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DubaiMedia✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Media City (DMC)

مدينة دبي للإعلام

DMC publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000 but no full package price and states incorporation in 7 days (checked 2026-10-24).

Dubai Media City (DMC) is a media free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Development Authority (DDA), established in 2000.

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity.
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. One founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office.
Team, 3 visas · year 1
Not published
Only conditional, expired or freelance packages published. Three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.
Lowest package, any size
—
Licence fee from
AED 15,000
Largest visa quota
Not published
No package states a quota
Minimum office
Not published
Incorporation
7 days
As stated by the zone
Min. share capital
AED 10,000
General trading
Not published
VAT Designated Zone
No
FTA list
Annual audit
Yes

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae, dda.gov.ae, tax.gov.ae.

Figures as published by the zone. “Not published” means no official source states it. Scenario prices are the published package closest to each set-up: solo, no visa = one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity; founder + 1 visa = one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office; team, 3 visas = three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.

Published packages

Freelance permit

GoFreelance (shared TECOM package: Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Design District)

AED 7,520year 1

Flexi-desk · 3 activities

  • Freelance permit in the holder's own name
  • Hot desk in a shared co-working space
  • 24/7 business centre access
  • Standard services pack: high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee
  • Community events; access to Marketplace project platform
  • Not included: Employment visa (1-year AED 4,600 or 2-year AED 5,042)
  • Not included: Establishment card AED 2,000
  • Not included: Medical insurance
Renews AED 7,500Source ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae.

Packages differ in what they include; compare visas, office and fees before choosing.

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
مدينة دبي للإعلام ↗
Licensing / regulating authority
Dubai Development Authority (DDA) ↗
Parent group / government body
TECOM Group (district developer and operator); licensing and registration by Dubai Development Authority ↗
Zone type
Media ↗
Year established
2000 ↗
Official website
dmc.ae ↗
Online application portal
axs.force.com/axslogin ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Physical locations / campuses: Dubai Media City, Dubai (DMC management office: Management Office Building 2). [1]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 391 4555. [1]
  • Number of registered companies: 3,000. [2]
  1. [1] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae, moet.gov.ae, dda.gov.ae.

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dda.gov.ae/-/media/67662280247F46F2B94A853943F01 ↗
Licence types offered
Media, Services / consultancy, Freelancer, E-commerce, Trading ↗
  • Activity categories offered: Advertising & Communication; Media and Marketing Services; Media Support Services; Event Management; Event Support Services; Media and Marketing Consultancy; New Media; Business Information; Freelancers; Media Association (Non-Profit); Gaming & E-Sports. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 1. [1]
  • Trading and services on one licence: yes. [1]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Social Media Platforms (18.2.8) - register with and follow requirements of the NMC (media regulator); Social Media Influencer (18.9.45) - NMC registration; E-Services (18.2.5) - NMC registration; News Distribution Service (18.3.4) - NMC registration; Interactive Services (18.7.5) - NMC registration; E-Commerce (Segment 25.6) - may need NMC registration if dealing in media-related content; Event Management (18.4) and Event Support Services (18.5) involving ticketing - DTCM e-ticketing rules (Decree 25 of 2013); Media Association (Non-Profit) (18.10) - prior approval of the Community Development Authority (CDA). [1]
  • Typical external approval time: 3 days. [2]
  • Restricted activities: E-Services (18.2.5): e-commerce, recruitment and placement services are not included or allowed; E-Services (18.2.5) excludes use of individuals' social media platforms; Language Interpretation (18.3.5): legal translations not included; Freelancer permits (18.9) only to individuals on a sole practitioner basis; Media Association (18.10) only for bona fide non-profit, non-commercial representatives. [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] nma.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, nma.gov.ae.

Cost - year one

Lowest licence fee (zero-visa)
AED 15,000 ↗
  • Establishment / immigration card fee: AED 2,000. [1]
  • Visa fees: GoFreelance permit holders: employment visa AED 4,600 (1 year) or AED 5,042 (2 years); establishment card AED 2,000; requirements: freelance licence, establishment card, UAE phone number, valid medical insurance, original passport, photo. in5 licensees: AED 1,500 per visa (LCD Sch. 1). Company employee visa breakdown not published. [1]
  • Extras included: GoFreelance: hot desk, Wi-Fi, meeting room access, coffee, 24/7 access, community events, Marketplace access. [1]
  1. [1] gofreelance.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, gofreelance.ae.

