DMCC company formation process
To start with registration, you need to prepare a set of documents, pay fees, obtain permits, and sign a series of legal documents. You don’t even have to arrive in Dubai—part of the setup procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.
Determine which type of trade license offered by the DMCC suits you. It is crucial to approach this question carefully, as choosing the wrong activity, registration authority, or location can lead to errors during company registration, creating problems with opening a bank account or even making such opening impossible.
The following legal entities are available:
- LLC (the freezone gives its companies the suffix DMCC and not LLC but it's still an LLC)
- Branch of a foreign company
- Representative office
Collect and submit the documents required by the free zone authority together with a filled-out application, and pay the fees. Also, conclude the lease contract for your premises within the free zone.
Receive the license and registration documents for the company.
- Trading license
- Lease agreement
- MoA/AoA
- Bank reference letter
- Share capital certificate (if the shares are paid up)
Receive the establishment card containing information about your company and visa quotes.
If you’re outside of the UAE, you will need to come to the country after the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one.
Undergo a medical checkup and submit documents for a residence visa. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees. Note that when applying for the residence visa a medical insurance is mandatory for the owner and for the employees.
When the visa is issued, receive your Emirates ID card
Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. In some cases, the bank’s approval may take a month.
With us you can navigate this process quickly and effortlessly. You don`t even have to arrive in Dubai — the registration procedure can be completed remotely. However, you will need to visit the UAE for medical checkups, visa formalities, and account opening.
- IFZA — International Free Zone Authority
- KIZAD — Khalifa Free Zone Abu Dhabi
- UAQ — Umm Al Quwain Free Zone
- SAIF — Sharjah Airport Free Zone
- RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
- MFZ — Meydan Free Zone
- DAFZ — Dubai Airport Free Zone
- SHAMS — Sharjah Media City Free Zone
- DIC — Dubai Internet City
- JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone
- DWTC — Dubai World Trade Center Free Zone
- Hamriyah Free Zone
- RAK DAO — RAK Digital Assets Oasis
- DAZ - Dubai Auto Zone
- DSO — Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone
- TECOM — Technology Electronic Commerce and Media Group
- SPC — Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone
- DTEC — Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Center Free Zone
- DMC — Dubai Media City Free Zone
- Dubai South Free Zone
- Expo City — Expo City Dubai Free Zone
- AMC — Ajman Media City Free Zone
- AFZA — Ajman Free Zone
- FCC — Fujairah Creative City Free Zone
- FFZA - Fujairah Free Zone Authority
- Company Formation in DUQE Free Zone
DMCC license costs
The basic (and the cheapest) package for a business setup in the DMCC costs 35,484 AED. It provides for up to 3 business activities from the same business activity group. This package includes costs of company registration, license, establishment card, and a flexi-desk (1 visa quote).
The overall costs of the DMCC free zone business registration may seem higher than in other free trade zones in Dubai but they are more than compensated by the advantages and prime location DMCC offers.
Prices for establishing business in DMCC
| TYPE OF LICENSE | COST |
|---|---|
| 0-visa license + flexi-desk | 35,484 AED |
| 1-visa license + flexi-desk | 43,780 AED |
DMCC dual license
The DMCC dual licence allows a DMCC company to have a presence on the mainland and virtually operate as a branch via DED. Some important features of the dual licence:
- It allows only service/consultancy activities
- It’s an extension of the DMCC company, not a separate mainland entity
- Staff are still sponsored under the DMCC entity
- The dual licence is great for signing mainland contracts, marketing, and meeting clients
Do not confuse it with the Dual Licence Office Permit, which allows a DMCC company and a DED company to share the same JLT office unit – separate requirements apply.
Elena O.
We’ll find the ideal free zone and license for you!
DMCC Company Formation
Andrey
Emirabiz is an authorized partner
Is DMCC suitable for your business?
A top choice for foreign investors and business owners
Up to six activities under one license
Self-contained city within the city
Yes
- If you have a promising start-up and looking for flexible workspace solutions and favorable conditions for a smooth launch.
- If you are a mid-sized company planning long-term development, DMCC offers the flexibility to rent additional premises as your business grows. There are no restrictions on leased space, allowing your business to expand as needed.
- If you own a large or a multinational corporation and need extensive working spaces, DMCC offers executive and multi-storey offices.
- If you conduct international trade business or provide professional services.
- if you want to open a shop or restaurant, you can do so in DMCC, as this free zone offers a dual license that provides access to the UAE mainland market.
- If you opt for a premium location in the heart of Dubai, DMCC is ideal. Across Sheikh Zayed Road, which borders DMCC, are some of Dubai's most popular districts — Dubai Marina, Bluewaters, and Palm Jumeirah — where many expats and the European community reside.
- If you value your time and comfort and prefer to work and live in the same place. DMCC is located in the Jumeirah Lake Towers which offers both office and residential buildings. With two metro stations and access to Dubai's highways, getting around the city is easy.
No
DMCC licenses and business activities
DMCC offers a diverse range of activities, from traditional trading and professional services to ventures like crypto commodities trading. Your DMCC license allows you to engage in up to 6 business activities from the same activity group.
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Elena O.
We'll find activities for your business
DMCC facilities
DMCC is situated in the vibrant Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) area, right in the heart of Dubai, with a vast range of business and leisure facilities nearby. The renowned landmarks like Dubai Marina and The Palm Jumeirah are across the road, while Downtown Dubai is just a 30-minute drive away. When setting up a company in DMCC, businesses have the flexibility to choose from different types of facilities for rent, including different office solutions.
Executive office
Flexi desk
Within the JLT area, an array of amenities cater to diverse needs. Business centers, offices, clinics, schools, and sports clubs are readily available, providing a comprehensive infrastructure to support various aspects of professional and personal life.
