Expo City Dubai and DMCC are two of the strongest free zones in Dubai, and we set up companies in both every week. Expo City wins on entry price and included visas. DMCC wins on ecosystem depth and brand recognition, especially for trading. Here's the full comparison on official 2026 figures.
Expo City Dubai vs DMCC at a glance
| Factor | Expo City Dubai | DMCC |
|---|
| Entry company package | AED 12,520 (Business Hub 1) | From AED 29,205 (JLT Resident) / 35,484 (Basic Biz) |
| Package with visas | AED 17,570 with 4 visas; AED 22,080 with 6 free allocations | Jump Start AED 43,780: desk for 3 visas, 1 visa included |
| Freelance with visa | AED 9,020 (1 yr) / 16,020 (2 yrs) | AED 9,136 (1 yr) / 14,136 (2 yrs) |
| Visa cost per person (2-yr) | AED 3,200 outside / 4,500 inside UAE | DMCC fee ~2,973 outside / ~3,408 inside, plus medical & Emirates ID |
| Activities | 2,000+ activities; up to 6 per Standard licence | 1,000+ activities across ~20 sectors |
| Ecosystems | Green Innovation District; Expo Green Licence | Gold & diamonds, coffee & tea, crypto, gaming and AI centres |
| Location | Expo 2020 site, near Al Maktoum Airport, own metro station | Jumeirah Lakes Towers, central Dubai, metro access |
| Multi-year option | Expo Multi from AED 38,020 for 3 years | Trading licences renew for 2, 3 or 5 years |
Expo City prices from Expo City Dubai's published packages; DMCC prices from DMCC's setup packages and Schedule of Charges. Checked October 2026.
Choose Expo City Dubai if…
- You want the lowest entry price for a Dubai company with a strong address.
- You plan to hire 2–6 people soon: the Standard 6 Visa and Business Hub 2 packages include visa allocations.
- Your business is sustainability, events, logistics or services near Dubai South and Al Maktoum Airport.
- You're a freelancer who wants a 1- or 2-year visa in one package.
Choose DMCC if…
- You trade commodities: gold, diamonds, coffee or tea.
- You're in crypto, gaming or AI and want DMCC's dedicated centres.
- Bank and counterparty perception matters a lot to your business.
- You want to be in JLT, between Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali.
Our view as a partner of both: for most cost-conscious start-ups and service businesses, Expo City Dubai is the better value in 2026. For commodity traders and businesses that need DMCC's ecosystems, DMCC is worth the higher entry price. Tell us your activity and we'll tell you honestly which fits.
More detail: Expo City Dubai cost, Expo City visas, DMCC cost and the DMCC cost calculator.
Expo City or DMCC?
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WhatsApp UsFree ConsultationExpo City vs DMCC — FAQs
Is Expo City Dubai cheaper than DMCC?
Yes, on entry price. Expo City's Business Hub Package 1 is AED 12,520 a year, while DMCC's official company packages start at AED 29,205 (JLT residents) or AED 35,484 (Basic Biz).
Which free zone gives more visas for the money?
Expo City Dubai: Business Hub Package 2 includes 4 visa allocations for AED 17,570, and the Standard 6 Visa Package includes 6 free allocations for AED 22,080. DMCC's Jump Start package (AED 43,780) supports up to 3 visas with one included.
Is DMCC better than Expo City for trading?
For commodity trading, usually yes, thanks to DMCC's gold, diamond, coffee and tea ecosystems and its recognition with banks and counterparties.
Can Pro24 set up in both Expo City and DMCC?
Yes. Pro24 is an authorised channel partner of Expo City Dubai Free Zone and a DMCC business setup and PRO specialist based in JLT.
Source & review. Prices from Expo City Dubai’s published packages and package sheets, checked October 2026 by Pro24, an authorised channel partner of Expo City Dubai Free Zone. We confirm the live price before you pay.
