A Sustainability-Led District
Designed to a high environmental standard with green-building credentials carried over from Expo — a base whose identity is sustainability, not a generic business park.
Expo City Dubai
Company Formation
Set up in the living legacy of Expo 2020. Launched in 2022, Expo City Dubai is a sustainability- and innovation-led free zone and master-planned city — built around Al Wasl Plaza and the retained Expo pavilions, and aimed at the businesses shaping the future economy.
- 100% Ownership
- Launched 2022
- Expo 2020 Legacy
- Sustainability & Innovation
- Near DWC Airport
The Legacy of Expo 2020, as a Working City
Expo City Dubai is the legacy development of Expo 2020 Dubai, officially launched in October 2022 near Dubai South and Al Maktoum International Airport. It is a sustainability- and innovation-led free zone and master-planned city built around Al Wasl Plaza and retained Expo pavilions, offering 100% foreign ownership and the standard free-zone framework.
Expo City Dubai is the legacy development of Expo 2020 Dubai. Officially launched in October 2022, it transformed the Expo site — near Dubai South and Al Maktoum International Airport — into a permanent, master-planned city and free zone built around Al Wasl Plaza and many of the retained Expo pavilions. It is one of the city's flagship future-economy districts.
Its identity is sustainability and innovation. Designed to a high environmental standard, with green-building credentials carried over from Expo, it is positioned for clean energy, technology, education, and the businesses building the future economy — many anchored by major organisations that have established a presence there. For a company whose brand and mission align with sustainability and innovation, Expo City offers a free-zone base in a globally recognised, purpose-built district, with 100% foreign ownership and the standard free-zone framework.
A globally recognised, sustainability-led future-economy district
Why Expo City Dubai
Expo City pairs a world-famous address with a clear sustainability-and-innovation identity. For a future-economy business, the brand alignment and the district itself are what set it apart.
A Globally Recognised Address
The legacy of Expo 2020, built around Al Wasl Plaza and the retained pavilions — one of the most recognised addresses in the region.
Future-Economy Focus
Positioned for clean energy, technology, education and innovation — a community of organisations building the future economy.
On the Dubai South Corridor
Near Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai South logistics corridor, with strong connectivity across the southern growth axis of the city.
100% Foreign Ownership
Full foreign ownership of the free-zone company, with profit and capital repatriation — no local partner required.
Qualifying Free Zone Tax Status
Free-zone status with eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Sustainability and clean-energy businesses
- Technology and innovation companies
- Education, research and knowledge organisations
- Headquarters and representative offices
- Events, exhibitions and experience businesses
- Future-economy and ESG-aligned brands
Expo City Dubai Licence Types
Licences cover the services, technology and commercial activities of a future-economy district.
Service / Professional Licence
For consultancy, professional services, headquarters and the knowledge businesses at the centre of the district.
- Management & consultancy
- Professional services
- Headquarters & representative offices
- Education & research organisations
- Events & experience businesses
Sustainability / Innovation Licence
For clean-energy, sustainability, technology and innovation businesses aligned with the district's mission.
- Clean energy & sustainability
- Climate & ESG ventures
- Technology & innovation
- R&D and pilots
- Smart-city solutions
Commercial / Trading Licence
For trading and commercial activities conducted from a flagship Dubai free-zone base.
- General & specialised trading
- E-commerce
- Sales & marketing offices
- Distribution & representation
- Retail & experience concepts
Legal Structures Under Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai recognises the standard free-zone legal forms.
Free Zone Company (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — the common choice for founder-led businesses.
Free Zone Company (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, individual or corporate, for partnerships and joint ventures.
Branch of an Existing Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign company operating under the parent's identity — used for HQ and representative setups.
How an Expo City Dubai Company Is Formed
A straightforward free-zone process from activity to licence.
- 01
Define Activity & Licence Type
Select the service, sustainability/innovation or commercial activities and the matching licence.
- 02
Reserve Name & Initial Approval
Reserve the company name and obtain initial approval for the chosen activities.
- 03
Choose Office Space
Select the office or workspace solution that matches the licence and visa requirement within the district.
- 04
Submit Documents & Sign
Submit incorporation documents and sign the constitutional documents.
- 05
Licence & Establishment Card
The trade licence and establishment card are issued, unlocking the visa allocation.