DMCC residence visas
Visa validity for both owners and employees in DMCC is 2 years. Unlike other zones, owners are not eligible for an Investor visa designation but can hold any top managerial position within the company. Employees seeking a managerial position for their visa must provide attested educational certificates.
DMCC visa application costs
| VISA FEE | MEDICAL CHECK | EMIRATES ID | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year visa | from 2,237 AED | 330 AED | 450 AED |
| 2-year visa | from 2,973 AED | 330 AED | 450 AED |
When applying for residence visas in DMCC, it is important to note that you must obtain health insurance first. It is worth mentioning that the insurance processing may lengthen the visa procedure.
DMCC company license renewal
Renewing a DMCC company costs less compared to the initial incorporation process. There is no one-time registration fee, and you only need to pay for the license and facility fees.
| ITEM | RENEWAL FEE |
|---|---|
| Standard package (license, establishment card, AoA, application fees) | 22,130 AED |
| Flexi-desk | 18,460 AED |
This makes DMCC companies highly cost-effective in terms of maintenance.
Regardless of any commercial activity, every company within the Dubai Multi Commodities Center authority is required to provide an annual audit report.
To facilitate the renewal procedure, business setup consultants in DMCC can handle the process on your behalf, eliminating the need for your personal presence.
DMCC company amendments
Minor amendments in DMCC can generally be handled remotely. However, in the case of shares transfer, a personal visit by the owner or a Power of Attorney is required.
| SERVICE | COST |
|---|---|
| DMCC company amendment | 4,000 AED |
During the renewal process, certain amendments can be made free of charge. For example, you can add or remove business activities when renewing your company.
Other common amendments may include changing the name, location, or adding/removing a manager.
DMCC company liquidation
Liquidating a company in the DMCC authority involves a substantial process that requires several steps:
- Final audit
- Newspaper advertising of the closure
- Closure of the bank account
- Termination of lease
- Cancellation of visas
- Cancellation of the license
The time-frame for liquidation can vary from 2 to 5 months in some cases. The government fees for liquidation are approximately 10,000 AED. Emirabiz business setup consultants in DMCC can typically handle the liquidation process as well.
Need to liquidate your company? We’ll handle it quickly and flawlessly.
About DMCC
DMCC is the world’s largest free zone, centrally located in Dubai with strong infrastructure, a mix of commercial and residential towers, and two metro stations plus easy access to main highways.
Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, with developed infrastructure nearby, DMCC offers a blend of commercial and residential towers, creating a self-contained city within the city. It boasts the convenience of two metro stations and easy access to the main highways.
Thanks to its abundant amenities and favorable business environment, DMCC stands out as the preferred choice for foreign investors and businesspeople looking to start a business in Dubai and build their own entrepreneurial experience.
One of the advantages of the DMCC company formation is that you may perform up to six activities under one license.
Registration of a free zone company may take from 2 to 4 weeks.
You can register a company in 2–4 weeks and include up to six business activities under one licence. DMCC is a top choice for company formation by foreign entrepreneurs, but you can also compare it with other, more cost-effective free zones depending on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Basically no, as a personal visit to the UAE is required as per the regulations of the UAE Central Bank. Local banks require this visit to verify the client's identity. However, some banks allow remote account opening through their digital bank applications or website.
In most cases, you can obtain a debit card for your newly opened company, especially if there is only one shareholder. However, a credit card is usually issued against a fixed deposit. As for loans, banks may consider your eligibility based on your company's operations and profits. It is recommended to apply for a loan after at least one year of operations.
Officially, the office of a company should be located within the free zone where it is registered. However, if you need an office in Dubai, you have the option to rent space in a Business Center and use it on a flexible basis. It is important to note that the minimum required space (flexi desk) in the free zone cannot be canceled.
A flexi desk is a mandatory requirement for any company eligible for resident visas. It serves as the minimum physical office space. Additionally, a flexi desk can facilitate bank account opening as banks require evidence of a company having some form of office or physical presence.
VAT obligations depend not only on the place of registration but also on where the business activity takes place. VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. If a company's trading activities take place abroad, the turnover is not considered taxable as long as the goods or services are supplied outside the UAE. However, if the goods or services are supplied to customers within the UAE, the 5% VAT will be applicable.
The UAE has no personal income tax. However, there is a 5% import tax on goods brought into the country and a 5% VAT on trading or service transactions that occur within the UAE.
The UAE corporate tax is only 9%, however, companies registered in UAE free zones may be granted corporate tax exemption if they meet the criteria for qualifying activities.
The suitability of a free zone entity versus an offshore or mainland entity depends on your business model and requirements. However, a free zone setup offers advantages such as 100% foreign ownership, eligibility for resident visas, the ability to conduct business both within and outside the UAE, and greater favorability with banks compared to offshore companies. Additionally, free zones often offer a flexi desk option instead of executive offices, making it a cost-effective way to start a business without unnecessary obligations.
While we strive to make the account opening process as smooth as possible, we cannot guarantee the approval as it ultimately depends on the bank. Each case goes through several bank departments for approval, and the bank may contact you directly for clarifications. Providing a clear picture of your business to the bank increases the chances of successful account opening. We do our best to prepare you and your company for a smooth and fast account opening process.
Your company should be renewed annually, and the cost is typically lower than the initial setup cost. The renewal fees depend on your package, and you can obtain the price by downloading the Estimate from our website. Renewal does not require the personal presence of the owner and can be done by your agent. After renewal, the new license must be presented to the bank to extend the bank account, which is included in our renewal service.
You have multiple options for fee payment. You can make payments via bank transfer, cash, or online using a card.
Elena O.
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