Company Formation in Dubai Humanitarian (IHC)
Introduction to the Humanitarian Hub
Dubai Humanitarian, known earlier as International Humanitarian City (IHC), serves global relief with speed and scale. The hub sits in Dubai near major air and sea routes. The hub links relief agencies, UN bodies, charities, and trusted suppliers. Teams use this base to store goods, to process shipments, and to reach crisis zones fast. Operations move with structure. Procedures stay clear. Facilities match the urgent nature of aid.
Leaders chose Dubai for its location and logistics network. Cargo reaches airports and ports with short transit times. The city offers skilled labor and reliable utilities. The government supports humanitarian work with streamlined processes. The free-zone framework gives a stable legal base for charities and vetted vendors.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing helps organizations plan a compliant entry. The team reviews your activity. The team aligns license choice with the real work on the ground. The team prepares documents and submits them with care.
Why Organizations Select Dubai Humanitarian
Strategic Access to Crisis Corridors
The hub sits near flight paths that connect Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Relief teams stage cargo with dry, cool, and cold storage. Trucks move to the airport with minimal delay. Ships depart Jebel Ali Port with predictable schedules. Response time drops when distance and handoffs drop.
Purpose-Built Infrastructure
Warehouses support pallets, racking, and fast-pick zones. Temperature-controlled rooms protect health items and food packs. Shared services support labeling, kitting, and re-packing. Meeting rooms support joint planning. Business center desks support small teams and liaison staff.
Community and Expertise
The hub hosts UN agencies, leading NGOs, and vetted private partners. Teams share data, routes, and lessons. Training and simulation build readiness. Joint drills improve coordination before the next deployment.
Free-Zone Stability
The zone provides 100% foreign ownership for eligible entities. Profits and funds move under clear rules. Customs support reduces friction for humanitarian consignments. Authorities provide guidance on visas and site access.
Digital Processes
Applications run on defined portals. Clear checklists cut repetition. You track case numbers and expected timelines. You receive electronic copies for your records.
Who Should Consider an IHC Presence
- UN Agencies and Inter-Governmental Bodies that need fast staging near flight hubs.
- International and Local NGOs that store kits and deploy teams.
- Foundations and Donors that monitor projects and audit flows.
- Specialized Suppliers that support relief with medicines, shelter, WASH kits, or tech.
- Training and Research Units that study risk, logistics, and public health.
The hub suits missions that value speed, reliability, and cooperation.
Activities That Fit the Zone
IHC focuses on humanitarian storage, distribution, and support. Many suppliers work under strict compliance. Standard manufacturing is not allowed unless the authority issues written approval. You confirm scope before you apply. You request clearance for any processing line that changes a product’s nature. You keep records to show that operations match license scope.
Workspace Options in the Hub
For Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs)
- Standard Office: A private office suits coordination teams.
- Business Center Desk: A desk suits a field liaison or a monitoring unit.
For Commercial Entities
- Standard Office: A private office supports sales, compliance, and dispatch.
- Business Center Desk: A desk suits a representative who handles clients and paperwork.
You choose the footprint that matches your headcount, storage needs, and visa plan.
License Categories at Dubai Humanitarian
- Humanitarian Organization License (Branch): A branch of an existing NGO or similar body.
- Commercial Entity (FZ-LLC or Branch): A vendor or service provider that supports relief missions under strict eligibility rules.
Your real activity drives the license. Your license drives your facility and compliance profile.
Headline Advantages for Eligible Applicants
- 100% foreign ownership for eligible free-zone entities.
- Customs and logistics support designed for humanitarian flows.
- Community of experts to coordinate response and training.
- Digital licensing with options for multi-year terms where eligible.
- Competitive facility options from desks to full offices and warehouses.
- Clear tax framework under UAE federal rules, with potential 0% on qualifying free-zone income when all conditions are met.
These features help teams ship faster, spend wisely, and report accurately.
Important Notes on Tax and Scope
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, corporate tax applies from 1 June 2023. A free-zone person may access 0% on qualifying income when all tests are met, including substance, qualifying activities, and separate accounts. Income that fails tests can face the standard rate. You keep clean ledgers. You document transactions. You file returns on time.
If your team plans operations outside the zone in Dubai, you follow the current rule that requires the right DET license or permit for outside-zone activity. You maintain separate accounts. You confirm every scope before you act. You align your contracts, invoices, and delivery points with the license.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing reviews your model, maps revenue lines, and sets a ledger that supports filings.
