Important: COVID-19 latest updates and guidance
DMCC Free Zone
About DMCC
Awarded the Global Free Zone of the Year by Financial Times' fDi Magazine, DMCC is the largest and fastest growing Free Zone in UAE.
Free Zone Benefits
100% foreign ownership and 0% personal and corporate income tax are few of the many advantages of joining our Free Zone.
Explore the Free Zone
DMCC is the perfect place to position any business within reach of thousands of potential clients and alongside many global leaders.
Process, Cost & Requirements of Company Set Up
With a seamless and hassle-free licensing process, DMCC is the ideal place to set up and grow your business beyond Dubai’s borders.
Property Solutions
DMCC offers a superb choice of commercial office space across 68 towers around the lakeside and park community. Serviced offices, serviced desks and flexi desk solutions are also available.
Value Added Services
Enjoy access to a wide range of products and services such as insurance, telecom and recruitment solutions are available exclusively to DMCC member companies.
About DMCC
Today more than 17,500 companies call DMCC home, ranging from multinational corporations to start-ups. A further 170 companies join us every month, 95% of which are new to Dubai. Whatever their size and status, every member company is united in benefiting from unparalleled access to world-class business services, connections and infrastructure.
Over 100,000 people live and work here, attracted by our vibrant community, stunning property and high-quality lifestyle. With excellent air, sea and road links, it is the ideal business base for Dubai, the UAE and beyond. As endorsed by the ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ award from the Financial Times fDi magazine for five years in a row, DMCC is indeed, Made for Trade.
Free Zone Benefits
Discover the many advantages of joining our Free Zone
0% PERSONAL AND CORPORATE INCOME TAX
Enjoy a 50-year tax holiday from the date of incorporation.
100% BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL REPATRIATION
As an expatriate, you can own 100% of the company you are setting up and remit all profits to your home territory, without restriction.
THRIVING BUSINESS CENTRE
Network with 17,500 member companies representing 180+ countries in an interconnected marketplace with boundless opportunities.
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Situated in the heart of Dubai, DMCC is within fast, easy reach of both airports, Jebel Ali Port harbour and the Expo2020 site, while adjoining some of the most prestigious visitor, retail and residential districts in the world.
LIVE AND WORK IN ONE VIBRANT COMMUNITY
DMCC is home to 100,000+ people who live and work here. With its striking waterfront, beautiful community park and stunning skyline of 68 towers, you can enjoy a high quality lifestyle with superb restaurants, hotels, education facilities and healthcare.
FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS
Almost every business activity you can think of can be found in DMCC. You can set up as a branch, subsidiary or new limited liability company. We also offer flexible office solutions, from plug and play flexi-desks and serviced offices to multi-storey offices for lease or sale.
ONE-STOP SHOP
As a DMCC member, you will find everything you need for every stage of your business journey under one roof. With easy access to more resources to invest in growing your business, you will be better equipped for success.
ONLINE PORTAL FOR ALL SERVICES
Reflecting our commitment to innovation, you can access a wide range of services on the DMCC member portal from any device, anytime and anywhere in the world, ensuring a rapid response to any requests.
Dubai Strategic Location
Being located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers in the heart of Dubai. We are close to prime tourist, shopping, residential and commercial destinations as well as major seaports and airports, businesses and residents based here benefit from an exceptional blend of location, infrastructure and community.
Explore the Free Zone
JLT is divided into alphabetically assigned clusters, each unique in layout, function and format. And, with two metro stations and excellent transport links, our community is highly accessible.
- All Buildings
- Offices
- Residential
- Hotels
[Cluster Name]
[Building Name]
Our fast, simple process
It is easy to start your business in our Free Zone
Whether you want to set up a new company or simply establish a wholly owned subsidiary in DMCC, we make the process as quick, easy and clear as possible. Our friendly team of experts will guide you through every step, to get you up and running fast.
-
1
Learn what documents you need and understand the costs involved
Find Out MoreDecide on your licence type and business activities.
Upon your confirmation DMCC’s representative will create and send you access to your unique portal account, so you can start the online initial application.
Each company is issued a licence depending on their business activity. While the licence will be specific to the selected activities, a company can also apply for multiple licences or for a general trading license. We offer three types of licenses:
Trading – Service – Industrial
We also offer other types of structures such as Single Family Office which caters to centralising the management of a family’s wealth and personal affairs, succession planning and holding shares in family businesses, assets, trusts and foundations.
Fees:
Initial application AED 1,015 one-time charge
Registration AED 9,020 one-time charge
License AED 20,285 annual fee*
Establishment card AED 1,800 annual fee
Memorandum of Association (MoA) AED 2,020 one-time (not applicable for branch setup)
Residence visa from AED 3,330 (Payable every 3 years) + AED 3,000 (refundable deposit)
*Price depends on activity
Share capital requirements:
The minimum share capital for a DMCC Free Zone company is AED 50,000 per company
The share capital needs to be deposited in the company’s bank account in the UAE within three weeks from the issue date of the company’s licence. It can be withdrawn anytime thereafter.
