By the Pro24 DMCC Advisory Team — DMCC-focused business setup specialists in JLT, Dubai. Last reviewed October 2026 against DMCC’s official Schedule of Charges and Knowledge Bank.
Your DMCC visa quota — the number of residence visas your company can sponsor — is decided by one thing above all: your office solution. Founders are often surprised that it is the workspace, not the licence, that caps how many people you can bring on. Here is exactly how it works in 2026.
Visa quota by office type
| Workspace | Typical visa allocation |
|---|---|
| Standard flexi desk | Up to 3 visas |
| Serviced / fitted office | 4–5 visas (size dependent) |
| Larger physical office | ~1 visa per 100 sq ft of leased space |
So a lean startup on a flexi desk can sponsor up to three residence visas — usually plenty for a founder plus a couple of hires — while growing teams move into physical offices where the quota scales with the square footage they lease.
How DMCC packages map to visas (2026)
| DMCC package | Visa position |
|---|---|
| Basic Biz (flexi desk) | 1 visa eligibility |
| Jump Start (flexi desk / co-working) | Eligible for 3 visas, one 2-year visa included |
| Standard flexi desk | Up to 3 visas |
| DMCC visa service | Approx. official fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| New employment visa, applicant outside UAE (1 yr / 2 yr) | ~2,237 / ~2,973 |
| New employment visa, applicant inside UAE (2 yr) | ~3,408 |
| Visa renewal (1 yr / 2 yr) | ~2,200 / ~2,790 |
| Visa cancellation (inside / outside UAE) | ~438 / ~580 |
| Establishment card (new / renewal) | 1,825 / 1,805 |
Source: DMCC setup packages and DMCC Schedule of Charges. Verified by the Pro24 DMCC desk, October 2026. Fees change, so confirm the live figure before paying.
Who counts against the quota
Every residence visa your company sponsors uses one slot: the investor/partner visa, employee visas, and dependent sponsorship is handled separately through the visa holder. Each visa involves entry permit, status change, medical test, Emirates ID and the residence stamp — which is why we advise planning your headcount before choosing an office, not after.
How to increase your DMCC visa quota
There are two routes. The straightforward one is to lease more space — upgrading from a flexi desk to a serviced or physical office lifts your allocation immediately. Alternatively, established companies can apply to DMCC for a quota increase, which is granted at the free zone authority’s discretion based on your activity and track record. Our DMCC visa services team handles both.
Timeline and what to expect
Once your company and establishment card are ready, each visa typically takes around two to four weeks end to end, depending on medical and Emirates ID scheduling. Processing several visas in parallel is normal, so a founding team can often be fully resident within a month of licence issuance.
Work with DMCC specialists: our JLT team handles DMCC visa renewal, DMCC establishment card and Golden Visa for DMCC members for DMCC companies every day. Talk to us about your case or see all DMCC PRO services.
Frequently asked questions
How many visas can I get with a DMCC flexi desk?
A standard DMCC flexi desk allows up to three residence visas.
Can I sponsor my family on a DMCC visa?
Yes. Once you hold your own residence visa and meet the salary/accommodation criteria, you can sponsor spouse and children separately from the company quota.
What if I need more than three visas?
Move to a serviced or physical office, where the quota rises with the space you lease — roughly one visa per 100 sq ft — or apply for a quota increase.
Planning your team? Tell us your headcount and we’ll recommend the most cost-effective office and visa mix.
Official reference: DMCC — The 4 Types of Dubai Free Zone Visas at DMCC.
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