Logistics is the main draw: 135,000 m² of offices and warehouses sit next to Al Maktoum airport and Jebel Ali port, so cargo moves from sea to air in a matter of minutes. From here, humanitarian organisations can reach two-thirds of the world’s population in high-risk zones within a 4–8 hour flight.
Why choose DIHC
For organisations working on humanitarian missions, DIHC offers what no ordinary free zone can sell: an environment and the right neighbours. Plus a rare degree of pricing transparency for this market.
- The only zone in the world specialised in the humanitarian sector, with designated free zone status
- Proximity to UN agencies and major NGOs — partnerships and contracts within walking distance
- World-class logistics: Jebel Ali port and Al Maktoum airport nearby, with warehouses and a kitting centre on site
- Dedicated NPO licences are markedly cheaper than commercial ones: from AED 11,250 a year
- Published official tariffs — a rarity among Dubai’s free zones
- A two-year licence option: fewer renewals and lower document-legalisation costs
Steps to register a company in DIHC
The zone operates on a single-window principle for registration and licensing. The route depends on the type of organisation — non-profit or commercial.
- Choose the type: an NPO (humanitarian organisation) or a commercial company serving the sector
- Submit an expression of interest through the community portal and secure the administration’s initial approval
- Prepare the documents: constitutional papers, managers’ passports, and a description of the activity and its link to the sector
- Choose the format: a desk in a business centre, a standard 20 m² office or a warehouse by actual area
- Pay for the package and obtain the licence — for one year or for two at once
- Arrange residence visas (office packages include a quota for 2 visas) and open an account
With a complete set of documents, registration is quick — usually within a couple of weeks. Build in extra time for compliance: the administration verifies the applicant’s genuine link to the humanitarian sector.
Cost of setting up a company in DIHC (2026)
Dubai Humanitarian publishes its tariffs officially — the figures below are taken from the Become a Member page and include registration, the licence, servicing and utility charges.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| NPO — desk in a business centre | 11 250 | Per year; includes the licence, registration and a workspace |
| NPO — standard 20 m² office | 18 274 | Per year; utilities included |
| Commercial — desk in a business centre | 20 800 | Per year; shared reception and meeting rooms |
| Commercial — standard 20 m² office | 32 064 | Per year; a quota for 2 visas in the package |
| Warehouse for an NPO | 269 per m² | Per year, by actual area |
| Warehouse for a commercial company | 376 per m² | Per year, by actual area |
| Residence visa | on request | Paid separately when processed through the zone |
Office packages already include an establishment card and a quota for two visas, meeting rooms and a shuttle from the metro. The visa fees themselves are paid separately — request a calculation for them together with the contract.
Taxation in DIHC
Commercial residents of the zone operate under the UAE’s general regime: 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 a year, 0% below the threshold and 5% VAT on most transactions. Where the conditions on qualifying income and substance are met, Qualifying Free Zone Person status with a 0% rate is available. Non-profit organisations may apply for special regimes for qualifying public benefit entities — this status is agreed with the FTA on a case-by-case basis, and it is worth confirming before you begin operations.
Who DIHC suits
- International humanitarian organisations and NGOs that need an operational hub between Europe, Asia and Africa
- Suppliers and contractors to UN agencies: from food and medicine to IT solutions
- Logistics companies specialising in the storage and delivery of humanitarian cargo
“DIHC is a niche jurisdiction with a property rare for Dubai: tariffs are published, and your campus neighbours turn out to be UN bodies. For a humanitarian-sector contractor, that is a ready-made contract funnel”, notes a senior lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open a company in DIHC with Dynasty Business Adviser
We will determine the right licence type — NPO or commercial — prepare the documents, clear the administration’s compliance and open a bank account. We also handle the tax side: from QFZP status to regimes for non-profit organisations.
Get a consultation
Pricing data is accurate as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against open sources, including dubaihumanitarian.ae; before making any payment, confirm the tariffs directly with the zone administration.
