Set up in Expo City Dubai with an annual Business Hub licence, a three-year licence for larger teams, or a freelance permit with a residence visa. PROXPAT compares the options and handles the application and visas.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
Expo City Dubai Free Zone Company Formation
Expo City Dubai runs its own free zone with 100% foreign ownership and a set of published packages: Business Hub licences for start-ups and small teams, the three-year Expo Multi licence, the Expo Green Licence, and freelance permits that include residence visas.
It also issues short-term permits for temporary setups and events, from one day to twelve months. Expo City Dubai describes itself as the UAE's first Green Innovation District, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. The prices below come from Expo City Dubai's business setup pages.
PROXPAT helps you choose the package, prepare the application and documents, and complete visas, Emirates ID and renewals.
Expo City Dubai Packages at a Glance
| Package | Published price | What Expo City Dubai says |
|---|---|---|
| Business Hub package 1 | AED 12,520 per year | Get licensed and started; aimed at solo founders not yet ready to hire |
| Business Hub package 2 | AED 17,570 per year | 4 visas, 6 business activities and a company card, for teams that are hiring |
| Expo Multi | From AED 38,020 per year | A 3-year business licence with workspace options to match |
| Expo Green Licence | From AED 10,000 | A licence for eligible businesses, after an eligibility review |
| Expo Freelance package 1 | AED 9,020 per year | One-year freelance permit with a 1-year residence visa, covering everything from entry permit to Emirates ID |
| Expo Freelance package 2 | AED 16,020 | Listed with a 2-year residence visa |
Expo City Dubai publishes separate terms and conditions for each package, so check what renewals, extra visas and extra activities cost before you sign.
Business Hub Packages
Both Business Hub packages come with shared desk or coworking options. Package 1 suits a founder who needs a licence before hiring, while Package 2 adds four visas, six business activities and a company card, the free zone's equivalent of an establishment card.
Step 1: Speak with Expo City Dubai's account managers.
Step 2: Apply online.
Step 3: Pay, verify and sign.
Step 4: Finalise and receive your licence.
Expo City Dubai shows separate application routes for applicants inside and outside the UAE.
Expo Multi: The Three-Year Licence
Expo Multi is a three-year business licence starting from AED 38,020 per year. Workspace options include Al Wasl offices of 9,000 to 13,000 sq ft and District offices of 1,000 to 30,000 sq ft. It follows the same four-step application route as the Business Hub packages, and Expo City Dubai publishes a new-entity application form and separate Expo Multi terms and conditions.
Expo Green Licence
The Expo Green Licence starts from AED 10,000 and is aimed at businesses that meet Expo City Dubai's eligibility criteria.
Step 1: Check your Expo Green Licence eligibility.
Step 2: Expo City Dubai reviews and confirms eligibility.
Step 3: Choose your business space.
Step 4: Submit your licence application.
Workspace options include Al Wasl offices, District offices and single desks.
Freelance Permits With Residence Visas
| Package | Published price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Freelance package 1 | AED 9,020 per year | One-year permit with a 1-year residence visa, from entry permit to Emirates ID |
| Expo Freelance package 2 | AED 16,020 | 2-year residence visa with the all-inclusive package |
| Permit only | Not listed as a package price | Freelance permit with optional add-ons |
Step 1: Express your interest.
Step 2: Complete your application.
Step 3: Wait for review and approval.
Check whether your profession needs another government authority's approval, a question Expo City Dubai covers in its freelance FAQs.
Short-Term Business and Event Permits
- Business Operation Permit (BOP): for temporary setups at Expo City Dubai, from one day to twelve months.
- Event permits: for organising or taking part in events, whether hosted by Expo City Dubai or a third-party organiser, from one day to twelve months.
Short-term permits can suit pop-ups, exhibitions and project teams that do not need a full licence.
Restricted Activities
Expo City Dubai publishes a list of restricted business activities covering food and beverage, shisha and alcohol. If your plan involves any of these, check the list before applying. See restaurant licence for mainland food business rules.
Expo City Dubai Compared With Other Entry Packages
| Zone and package | Price | Visa included? | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expo City Dubai, Business Hub package 1 | AED 12,520 per year | Not listed | This page |
| Expo City Dubai, Business Hub package 2 | AED 17,570 per year | Yes, 4 visas | This page |
| Meydan Free Zone, base setup | From AED 12,500 | No visa allocation | Meydan guide |
| UAQ FTZ, UAQ Start | AED 12,500 | Yes, one investor visa | UAQ FTZ guide |
| Masdar City Free Zone, Business One | AED 17,500 | Yes, one visa | Masdar City guide |
Compare what each price includes, not just the headline. Our business setup cost calculator estimates the full first year.
How PROXPAT Helps
Package comparison for your plans
Activity check against restricted lists
Application and document preparation
Licence and company card
Residence visas and Emirates ID
Freelance permit applications
Short-term and event permits
Renewals and amendments
Frequently Asked Questions
Grow from a hub desk to a three-year licence.
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
Set Up in Expo City Dubai
PROXPAT compares the Business Hub, Expo Multi, Green Licence and freelance options, prepares your application and handles the visas and renewals.