How to Get an IT Infrastructure Business License in Dubai
Dubai's digital economy is expanding at pace, and businesses that secure an IT infrastructure license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone are positioning themselves at the centre of one of the world's fastest-growing technology markets. This guide explains exactly what the IT Infrastructure Business License (Activity Code 6311.99) covers, who it suits, what it costs, and how to complete the setup process at Dubai South.
Key Stats at a Glance
Activity Code: 6311.99 | Category: ICT | License Type: Business License
100% foreign ownership permitted at Dubai South Free Zone
0% corporate tax on qualifying free zone income
No import or export duties within the free zone
Typical setup timeline: 2 to 4 weeks from document submission
UAE VAT registration required once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000
Strategic location: adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port
GCC ICT market projected to grow significantly through 2031 under national digital transformation agendas
Dubai's IT Infrastructure Market: Why Now and Why Dubai South
The UAE's ICT sector continues to be a meaningful contributor to national GDP, underpinned by ambitious government targets set out under UAE Vision 2031. The national agenda prioritises digital transformation across public services, healthcare, logistics, and smart city development, creating sustained and growing demand for IT infrastructure expertise across the region.
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone occupies a strategically exceptional location. Positioned adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and in close proximity to Jebel Ali Port, the world's largest man-made harbour, it serves as a natural gateway for both technology services and the physical distribution of IT hardware across the GCC and beyond.
For international businesses, the commercial case is compelling. Dubai South offers 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a local sponsor, zero corporate tax on qualifying free zone income, and no import or export duties within the zone. These advantages, combined with growing regional demand for data centre, network, and cloud infrastructure services, make this an opportune moment to establish an IT infrastructure operation in Dubai.
What the IT Infrastructure Business License Covers
Activity Code 6311.99 falls under the ICT category and encompasses data processing, hosting, and related activities not classified elsewhere within the standard industrial classification framework. In practical terms, this license is broad enough to support a wide range of IT infrastructure operations.
Permitted activities under this license include IT infrastructure design, deployment, management, maintenance, and consultancy. Businesses may also supply hardware, provide network integration services, deliver cloud infrastructure solutions, and offer managed IT services to clients across the UAE and the wider GCC. The license additionally supports the re-export of IT equipment and components under the free zone framework, which is a significant advantage for businesses involved in regional distribution.
Who This License Is Best Suited For
The IT Infrastructure Business License is well suited to a broad range of operators, including:
System integrators, network engineers, and managed service providers seeking a UAE base of operations
International IT firms entering GCC markets through a free zone entity with full foreign ownership
Entrepreneurs and SMEs offering data centre design, cloud infrastructure planning, or IT consultancy services
Technology distributors looking to leverage Dubai South's proximity to major logistics hubs for regional supply chain operations
Setup Costs and Steps at Dubai South Business Hub
License fees at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone are subject to the authority's current pricing schedule, which is updated periodically. As a general guide, free zone business licenses in Dubai typically start from approximately AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 per year for the license itself, with additional costs for office packages, visa allocations, and registration fees. Applicants are strongly advised to confirm current fee schedules directly with the authority or through an authorised business setup adviser before proceeding.
Dubai South offers flexible facility options to accommodate different operational scales. These include flexi-desk arrangements suited to lean startups, shared office spaces for growing teams, and dedicated office or warehouse units for businesses requiring a larger physical footprint. The chosen office package directly influences the number of employment visas available to the entity.
The setup process follows a clear sequence:
Select the business activity (6311.99) and confirm the preferred legal structure, typically a Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)
Submit the application to the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone authority
Provide all required Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation
Pay the applicable license and facility fees
Receive the business license, typically within two to four weeks of complete document submission
Share capital requirements vary by legal structure and are determined at the time of application. There is generally no minimum paid-up capital requirement for a standard FZ-LLC at Dubai South, though this should be confirmed with the authority.
Documents Required
The standard documentation required for an IT Infrastructure Business License application at Dubai South includes:
Passport copies for all shareholders and directors
Emirates ID copies for any UAE-resident applicants
A business plan or activity description where requested by the authority
A no-objection letter from the current employer if the applicant is an existing UAE resident on an employment visa
Completed application forms as specified by the free zone authority
Licensing and Compliance Requirements
For standard IT infrastructure consultancy and managed services, the primary regulatory step is approval from the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone authority. In most cases, no separate approval from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is required. However, businesses intending to operate telecommunications networks or provide licensed telecommunications services should seek specific regulatory guidance, as those activities attract additional oversight.
All UAE-registered entities must comply with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on corporate taxation. Free zone entities benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided they meet the conditions set out in the legislation. Entities whose income exceeds the relevant threshold or that do not meet qualifying criteria will be subject to the standard 9% rate.
Annual license renewal is required, and depending on the entity type and turnover, audited financial statements may be necessary. Businesses that process personal data belonging to clients or employees must also comply with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on personal data protection. Where applicable, registration with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit for anti-money laundering purposes may also be required.
Why Dubai Is Well-Positioned for IT Infrastructure Business
The UAE consistently ranks among the top countries globally for ease of doing business and digital infrastructure readiness, reflecting years of deliberate investment in connectivity, regulatory reform, and innovation ecosystems. For IT infrastructure businesses, this translates into a mature operating environment with reliable power, high-speed internet connectivity, and access to a broad base of enterprise and government clients.
Geographically, Dubai sits at the crossroads of emerging markets across Africa, South Asia, and the broader Middle East, regions where demand for modern IT infrastructure is accelerating rapidly. A Dubai South entity provides a credible, well-regulated base from which to serve these markets efficiently.
The pipeline of smart city projects, healthcare digitisation programmes, and government cloud migration initiatives across the GCC is substantial and growing. Alongside this, Dubai's multilingual technology workforce and its established ecosystem of global technology vendors and distributors make it easier for incoming businesses to recruit, partner, and scale.
Related Activities
Data Processing & Cloud Hosting Business License
Cloud Computing & Data Hosting Business License
Specialized Hosting Activities Such As:
• Web Hosting
• Streaming Services
• Application Hosting Business License
