International Humanitarian City (IHC)
2003
500+
IHC
Physical Address
International Humanitarian City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
About International Humanitarian City (IHC)
The world’s largest humanitarian hub, enabling rapid response to crises by hosting UN agencies, NGOs, and commercial suppliers
About International Humanitarian City
Established under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, International Humanitarian City (IHC) represents a pioneering approach to creating a specialized ecosystem focused on humanitarian assistance and international development. Strategically located in Dubai to leverage the emirate’s position as a global logistics hub, IHC was conceptualized as a dedicated environment where international aid organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, and commercial entities supporting humanitarian operations could collaborate, coordinate, and implement effective responses to global crises, disasters, and development challenges. The master plan follows a humanitarian-centered design that prioritizes operational efficiency, rapid response capability, and collaborative development—with specialized zones for logistics operations, emergency preparedness, development programming, and capacity building designed to create a cohesive ecosystem where humanitarian effectiveness and operational excellence reinforce each other.
What distinguishes IHC from conventional free zones is its unprecedented focus on humanitarian service as a core operational principle rather than an ancillary consideration. The zone’s infrastructure includes purpose-built facilities for humanitarian logistics, emergency stockpiling, aid coordination, and development programming—with enhanced transportation systems, specialized storage environments, integrated communication networks, and strategic deployment capabilities supporting sophisticated operations across multiple humanitarian sectors. This physical foundation is complemented by a forward-thinking regulatory framework designed to facilitate humanitarian operations, with streamlined processes for aid importation, emergency deployment, relief coordination, and development implementation that address the unique requirements of organizations committed to humanitarian service.
Humanitarian Response Ecosystem
IHC has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem that houses numerous organizations spanning diverse humanitarian sectors—from UN agencies and international NGOs to specialized relief organizations, development programs, and commercial entities supporting humanitarian operations. This concentration of diverse expertise creates a dynamic environment where emergency response, disaster preparedness, development programming, and capacity building converge, facilitating sophisticated operations that leverage the strategic advantages of humanitarian specialization across multiple operational models and intervention approaches.
The zone’s ecosystem extends beyond traditional humanitarian logistics to encompass the full spectrum of assistance functions—from emergency relief and disaster response to sustainable development and capacity building. This diversity creates a complete humanitarian environment where various functions complement and reinforce each other, enabling comprehensive assistance solutions that integrate emergency intervention, recovery support, and long-term development within a single specialized framework. Supporting this core community is a sophisticated network of infrastructure including logistics systems, storage facilities, coordination mechanisms, and deployment networks that enhance the functional capabilities of the entire ecosystem.
Available License Types
Choose from a comprehensive range of specialized business licenses designed to support various commercial activities in the IHC free zone
Commercial
General trading and business activities
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 IHC for Your Business
Discover the unique advantages that make International Humanitarian City (IHC) a leading free zone for international business and strategic growth opportunities
Humanitarian Ecosystem Integration
Immersion in a specialized environment dedicated to global assistance, providing unprecedented access to humanitarian networks, international agencies, relief organizations, and development partners that create unique operational advantages for organizations committed to humanitarian service.
Strategic Logistics Positioning
Exceptional geographic location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, providing unparalleled access to humanitarian hotspots, emergency contexts, and development regions with efficient air, sea, and land connections for rapid response capabilities.
Humanitarian Sector Clustering
Strategic concentration of complementary assistance organizations including UN agencies, international NGOs, specialized relief organizations, and support services, creating powerful synergies and collaboration opportunities for enhanced humanitarian impact.
Rapid Response Infrastructure
Purpose-built facilities and systems designed specifically for emergency mobilization, including specialized warehousing, pre-positioning capabilities, deployment systems, and logistics networks that enable swift and effective humanitarian response.
Integrated Assistance Framework
Comprehensive development incorporating emergency response, development programming, capacity building, and technical support within a single master-planned environment, creating a complete humanitarian experience where various assistance functions reinforce each other.
100% Foreign Ownership
Complete ownership of your humanitarian enterprise without local partner requirements, giving international organizations full control over assistance direction, operational management, and program development within a globally-oriented humanitarian environment.
Strategic Humanitarian Positioning
Optimal location within the international humanitarian architecture, providing efficient access to global coordination mechanisms, funding networks, partnership opportunities, and operational collaborations across the humanitarian and development sectors.
Emergency Response Advantages
For relief organizations - immersion in a specialized environment with direct access to pre-positioning facilities, deployment systems, coordination mechanisms, and operational integration with one of the world's most strategic humanitarian logistics hubs.
Development Programming Framework
For development organizations - purpose-built infrastructure including specialized program facilities, implementation support, coordination networks, and partnership platforms designed for maximum impact and operational performance.
Humanitarian Innovation Environment
Access to a collaborative ecosystem that encourages new approaches, creative solutions, and innovative methodologies for addressing complex humanitarian challenges and enhancing assistance effectiveness.
Global Assistance Community
Vibrant humanitarian ecosystem with regular coordination meetings, knowledge-sharing forums, operational networking opportunities, and collaborative initiatives that facilitate connections with potential partners, donors, implementers, and strategic allies.
Humanitarian Leadership Position
Association with Dubai's recognized leadership in humanitarian logistics, providing enhanced credibility, operational legitimacy, stakeholder confidence, and strategic positioning for organizations committed to global assistance and international development.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 International Humanitarian City (IHC)
Humanitarian Consultation
1-2 days
Engage with IHC specialists to discuss your assistance objectives, humanitarian focus, operational requirements, and impact goals. This comprehensive consultation addresses how your organization can contribute to global humanitarian response and the specific assistance sector most suitable for your operations.
