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UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) · via Dubai Internet City·🇮🇳Founder profile

Incorporating a SaaS Free Zone LLC in Dubai Internet City

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

Dubai Internet City offers a specialized ecosystem for technology companies operating under a Free Zone LLC structure. Indian founders must align their incorporation strategy with both UAE tax regulations and Indian Reserve Bank ODI compliance requirements.

The jurisdiction provides access to the TECOM Group business community, subject to specific licensing fees and annual economic substance reporting.

§ 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 · Indian SaaS Founders

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 for Free Zone entities.

Home-country rule

ODI (Overseas Direct Investment) RBI approval required for equity

Editorial verdict

Ensure your Indian entity structure complies with RBI ODI regulations before transferring capital to Dubai Internet City to avoid penalties under FEMA.

Key compliance risks
  • 01RBI ODI approval mandatory for Indian residents
  • 02Economic substance requirements under UAE regulations
  • 03High initial capital requirement for DIC licensing
§ 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)

Full comparison →
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

Yes. Under the Foreign Exchange Management (Overseas Investment) Rules, Indian residents must obtain RBI approval or comply with the Automatic Route for Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) before acquiring equity in a foreign entity.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
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Next step

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