Company Setup in Dubai Outsource City (DOC) – Practical Guide
Dubai Outsource City (DOC) serves the outsourcing industry in Dubai. The free zone supports BPO teams, shared service centers, HR and payroll providers, IT helpdesks, and call-center operations. The zone started in 2007 and grew with technology demand in the region. Teams choose DOC because the authority designs space, fiber, and permits for back-office work. The free zone sits inside a mature TECOM cluster with access to talent, transport, and partners.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing guides founders through each step. Our team helps you decide structure, pick a license, prepare documents, and open a bank account. We keep the process clean and compliant from day one.
Why Businesses Select DOC for Outsourcing
Your company gets real advantages when you register inside this zone.
- Strategic access. You reach customers across the GCC, MENA, and South Asia from Dubai.
- Ownership control. You keep 100% foreign ownership under the free-zone model.
- Capital freedom. You repatriate profits and capital without restriction under prevailing rules.
- Modern facilities. You use robust telecom, high-availability data rooms, and graded office floors.
- Visa pathways. You obtain staff visas based on your license type and leased workspace.
- Cost clarity. You plan around bundled packages for desks, offices, and fitted call-center floors.
- Corporate tax treatment. If you meet federal rules as a qualifying free-zone person and earn qualifying income, a 0% corporate tax rate can apply. Your team should assess this with current guidance.
- Sector focus. You work near peers in support functions, which helps hiring and training.
A focused free zone reduces friction. Your managers spend more time on service levels and less time on admin.
License Options That Fit Outsourcing Operations
DOC issues licenses that match service delivery. Your team chooses the class that aligns with activity.
- Service License. You provide BPO, HR processing, payroll support, data processing, software support, or knowledge-process tasks.
- Commercial/Trading (limited). You run approved service-linked trading (e.g., software resale tied to support). Broad trading sits better in other zones.
- Specialized outsourcing categories. You operate call centers, shared services, and data-services under wording approved by the authority.
Manufacturing isn’t a DOC focus. Firms that fabricate or assemble goods should consider industrial zones instead. Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing confirms the exact activity list during application, since authorities update codes over time.
Legal Forms You Can Choose
You select a structure that matches your ownership and risk plan.
- FZ-LLC (Free Zone Limited Liability Company). One or more shareholders hold equity. Liability stays limited to paid-up capital.
- Branch of a Foreign Company. A parent abroad opens a branch to deliver services inside DOC.
- Branch of a UAE Company. An existing UAE entity expands into DOC to centralize support functions.
We compare bank onboarding, governance, and reporting impacts before you pick a form.
Activities That DOC Commonly Permits
DOC supports a wide set of back-office functions. You can select one or more of the following:
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Customer support, claims handling, order entry, and shared services.
- IT Services and Helpdesk. L1/L2 support, monitoring, and managed services.
- Call-Center Operations. Inbound care lines, outbound campaigns, multilingual desks.
- Data Processing and Management. Data entry, cleansing, catalog building, and analytics support.
- Finance and Accounting Services. AP/AR processing, payroll runs, and reconciliation services.
The activity list drives visa quotas and fit-out needs. A precise scope keeps compliance easy.
Workspaces Built for Outsourcing Teams
The zone provides flexible options that scale with headcount.
- Flexi-desk and small suites. You launch with limited staff and keep costs low.
- Fitted offices. You place team leads, QA, and training in closed rooms.
- Call-center floors. You seat large teams with noise control, IP telephony, and breakout areas.
- Data rooms. You deploy racks in controlled environments with redundant power and fiber.
- Shared services hubs. You combine HR, finance, and IT under one roof.
Fit-outs follow safety and telecom guidelines. We align your lease with your license so activity and space match.
Key Services and Utilities Inside DOC
DOC and partner vendors offer a bundle of support:
- Recruitment links to local talent pools
- Business center services with reception and meeting rooms
- Immigration handling for establishment cards and staff visas
- High-speed internet and redundant fiber routes
- IP telephony and IVR with automatic call distribution
- Predictive dialing for compliant outbound campaigns
- Satellite and backup links for high availability
- Technical support for daily IT incidents
- On-site amenities for teams working in shifts
These services keep SLAs stable and reduce downtime.
