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UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) · via Dubai Internet City·🇵🇭Founder profile

Incorporating in Dubai Internet City for Filipino Remote Workers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$25,000

Dubai Internet City (DIC) allows Filipino remote workers to establish a Free Zone LLC within a specialized technology ecosystem. This structure requires adherence to both UAE corporate tax laws and Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reporting obligations.

Founders must maintain a physical office presence in DIC to satisfy licensing requirements. Proper tax planning is necessary to manage the interaction between the 9% UAE corporate tax and Philippine income tax regulations.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$50,000
$2,083/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupDubai Internet City setup
    $25,000
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $25,000
Total$50,000
§ 02Tax residency · Filipino Remote Workers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

The UAE imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 under UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022.

Home-country rule

BIR Revenue Regulation 8-2018; freelance registration

Editorial verdict

DIC is ideal for tech-focused remote workers; ensure you maintain physical office lease requirements to satisfy UAE economic substance regulations.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Mandatory physical office lease in DIC
  • 02BIR Revenue Regulation 8-2018 compliance for PH tax residents
  • 03Economic substance requirements for UAE tax residency
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingDubai Internet City submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,686
$102.00
Annual
$1,686
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; ICT and tech-focused; TECOM Group
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

While you can hold the license as a remote founder, you are required to obtain a UAE residency visa linked to the company. This typically involves visiting the UAE to complete biometric and medical screening processes.
Next step

Start filing with Dubai Internet City

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.