Dubai Media City
Overview
Dubai Media City (DMC) was launched in January 2001 to establish Dubai as the region’s leading media hub including news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production and broadcast facilities.
It is managed by Technology Electronic Commerce and Media group (TECOM), which is a part of Dubai Holding.
TECOM free zone authority manages 11 free zones, referred to as “business communities”. Dubai Media City is one of them.
It provides an advanced infrastructure and supportive environment for media-related businesses to operate globally out of Dubai. It is one of the most prestigious places of company registration in Dubai.
Facilities
Dubai Media City free zone offers a variety of facilities that you can choose from to satisfy your needs, including:
- Commercial spaces
- Boutique studios
- In5 centers
- D/Quarters
- Light industrial units
- Warehouses
- Sound stages
Keep in mind that to open a company in DMC, you need to rent a premise within this free zone, whether it is a co-working space or a warehouse depending on your company’s business activity and size.
| Type of facility | Size | Price, AED | Number of visas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Center - Exclusive Desk | Desk | 35,000 AED + 5,000 AED deposit | 2 |
| Business Center - Executive furnished office | 19 sqm | 150,000 AED + 15,000 AED deposit | 5 |
| Commercial unfitted office | 70 sqm | From 70,000 AED | 1 visa per 8 sqm |
| Boutique unfitted office | 380 sqm | 589,000 AED | 1 visa per 8 sqm |
| Warehouse/Showroom in Dubai Production City | 800 sqm | 440,000 AED | 1 visa per 12 sqm |
Business activities
Dubai Media City offers a wide range of business activities, catering to the diverse needs of the media and communication industry. Whether you are involved in advertising, marketing, event management, or media consultancy, Dubai Media City provides the ideal platform to thrive and grow your business.
The main groups of business activities permitted in Dubai Media City include:
- Advertising & Communication
- Media and Marketing Services
- Event Management
- Media and Marketing Consultancy
- New Media
- Media Association (Non-Profit) and others.
In addition to these exciting business opportunities, Dubai Media City also offers Freelance permit options. Freelancers can operate under the TECOM authority within Dubai Media City, enabling them to work independently and establish their professional identity.
The freelance permit allows you to operate under your birth name rather than a brand name, positioning you as a sole practitioner in your field. Furthermore, Dubai Media City freelance visa permits you to reside in the UAE and sponsor your family, providing a comprehensive solution for freelancers seeking stability and growth.
Explore the endless possibilities of Dubai Media City and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit in one of the most dynamic media and communication hubs in the world. For more information on freelance options, visit Freelance Visa in the UAE.
DMC company registration cost
Below is an estimated cost of setting up a company in the DMC free zone and renting a large executive office.
| Item & description | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
| Dubai Media City - Registration Cost | 3,520.00 |
| Dubai Media City - License fee Up to 5 visa | 15,020.00 |
| Dubai Media City - 190 sq. ft Executive Office Lease | 150,000.00 |
| Dubai media City - Office Lease Refundable deposit | 15,000.00 |
| Dubai Media City - Establishment Card | 2,000.00 |
| Total | 185,540.00 |
DMC formation of a company
The registration process for your company in Dubai Media City depends on the chosen business entity type.
Here is a list of the initial documents required:
- Business Plan
- Passport
- Personal bank statement for the last 3 months (required for Lebanese and Syrian Nationals)
The DMC registration process involves several stages:
- Initial approval: 5 days
- Leasing of an office
- Payment
- Registration: 6 days
Company renewal
If you are not present in Dubai, your representative can handle the company renewal process. The procedure includes:
- Renewal of the office lease
- Renewal of the license
After the company renewal, it is important to inform your bank about the license extension. You need to bring the license to any branch of your bank. Business consultants in Dubai can assist you in this process.
Residence visas in Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City offers various visa packages based on the type of office space chosen. Visa packages can range from 1 visa to 100 or more for warehouses. Once the business license is issued, the resident visa process is straightforward and involves:
- Establishment card of the company
- Entry permit
- Status adjustment
- Medical test
- Emirates ID
- Resident Visa Stamping in the passport
Sponsorship of dependents
To sponsor dependents under your visa, you will need the following documents:
- Marriage certificate (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE and legally translated to Arabic)
- Birth certificate (for your child) - (attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE and legally translated to Arabic)
- Tenancy contract for an apartment in UAE
DMC residence visa cost
Opening a company in the DMC free zone entitles you, your personnel, and your dependents for residence visas.
