Who is DMCC company setup best for?
DMCC suits founders who trade internationally, deal in commodities or want a known Dubai address for a growing team. The free zone is run by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Uptown Dubai. DMCC says it has 26,000+ member companies from 180+ countries.
It fits well if you are:
- A commodity trader in gold, diamonds, coloured gemstones, tea, coffee, energy or agricultural goods. DMCC runs dedicated ecosystems for these sectors.
- A trading company that imports, exports or re-exports goods.
- A tech, AI, gaming or Web3 business that can use DMCC's sector packages, or a consulting firm that wants a JLT address.
- An Indian or foreign group setting up a subsidiary, branch, holding company or family office.
DMCC may not be the right choice when:
- Cost matters most. DMCC's entry-level Basic Biz package costs nearly three times Meydan Free Zone's published starting price.
- You mainly sell inside the UAE. Mainland sales need a distributor, a branch, or a licence or permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- You plan a regulated crypto service such as an exchange, brokerage or custody. DMCC issues the commercial licence, but the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) must licence the activity.
- Your activity is not allowed in DMCC, such as gambling or explicit content production.
How much does DMCC company setup cost in 2026?
DMCC company setup starts at AED 35,484 for DMCC's entry-level Basic Biz package, or AED 43,780 for the Jump Start package with one residence visa included. DMCC's schedule of charges lists these as one-time payments, inclusive of VAT and the Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fee (checked 22 October 2026).
DMCC's published setup packages
| Package | Price (AED) | What DMCC lists as included | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Biz | 35,484 | Licence, establishment card, special flexi-desk eligible for 1 visa | Individual shareholders only, up to 3 activities from one group |
| Jump Start (standard flexi-desk) | 43,780 | Licence, establishment card, flexi-desk eligible for 3 visas, one 2-year residence visa | Start-ups and SMEs |
| Jump Start (co-working space) | 49,941 | As above, with a co-working space | Start-ups and SMEs |
| Prime Plus | 40,145 | Licence, fast-track setup, renewal price freeze, bank account opening; no office listed | Medium and large companies |
| Crypto, Gaming or AI Centre | 31,000 | Licence, co-working access, 50% off second-year renewal | Businesses in those sectors |
| JLT Resident | 29,205 | Licence, special flexi-desk options | People living in JLT |
Jump Start also has multi-year offers of AED 65,504 for two years and AED 96,000 for three years. A company limited by guarantee (CLG) package costs AED 34,185 and includes no office.
Standard DMCC fees without a package
| Fee | AED | When paid |
|---|---|---|
| Application | 1,035 | Once |
| Registration | 9,020 | Once |
| Articles of Association | 2,020 | Once (not for branches) |
| Licence (trading or service) | 20,285 | Every year |
| Establishment card | 1,825 | Every year |
| Flexi-desk (admin charge, deposit and rent) | 16,000 to 19,000 | Upfront, at the start of each lease |
| Lease admin fee | 625 | New lease and each renewal |
| Share capital deposit service | 2,120 | Once, for companies with AED 50,000 capital |
At standard rates, the first five lines total AED 34,185 before any office or visa, and a flexi-desk adds AED 16,000 to 19,000, so most founders choose a package. These standard figures include DMCC's AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fee on each charge.
Visa costs to add
| DMCC service charge | AED |
|---|---|
| Employment residence visa, 2 years, applicant outside the UAE | 2,972.50 |
| Same visa, applicant inside the UAE, without amendment | 3,407.50 |
| Emirates ID typing service, 2 years | 451.40 |
| Medical fitness test typing service | 770 to 800 |
| Extra visa quota | 500 per visa, plus 250 application fee |
Confirm with DMCC whether the typing-service charges cover every medical and Emirates ID fee.
Ofin's DMCC package
Ofin quotes DMCC setup from AED 50,000 as an indicative all-in starting total for the DMCC licence, office space and government fees. The figure changes with licence type, office and number of visas. Ask for a written quote that shows DMCC fees and Ofin's fees separately.
DMCC's package lists do not include the medical test or Emirates ID (except the Uptown homeowners package), extra visas, share capital, the annual audit or third-party approvals for regulated activities. Budget for these separately.
What licence types and business activities does DMCC allow?