Cost - ongoing

  • Renewal costs more than the first-year price: no. [1]
  • Visa validity: 2 years. [2]
  • Late renewal penalty: Renewal more than 30 and up to 60 days after expiry: AED 2,500; 60-90 days: AED 5,000; more than 90 days: AED 10,000, in addition to the next year's licence fee; the Authority may refuse renewal and government/sponsorship services. [1]
  • Fee to add activity: AED 500. [3]
  • Fee for shareholder change: AED 3,000. [4]
  • Fee for name change: AED 2,000. [5]
  • Deregistration / liquidation fee: AED 1,500. [6]
  • Typical liquidation time: 4 days. [6]
  • Current promotions and expiry: . [7]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] gofreelance.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  5. [5] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  6. [6] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  7. [7] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, gofreelance.ae, dmc.ae.

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: One employee per 80 sq ft of leased space (DMC FAQ); co-working: Open Quarters shared desk 1 visa, Desk Quarters 2 visas, Office Quarters 2 and above. [1]
  • Max visas without dedicated office: 2. [2]
  • How to increase quota and cost: Lease more space: quota is one employee per 80 sq ft of leased space; on co-working, move from Open Quarters (1) to Desk Quarters (2) or Office Quarters (2 and above). Cost not published. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [1]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [1]
  • Visa process can start before the founder arrives: yes. [3]
  1. [1] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] gofreelance.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae, gofreelance.ae.

Office and facilities

Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office, Retail unit ↗
  • Flexi-desk access terms: D/Quarters co-working: 24/7 access (DMC coworking page); GoFreelance co-working 24/7, 365 days, managing team 7:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri. [1]
  • Minimum sqm per visa: 7.43 sqm. [2]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [3]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Co-working: meeting rooms, lounges, gaming room, outdoor courtyard, prayer rooms, Wi-Fi and printers, lockers, cafe, pantry and micro kitchens, 24/7 access; Event venues: Amphitheatre, Courtyard, Sound Stages & Studios; in5 Media (incubator workspace; located in Dubai Production City). [1]
  1. [1] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae.

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Rules for selling/shipping to UAE consumers: Local sales of goods require a local customs code (customs duty paid on arrival); E-Commerce (25.6) licensees may need media-regulator registration if dealing in media content. [1]
  • Customs duty in the zone: Licensee chooses: (i) free zone customs code - import and re-export from the Zone, goods stored within the Zone bounded area; (ii) local customs code - customs duty paid on arrival; or (iii) no customs code - no imports. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Goods imported under a free zone customs code may be re-exported duty-free if stored within the Zone bounded area; goods for local sale require a local customs code with duty paid on arrival. [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae, dda.gov.ae.

Tax status

VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list)
No ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from tax.gov.ae.

Compliance and reporting

Annual audited financial statements required by the zone
Yes ↗
Beneficial-owner register filing required
Yes ↗
  • Audit exemption threshold or conditions: No turnover threshold; all Licensees must keep Audited Accounts. Freelancers (GoFreelance permit) exempt from annual audit. [1]
  • Audit submission deadline: Within seven days after the annual general meeting (PCR 65.5), and on demand by the Authority (LCD 2.8). [2]
  • Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Independent accountants and auditors; Dealers in precious metals and stones; Real estate agents and brokers; Trust and company service providers; Law firms and legal consultancy offices. [3]
  • Annual return and renewal documents: Online licence renewal via axs before expiry; NOC from external authorities for licensed activities (if applicable); Media regulator licence/permit renewals within the specified dates for media activities (FDL 55/2023 Art. 6(1)(C)); Audited Accounts on demand. [4]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Setup process and speed

Typical incorporation time stated by the zone
7 days ↗
Direct application without an agent
Yes ↗
  • Documents for an individual shareholder: Application form; Valid passport copies of members, directors and General Manager (with residence visa page if any); Resolution for the incorporation of an FZ-LLC; Declaration of Appointment as General Manager (if GM holds a valid visa); Power of attorney for legal representative (if any), notarised and UAE-embassy attested. [1]
  • Attestation requirements for corporate shareholders: Corporate members provide certificate of incorporation, certificate of continuity/good standing, parent MoA/AoA; the incorporation resolution must be notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy; external NOCs per LCD Art. 8 if applicable. [2]
  • Refund policy if rejected: GoFreelance: all application fees are non-refundable. No refund policy found for company registration. [3]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] gofreelance.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dmc.ae, gofreelance.ae.

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Moving to larger premises: Co-working Open Quarters (shared desk, 1 visa) -> Desk Quarters (2 visas) -> Office Quarters (2+ visas) -> commercial offices (1 visa per 80 sq ft). [1]
  • Adding shareholders: Online DDA service: AED 3,000 per transaction + AED 500 AoA amendment + AED 20; 5 working days; UBO declaration and proof of paid-up capital required. [2]
  • Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [3]
  • Multiple licences under one group: yes. [4]
  1. [1] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dmc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae, dda.gov.ae.