Branches of companies do not have a share capital requirement
-
2
SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION
Complete the form, pay the initial application fee of 1,015 AED and submit your application.
After seven working days DMCC will complete the company name reservation, management and compliance approval.
-
3
PAY, SIGN & SUBMIT YOUR DOCUMENTS
Next, pay the registration and licence fees and sign the legal documents.
After five working days DMCC will issue a provisional approval and bank letter (to open a company bank account).
If you are unable to come to DMCC, you can choose to sign with one of our international service providers.
-
4
CHOOSE YOUR SUITABLE OFFICE SOLUTION
Finally, sign and submit the relevant documents for your new office space.
After five working days DMCC will issue your E-License, so you will be ready to do business in DMCC.
What you will need
ONLINE PRE-APPROVAL APPLICATION FORM
COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT
Along with your UAE residence visa and a copy of your Emirates’ ID if applicable.
PROOF OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS IN COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
For example, a utility bill or invoice.
NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE FROM SPONSOR
Required if holding a valid UAE residence visa.
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS PLAN FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
COPIES OF PARENT COMPANY DOCUMENTS
Required if setting up a subsidiary or a branch.
THIRD-PARTY APPROVALS FOR CERTAIN REGULATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
DETAILS OF AN OFFICE ADDRESS IN DMCC FREE ZONE (JLT)
Required after your company has been registered.
Sample Templates
The instructions, templates and sample letters below are designed to guide you through these processes. Please note: These are downloadable samples for your reference and should not be filled in.
Property solutions
Serviced business centres
Our two business centres enjoy a prime location in the heart of JLT Dubai. DMCC Premium Business Centre offers flexi-desks serviced desk and serviced offices where your business can be up and running in no time.
Office solutions for sales and leasing
The right kind of office space and environment are essential for your business to flourish. Whatever your specific requirements, we offer the breadth of choice and flexible office solutions to meet your needs.
Value Added Services
Exclusive to DMCC members
At DMCC we know that registration and licensing is just one part of setting up a business. That's why we make it easier for our member companies by providing access to a wide range of essential products and services. As the largest Free Zone in the UAE, we are therefore always looking to secure preferential offers from reputable providers for our members.
Insurance services
DMCC have partnered with Insure Direct LLC in order to enhance client services. Insure Direct provide a comprehensive range of cover, such as professional indemnity and other commercial policies.
Internship Services
The DMCC and OLIV partnership is exclusively designed to connects DMCC member companies with highly qualified students and post-graduates looking for career opportunities.
Recruitment services
Our partnership with Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number one jobsite, will assist you with all of your recruitment needs, providing access to more than two million qualified candidates of all levels and abilities.
Telecom solutions
When managing a business, we understand that ease and cost-efficiency are vital. With this in mind, we have partnered with Servcorp to deliver a full range of the most modern and efficient communication solutions.
Admin services
As the largest Free Zone in the UAE, we are dedicated to providing our members with the fully responsive administrative support they need to increase their productivity.
DUNS accreditation
In partnership with DMCC and Dun & Bradstreet, register with DUNS and give your company the global presence and market credibility it deserves.
DMCC commercial card
Exclusively for our members, the Emirates NBD DMCC commercial card programme is the first ever corporate card co-branded with a Free Zone in the region. Carry the authority of DMCC wherever business takes you.
FREE ZONE COMPANY WILL
Shareholders can directly protect up to five shareholdings and guarantee business continuity through a single purpose Free Zone Company Will.
EMIRATES POST
Apply for a dedicated Corporate P.O. Box from Emirates Post. To set up, visit the first floor of Almas Tower, at Counter No. 9. Operating hours are from 9:00am to 5pm, Sunday to Thursday.
DMCC Business Apps Manager
Whether you’re new to the cloud or already fully digitalised, DMCC Business Apps Manager resolves many day-to-day pain points, while delivering multiple benefits to help you build your business faster.
DMCC Dispute Centre
Find out about our mediation services to member companies and employees.
What our members think
Our members share their views on the Free Zone
Attracting a diverse range of companies from around the world, we pride ourselves in delivering high performance and nurturing a richly interconnected Free Zone where your business can take root, grow and continue to thrive. Here some of our members explain why the Free Zone works so well for them.
DMCC provided us with a platform where almost all other commodities companies were present. It provides a fantastic ecosystem in which we can operate. DMCC is very customer friendly and flexible: from the very beginning, they were with us at every step.
Ravi Pokhriyal – Regional Head, West Africa & MENA, Olam International
For us, DMCC is known for making things happen and this is what we are all about, so the reason why we are in DMCC is because our earliest conversations didn’t remain conversations, they transferred into actions.
Louis Lebbos – Co-Founder, AstroLabs
DMCC had the perfect team of people who were looking at diamond related ideas, challenges and issues. That was the key differentiating factor. The Dubai Diamond Exchange is a very interesting platform where we can really connect to the global diamond bourses and understand what’s happening all over the world.