DMCC issues four licence types: service, trading, commercial and industrial. Together they cover 1,000+ approved activities across 20 sectors. Pick your activities first, because they decide the licence type, any outside approval and the fee.
| Licence type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Service | Professional and consultancy work, such as advisory and IT services |
| Trading | Importing, exporting, distributing or selling goods |
| Commercial | Buying and selling several product categories under one licence |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, including gold and precious metals |
A trading or service licence renews at AED 20,265 a year. A General Trading licence, which opens all activities except oil and gas and regulated ones, costs AED 50,265 a year.
Rules for adding activities
- One licence covers up to six activities from the same two-digit activity group; each extra activity in that group costs AED 1,500 a year.
- A new group with the same first digit costs AED 10,000 a year, and a group with different first two digits costs AED 20,265 a year.
- An activity from a different licence type needs a new licence at AED 20,265 a year.
- Some activities must stand alone, such as single-family office, real estate and DGCX trading.
DMCC publishes the full activity list as a spreadsheet on its business setup page.
Activities that need outside approval
Financial services, crypto, healthcare and oil, gas and energy activities need approval from the relevant authority. For regulated crypto activities, DMCC's September 2026 guide puts VARA's application fees at AED 40,000 to AED 100,000 for one regulated activity, and yearly supervision fees at AED 80,000 to AED 200,000 per activity.
How many DMCC visas do you get, and which office do you need?
Your visa quota depends on your office. Every DMCC company needs a registered DMCC address, and a flexi-desk is the cheapest option.
| Office option | DMCC fee (AED) | Visa quota |
|---|---|---|
| Special flexi-desk (Basic Biz) | In package | 1 visa |
| Standard flexi-desk | 16,000 to 19,000 | Up to 3 visas |
| Co-working space | 19,000 | Up to 3 visas (Jump Start) |
| Serviced desk | 22,000 to 35,000 | Based on space and licence |
| Serviced office | 35,000 to 140,000 | Based on space and licence |
| Leased office in JLT (shell and core or fitted) | 60 to 180 per sq ft | By size; DMCC's licence guide says generally 1 visa per 9 sq m |
To hire beyond your quota, request a visa quota increase on the DMCC member portal or move to a bigger office.
Visa basics
- DMCC processes one-year and two-year residence visas for shareholders and employees, sponsored by the DMCC company.
- You can apply from outside the UAE, but you must be in the UAE for the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics.
- Eligible investors, partners and senior managers can request DMCC's no objection certificate for the 10-year Golden Visa, at AED 2,000.
Ownership, share capital and legal forms
You can own 100% of a DMCC company, with no UAE partner. DMCC's regulations recognise companies and branches, and separately allow companies limited by guarantee.
| Legal form | Name suffix | Typical owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company (new or subsidiary) | FZCO | One or more individuals or companies | Limited liability, separate legal person |
| Branch | FZ Branch | An existing Indian or foreign company | Registration AED 9,000; parent documents needed |
| Company limited by guarantee | Not published | Family offices, industry associations | DMCC CLG package AED 34,185 |
Since 2 January 2025, new DMCC companies use the suffix "FZCO" and branches use "FZ Branch", instead of "DMCC". Existing companies can change their suffix at no cost. A DMCC company with one shareholder is therefore also an FZCO.
Each company needs at least one shareholder, at least one director and a company secretary. One person can hold both the director and secretary roles.
DMCC's licence guide says the minimum share capital is typically AED 50,000, depending on the activity. The regulations only require capital to suit the licensed activities and any minimum the Registrar sets. Under DMCC's application guideline, capital below AED 500,000 needs a bank deposit letter or statement within six months of the licence; above AED 500,000, the bank letter comes before the licence. A later capital increase or decrease costs AED 4,515.
Renewal and ongoing compliance
A DMCC licence renews every year, and a trading or service licence renewal costs AED 20,265. Multi-year renewals carry a discount, but some regulated activities cannot renew for more than one year.
| Renewal term | AED | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 20,265 | None |
| 2 years | 40,530 | 5% |
| 3 years | 60,795 | 10% |
| 5 years | 101,325 | 20% |
Late renewal costs AED 2,500 at 31 to 60 days and AED 5,000 at 61 to 90 days. DMCC states renewal processing takes 2 business days. Before renewing, hold workmen's compensation insurance for active employees, third-party liability insurance for physical units and, where it applies, an operational fitness certificate (AED 1,000 per inspection for offices).
Yearly compliance points:
- Audit. Every DMCC company must appoint a DMCC-approved auditor, unless it was dormant all year. Upload the audited financial statements and summary sheet within six months after the financial year ends.