Humanitarian Activity Assessment
3-5 days
Conduct a preliminary review of your proposed activities, assistance model, and operational approach to ensure alignment with IHC's humanitarian vision and to identify the optimal classification for your specific relief and development requirements.
Assistance Sector Analysis
3-5 days
Evaluate the various specialized humanitarian sectors within IHC (Emergency Response, Development Assistance, Capacity Building, etc.) to determine the optimal focus based on your operational requirements, assistance objectives, and intervention model.
Operational Requirements Evaluation
5-7 days
Conduct comprehensive assessment of your specific humanitarian facility needs including office specifications, warehouse requirements, logistics infrastructure, and specialized features essential for your assistance activities.
Facility Tour & Location Assessment
2-3 days
Visit available facilities and locations within IHC to evaluate specific sites, assess infrastructure, and identify the optimal physical location for your humanitarian operations.
Humanitarian Regulatory Briefing
1-2 days
Receive comprehensive briefing on relevant regulations, compliance requirements, operational guidelines, and international standards specific to your humanitarian activities within IHC and the UAE.
Organization Name Verification
3-5 days
Submit your organization name for verification and registration. Names are evaluated for consistency with your existing international identity and to prevent confusion with other entities in the UAE registry.
Initial Application Submission
2-3 days
Complete and submit the preliminary application forms with organization information, leadership details, and proposed humanitarian activities to initiate the formal review process with IHC Authority.
Humanitarian Plan Submission
5-7 days
Submit a comprehensive operational plan detailing your assistance focus, intervention approach, impact strategy, and specific humanitarian objectives for your establishment in IHC, with particular attention to how you will contribute to global humanitarian response.
Document Submission
3-5 days
Submit required documentation including organizational documents, leadership information, humanitarian qualifications, and operational specifications through the application portal.
Humanitarian Verification Process
7-10 days
For certain assistance activities - undergo humanitarian verification and assessment procedures to ensure compliance with international standards and operational requirements.
Application Review
7-10 days
Your complete application undergoes comprehensive review by IHC authorities who evaluate humanitarian alignment, operational viability, and compatibility with the free zone's assistance objectives and sector-specific focus.
Initial Approval
3-5 days
Receive initial approval for your establishment in IHC, confirming eligibility to proceed with the registration process for your specific humanitarian activities and assistance model.
Facility Lease Agreement
3-5 days
Sign the lease agreement for your selected facility within IHC, specifying operational requirements, technical specifications, and infrastructure needs for your humanitarian activities.
Fee Payment
1-2 days
Pay the required fees including registration fee, license fee, facility lease security deposit, and establishment card fee through the online payment portal. Humanitarian organizations may qualify for certain fee reductions based on their status and operations.
License Issuance
5-7 days
Receive your IHC operational license, officially authorizing your organization to operate within the free zone for specified humanitarian activities and assistance functions.
Specific Humanitarian Approvals
7-12 days
For certain operations - obtain specific approvals for particular assistance activities, relief processes, or development functions that require specialized authorization from relevant regulatory authorities based on your humanitarian focus.
Coordination Mechanism Establishment
7-15 days
For certain humanitarian organizations - establish necessary coordination protocols with UN agencies, international NGOs, and assistance coordination bodies to ensure seamless integration with the global humanitarian system.
Immigration Card Issuance
5-7 days
Obtain your establishment immigration card, enabling your organization to sponsor visas for humanitarian professionals, technical specialists, field experts, and support personnel.
Facility Handover
2-3 days
Receive access to your leased facility, including basic infrastructure, utility connections, and standard configurations as specified in your lease agreement.
Specialized Infrastructure Setup
7-15 days
Establish specialized infrastructure connections including enhanced communication systems, logistics interfaces, emergency response links, or other technical utilities required for your specific humanitarian model.
Operational Setup
10-20 days
Configure your facility with appropriate equipment, operational systems, humanitarian infrastructure, and specialized apparatus based on your specific assistance requirements and operational needs.
Bank Account Opening
7-14 days
Open corporate bank accounts with local or international banks operating in Dubai, facilitating financial operations for your humanitarian organization including operational funding, assistance disbursement, and program expense management.
Staff Visa Processing
15-25 days
Begin processing employment visas for your humanitarian team members, technical professionals, field specialists, and support personnel, with consideration for specialized qualifications and expertise requirements.
Commencement of Humanitarian Operations
5-10 days
Launch your assistance activities, relief functions, and development services following completion of all setup requirements, system configurations, and operational readiness assessments.
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 directors, key personnel, and authorized representatives. Additional verification may be required for individuals involved in specialized humanitarian operations and international relief activities.
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 (6 copies). Additional copies may be required for specialized facility access cards and emergency response credentials.
Humanitarian mission statement
Detailed statement outlining your humanitarian focus, assistance objectives, operational approach, and impact projections specific to your activities in IHC, with particular attention to how your organization will contribute to global humanitarian response and development assistance.
Permitted Activities
Humanitarian Logistics
Management and execution of specialized supply chain operations, transportation coordination, warehousing services, and distribution systems for humanitarian aid, emergency relief, and development assistance
Relief Supplies Distribution
Procurement, storage, preparation, and distribution of essential supplies including food, water, shelter materials, medical items, and other critical resources for emergency response and humanitarian assistance
Disaster Response Coordination
Facilitation of coordinated emergency interventions, crisis management operations, disaster relief activities, and humanitarian response efforts across multiple agencies and operational contexts
Humanitarian Technology Development
Creation and implementation of specialized technologies, technical solutions, digital platforms, and innovative systems designed specifically for humanitarian operations and emergency response
Development Program Implementation
Design and execution of sustainable development initiatives, community support programs, capacity building projects, and long-term assistance efforts for vulnerable populations
Restricted Activities
Amenities Available in This Free Zone
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International Humanitarian City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates