Dubai Internet City (DIC) is the UAE’s premier technology free zone, home to global tech giants and startups. Here is the complete 2026 guide for DIC-based companies.
In this guide:
DIC at a Glance
- Location: Jumeirah Lake Towers area; Sheikh Zayed Road
- Established: 2000
- Focus: Technology companies; IT; telecom; software; e-commerce
- Part of: TECOM Group (with Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Park, etc.)
- Tenant examples: Google, Microsoft, Oracle, HP, Cisco, Dell, IBM, Amazon
DIC Trade Licence Activities
- Information Technology: Software development; IT consulting; cybersecurity; cloud services
- Telecom: Telecom infrastructure; services; IoT
- E-commerce: Online retail; digital platforms; marketplaces
- Digital Media: Content; app development; digital agencies
DIC Costs (2026)
- Trade licence: AED 20,000-30,000/year
- Virtual office: AED 10,000-15,000/year
- Physical office: AED 150-250/sq.ft/year (premium DIC location)
- Visa: Standard UAE visa costs per employee
DIC Strengths
- Tech ecosystem: The most recognized tech free zone in UAE; adjacent to Media City and Knowledge Park
- Enterprise clients: Large tech tenants create strong B2B opportunity
- Infrastructure: Dedicated high-speed fibre infrastructure throughout DIC
DIC vs IFZA for Tech Companies
- DIC: Premium location; higher cost; prestige address; on-site ecosystem
- IFZA: 70% cheaper; same UAE free zone status; less prestige; better for early-stage