- UBO register. Keep records of anyone holding 25% or more ownership or control, and update them when changes occur.
- Corporate tax. Register with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of incorporation, and file the return within nine months of the tax period end. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income. It must keep adequate substance, follow transfer pricing rules, prepare audited accounts and keep non-qualifying income within the de minimis limit: the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million.
- VAT. Register once taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 over the past 12 months, or will in the next 30 days. Voluntary registration opens at AED 187,500.
- Anti-money laundering. Financial businesses and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) must employ a compliance officer. DMCC's Compliance Hub lists outside providers.
Qualifying activities include trading qualifying commodities, manufacturing, logistics, holding shares and headquarter services to related parties. See our corporate tax and VAT registration guides.
DMCC compared with Meydan and IFZA
DMCC itself says its setup cost is comparatively high against other Dubai free zones. In return you get a JLT address, a wide choice of offices and commodity ecosystems.
| Point | DMCC | Meydan Free Zone | IFZA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published starting price | AED 35,484 (Basic Biz) | From AED 12,500 | Not published on ifza.com; quoted through IFZA's professional partners |
| Visa in starting price | None in Basic Biz; one in Jump Start | None; Meydan puts a first investor visa at about AED 7,850 | Depends on the package |
| Activities | 1,000+ across 20 sectors | 2,500+, up to 3 activity groups | Several activities can be combined on one licence |
| Location | JLT and Uptown Dubai | Dubai | Dubai Silicon Oasis |
| Best for | Commodities, trading, sector ecosystems, larger teams | Low-cost licences for solo founders and small teams | Micro, small and medium businesses working through an IFZA partner |
Read our guides to Meydan Free Zone and IFZA. For a lower-cost licence outside Dubai, RAKEZ publishes packages from AED 6,000. Compare every option on our UAE free zones page.
Setting up a DMCC company from India
You can complete DMCC company setup from India. You travel to the UAE only for the visa medical and Emirates ID, and if your bank asks to meet you.
Documents and attestation
- Individual shareholders. Most documents need no attestation. DMCC checks your original passport on a video call, and you e-sign through DocuSign.
- An Indian company as shareholder. Notarise its documents in India and get them attested by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The UAE Embassy in New Delhi or a UAE consulate in India then attests them, followed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Apostille. An apostille alone is not accepted, because the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Power of attorney. Sign it before a notary in India and get it attested by the MEA before UAE attestation.
UAE Pass holders can also use the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' digital attestation for India-issued documents.
FEMA rules for sending money
- Resident individuals invest under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, capped at USD 250,000 per financial year for all LRS remittances combined. The investment must follow the Overseas Investment Rules and Regulations, 2022.
- Reporting. A direct investment is reported in Form FC through your authorised dealer bank.
- Extra limits for individuals. Conditions apply, for example where the DMCC company does financial services work or sets up its own subsidiaries. Check the structure with your bank before you remit.
- Indian companies invest through the overseas direct investment route via their designated authorised dealer bank.
Bank account and tax residency
DMCC issues a bank introduction letter after registration. Each bank runs its own account opening checks and may ask for an in-person visit. DMCC's banking partners include Mashreq, Wio, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Al Maryah Community Bank.
Indian tax law treats a foreign company as resident in India if its place of effective management is in India. That is where key management and commercial decisions are made. Take tax advice before running the company from India. Our guide to business setup in Dubai from India covers the full journey.
How Ofin helps with DMCC company setup
Ofin's UAE desk, trading as Ofin Global, manages DMCC company setup from activity choice to visas and banking. Ofin Legal has a 4.9★ Google rating and has served 5,000+ clients since 2019.
What Ofin handles:
- Activities, licence type and package, including whether a crypto idea needs VARA registration.
- Documents, the DMCC application, fee payments and office selection.
- Establishment card, investor and employee visas and Emirates ID through PRO services.
- Corporate bank account support.
- Attestation and legalisation of Indian documents.
- Corporate tax and VAT registration, accounting and bookkeeping.
- Advice on India and UAE tax and FEMA rules, including LRS and overseas investment.
Ofin starts with a free 30-minute consultation and a quote. A dedicated adviser then stays with you until launch. To protect your brand back home, Ofin also handles trademark registration in India.
Call or WhatsApp Ofin's UAE desk on +971 50 523 5779 to start your DMCC company setup.