In the table below, you can find the DMC residence visa fees.
| Item & description | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
| Dubai Media City - 1 Year Visa - Outside UAE | 3,276.00 |
| Dubai Media City - 2 Year Visa - Outside UAE | 3,276.00 |
| Dubai Media City - 1 Year Visa - Inside UAE | 4,568.00 |
| Dubai Media City - 2 Year Visa - Inside UAE | 5,019.00 |
| Dubai Media City - Visa Security Deposit (Required for Each Visa) | 2,500.00 |
| Medical test (result in 24 hours) | 637.50 |
| Emirates ID - 2 years | 390.00 |
Corporate amendments
DMC allows company owners to make as many changes as required. The costs vary depending on the type of amendment.
Amendments can be categorized as Registry Amendments or License Amendments.
Registry Amendment
This includes Company name change, operating name change, parent company name change, adding or removal of Directors, Financial year change.
License Amendment
This includes Manager name change, Location/Address on License change, Change of business activity/addition of activity within the same segment, removal of an existing segment, removal of activity within the segment, adding new publishing segment, adding new channels.
DMC company liquidation
If any business registered with Dubai Media City wishes to cancel their License and deregister the company, they have to approach the Authority to complete the de-registration procedures.
In case you do not renew and do not cancel your license either, it becomes non-operational. Then the Dubai Media City authority will initiate company liquidation by itself.
If you made any refundable deposits to the authority, the refunds will be made upon company deregistration.
Business setup expert opinion
As the name suggests, Dubai Media City is home to media-related industries. Media and advertising companies in this free zone have the opportunity to present their products, services and interact with some of the best international marketing, entertainment, and advertising companies and many regional media companies.
It is advisable for those nationalities that are considered as high-risk ones (Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, etc) to do Dubai free zone company formation here as they do not encounter difficulties in obtaining resident visas or opening a bank account.
Freelancers and independent media professionals are not left out in this free zone. They have the advantage of registering their freelance permit here with a 1 visa package. They get to enjoy the many business facilities as well as a prestigious office address and location.
For those that would like to have their business set-up done remotely, Dubai Media City is not the best option as your personal presence is required for company establishment. In this case the alternative option would be Ajman Media City (AMC).
Benefits of DMC free zone company
- Globally recognized free zone which hosts well known multinational IT firms
- Various office and warehouse facilities across all Dubai
- Companies from this free zone are welcomed by the banks
Start your business in DMC free zone today
Before you make choice -
watch this video
Top 10 questions about DMC free zone company
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Can I open a bank account remotely?
No, 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.
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Do banks give debit and credit cards or loans?
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 company operations.
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Can a free zone company have offices outside the free zone?
Officially, the office of a free zone 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.
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Why do I need a flexi desk or office?
A flexi desk is a mandatory requirement for any company eligible for resident visas. It serves as the minimum physical office space that a company with individuals under its visa must have. Additionally, a flexi desk can facilitate bank account opening as banks require evidence of a company having some form of office or physical presence.
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Do free zone companies need to pay VAT?
VAT obligations depend not only on the place of registration but also on where the business activities take place. VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. If a free zone company's trading activities take place abroad, the turnover is not considered taxable as long as the transactions occur outside the UAE. However, if goods are imported to the UAE, VAT at a rate of 5% must be added to invoices and paid.
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Are there any other taxes to be paid?
The UAE is free from 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.
On June 1, 2023, the UAE introduced 9% corporate tax, however, companies registered in UAE free zones are exempt from this tax if they do not make profits from activities on the UAE mainland or this profit is less than AED 375,000 per year. Branches of companies registered in free zones and carrying out activities on the mainland will be taxed at the mainland rate.
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Why would a free zone company be better for me than an offshore or mainland entity?
The suitability of a free zone company 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 flexi desk spaces instead of executive offices, making it a cost-effective way to start a business without unnecessary obligations.
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Can you guarantee the opening of a bank account?
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.
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When and how should I renew my company? How much does it cost?
Your company should be renewed annually, and the cost is typically lower than the initial setup cost. The renewal fees depend on your company package, and you can obtain the price by downloading the Estimate from our website. Company 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.
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How can I pay the fees?
You have multiple options for fee payment. You can make payments via bank transfer, cash, or online using a card.
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