Step-by-Step Formation Roadmap
- Define Mission and Activity
You write a simple plan. You list goods, services, and partners. You confirm whether you’re an NPO branch or a commercial entity. - Select License Category
You match your work to Humanitarian Organization (Branch) or Commercial Entity (FZ-LLC/Branch). You confirm any special permissions for processing. - Name Reservation and Pre-Checks
You choose a compliant name. You avoid restricted terms. You align the name with your global brand if you’re a branch. - Prepare Core Documents
You gather passports, board resolutions, audited statements (if required), UBO declarations, and a corporate structure chart for non-individual owners. You collect any reference letters with UN bodies or NGOs when relevant. - Submit Stage-1 Application
You upload forms, proof of incumbency, HQ documents for branches, and a concise business plan. You keep scans clear and consistent. - Receive Stage-1 Clearance and Instructions
You respond to clarifications. You prepare notarized and attested items for Stage-2. - Submit Stage-2 Documents
You file notarized AoA/MoA (as applicable), signed resolutions, signature specimens, Good Standing, and any NOCs. You keep Arabic translations aligned with English texts. - Facility Selection and Agreement
You select a business center desk, office, and—if approved—warehouse. You sign the lease. You retain copies for visa quotas and audits. - License Issuance and Establishment Card
You receive the license and immigration file. You store originals and certified copies in a custody log. - Bank Account, VAT, and Corporate Tax
You open a corporate account with full KYC. You register for VAT when thresholds apply. You register for corporate tax and set accounting periods. - Visas and Access Control
You process investor and staff visas. You complete medicals and Emirates ID. You enroll staff for site access per hub protocol. - Operational Launch
You configure storage, labels, and WMS if needed. You set SOPs for dispatch, returns, and recalls. You run a live test.
This order reduces rework and keeps you in line with zone policy.
Document Checklists (Concise)
Humanitarian Organization – Branch (Stage-1 examples)
- Application form and HQ registration certificate
- Certificate of incumbency from HQ
- Passports of directors and manager
- UBO declaration and contributor list (if applicable)
- Latest audited report from HQ
- Reference letters (if requested)
- Business plan (hub template)
Stage-2 examples
- Good Standing (attested)
- Board resolution (notarized)
- Articles or By-Laws (notarized)
- Signature specimens
- NOC from current sponsor (if relevant)
Commercial FZ-LLC – Individuals (Stage-1 examples)
- Application form
- Passports for shareholders and management
- Bank reference letters
- UN/NGO reference agreements (if applicable)
- UBO and shareholder data forms
- Short business plan
Stage-2 examples
- Shareholder resolution (signed at the hub)
- Signature specimen
- NOC (if relevant)
Commercial – Corporate Shareholders (Stage-1 examples)
- Company license or registration
- Certificate of incumbency and AoA/By-Laws
- Passports of appointed managers
- Audited financials
- UBO, nominee, and shareholder data forms
- Structure chart and business plan
Stage-2 examples
- Corporate shareholders’ resolution
- Good Standing certificate
- Signature specimens
- NOC (if relevant)
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing compiles these packs and checks consistency across every page.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance After Launch
Accounting and Reporting
You keep separated books for inside-zone and any outside-zone activity. You record grants, donations, sales, and in-kind items with clear tags. You reconcile banks monthly.
VAT and Customs
You register for VAT when thresholds trigger. You use compliant invoices and credit notes. You store customs forms for relief consignments and commercial entries.
Corporate Tax
You assess eligibility for qualifying free-zone treatment. You document substance. You file returns on time. You maintain board minutes and service agreements.
UBO and ESR
You disclose UBOs. You review ESR scope and maintain local substance when required.
AML (When in Scope)
If your profile falls under DNFBP categories, you enroll on the platform, run CDD, and train staff.
Renewals and Modifications
You renew licenses, establishment cards, and visas on a fixed calendar. You file amendments for name, activity, or office changes. You keep a register for original documents with holder names and dates.
Facilities, Safety, and Quality
Humanitarian logistics needs safe facilities and reliable teams. You adopt SOPs for temperature logs, FEFO for perishables, and batch/lot tracking. You test generators and fire systems. You train staff in first aid and handling rules. You run mock shipments to validate labels, documents, and carrier SLAs.
Cost Lines to Budget
- License and registration fees
- Office or desk rent; warehouse if approved
- Establishment card and immigration costs
- Visa, medical, and Emirates ID
- Insurance for premises, stock, and liability
- Accounting, audit, and compliance support
- IT tools (WMS, finance system, and security)
- Training and certification
A quarterly plan-vs-actual review protects cash while you scale shipments.
Practical Use Cases
- Medical Relief Supplier: The team stores health kits, tracks cold chain, and dispatches to clinics in crisis areas.
- Shelter and NFI Provider: The unit kits tents, blankets, and cooking sets, then loads mixed pallets for rapid deployment.
- Food Security NGO: The group stages fortified food packs and reports stock movements to donors weekly.
- Technology for Aid: The company supports satellite terminals and field connectivity kits with spares and manuals.
- Training Partner: The unit runs safety and logistics courses for field crews and local partners.
Each case uses the hub’s location, rules, and shared services to improve outcomes.
Tips Before You Apply
- Map your real work to the right license.
- Confirm whether any processing needs explicit approval.
- Keep Arabic and English versions aligned.
- Prepare a clean structure chart and UBO file.
- Assign one owner for renewal calendars and document custody.
These habits reduce delays and protect compliance.
What Can Help – Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing 🥇
Humanitarian work needs fast action and clean files. Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing helps organizations plan the license, prepare the pack, open the bank account, and register for tax. The team sets ledgers that support separate accounts. The team builds SOPs for invoices, donations, and in-kind flows. The team maintains calendars for renewals and visas. Early guidance saves time, reduces cost, and limits exposure—because a stitch in time saves nine.
Contact & Visit
- Office Address: Saraya Avenue Building – Office M-06, Block/A, Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Contact / WhatsApp: +971 50 276 2132
- Geo Coordinates: 25.2807189480206, 55.41846458517048
