CRCompany RegistrationsGlobal

Dubai free zone profile

Expo City Dubai Free Zone

The Expo 2020 legacy district, built for sustainability-minded companies. Located in Expo City, Dubai South corridor.

From

AED 15,000

Setup

1 to 2 weeks

Ownership

100% foreign

Visas

Scales with workspace

About Expo City

Expo City is what remained after Expo 2020 closed its gates: a fully built smart district of pavilions, offices and venues that Dubai converted into a permanent innovation quarter and free zone. Siemens, DP World and Terminus keep regional bases here, and COP28 was staged on the site.

The zone courts companies with a sustainability story. The district runs on renewable-heavy infrastructure, buildings carry LEED certifications, and the events venues host a steady programme of climate and technology conferences.

It sits beside the Dubai South corridor and the expanding Al Maktoum airport, so early tenants are effectively buying into the same growth thesis at city-centre build quality.

Licence types at Expo City

  • Commercial licence. Trading and general commercial activities.
  • Professional licence. Consulting, technology and service activities.
  • Event licence. Venue-linked event and exhibition permits.

Offices and facilities

  • Shared workspaces in converted pavilions
  • Serviced offices
  • Standalone buildings for anchor tenants

What Expo City costs

Indicative first-year cost with shared workspace. Confirmed quote issued on application. Budget from AED 15,000 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

Expo City questions, answered

Is Expo City a separate free zone authority?

Yes. The Expo City Dubai Authority issues its own licences and administers the district under a dedicated legal framework, including free zone benefits like full foreign ownership.

Who is Expo City best suited to?

Companies that benefit from the district's identity: cleantech, mobility, education and innovation teams, plus anyone staging regular events who can use the venues on site.

How far is Expo City from central Dubai?

Around 35 minutes by car to Downtown, or direct on the Route 2020 metro line. Dubai Marina is closer, at roughly 20 minutes.

Zones founders also compare

Start your Expo City company

Check your company name against UAE rules, confirm your activity fits, and get exact figures back the same day.

Start the Free Name Check

Free check · No payment · Reply same day