Dubai Humanitarian (Formerly IHC) Business Setup
Expert Dubai Humanitarian Business Setup Consultancy
Dubai Humanitarian, formerly known as International Humanitarian City (IHC), is the world’s only non-profit, independent humanitarian free zone authority. Founded in 2003 through the merger of Dubai Aid City and Dubai Humanitarian City, the zone rebranded to Dubai Humanitarian in 2024, continuing to operate from the same location, under the same governing law (Dubai Law No. 1 of 2012), with the same community.
Located just 10 minutes from Jebel Ali seaport and Al Maktoum airport, Dubai Humanitarian hosts a community of around 80 members, including UN organizations, non-profits, NGOs, and commercial companies, representing roughly 500 people from over 68 nationalities. Its strategic position allows the community to reach two-thirds of the world’s hazard-prone population within four to eight hours.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we manage Dubai Humanitarian company formation, whether you’re a humanitarian organization or a commercial entity serving the humanitarian sector, from eligibility assessment through documentation, licensing, and visa processing.
Start Your Dubai Humanitarian Company FormationBenefits of Business Setup in Dubai Humanitarian
Dubai Humanitarian gives humanitarian and commercial organizations a genuinely purpose-built ecosystem alongside standard free zone advantages. Key benefits include:
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- 100% free transfer of funds
- 100% exemption from import and export duties
- Direct access to a global humanitarian community and network
- Strategic location near Jebel Ali seaport and Al Maktoum airport
- Fast dispatch capability to disaster-affected regions worldwide
These advantages make Dubai Humanitarian especially attractive to NGOs, UN agency branches, and commercial companies serving the humanitarian sector.
Who Can Register in Dubai Humanitarian
Dubai Humanitarian licenses two categories of entities:
- Humanitarian organizations: must demonstrate international presence, be operationally active in the international humanitarian arena, and not conduct activities within the UAE itself, while remaining impartial, independent, and neutral
- Commercial entities: businesses whose activities are humanitarian-related or could be humanitarian-related, such as logistics companies, freight forwarders, consultancies, and suppliers of goods and services to UN agencies and NGOs
We help you confirm your eligibility category before you apply, since this affects your licensing path.
Eligible Commercial Activities in Dubai Humanitarian
Commercial entities registering in Dubai Humanitarian must demonstrate that their business is humanitarian-related or could be humanitarian-related. Eligible activities typically include:
- Logistics and freight forwarding services
- Consultancy services for the humanitarian sector
- Supply of goods and services to UN agencies and NGOs
- Agricultural product supply for humanitarian purposes
- Environmental and resource management businesses
- Technology providers serving the humanitarian community
We help you frame your application to demonstrate the humanitarian relevance of your business activity.
Legal Structures for Dubai Humanitarian Company Formation
Investors and organizations can register in Dubai Humanitarian through:
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC): a for-profit commercial entity operated under Dubai Humanitarian licensing
- Branch of an Existing Company: extending an existing commercial company into Dubai Humanitarian under its own name
- Humanitarian Organization Branch: for international non-profits, NGOs, and UN agencies establishing a presence
We help you confirm the right structure based on your organization type and business model.
Documents Required for Dubai Humanitarian Company Registration
Setting up in Dubai Humanitarian requires a defined set of documents:
- Passport copies of shareholders
- Passport copy and CV of the manager
- Personal information sheet for each shareholder and manager
- Proof of trade name reservation
- Proof of initial approval for the intended activity
- Notarized Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Notarized and attested Power of Attorney appointing your consultant as legal representative
- Lease agreement for a physical address, required once initial approval is obtained
For corporate shareholders, additional documents apply: an attested and notarized Memorandum and Articles of Association, a board resolution expressing intent to establish a UAE entity, and a certificate of registration or incorporation, all attested by the UAE Embassy at the place of origin. Humanitarian organizations must also provide evidence of international presence and operational activity.
Process of Dubai Humanitarian Company Formation
- Confirm your eligibility. Determine whether you qualify as a humanitarian organization or an eligible commercial entity.
- Choose your legal structure. Decide between an FZ LLC, a branch, or a humanitarian organization branch.
- Reserve your trade name. Confirm your name meets naming rules and is available.
- Obtain initial approval. Secure confirmation from Dubai Humanitarian before proceeding with documentation.
- Prepare your legal documents. Draft and notarize the MOA and AOA, along with any required Power of Attorney.
- Secure your facility. Sign a lease agreement, required once initial approval is obtained.
- Receive your trade licence. Once documentation and fees are processed, your licence is issued.
- Apply for visas. Process residence visas for shareholders, managers, and employees.
The overall process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Support Services for Dubai Humanitarian Business Setup
FAR Consulting Middle East manages the full company formation process for Dubai Humanitarian. Our support includes:
- Applying for and following up on your Certificate of Business Registration
- Representing you in front of Dubai Humanitarian authorities
- Assisting with corporate bank account opening
- Assisting with registration with the Ministry of Labour
- Assisting with registration with UAE immigration
- Assisting with leasing a premise as your registered business address
We stay involved well beyond licence issuance too, including ongoing compliance and renewal support.
Cost of Dubai Humanitarian Business Setup
The cost of Dubai Humanitarian company formation depends on several factors, including your entity type (humanitarian organization or commercial entity), licence category, business activity, and the number of visas required. Humanitarian organization licences and commercial entity licences carry different fee structures given the different regulatory review each requires.
Because these variables differ from one business to the next, we review your specific requirements first and then provide a clear, itemized cost estimate, with no hidden fees.
Related UAE Business Setup Services
- Business Setup in Dubai – mainland, free zone, and offshore options in Dubai
- Dubai Free Zone Business Setup – compare Dubai’s free zone options
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) – setup for logistics and aviation-linked businesses
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) – setup for trading and logistics businesses
- UAE Free Zone Business Setup – compare free zones UAE-wide
- Company Liquidation Services – guidance if you ever need to close or restructure your entity
- PRO Services – government liaison and document clearing support
Frequently Asked Questions
No. IHC rebranded to Dubai Humanitarian in 2024, operating from the same location, under the same governing law and authority.
Yes. Dubai Humanitarian licenses commercial entities as either a Free Zone LLC or a branch, provided the business is humanitarian-related or could be humanitarian-related.
No. Humanitarian organizations registering in Dubai Humanitarian must not conduct or intend to conduct activities within the UAE itself.
Dubai Humanitarian hosts a community of around 80 members, including UN organizations, non-profits, NGOs, and commercial companies.
The process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your entity type and how quickly documents are ready.
Cost depends on your entity type, licence category, business activity, and number of visas. We provide a clear, itemized estimate once we understand your specific plans.