Can Pro24 handle the whole DMCC setup remotely?

Yes. Most DMCC incorporations complete without you visiting the UAE. Biometrics for your residence visa are the main in-person step, which we schedule at your convenience.

Why choose Pro24 for DMCC business setup?

Our office is physically inside the DMCC free zone, on the 15th floor of Platinum Tower in Cluster I, JLT. That means same-day portal support, in-person help at the DMCC authority, and consultants who know the current promotions because we work in the zone every day.

Home / Free Zones / DMCC

DMCC Business Setup in Dubai — Company Formation in DMCC Free Zone

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre in JLT — repeatedly named Global Free Zone of the Year and home to 25,000+ companies.

DMCC Channel Partner · Office inside JLT

Dubai cityscape and Burj Khalifa business hub

What is DMCC?

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is Dubai's flagship free zone, headquartered in Jumeirah Lake Towers. Established in 2002, it has been named Global Free Zone of the Year by the Financial Times' fDi Magazine multiple years running and is now home to over 25,000 registered companies. DMCC business setup gives entrepreneurs and corporations 100% foreign ownership, a tax-efficient structure, and access to one of the most respected free-zone brands in the Middle East.

Why Choose DMCC?

DMCC stands apart from other Dubai free zones for several reasons that matter to serious businesses.

100% Foreign Ownership

Full ownership with no local sponsor or service agent, plus unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits.

Attractive Tax Position

0% personal income tax. UAE corporate tax of 9% applies above AED 375,000, but qualifying DMCC free-zone income can benefit from a 0% rate.

Award-Winning Credibility

The DMCC brand carries weight with banks, clients and regulators worldwide — a tangible advantage when opening corporate accounts or tendering for contracts.

World-Class Infrastructure

Purpose-built towers in JLT, the DMCC Tea & Coffee Centre, Gold & Diamond Park, and the Crypto Centre give specialised sectors dedicated facilities.

DMCC Licence Types

Your DMCC business setup begins with choosing the right licence. DMCC offers over 1,000 approved activities across four main licence categories:

Licence Type	Typical Activities	Best For
Trading	Import, export, general & specific trading	Commodity traders, e-commerce, wholesalers
Service / Professional	Consulting, IT, marketing, legal, accounting	Consultancies, agencies, professional firms
Industrial	Light manufacturing, assembling, packaging	Manufacturers needing a JLT base
Specialist	Crypto & Web3, Gaming, Gold & Diamond, Coffee & Tea	Niche sectors with dedicated DMCC centres

DMCC Setup Cost 2026

DMCC business setup cost depends on your licence type, visa requirements and office choice. Here is a realistic breakdown for 2026:

Component	Typical Range (AED)
Licence & registration	15,000 – 50,000
Flexi desk (1–3 visas)	6,000 – 15,000
Serviced office	25,000 – 60,000
Residence visa (per person)	5,500 – 8,000
Establishment card	2,000 – 3,500

Plan roughly AED 22,000 to 34,000 for a zero- or single-visa package covering the licence, registration and a flexi desk. DMCC runs frequent promotions, so we always quote the current offer. See our detailed DMCC Company Formation Cost & Packages page for exact numbers.

Step-by-Step DMCC Setup Process

Our DMCC business setup process is streamlined to minimise your effort:

Initial consultationWe assess your activities, visa needs and budget, then recommend the right licence type and office option.
Name reservation & applicationWe reserve your company name in the DMCC portal and submit the licence application with all required documents.
Licence approval & registrationDMCC reviews and approves the application. You receive your trade licence, registration certificate and establishment card.
Office setupWe arrange your flexi desk, serviced office or physical office in a JLT tower.
Visa processingWe apply for investor and employee residence visas — entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping.
Bank account openingWe prepare your corporate bank account application and accompany you to the bank meeting.

Documents Required

A standard DMCC business setup requires:

Passport copies and photos for each shareholder and manager
Proposed company names (2–3 options) and activity list
Brief manager profile and proof of address
Corporate shareholders: attested incorporation documents and board resolution
No-objection certificate (if on an existing UAE visa)

Office & Flexi Desk Options

DMCC offers several workspace solutions in JLT. Your choice determines your visa quota:

Option	Visa Quota	Starting From (AED/yr)
Flexi desk	Up to 3	~6,000
Serviced office	4–10+	~25,000
Physical office	Scales with sqft	~55,000

Full details: DMCC Flexi Desk & Office Options.

Visa Eligibility & Quotas

Every DMCC licence holder can sponsor UAE residence visas for investors, employees and dependants. Visa quotas depend on your office type:

Flexi desk: up to 3 residence visas
Serviced office: 4–10+ visas depending on desk count
Physical office: quota scales with floor area (roughly 1 visa per 9 sqm)

DMCC also supports freelance permits for self-sponsored residence without a company licence.