- 06
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process residence visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for Expo City Dubai Setup
The standard free-zone document set.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and a description of activities
- Business plan (for regulated or specialised activities)
- For corporate shareholders: licence, constitutional documents, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose Expo City Dubai
Expo City pairs a flagship, sustainability-led address with the standard free-zone advantages.
100% foreign ownership of the free-zone company
Full repatriation of profits and capital
A globally recognised Expo 2020 legacy address
A clear sustainability and innovation identity
A future-economy community of organisations
Green-building credentials carried over from Expo
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Connectivity on the Dubai South / Al Maktoum corridor
Tax & Compliance Position — Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate, on the same framework as other UAE free zones.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
Expo City Dubai entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityQFZP status requires Qualifying Income, adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials. Income from the zone's typical activities — services, technology, innovation — is assessed against the qualifying-activity rules.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate
Expo City Dubai entities follow UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. Most services from the zone are standard-rated, with export and certain cross-border services potentially zero-rated.
Not a Designated ZoneExpo City is a master-planned services, innovation and commercial district, not a Designated Zone for goods under Cabinet 59/2017 — Designated-Zone VAT treatment is not the relevant lens for its tenant base.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- Quarterly / periodic VAT returns per FTA assignment
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Trade-licence renewal with the Expo City Dubai authority
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register maintained and updated
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Expo City Dubai authority regulations
Sectors Active in Expo City Dubai
Expo City's tenant mix spans sustainability, technology, knowledge and services.
Sustainability & Clean Energy
Technology & Innovation
Education & Research
Professional Services
Headquarters & Offices
Events & Experiences
Trading & E-Commerce
ESG & Future Economy
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs Expo City Dubai setups end-to-end — selecting the right licence and handling banking, visas and tax.
Right Licence, Right Mission
We match your activity to the correct Expo City licence — service, sustainability/innovation or commercial — and structure it correctly from the start.
Office & Space Solutions
Help selecting the office or workspace solution that fits the licence and the visa allocation within the district.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks, with the compliance file prepared for a smoother account opening.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, employee and dependent visas processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Tax & QFZP Assessment
Corporate Tax, QFZP eligibility and VAT registration handled correctly for the activity.
Ongoing Compliance
Corporate Tax, VAT, ESR and UBO obligations handled so the entity stays in good standing.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of an Expo City Dubai setup — licensing, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for Expo City Dubai
Three things that come up in every Expo City engagement once the licence is issued.
Future-Economy Fit
We help sustainability, technology and innovation businesses set up in a district whose identity matches their mission.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, office, bank, visas and tax — coordinated by one team, with one point of contact.
Tax Done Right
QFZP and VAT assessed correctly for the activity, so the entity starts compliant and stays that way.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
Expo City Dubai suits sustainability, technology and future-economy businesses. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE entities through Avyanco.
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
Expo City Dubai — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Expo City Dubai.
What is Expo City Dubai?
Expo City Dubai is the legacy development of Expo 2020 Dubai. Officially launched in October 2022, it transformed the Expo site near Dubai South into a permanent, master-planned city and free zone built around Al Wasl Plaza and many of the retained Expo pavilions. Its identity is sustainability and innovation, and it is one of Dubai's flagship future-economy districts.
What kind of business is Expo City best for?
It suits future-economy businesses — sustainability and clean energy, technology and innovation, education and research, headquarters, and events or experience businesses. For a company whose brand and mission align with sustainability and innovation, the district's identity and global recognition are a genuine advantage.
Is Expo City Dubai a free zone?
Yes. Expo City Dubai operates as a free zone with its own authority, offering 100% foreign ownership, profit and capital repatriation, and the standard UAE free-zone framework, alongside being a master-planned residential and commercial district.
Where is Expo City located?
It occupies the former Expo 2020 site in the south of Dubai, near Dubai South and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), on the city's southern growth corridor — well connected by road and metro.
Does an Expo City company qualify for the 0% Corporate Tax rate?
Expo City is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax purposes. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. We assess QFZP eligibility against the activity at the planning stage.
Why choose Expo City over another Dubai free zone?
The deciding factors are usually identity and recognition. If sustainability, innovation or the future economy is central to your brand, a base in the globally recognised Expo 2020 legacy district reinforces that positioning in a way a generic free zone cannot. For purely operational or cost-driven setups, other zones may fit better — we compare them with you.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the official Expo City Dubai sources and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of Expo City Dubai and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone regulations, licence categories, VAT treatment and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the Expo City Dubai authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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