Documents You Prepare for Registration
A neat file speeds approval. Prepare the following:
- Passport copies for all shareholders and directors
- Proof of residential address for principals
- Brief business plan that explains service lines and target clients
- Board resolution or Power of Attorney authorizing signers
- Lease proposal or space confirmation inside DOC
- For branches: parent company license, incorporation docs, and good-standing proofs
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing compiles, translates, and arranges attestations when needed. We label every PDF and avoid mismatch in names and dates.
Step-by-Step: How You Form a Company in DOC
1) Define the scope
You list the exact services. You decide languages, shift plans, and seat counts.
2) Choose the entity type
You pick FZ-LLC or branch. You align this with tax and banking considerations.
3) Reserve a trade name
You submit names that meet rules and reflect your service line.
4) Submit initial application
You file company details and activity list for eligibility review.
5) Sign constitutional papers
You sign MOA/AOA for FZ-LLC or branch board resolutions for authority filings.
6) Lease the space
You sign for a flexi-desk, office, or call-center floor that matches visa needs.
7) Obtain the license
You pay fees and collect the license once approvals complete.
8) Open a bank account
You provide license, constitutional docs, UBO details, and a clear business profile for KYC.
9) Set up visas
You open immigration files, obtain quotas, and process staff visas.
We oversee timelines and coordinate with the authority so you can start hiring.
Banking, KYC, and AML – What Banks Expect
Banks in the UAE ask for a consistent story backed by documents.
- Purpose and flows. You explain revenue sources and client locations.
- Contracts and invoices. You show sample agreements and expected volumes.
- UBO and control. You disclose owners and signers with IDs.
- Office proof. You submit your DOC lease and utility proof after move-in.
- Compliance controls. You describe onboarding checks for clients and vendors.
We draft a crisp business profile that answers KYC questions in advance and reduces back-and-forth.
Visas, Quotas, and HR Basics
Visa counts depend on your license type and leased area. A larger floor permits more visas. To keep HR clean:
- Track LMRA/MOHRE and free-zone rules that affect roles and shifts.
- Keep employment contracts and job descriptions up to date.
- Use rosters and overtime logs for shift teams.
- Maintain training records for QA, data privacy, and info-security.
Clean files protect your operation during checks.
Data Privacy, Security, and Client Trust
Outsourcing relies on trust. Build controls that match client promises.
- Restrict access to data by role and need.
- Use multi-factor authentication and device policies.
- Record agent calls and retain files per client policy.
- Mask PII on screens where possible.
- Run incident drills twice a year and fix gaps.
These steps protect client data and prevent service failures.
Practical Tips That Save Time and Money
- Align activity wording with your contracts before you file.
- Map telecom needs with carriers early to avoid cutover delays.
- Choose acoustic treatments for call floors to improve AHT and QA scores.
- Keep SLA dashboards visible to agents and leads.
- Plan a training bay for new-hire ramp without hurting live SLAs.
- Document BCP for power, network, and building incidents.
A disciplined setup supports consistent service levels from day one.
Common Mistakes You Should Avoid
- Picking the wrong license class for the real service line
- Submitting scans with glare, blur, or clipped edges
- Leasing space that won’t meet security or visa needs
- Underestimating cooling and power for dense seat maps
- Ignoring noise control on large open floors
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing runs a pre-submission check to catch these issues before they cause delays.
Ongoing Compliance After You Launch
Once live, keep your company in good standing.
- Renew license and lease on time.
- Update shareholder or director changes with filings.
- Maintain books and records that show a true and fair view.
- Register and file VAT where applicable.
- Monitor qualifying-free-zone conditions if you rely on them.
- Refresh HSE and data-security training every year.
A steady routine helps you pass audits and client assessments.
Conclusion – Build a Reliable Outsourcing Base in Dubai
DOC gives your team a focused platform for support services and call operations. The zone pairs strong telecom with well-run permits. You move faster when activity wording matches your contracts, when space fits your visa plan, and when banking files answer KYC early. With the right partner, setup becomes a controlled project, not a struggle. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine—good preparation prevents future pain.
What Can Help – Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing helps founders and global groups set up inside Dubai Outsource City with accuracy and speed. We scope activities, draft documents, coordinate with the authority, open bank accounts, and support renewals.
- Visit our office: Saraya Avenue Building – Office M-06, Block/A, Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Contact / WhatsApp: +971 50 276 2132
