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Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) was established in 2004 and is wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. DSOA provides both a living and integrated working community that offers trade zone incentives and benefits to companies operating within the tech park.
DSOA prides itself on having Dubai’s first smart city, Silicon Park. The technology park possesses infrastructures and facilities that are of world-class quality. It houses 8 Signature Boutique Buildings offering a unique opportunity for companies to establish their headquarters in the heart of Silicon Park overlooking the lake and located in Central Square. These flexible smart buildings provide superior fitted office spaces for companies to move straight into.
In the same park, there is a designated space, where various international brands and exceptional local retailers are all represented. A separate area for a residential complex is also available. This is where stylish apartments are built to the most rigorous standards of sustainability.
DSOA is also home to the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus which is the largest startup campus in the Middle East. DSOA has partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) New York, an internationally recognized leader in professional and technology-oriented education and established RIT Dubai.
Whatever the business requirement would be, DSOA presents a wide variety of options for business start-ups. In addition, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) has a network of roads allowing access to Dubai’s major highways.
DSO falls under the umbrella of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), which also includes other developments such as Silicon Park. For this reason, it is often asked: is Dubai Silicon Oasis a free zone? The answer is yes, DSO is a standalone free zone. As such, it offers all of the benefits you would expect of such a zone, and more.
Doing business here is easy. DSO issues three types of license:
As well as world-class services and welcoming entry criteria, DSO also offers a host of business services to its inhabitants, including assistance with visa, customs clearance, and municipal services such as building permits and No Objection Certificates (NOC).
DSO clients also benefit from the free zone’s onsite partnerships with government authorities and private corporations including Emirates Post, Etisalat, the Dubai Health Authority, and the CID.
DSO positions itself as the emirate’s hi-tech ecosystem. It is the only technology park in the region that provides space for living, working, and leisure time.
However, while it is fair to say technology is a focus at DSO, the free zone also opens its doors to many other industries. Currently, DSO is open to every business activity listed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). That’s over 2,000 permitted Dubai Silicon Oasis business activities.
In Dubai Silicon Oasis, the list of business activities that are allowed are the following:
The process for setting up in the jurisdiction of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority comprises six steps:
At this stage, you will also be required to register on DSOA’s customer portal.
Subject to document review (activity and security check) initial approval and invoices are issued.
You are required to pay related fees and submission of legal documents.
This includes the lease agreement and a digital agreement, which will be sent to your registered email.
You will be required to sign a lease agreement and return that to DSOA along with a bank share capital letter.
E-registration and e-license are then issued.
In most cases, licenses are issued within one week. However, any omissions or errors in your application can cause delays. To avoid this, it’s advisable to work with a business setup expert who can manage every aspect of your application.
The specific steps required to start your business in DSO depend largely on your business activities and chosen setup. Besides the previously mentioned documentation, you’ll generally need to provide:
Typically, the business setup process in DSO takes between seven to ten days, provided your application is complete and accurate. As mentioned earlier, errors in your application can lead to delays or even rejection.
Therefore, it’s wise to work with a business establishment specialist like Ejadah Consultancy. Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs and SMEs achieve their business goals in the UAE. We handle business registration, license and visa applications, and all necessary administrative tasks, making UAE business setup straightforward and efficient.
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