Dubai International Academic City
2007
500+
DIAC
Physical Address
Dubai International Academic City, Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
About Dubai International Academic City
The largest free zone in the world dedicated to higher education and academic institutions, attracting students and faculty from over 145 nationalities
About Dubai International Academic City
Established in 2007 as part of TECOM Group’s vision to develop knowledge-based clusters, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) represents a pioneering approach to creating a dedicated ecosystem for higher education excellence in the region. Spanning over 18 million square feet, DIAC was conceptualized as a comprehensive academic hub that would transform Dubai into a global destination for quality higher education while addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled graduates across diverse disciplines.
The development follows a campus-centric master plan that prioritizes educational functionality, student experience, and academic community building. Unlike conventional commercial free zones, DIAC’s physical infrastructure incorporates design elements specifically tailored to educational delivery—from purpose-built lecture theaters and laboratory spaces to student housing and recreational facilities that support holistic campus life. This thoughtful planning creates an environment where multiple international institutions can maintain their distinct identities while benefiting from shared infrastructure and collaborative opportunities within a unified academic community.
Educational Ecosystem
DIAC has evolved into a dynamic educational ecosystem that hosts over 25 international universities from 10 different countries, offering more than 400 academic programs to a diverse student population exceeding 25,000 learners. This concentration of educational institutions creates a unique academic synergy where knowledge exchange, inter-university collaboration, and cross-disciplinary initiatives flourish naturally. The zone houses institutions ranging from specialized colleges focused on specific disciplines to comprehensive universities offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple fields of study.
What distinguishes DIAC from standard educational districts is its purpose-built regulatory framework specifically designed for academic operations. This specialized governance model addresses the unique requirements of higher education delivery including academic accreditation pathways, faculty qualification verification, curriculum approval processes, and student visa facilitation. This tailored regulatory approach enables international universities to establish regional campuses that maintain their academic standards and institutional integrity while navigating the complexities of cross-border educational operations.
Available License Types
Choose from a comprehensive range of specialized business licenses designed to support various commercial activities in the DIAC free zone
Consulting
Expert advisory and consulting services
Education
Educational institutions and training
Professional
Consulting and professional services
Service
Support and service industriesEach license type has specific approvals and requirements to suit different types of businesses. Our experts will help you choose the most appropriate license for your business operations.
Why Choose DIAC for Your Business
Discover the unique advantages that make Dubai International Academic City a leading free zone for international business and strategic growth opportunities
Educational Regulatory Framework
Operation under a specialized regulatory system designed specifically for academic institutions, with standards aligned to international educational practices yet adapted to regional needs, providing appropriate oversight for quality higher education delivery.
Academic Community Ecosystem
Immersion in a dedicated educational environment hosting over 25 international universities and 25,000 students, creating natural opportunities for academic collaboration, inter-institutional partnerships, and educational knowledge exchange.
Purpose-Built Educational Facilities
Access to campus buildings specifically designed for educational delivery, featuring appropriate classroom configurations, faculty spaces, student areas, and technical infrastructure that meets international standards for higher education facilities.
Educational Licensing Expertise
Specialized support for navigating academic accreditation, program approval, faculty qualification verification, and educational quality assurance through dedicated teams familiar with higher education regulatory requirements.
Student Visa Facilitation
Streamlined processes for sponsoring international student visas, with dedicated pathways for academic enrollment verification, student status monitoring, and educational visa renewals that simplify international student recruitment.
Academic Talent Access
Proximity to a diverse pool of qualified faculty members, academic administrators, researchers, and educational professionals, supported by specialized visa categories for academic personnel.
100% Foreign Ownership
Complete ownership of your educational institution without local partner requirements, giving international universities and colleges full control over academic standards, curriculum development, and educational governance.
Regional Education Hub Positioning
Strategic location within Dubai's knowledge corridor, providing access to a regional student market of over 3.5 billion people within a 4-hour flight radius, creating exceptional student recruitment opportunities.
Collaborative Research Opportunities
Environment conducive to research collaboration with neighboring academic institutions, creating opportunities for joint research initiatives, shared grant applications, and interdisciplinary scholarly projects.
Educational Support Services
Access to specialized academic support services including library resource sharing, educational technology providers, student activity coordination, and campus management services designed specifically for higher education operations.
Industry-Academic Linkages
Established connections with Dubai's industry clusters in media, technology, finance, and healthcare, creating opportunities for applied research, student internships, and industry-relevant curriculum development.
Academic Brand Development
Association with Dubai's reputation for educational innovation and quality, enhancing institutional prestige in international academic rankings and supporting global student recruitment efforts across emerging markets.Ready to Join the World's Leading Trading Hub?
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Setup Process
A streamlined 25-step process to establish your commodity trading business in the Dubai International Academic City
Academic Consultation
1-2 days
Meet with DIAC education specialists to discuss your institution's academic profile, program offerings, and educational delivery model. This specialized consultation addresses unique aspects of establishing an educational institution in Dubai, including accreditation pathways, student demographics, and regulatory requirements specific to higher education.
Academic Credential Verification
10-15 days
Submit institutional accreditation documents, program approvals, and faculty credentials for preliminary verification. This critical step establishes the academic legitimacy of your institution and its authority to award recognized qualifications.
Educational Needs Assessment
5-7 days
Conduct a detailed analysis of your institution's space requirements, including specialized teaching facilities, faculty offices, student areas, and administrative spaces based on your academic delivery model and projected enrollments.
