setup, accounting, VAT, corporate tax and trademarks. Offices in Dubai and Sharjah, with advice in English, Arabic and Hindi.
Dubai Industrial City Company Setup FAQs
Is Dubai Industrial City a free zone?
No. Dubai Industrial City states that it is not a free zone. Companies there are licensed as Dubai mainland businesses by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Who issues licences in Dubai Industrial City?
DET issues the business licence. The Dubai Development Authority (DDA) issues fit-out and building permits within DIC.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Dubai Industrial City?
For most activities, yes. Dubai allows 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies except in certain strategic activities that need an Emirati partner.
What industries are based in Dubai Industrial City?
DIC has dedicated zones for food and beverage, transport, base metal, machinery, minerals and chemicals, plus general light and medium industry and R&D.
What sizes of land and warehouses are available?
DIC lists industrial land plots from 62,000 sq. ft to above 5 million sq. ft and warehouses from 5,132 sq. ft to 11,250 sq. ft. Offices range from 500 sq. ft to 80,000 sq. ft.
Do I need a separate industrial licence to manufacture in DIC?
Manufacturers need a DET industrial licence, and many also need a national industrial licence from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. We check what applies to your product.
Can I move my free zone licence to Dubai Industrial City?
DIC says it can help with transfers from other UAE free zones. As DIC companies hold mainland licences, we plan the move and any change of legal form with you.
Do Dubai Industrial City companies pay corporate tax?
Yes. As mainland companies, they pay 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, and must register with the Federal Tax Authority.