Dubai Knowledge Park Business Setup: Licenses, Process, Costs

Why Choose Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone for Business Setup?

Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) is a unique, specialized free economic zone dedicated to human capital development, training, and human resources management. Its location in the Al-Sufouh area, next to Dubai Media City and Internet City, combines an educational environment with knowledge infrastructure.

The registration process is simple and can be completed remotely: online license application, virtual offices, flexible formats for freelancers and companies, minimal physical presence requirements. In other words, DKP is a combination of benefits, flexibility, educational opportunities, and advanced infrastructure solutions for modern business.

About Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone

Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone is a specialized free zone founded in 2003 under the name Knowledge Village. Created as part of the TECOM Group (a division of Dubai Holding), it is supported by the government and is dedicated exclusively to the development of human capital, education, HR consulting, and professional training. DKP is part of an educational cluster together with Dubai International Academic City. Its distinctive feature is its narrow specialization: it is the only free zone in the world entirely dedicated to training and human resources management. In the market context, it serves as a hub for knowledge and professional development, strengthening the UAE's position as a center of the knowledge economy.

Business Activities Allowed in Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone

Dubai Knowledge Park provides licenses for a wide range of knowledge-oriented and HR services. Permitted areas include: professional and management training, computer and language courses, fine arts education, child skills development, tutoring, technical and vocational education, HR consulting, executive search, research and development, content creation, assessment and testing, as well as freelance and non-profit activities. Some activities may require additional prior approvals.

Specialization is a unique advantage of DKP: it offers exclusively knowledge-oriented and HR services, making it an unrivalled platform for organizations engaged in training, personnel development, and human capital consulting.

Step-by-Step Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone Company Formation and Registration

This is a brief, step-by-step guide to registering a company in Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), a specialized zone for education and HR. We will walk you through the process from choosing a legal form, office space, and visas. We will explain what approvals are required, where you can operate remotely, and where you cannot do without originals. The goal is to reduce risks and time without losing flexibility and budget. We will separately indicate realistic guidelines for deadlines and basic payments so that you understand the sequence and can plan your cash flow.

Required Documents and Timeline

To start a company in Dubai Knowledge Park, you need a standard set of documents confirming the identity of the founders and their address of residence. Usually, the following are requested:

• a copy of your foreign passport (page with photo and signature);
• a digital passport-size photo;
• a copy of your visa and/or entry stamp to the UAE (if any);
• an application for an entry permit for further processing of a residence visa;
• proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement, or bank letter);
• founding documents of the new company being established;
• for a corporate founder - the company’s own founding documents (articles of association, registration certificate) and a board resolution authorizing the establishment of the subsidiary.

All documents are submitted via the free zone's online portal, without unnecessary bureaucracy. Verification usually can take three to five business days. Once the documents have been confirmed and the registration fee paid, a license package is generated. In standard cases, the license is ready in approximately 10 - 14 business days from the date of submission of the complete set of documents. If additional approvals are required for the selected activity, the procedure may take up to three to four weeks.

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Remote Registration Option

One of the main advantages of Dubai Knowledge Park is the ability to fully register a company without visiting the UAE. The process is tailored to non-residents and allows entrepreneurs to save time and resources. All key stages are completed online: submitting applications, uploading passports, photos, and address confirmations is done through a secure free zone portal.

A remote KYC procedure can be used to verify identity: the applicant is invited to a short video call with a representative of the zone administration or an accredited registration agent. During the conversation, passport details are checked, the authenticity of the document is verified, and a photo is taken in real time. This format complies with international AML/KYC standards and ensures the legal validity of the procedure.

Thus, the entire process, from submitting documents to obtaining a license, can be completed online. This makes Dubai Knowledge Park a good choice for foreign specialists and companies who want to start a business without traveling to the Emirates.

Types of Licenses and Costs in Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone

Dubai Knowledge Park offers flexible options for companies, branches, and individual specialists. The main format is a limited liability company (LLC), which is created as a separate legal entity and is suitable for educational centers, HR agencies, and consulting structures. The second option is a branch, which is a division of an existing company and is legally dependent on the parent organization. International corporations chose the option to establish themselves in the UAE without creating a new legal entity.

For private specialists, there is a Freelancer model, where activities are carried out on their own behalf. In this case, a separate document is required - a Freelance Permit, which allows you to legally provide services in the field of education, consulting, or creative industries.

In addition, the zone issues a commercial license that covers a wider range of services. The cost of packages depends on the number of visas and the format of the workspace.

Visa Packages and Pricing Breakdown

Dubai Knowledge Park offers various packages depending on the number of visas and workspace format. The basic starter package includes 1 visa and a flexi-desk. The medium cost starts from AED 15,000 - 18,000 per year, making it a good option for individual professionals and little startups.

For companies planning to expand their team, solutions for 2 - 3 visas are available, also using flexi-desks. The total annual budget in this case ranges from AED 20,000 to 25,000. Larger packages, providing for 4 visas and more, involve renting a full-fledged office and start at AED 30,000 - 35,000 per year.

Additionally, you should take into account the cost of the mandatory connection to the e-channel system, which costs approximately AED 2,000 - 2,500 one-time, as well as the payment for each subsequent visa, the cost of which varies from AED 3,000 to 5,000 depending on the package and conditions.

Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone Company Formation: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Choose This Free Zone?

Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone has a narrow specialization and is not ideal for all types of businesses. Below are some yes/no criteria to help determine the relevance of the zone.

DKP is for:

• Freelancers in the fields of education, HR, creative industries, and consulting.
• Educational centers, training companies and language schools.
• Consultants and HR agencies providing recruitment and personnel development services.
• International companies opening branches for educational or research projects.

DKP is not for:

• Trading companies (the zone does not issue licenses for import/export).
• Manufacturing companies (DKP does not have the infrastructure for factories).
• Startups that require mandatory VAT registration (the zone does not provide VAT registration by default).
• Companies or individuals from high-risk jurisdictions (restrictions at the regulatory level).

Thus, Dubai Knowledge Park is a highly specialized platform for educational and HR services, but not for trade or manufacturing.

Conclusion

Dubai Knowledge Park Free Zone was originally conceived as a place for those working in education, human resources management, and consulting. Its distinguishing feature is its clear specialization and support from the state, which makes it a reliable and stable platform. Various formats are available here, from permits for freelancers to licenses for branches and LLCs. Convenient solutions include flexi-desk, visa packages, and the ability to complete everything remotely. For foreign entrepreneurs, this means a fast and transparent business launch process, without unnecessary complications or the need to be physically present in the UAE.

The next step for an investor or specialist is to consult with a relevant expert who will help select the optimal package and minimize risks. With the support of consultants, starting a business in DKP will be a quick and predictable process.