Dubai free zone profile
DUQE Free Zone
A startup-focused free zone headquartered on the QE2 ocean liner. Located in Aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, Mina Rashid.
From
AED 12,500
Setup
3 to 5 working days
Ownership
100% foreign
Visas
Up to 5 on standard packages
About DUQE
DUQE is one of Dubai's youngest free zones, and it leans into the distinction of being registered aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 at Mina Rashid. The pitch is startup-first: quick digital incorporation, packages that bundle the licence with visas, and a co-working deck on a retired ocean liner.
Pricing tracks the budget end of the market alongside IFZA and Meydan, and the activity list covers the usual consulting, digital and trading ground. Where DUQE differentiates is service speed and a founder community that skews young and international.
It is a sensible shortlist candidate for a first company, particularly if you value a memorable address and want the licence, visa and Emirates ID handled as one package.
Licence types at DUQE
- Commercial licence. Trading and e-commerce activities.
- Professional licence. Consulting and service activities.
- Media licence. Content, production and creative services.
Offices and facilities
- QE2 co-working deck
- Dedicated desks
- Private cabins converted to offices
What DUQE costs
Indicative first-year cost for a zero-visa licence. Confirmed quote issued on application. Budget from AED 12,500 for the first year, then add visa allocations, medicals and Emirates ID per person, and workspace if you upgrade beyond the entry package. Renewals typically come in below year-one totals. Our costs page breaks down every line item, and your written quote fixes the numbers before you pay.
Questions
DUQE questions, answered
Is DUQE a real free zone?
Yes. It is licensed as a free zone authority and issues licences, visas and establishment cards like any other. The QE2 headquarters is a branding choice, not a legal novelty.
How does DUQE compare with IFZA and Meydan?
Pricing and activities are similar. DUQE is newer, so its track record with banks is shorter, though accounts are being opened routinely. Choose it for the community and service style, or one of the larger zones for a longer institutional history.
Can I work from the QE2?
Members get access to the co-working space on board, and meeting rooms can be booked. Most licence holders work from home or client sites and use the ship occasionally.
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