DMCC vs Other Free Zones

Choosing the right free zone is one of the most important decisions in your Dubai business setup. Here is how DMCC compares to popular alternatives:

Criteria	DMCC	IFZA	Meydan	JAFZA
Location	JLT, Dubai	Fujairah	Meydan, Dubai	Jebel Ali, Dubai
Starting cost	~AED 22K	~AED 12K	~AED 12K	~AED 30K
Specialist licences	Crypto, Gold, Coffee, Gaming	No	No	Logistics, manufacturing
Brand prestige	Very high	Moderate	Growing	High
Physical offices	JLT towers	No	Limited	Jebel Ali

Detailed head-to-head comparisons: DMCC vs IFZA | DMCC vs JAFZA | DMCC vs Meydan.

Ongoing Compliance

After your DMCC business setup, you must stay compliant with annual obligations:

Annual licence renewal and establishment-card renewal
Annual audit and financial filing (mandatory for all DMCC companies)
UAE corporate tax registration and VAT compliance
Company amendments (shareholder changes, activity additions, etc.)

We handle all ongoing compliance through our DMCC PRO services, so you can focus on running your business.

Why PRO24 for DMCC

Pro24 is a DMCC Channel Partner with offices inside Jumeirah Lake Towers. That means direct access to DMCC's registration team, same-day document collection and face-to-face support at every stage of your DMCC business setup.

Fixed, all-inclusive pricing — no hidden fees or surprise charges
Dedicated account manager from consultation through to bank-account opening
In-house PRO team for visa processing, licence renewals and government liaison
Post-setup support including accounting, tax filing and annual audit coordination

DMCC Case Studies

Commodity Trading Start-Up

A first-time founder from Europe needed a DMCC trading licence, 2 residence visas and a corporate bank account. We completed the full DMCC business setup in 12 working days and secured a bank account with a top-tier UAE bank within 3 weeks.

Web3 Founder

A blockchain developer relocated from Singapore and needed a DMCC Crypto Centre licence. We guided them through the specialist application, secured approval and processed investor and employee visas in under 4 weeks.

Consultancy Relocation

A UK-based consulting firm moved its regional HQ to DMCC. We arranged a serviced office with 8-visa quota, handled all company formation paperwork and transitioned their existing clients to the new DMCC entity.

Ready to Set Up in DMCC?

Your DMCC business setup starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. Tell us your activities and visa needs, and we will send you a fixed all-inclusive quote within 24 hours.

Get Your Free Quote WhatsApp Us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DMCC business setup?

DMCC business setup is the process of registering a company in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre free zone in JLT. You get 100% foreign ownership, a choice of trading, service, industrial or specialist licence, UAE residence visas and a prestigious JLT business address, all administered by DMCC's own free-zone authority.

How much does DMCC business setup cost in 2026?

Plan roughly AED 22,000 to 34,000 for year one covering the licence, registration and a flexi desk before visas. Adding residence visas, a physical office or regulated activities raises the figure. DMCC runs frequent promotions, so we always quote the current one as a fixed all-in price.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a DMCC company?

Yes. Like all UAE free zones, DMCC allows 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor or service agent, plus full repatriation of capital and profits.

How long does it take to set up a DMCC company?

A straightforward zero-visa or single-visa DMCC company is usually licensed within 5 to 10 working days. Residence visas and bank account opening add a further two to four weeks.

Do I pay tax on a DMCC company?

There is 0% personal income tax. UAE corporate tax of 9% applies to taxable profit above AED 375,000, but qualifying DMCC free-zone income can still benefit from a 0% rate. We help you register for corporate tax and VAT and stay compliant.

How many visas can I get with a DMCC business setup?

A flexi-desk package supports up to 3 residence visas. Larger serviced or physical offices in JLT towers unlock higher visa quotas that scale with your office floor area.

Is DMCC good for crypto and Web3 businesses?

Yes. The DMCC Crypto Centre licenses proprietary trading and several distributed-ledger activities, making it one of the few established routes in Dubai for Web3 companies alongside VARA regulation.

What office do I need for a DMCC licence?

A flexi desk satisfies the licence requirement for up to 3 visas. Serviced and physical offices in JLT towers are required for larger teams and unlock higher visa quotas.

What documents are required for DMCC company formation?

Passport copies and photos for each shareholder and manager, proposed company names and activities, a short manager profile and proof of address. Corporate shareholders also provide attested incorporation documents and a board resolution.

Does a DMCC company need an audit?

Yes. Every DMCC company must file audited financial statements annually, regardless of revenue. We coordinate audit-ready bookkeeping and connect you with approved auditors.

Can I add activities to my DMCC licence later?

Yes. Activity additions are submitted through the DMCC member portal as a company amendment. We handle the application, fee payment and updated licence issuance.

What is a DMCC freelance permit?

A DMCC freelance permit lets individuals sponsor their own UAE residence visa without forming a company. It covers professional and creative activities and includes a JLT flexi-desk address.