Set up a technology, trading or light industrial company in Dubai Silicon Oasis. PROXPAT prepares the DSOA application, the capital letter and the legal documents, then handles visas.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Company Formation
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a free zone and technology park run by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), within the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). Companies register through the DSOA customer portal under the DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023, the same rules that apply in Dubai Airport Freezone.
DSO offers three licence types, flexi desks and offices on three campuses, and Dtec, a startup campus. It also has an Administrative Zone where businesses operate on a Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism licence.
PROXPAT helps you pick the licence and zone, prepare shareholder documents, clear DSOA pre-approval and move straight into visas once the e-licence is issued.
DSO Licence Types
| Licence | What DSO says it allows |
|---|---|
| Service licence | Carrying out only the services specified on the licence, with a set number of business activities |
| Trade licence | Import, export and distribution of items and goods |
| Industrial licence | Importing raw materials, then manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging and exporting finished products |
| Business Operation Permit | Operating in the DSO Administrative Zone using a Dubai economic department licence, with no share capital required |
| Transfer from another free zone | Moving an existing company in through a certificate of continuation or a certificate of cancellation |
Not sure which activities fit? Our business activity consultation maps them before you apply.
Company Types in DSO
| Form | Position |
|---|---|
| Free Zone Company (FZCO) | A limited liability company with its own legal personality; shareholders' liability is limited to their share capital |
| Free Zone Establishment (FZE) | No longer used. DSO states that existing FZEs are treated as FZCOs under the 2023 Regulations |
| Branch | Part of a company incorporated outside the free zone, with no separate legal personality or share capital; the parent is liable |
See UAE company types for how these compare with mainland forms.
Share Capital: DSO's Figure and the 2023 Regulations
Two published sources give different figures, and you should know both before planning your capital:
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| DSO business setup process page | Minimum start-up capital of AED 100,000; FZCO shares in multiples of AED 10,000; a share capital letter at the e-agreement stage |
| DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023, Regulation 23 | An FZCO has a minimum share capital of AED 1, and shares must be at least 25% paid up |
We confirm the figure DSOA will apply to your application before you arrange a bank capital letter. That way the capital amount, share structure and bank paperwork match on the first submission.
Free Zone or Administrative Zone?
| DSO free zone licence | Business Operation Permit (Administrative Zone) | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence basis | DSOA licence for an FZCO or branch | Dubai economic department licence |
| Share capital | Required for an FZCO | Not required |
| Where it applies | The DSO free zone | Properties in DSO not directly owned by DSOA, within freehold and leasehold areas run by private developers |
The Administrative Zone can suit a business that wants a mainland-style licence while located in DSO. See Dubai mainland company formation for how mainland licences work.
Workspace and Visa Quotas
| Option | What DSO lists | Visas |
|---|---|---|
| Flexi desk | Company setup with workspace in common areas | Up to 2 residency visas |
| Fixed desk | A dedicated desk in a shared space | Up to 3 visas |
| Private office | Furnished or unfurnished, from 12 to 50 square metres | Allowance based on office size |
| Short-term leasing | Desk or office access without a contract | No company setup or visa |
DSO lists three campuses: DSO HQ, Dtec Technohub and Dtec A5 Dubai Digital Park. Standard plans are priced annually. Plan headcount first, because the desk type caps the visas.
Dtec: The Startup Campus in DSO
- Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis and part of DIEZ.
- Open to all nationalities, with 100% company ownership.
- Flexi desks with 2 visas and fixed desks with 3 visas.
- Hot desk members must use their desk for at least 36 hours a month.
- The subsidised licence is no longer available after five years.
- You can work there for a day, a week or up to three months without setting up a company.
The DSOA Setup Process
Step 1: Register on the DSOA customer portal and submit the application form.
Step 2: DSOA carries out pre-approval, including activity and security checks.
Step 3: Pay the fees and submit the legal documents.
Step 4: Sign the office tenancy contract after initial approval.
Step 5: Sign the e-agreement and provide the share capital letter.
Step 6: DSOA issues the e-registration and e-licence.
| Stage | Time DSO lists |
|---|---|
| Application process | 7 days |
| Licence and lease agreement | Within 2 days of receiving all legal documents and payment |
Documents DSO Lists
| Stage | Individual shareholders | Corporate shareholders and branches |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Passport copy; Emirates ID and visa copy for UAE residents | The same for representatives, plus the main licence (UAE-registered companies), a good standing certificate (companies outside the UAE) and the memorandum of association |
| Manager | Passport copy; Emirates ID and visa copy for residents | Same |
| After initial approval | Tenancy contract | Tenancy contract, plus attested and notarised board resolution, full memorandum of association and, for companies outside the UAE, certificate of incorporation |
Overseas documents need legalisation before DSOA accepts them. See certificate attestation.
Compliance After the Licence
- Beneficial ownership. The UBO declaration is filed every year and on each renewal, and changes are reported within 14 days. DSO also asks for proof of address, a structure chart and the parent's shareholder register or audited report.
- Audit. An FZCO must have its accounts audited, appoint an auditor within six months after its financial year ends, and keep records for at least six years.
- Licence validity. A company must hold a valid licence at all times, and the Registrar may wind up a company that does not start business within a year.
- Corporate tax. DSO's FAQ describes the free zone as qualified, with a 0% rate on qualifying income. Whether your income qualifies is a tax question, so take advice.
- Establishment card. Needed for visas. See establishment card.
DSO Compared With Other Free Zones
| Zone | Published points | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Service, trade and industrial licences; flexi desk up to 2 visas; Administrative Zone option | This page |
| Dubai Airport Freezone | Same DIEZA regulations; 1 to 50 shareholders; AED 1 minimum capital | DAFZA guide |
| IFZA | Professional, commercial and branch licences; no paid-up capital requirement highlighted by IFZA | IFZA guide |
| Meydan Free Zone | Base setup from AED 12,500 | Meydan guide |
Compare costs with our business setup cost calculator.
How PROXPAT Helps
Licence type and activity mapping
Free zone or Administrative Zone decision
Share capital and bank letter planning
Shareholder and parent company documents
DSOA portal application and follow-up
Desk or office selection by visa need
Establishment card and visas
UBO, audit and renewal support
Frequently Asked Questions
Build your technology company in Dubai.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Free Zones
- Free Zone Overview
- DMCC
- IFZA
- Meydan Free Zone
- JAFZA
- DAFZA
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Expo City Dubai
- DIFC
- ADGM
- Masdar City
- SPC Free Zone
- Shams
- Hamriyah
Set Up Your Company in Dubai Silicon Oasis
PROXPAT maps the licence and zone, prepares the DSOA application and documents, and handles visas, UBO filings and renewals.