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmc.ae.

Industry-specific regulation

  • Media content licensing / filming permits: Dubai Media City licences are issued by DDA, but media activity is also subject to federal media law. Federal Decree-Law 55/2023 (Media Regulation) applies to media free zones (Art. 2); licences/permits for media activities in free zones are issued by the 'Competent Authority' (local licensing body, or the UAE Media Council where none) and are valid only within the free zone's borders (Art. 6); free zone authorities must share media licences with the Council, which may inspect free-zone media entities (Art. 22). LCD 2021 Art. 3.2: Social Media Platforms (18.2.8), Social Media Influencer (18.9.45), E-services (18.2.5), News Distribution (18.3.4) and Interactive Services (18.7.5) licensees, plus publishers and broadcasters, must register with the federal media regulator (NMC in the 2021 text); E-commerce (25.6) may need to. Broadcasters/publishers must register each channel/title with DDA and the regulator (AED 5,000 per channel/title, LCD 14.4) and fall under the DCCA Broadcasting and Publication Standards Tribunal and Code of Guidance 2016 (LCD 4.5). Individuals advertising on social media need a separate federal advertiser permit (free for first 3 years, then AED 1,000; 3 working days). Filming in the UAE needs a filming permit from the Council or competent authority (ground filming AED 500 per day, apply 15 working days ahead). [1]
  1. [1] dda.gov.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

  • None

Not offered

  • None

Our assessment from the zone's published licence types. Always confirm your exact activity on the zone's official activity list. Official activity list ↗ Licence types the zone publishes: Media, Services / consultancy, Freelancer, E-commerce, Trading.

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae.

Notes and history

  1. History · 2000

    Dubai Media City was announced in 2000, according to its 20th-anniversary press release of November 2020, and marked its 25th anniversary in January 2026. [source 1][source 2]

  2. Legal basis · 2014-10-27

    Dubai Media City (DMC) is one of the business districts of the free zone run by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). The zone was created as the Dubai Technology & Media Free Zone under Law No. 1 of 2000 and is now governed by Dubai Law No. 15 of 2014, issued on 27 October 2014, which renamed it the Dubai Creative Clusters and gave its authority the power to license and register businesses there. [source 1][source 2]

  3. History · 2018

    The authority set up under Law No. 15 of 2014 was first called the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority; Law No. 10 of 2018 changed its name to the Dubai Development Authority. Several DDA rules still in force carry the older names, including the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Licensing Regulations 2003 and the Dubai Creative Clusters Private Companies Regulations 2016. [source 1][source 2]

  4. History · 2021-04-07

    DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021 on licence categories, issued on 7 April 2021, replaced Decision No. 1 of 2018. It lists the activity segments that can be licensed in each DDA district (DMC's are in Part Three), plus a General segment available in all of them. [source]

  5. Good to know

    Companies in DMC are licensed and registered by DDA, not by the district itself or by TECOM Group, which operates the district (the district's website describes it as a member of TECOM Group). The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism's list of free-zone company registrars (updated 23 October 2026) names DDA as the registrar for DMC. [source 1][source 2][source 3]

  6. Good to know

    DMC forms TECOM Group's Media Cluster together with Dubai Production City and Dubai Studio City; in January 2026 DMC reported more than 40,000 professionals across the cluster. [source 1][source 2]

  7. Good to know

    Besides licensing rules, DDA's legal database lists content rules for media businesses in the zone, including the Broadcasting and Publication Standards Tribunal Regulations 2016, the Dubai Creative Clusters Code of Guidance 2016 and the Content Compliance and Sanctions Policy 2016. [source]

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dda.gov.ae, dmc.ae, moet.gov.ae and 1 more official source.

Questions worth asking

How much does a DMC licence cost?

DMC publishes a licence fee from AED 15,000. Visa, office and registration costs are extra.

How long does DMC company setup take?

DMC states about 7 days for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued.

Is DMC a VAT Designated Zone?

DMC does not appear on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones.

What is the minimum share capital in DMC?

DMC states a minimum share capital of AED 10,000.

About this data

Every fact comes from DMC's own channels or a UAE government source, linked next to it. Last checked 2026-10-24. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

Rules for every zone

Explained in the guides on corporate tax, VAT Designated Zones and mainland access.

How we check

Prices are re-checked every 90 days and other facts on a schedule. How we verify →