Setting up a business in a TECOM free zone (Dubai Internet City, Media City, Knowledge Park, etc.) requires a coordinated approval process covering business licensing and physical fit-out. Step 1: Obtain a business license from TECOM authorizing your business activity within the free zone. Step 2: Register your office space lease with TECOM confirming the premises details and tenancy terms. Step 3: Submit fit-out design drawings to TECOM's design review team including architectural plans for office partitioning (glass partitions preferred), ceiling system specifications, floor finishes, and HVAC modification details. Step 4: Upon design approval, TECOM issues an NOC required for DM building permit application (if structural changes are involved). Step 5: Obtain signage approval from TECOM covering size, placement, illumination, and content — typically only building-mounted signage permitted with no ground signs. Step 6: Obtain Civil Defense approval if fire safety systems are affected by the fit-out. The fit-out design review takes 3–7 business days. All fit-out contractors must be TECOM-approved and registered on the official contractor list maintained by TECOM and updated quarterly. Using an unregistered contractor results in immediate work stoppage. TECOM conducts periodic inspections during fit-out at key milestones including after demolition, after MEP rough-in, before ceiling closure, and at project completion.
TECOM Business Setup: Approvals & Permits Guide
Complete guide to TECOM (Dubai Internet City, Media City, Knowledge Park) business setup approvals covering fit-out permits, signage approvals, and operational licenses. Explains the multi-step approval process including business license from TECOM, office space lease registration, fit-out design review by TECOM's design team, TECOM NOC for DM building permit, signage approval, and Civil Defense coordination. Covers design guidelines for office partitioning, ceiling systems, floor loading, and HVAC modifications. Fit-out design review takes 3–7 business days with contractor registration requirements.
By Wasleen Liminal Approval Consultants — Approval Consultants
Back to TECOM Group ApprovalsWhat approvals are needed to set up a business in TECOM free zones?
TECOM free zones are within Dubai's master-planned communities and have specific design guidelines that all tenants must follow. These cover partitioning systems (glass partitions preferred), ceiling heights, floor finishes, and HVAC modifications.
Signage approval is a separate process. TECOM controls the size, placement, illumination, and content of all business signage. Typically, only building-mounted signage is permitted (no ground signs). Illuminated signage must comply with light pollution guidelines.
Contractor registration is mandatory — only TECOM-approved contractors are permitted to execute fit-out works. The approved contractor list is maintained by TECOM and updated quarterly. Using an unregistered contractor results in immediate work stoppage.
TECOM conducts periodic inspections during fit-out to ensure compliance. Key inspection milestones include: after demolition, after MEP rough-in, before ceiling closure, and at project completion.
After fit-out completion, TECOM issues a final compliance certificate which is required for business license renewal and operational handover.
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