DWTC Free Zone Issues 850 New Licenses in 2025, Up 41% Year-on-Year
The free zone also recorded 1,822 license renewals, maintaining a 96% renewal rate, while total active companies surpassed 2,500 by December 2025.
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Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone reported higher business activity in 2025, driven by growth in new license issuance, high renewal rate, and an increasingly diverse business community.
The free zone issued 850 new licenses during the year, a 41% increase compared with 2024, and recorded 1,822 license renewals, maintaining a 96% renewal rate. Total active companies surpassed 2,500 by December 2025.
Meanwhile, active employee visas grew 20% year on year to more than 8,000, reflecting continued hiring among tenant companies. The number of nationalities represented across the business community also increased from 107 to 148, reflecting a 38% rise.
The growth was led by sports and entertainment, virtual assets and artificial intelligence-related professional services. DWTC Free Zone said the sports and entertainment sector saw growth momentum following the establishment of the International Sports and Entertainment Free Zone cluster and the presence of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA).
Notable companies setting up operations in the free zone during 2025 included Louis Vuitton, KPMG, Baker Tilly, Deutsche Messe, and SIGA.
The free zone also expanded its flexible workspace portfolio with Sentinel Business Centre and BizElite, in addition to existing locations at One Central, Sheikh Rashid Tower, Convention Tower and One Za’abeel.
DWTC Free Zone offers more than 1,200 licensed business activities and provides 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, full capital and profit repatriation, and dual licensing options. It also introduced a Multiple Share Class Framework aimed at expanding corporate structuring options for businesses.
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone reported higher business activity in 2025, driven by growth in new license issuance, high renewal rate, and an increasingly diverse business community.
The free zone issued 850 new licenses during the year, a 41% increase compared with 2024, and recorded 1,822 license renewals, maintaining a 96% renewal rate. Total active companies surpassed 2,500 by December 2025.
Meanwhile, active employee visas grew 20% year on year to more than 8,000, reflecting continued hiring among tenant companies. The number of nationalities represented across the business community also increased from 107 to 148, reflecting a 38% rise.
The growth was led by sports and entertainment, virtual assets and artificial intelligence-related professional services. DWTC Free Zone said the sports and entertainment sector saw growth momentum following the establishment of the International Sports and Entertainment Free Zone cluster and the presence of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA).
Notable companies setting up operations in the free zone during 2025 included Louis Vuitton, KPMG, Baker Tilly, Deutsche Messe, and SIGA.
The free zone also expanded its flexible workspace portfolio with Sentinel Business Centre and BizElite, in addition to existing locations at One Central, Sheikh Rashid Tower, Convention Tower and One Za’abeel.
DWTC Free Zone offers more than 1,200 licensed business activities and provides 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, full capital and profit repatriation, and dual licensing options. It also introduced a Multiple Share Class Framework aimed at expanding corporate structuring options for businesses.