Campus Site Selection
2-3 days
Tour available campus buildings or development plots within DIAC to identify suitable locations for your educational institution, considering factors such as accessibility, expansion potential, and proximity to complementary academic institutions.
Academic Program Evaluation
15-20 days
Submit detailed curriculum documentation for each proposed academic program for preliminary evaluation by education authorities. This assessment reviews program structure, learning outcomes, and alignment with qualification frameworks.
Institution Name Reservation
3-5 days
Submit your educational institution's name for approval and reservation. Names are evaluated for academic appropriateness, potential confusion with existing institutions, and compliance with naming conventions for educational entities.
Initial Application Submission
2-3 days
Complete and submit the preliminary application forms with institutional information, academic governance structure, and proposed program portfolio to initiate the formal review process.
Academic Business Plan Submission
7-10 days
Submit a comprehensive academic business plan detailing educational objectives, program development timeline, faculty recruitment strategy, student enrollment projections, and financial sustainability model specific to educational operations.
Educational License Application Review
20-30 days
Your complete application undergoes comprehensive review by specialized education regulators who evaluate academic standards, faculty qualifications, curriculum quality, and institutional capacity to deliver quality education.
Academic Quality Assurance Evaluation
10-15 days
Submit detailed quality assurance mechanisms for review, including program assessment methods, faculty evaluation systems, student feedback processes, and continuous improvement frameworks specific to educational delivery.
Preliminary Academic Approval
5-7 days
Receive preliminary approval for your educational institution, which may include specific conditions related to program delivery, faculty qualifications, or quality assurance mechanisms based on regulatory assessment.
Educational License Fee Payment
1-2 days
Pay the required fees including educational license fee, academic registration fee, campus facility lease, and any applicable deposits for educational operations.
Educational License Issuance
5-7 days
Receive your educational institution license, academic registration certificate, and campus facility agreement, which officially authorizes your institution to deliver specified academic programs within DIAC.
Detailed Campus Design
30-45 days
Develop detailed architectural and engineering plans for your campus facilities, including specialized learning spaces, technology infrastructure, and student support areas designed specifically for educational purposes.
Educational Facility Design Approval
15-20 days
Submit campus designs for review and approval by DIAC authorities, ensuring compliance with educational facility standards, accessibility requirements, and safety regulations specific to academic institutions.
Campus Development Permit
5-7 days
Receive construction or renovation permits allowing you to begin development of your campus facilities according to the approved educational design specifications.
Campus Construction/Fit-Out
90-180 days
Construct or modify your campus facilities according to approved plans, including installation of specialized academic infrastructure such as laboratories, libraries, lecture halls, and student support spaces.
Educational Technology Implementation
30-45 days
Install and configure educational technology systems including learning management platforms, classroom technology, library information systems, and academic administration software essential for modern educational delivery.
Faculty Recruitment & Onboarding
60-90 days
Recruit and onboard qualified faculty members with appropriate academic credentials, teaching experience, and scholarly backgrounds required for your specific academic programs.
Library & Learning Resources Establishment
45-60 days
Develop library collections, secure database subscriptions, and establish learning resource centers with appropriate academic materials to support your specific curriculum and research activities.
Pre-operational Academic Inspection
3-5 days
Undergo comprehensive inspection of your completed campus by education authorities to verify compliance with all academic standards, facility requirements, and educational quality parameters before student enrollment can commence.
Program-Specific Approvals
15-30 days
Secure final approval for each academic program to be offered, confirming curriculum details, assessment methods, faculty qualifications, and learning resources specific to each qualification.
Student Recruitment Authorization
3-5 days
Receive formal authorization to begin student recruitment and enrollment activities for approved academic programs, including permission to advertise specific qualifications and admission requirements.
Student Visa Processing System Setup
10-15 days
Establish systems and protocols for sponsoring international student visas, including compliance with documentation requirements, verification procedures, and reporting obligations for student immigration status.
Academic Calendar Activation
1-2 days
Finalize and publish the official academic calendar, marking the formal commencement of educational operations and the beginning of the first academic term for student enrollment.
Total Timeline
2-4 weeks typical setup
Documentation
Comprehensive support provided
Expert Guidance
End-to-end assistance
Eligibility Requirements & Documentation
Comprehensive requirements and documentation needed for establishing your free zone business
Required Documents
Passport copies
Color copies of passport with minimum 6 months validity for all shareholders, directors, and key academic personnel. Additional pages showing travel history may be required for academic verification purposes.
UAE visa copies
For existing UAE residents - copies of current residence visa with sponsor information clearly indicated.
Emirates ID
For existing UAE residents - clear copies of Emirates ID (front and back).
Passport-size photographs
Recent passport-size photographs with white background (8 copies). Additional copies may be required for academic ID cards and campus access credentials.
Institutional accreditation
Official documentation of institutional accreditation from recognized educational authorities in the home country, including validity period and scope of accreditation.
Permitted Activities
University Operations
Establishment and operation of comprehensive higher education institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple disciplines
College Operations
Operation of specialized academic institutions focused on specific disciplines or professional fields offering certificates, diplomas, and degree programs
Academic Program Delivery
Delivery of accredited academic programs leading to internationally recognized qualifications including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees
Professional Training
Specialized training programs for working professionals, executive education, and continuing professional development in various fields
Educational Consultancy
Advisory services for curriculum development, academic quality assurance, educational management, and institutional effectiveness
Restricted Activities
Amenities Available in This Free Zone
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Dubai International Academic City, Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates