Participation is flexible — from a full university branch campus to a training centre, an edtech venture or a freelance permit under the GoFreelance programme. Education activity in Dubai’s free zones is additionally regulated by KHDA, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and this is a key factor when planning timelines.
Why choose DIAC
An education project needs more than a licence — it needs an ecosystem: students, partner universities and a clear regulator. DIAC brings all of this together on one campus.
- The largest academic cluster in MENA: international universities and 27,000+ students on your doorstep
- A clear regulatory framework: the zone licence plus a KHDA permit for education programmes
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation, standard across UAE free zones
- Flexible space options: build-to-suit campuses, ready-made offices, D/Quarters coworking and land for development
- An easy entry point for smaller players: the in5 incubator and the GoFreelance package for teachers
- A growing market: the zone’s student community grew 15% year on year, according to TECOM Group
Steps to register a company in DIAC
The main decision is made at the outset: a university branch offering degree programmes, or a training centre issuing certificates. This drives the KHDA requirements, the timelines and the budget.
- Choose the format: university branch, training centre, edtech company or freelance permit
- Submit the application to DIAC and reserve the company name
- Clear the education activity with KHDA; for universities, accredit the programmes
- Prepare the documents and pay the registration fees
- Choose your premises: a campus, an office or a desk at D/Quarters coworking
- Obtain the licence, arrange staff visas and open a bank account
A training centre can realistically launch within a few weeks. A university branch with accredited degree programmes is a project measured in months: KHDA reviews every programme, and these timelines should be built into your student-intake plan.
Cost of setting up a company in DIAC (2026)
TECOM Group does not publish DIAC tariffs openly: the estimate is built around your activity format and floor space. The budget breaks down as follows.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fees | on request | One-off payments when incorporating the company |
| Zone licence | on request | Depends on the format: university, training centre, edtech |
| KHDA permit | on request | A separate procedure for education activity |
| Rent: campus, office or coworking | on request | The main budget line, calculated by floor area |
| GoFreelance package | on request | A budget entry route for solo teachers |
| Residence visa | on request | Medical test and Emirates ID are paid separately |
Request a quote from DIAC and KHDA at the same time: the regulatory fees for programme accreditation sit separately from the zone licence. For a university, it is these fees and the premises that shape the final estimate.
Taxation in DIAC
DIAC residents operate under the UAE’s general tax regime: 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 a year and 0% below that threshold. Where the conditions are met, Qualifying Free Zone Person status is available, with a 0% rate on qualifying income. VAT is 5%, though certain education services in the UAE fall under the zero rate — the FTA defines the list of conditions, and for universities this noticeably affects pricing. Bookkeeping and filing via EmaraTax are mandatory for every company.
Who DIAC suits
- International universities and colleges opening a campus in the UAE
- Training centres, language schools and providers of professional certifications
- Edtech companies and independent teachers who value a student audience close by
“In DIAC it is vital to lock in the format from day one: a training centre and a university branch mean different budgets, different KHDA timelines and different premises requirements. Switching format halfway through is expensive”, notes a senior lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open a company in DIAC with Dynasty Business Adviser
We will help you choose the format for your education project, clear it with KHDA, obtain the DIAC licence and open a bank account. We will prepare an estimate based on official TECOM Group data before you sign your first contract.
Get a consultation
Pricing data is accurate as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against open sources, including diacedu.ae; before making any payment, confirm the tariffs directly with the zone administration.
