Flexi-desk

A shared workstation you have the right to use for a set number of hours, sold by free zones as the minimum premises satisfying a licence. It is the cheapest way to hold a licence and it caps your visa quota tightly.

Where it comes up

A flexi-desk is a shared workstation you have the right to use for a set number of hours, sold by free zones as the minimum premises that satisfies a licence. It is how most small companies in the UAE hold their licence.

What it costs

Bundled into the free zone package rather than priced separately, and it is what keeps entry costs at the low end of the AED 12,500–25,000 range.

Who it applies to

Service businesses, consultancies and e-commerce. Not adequate for industrial, retail, food or clinical licences, all of which require real premises.

How it actually goes

1. Take it with the packageMost free zone starter packages bundle one. It is a shared workstation with an allocation of hours, not a private office.
2. Use it as the registered addressIt gives the company a lawful address for the licence and for correspondence.
3. Accept the quotaTypically one to three visas depending on the zone. That number is the real limit on the package.
4. Expect it to be checkedZones inspect. A flexi-desk that exists only on paper is a renewal problem.

Banks read a flexi-desk as a signal about substance. It is not disqualifying, but it has to be addressed in the account application rather than left for the compliance officer to interpret.

In short

• Satisfies the premises requirement in most free zones
• Caps visas, usually between one and six
• Not adequate for an industrial, retail or food licence

Where this leads

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