Consulting0v→SRTIPAED 5,500QUOTEInnovators package · licence-only14m ago·
IT / SaaS2v→IFZAAED 23,400LICENCELicence issued · day 447m ago·
Trading1v→RAKEZAED 10,500REROUTEDWio declined → Mashreq approved1h 12m ago·
Consulting0v→DIFCAED 5,500IBANCBI account live · day 92h ago·E-commerce0v→SHAMSAED 5,750LICENCEMedia package · 4h express2h 44m ago·
General Trading3v→RAKEZAED 18,500QUOTE3 visas bundled · Portal 3603h ago·
Consulting1v→IFZAAED 16,700REROUTEDRAKBANK declined → HSBC pending3h 18m ago·Freelance1v→AFZAED 10,800IBANADCB live · day 64h ago·
Marketing0v→SPCAED 5,750LICENCE24-hour express issue5h ago·
Fintech0v→ADGMAED 44,000QUOTERegLab application opened6h ago·Consulting0v→SRTIPAED 5,500IBANWio live · 48h post-licence8h ago·
Freelance1v→UAQAED 11,000LICENCEUAQ START · day 29h ago·
Trading2v→ANCFZAED 15,200QUOTEUpgraded from zero-visa package11h ago·Crypto / Web30v→DMCCAED 31,000LICENCEVARA sandbox licence · day 813h ago·IT / SaaS2v→IFZAAED 23,400EIDEID issued · founder + partner14h ago·
Marketing0v→SHAMSAED 5,750QUOTEInstallment · 12 × AED 57316h ago·
Consulting1v→SRTIPAED 9,690LICENCEInnovators · day 518h ago·General Trading4v→DMCCAED 51,684REROUTEDWio declined → Mashreq approved20h ago·
Consulting0v→DIFCAED 5,500IBANEmirates NBD live · day 3yesterday·E-commerce1v→ANCFZAED 10,800LICENCE15-min registration · same-dayyesterday·Logistics3v→JAFZAAED 25,000QUOTEFZE Type 1 + warehouse leaseyesterday·
Consulting0v→IFZAAED 12,200IBANMashreq live · day 62d ago·Industrial4v→KIZADAED 145,000LICENCEIndustrial + 2,000 sqm plot2d ago·Innovation0v→Innovation CityAED 6,600LICENCEIdea package · on-chain issuejust now·Consulting0v→SRTIPAED 5,500QUOTEInnovators package · licence-only14m ago·IT / SaaS2v→IFZAAED 23,400LICENCELicence issued · day 447m ago·Trading1v→RAKEZAED 10,500REROUTEDWio declined → Mashreq approved1h 12m ago·Consulting0v→DIFCAED 5,500IBANCBI account live · day 92h ago·E-commerce0v→SHAMSAED 5,750LICENCEMedia package · 4h express2h 44m ago·General Trading3v→RAKEZAED 18,500QUOTE3 visas bundled · Portal 3603h ago·Consulting1v→IFZAAED 16,700REROUTEDRAKBANK declined → HSBC pending3h 18m ago·Freelance1v→AFZAED 10,800IBANADCB live · day 64h ago·Marketing0v→SPCAED 5,750LICENCE24-hour express issue5h ago·Fintech0v→ADGMAED 44,000QUOTERegLab application opened6h ago·Consulting0v→SRTIPAED 5,500IBANWio live · 48h post-licence8h ago·Freelance1v→UAQAED 11,000LICENCEUAQ START · day 29h ago·Trading2v→ANCFZAED 15,200QUOTEUpgraded from zero-visa package11h ago·Crypto / Web30v→DMCCAED 31,000LICENCEVARA sandbox licence · day 813h ago·IT / SaaS2v→IFZAAED 23,400EIDEID issued · founder + partner14h ago·Marketing0v→SHAMSAED 5,750QUOTEInstallment · 12 × AED 57316h ago·Consulting1v→SRTIPAED 9,690LICENCEInnovators · day 518h ago·General Trading4v→DMCCAED 51,684REROUTEDWio declined → Mashreq approved20h ago·Consulting0v→DIFCAED 5,500IBANEmirates NBD live · day 3yesterday·E-commerce1v→ANCFZAED 10,800LICENCE15-min registration · same-dayyesterday·Logistics3v→JAFZAAED 25,000QUOTEFZE Type 1 + warehouse leaseyesterday·Consulting0v→IFZAAED 12,200IBANMashreq live · day 62d ago·Industrial4v→KIZADAED 145,000LICENCEIndustrial + 2,000 sqm plot2d ago·Innovation0v→Innovation CityAED 6,600LICENCEIdea package · on-chain issueBefore you read further
d3 may not fit 3 things you're probably after.
