Dubai · IHC Authority · Est. 2003
Located in the Jebel Ali corridor between Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port, Dubai Humanitarian (formerly International Humanitarian City) is a specialized non-profit and commercial free zone dedicated to global disaster relief and humanitarian logistics. Packages start from AED 28,814, supporting up to 50 visa allocations with moderate banking access. It hosts UN agencies, international NGOs, and commercial suppliers requiring rapid sea-to-air deployment capability.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: IHC Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 28,814
Year 1
Eligibility restricted
IHC (Dubai Humanitarian) is restricted to humanitarian, NGO, UN, and relief-sector organisations, plus commercial entities that supply that sector. It is not available for standard/general commercial businesses.
Quick facts
NPO License (Standard Office)
AED 28,814
— · Standard Office · 3 visas
Renews at AED 26,794
Commercial License (Standard Office)
AED 48,284
— · Standard Office · 5 visas
Renews at AED 46,264
2-year licensing is offered as an option to reduce administrative renewal costs.
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
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Tax and compliance
IHC tax status and QFZP rules →
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How much does it cost to set up in IHC?
The cheapest published package for International Humanitarian City (Dubai Humanitarian) is NPO License (Standard Office) at AED 28,814 for Year 1, renewing at AED 26,794. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
How long does IHC setup take?
Typical processing time is 2–2 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.
Is banking easy to set up with a IHC licence?
Banking difficulty for IHC is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, ADCB.
How many visas can I get with a IHC licence, and what do they cost?
Published packages include up to 5 visas (Commercial License (Standard Office), AED 48,284 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 4,500. 2-year licensing is offered as an option to reduce administrative renewal costs.
Can a IHC company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A IHC company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.