If any of these apply to you, the linked alternative will save you a week. Close this tab before you waste it.
Not for crypto / Web3
→ DMCCVirtual-asset activities need a VARA / FSRA / DIFC licence; this zone doesn't issue one.
Not for F&B
→ MainlandRestaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens need a mainland DED foodservice licence. Free zones don't issue these.
Not for clinics
→ DHCCDHA-regulated medical/clinical activity requires Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).
Dubai · Free Zone
Coming as channel partnerFull UAE Free Zone profile · pricing on request
Formenzo files directly at d3 as part of our full-coverage service — complete formation, visa, and banking support. Pricing is quoted per case based on your passport, activity, and visa count. The figures on this page reflect the authority’s published rate card.
Dubai Design District
Fashion, architecture, and luxury design hub near Downtown Dubai
10d
License in
∞
Visa quota
300+
Activities
8/10
Bank score
Dubai Design District (d3) is TECOM's creative-sector free zone near Business Bay. 500+ companies in fashion, architecture, and art. Hosts annual Dubai Design Week (80,000+ visitors). Licensed by DDA.
Starting from
AED 26,940
Formenzo all-in estimate
Includes: Government fees, Formenzo service, flexi-desk, establishment card
Invoice transparency · d3
What lands on your invoice. Line by line.
Every fee, in the order it hits. No “admin” tax, no hidden markup — Formenzo's margin is the zone's channel-partner commission, not a line on your invoice.
0 visas · licence only
- d3 licenceAED 26,940
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo service feeAED 0
1 visa · founder
- d3 licenceAED 26,940
- Entry permit × 1AED 4,200
- Medical + EID × 1AED 690
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo service feeAED 0
2 visas · partners
- d3 licenceAED 26,940
- Entry permit × 2AED 8,400
- Medical + EID × 2AED 1,380
- Gov + authority adminBundled
- Formenzo service feeAED 0
Visa bundle uses d3-standard rates. Final visas stamped per applicant; typing-centre and translation fees are only added when they actually occur and billed at cost (usually AED 0 for English-passport applicants, AED 100–200 otherwise).
Banking reality · d3
The real bank-approval picture for a d3 licence.
Channel-partner outcomes by passport bucket, over the last 90 days. “Limited” means the bank rarely approves this combo — we'll re-route you rather than waste your time.
| Bank | IN / UK / PH Low friction | PK / BD / NG Enhanced DD | RU / IR / SY Sanctions screen | US FATCA disclosure | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wio | Strong | Limited | Limited | Standard | 5–7 |
| Mashreq NeoBiz | Strong | Enhanced DD | Enhanced DD | Standard | 10–14 |
| Emirates NBD | Standard | Enhanced DD | Limited | Enhanced DD | 14–21 |
| RAKBANK | Strong | Enhanced DD | Limited | Standard | 12–18 |
| CBI | Standard | Enhanced DD | Enhanced DD | Enhanced DD | 14–25 |
| ADCB | Standard | Enhanced DD | Limited | Standard | 18–21 |
Outcomes are directional channel-partner patterns, not a guarantee for any specific applicant. “Days” = typical time from licence issuance to funded IBAN.
Banking partners
Banks that open accounts for d3 companies with 90%+ approval.
Average time to IBAN
18 days
from license issuance
Formenzo setup timeline
Day-by-day what we deliver end-to-end, from signed engagement to funded IBAN.
Initial approval
We file your application with the Free Zone authority.
~3 days
License issued
Trade license + Establishment Card in hand. You can sign contracts.
~7 days
Investor visa
Entry permit → medical → Emirates ID → stamping.
~8 days
Bank account opened
Funded UAE IBAN ready to receive payments.
~0 days
Full cost breakdown
Every fee, transparent. Real 2026 AED pricing, no surprise invoices.
| Government license fee | AED 15,020 |
| Formenzo service fee (all-inclusive) | AED 4,500 |
| Flexi-desk / office lease | AED 5,250 |
| Establishment Card (only with visas) | AED 2,170 |
| Per-visa cost (optional) | AED 4,200 |
| Emirates ID (per person) | AED 370 |
| Medical fitness (per person) | AED 320 |
| Minimum setup (no visa) | AED 26,940 |
| With 1 investor visa (most founders) | AED 31,830 |
Why founders pick d3
- ✓Premium Business Bay address near Downtown Dubai
- ✓500+ companies in fashion, architecture, and art
- ✓Annual Dubai Design Week — 80,000+ visitors
- ✓in5 Design incubator on-site
- ✓Creative Zone bundled packages from AED 23,000
Best for these activities
Not allowed
d3 — frequently asked questions
Quotable, answer-first, optimized for AI search (Perplexity, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode).
How much does a d3 license cost in 2026?
+
A Dubai Design District (d3) license costs AED 26,940 all-in for the zero-visa package in 2026 — that includes government license fee, Establishment Card, flexi-desk lease, and Formenzo's all-inclusive service fee. Add one investor visa (entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping) and the total becomes AED 31,830.
How long does d3 company setup take?
+
d3 issues the trade license in 10 business days after initial approval (3 days). A residency visa adds approximately 8 more days. Opening a UAE corporate bank account adds 0 days on top. Total from signup to funded UAE IBAN: about 18 days.
How many visas can I get with d3?
+
d3 default package includes 3 visas, and the maximum allowed per license is unlimited. Each additional investor or employment visa costs approximately AED 4,200 including entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, and stamping.
Which UAE banks open accounts for d3 companies?
+
d3 companies primarily bank with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, FAB, and HSBC. Formenzo coordinates the KYC process and typical time from license issuance to funded account is 8 days. Bank approval rates vary by nationality; we pre-match you to the right bank before filing.
What business activities does d3 allow?
+
d3 permits approximately 300 business activities. It is best suited for design, media, premium. Activities not allowed include restaurant, retail physical, industrial — these require a UAE Mainland license.
Can I form a d3 company without visiting the UAE?
+
Yes — d3 formation is fully remote through Formenzo. We handle document collection, trade name reservation, MOA drafting, and submission without a UAE visit. You only come to the UAE for one day to complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics — and only if you want a residency visa. The trade license itself can be issued with zero travel.
Is d3 eligible for 0% UAE Corporate Tax?
+
Yes. d3 is a recognized UAE Free Zone, so companies qualifying as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) can maintain a 0% Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard 9% above AED 375,000. d3 companies must register with the Federal Tax Authority within 3 months of incorporation — Formenzo handles this filing.
Why choose d3 over other UAE Free Zones?
+
Fashion, architecture, and luxury design hub near Downtown Dubai. Premium Business Bay address near Downtown Dubai. 500+ companies in fashion, architecture, and art. Banking score: 8/10. Setup speed: 10 days. Starting cost: AED 26,940. Take Formenzo's 60-second assessment to compare d3 against 47 other UAE Free Zones based on your nationality, budget, and business activity.
Other Dubai Free Zones
Compare d3 with other options in the same emirate.
IFZA
Best balance of price, speed, and Dubai address
Meydan FZ
Premium Dubai address with strong banking & ecommerce support
DMCC
9-time #1 Free Zone — JLT + Uptown Dubai with unmatched banking and commodity ecosystems
DWTC
Iconic Sheikh Zayed Road address · MICE + digital assets + family offices
Ready to form your d3 company?
Take our 60-second assessment. We'll prepare your docs, file with d3, and have your license in 10 days.