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DubaiGeneral businessSpecialised✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة

DMCC publishes 11 current packages, the lowest without stated conditions at AED 31,000 for year 1, offers up to 3 visas in a published package, states incorporation in 10 days and requires at least a flexi-desk (checked 2026-10-24).

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a general business and specialised free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA), established in 2002.

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
AED 31,000
DMCC Crypto Centre Package: visa quota not stated
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
AED 43,780
Jump Start Package - Standard Flexi Desk (1 year): the smallest published package covers 3 visas
Team, 3 visas · year 1
AED 43,780
Jump Start Package - Standard Flexi Desk (1 year)
Lowest package, any size
AED 31,000
DMCC Crypto Centre Package · packages with stated conditions excluded
Licence fee from
AED 20,285
Largest visa quota
3
In a published package
Minimum office
Flexi-desk
Incorporation
10 days
As stated by the zone
Min. share capital
AED 50,000
General trading
Yes
VAT Designated Zone
No
FTA list
Annual audit
Yes

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmcc.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

Conditions apply

Basic Biz Package (1 year)

AED 35,484year 1

1 visa · Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • special flexi desk option (eligible for one UAE residency visa)
  • complimentary true copy of the resolution
  • Sustainability Hub access
  • VAT and Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams
  • Not included: residency visa (not stated as included)
  • Not included: not available for branches and subsidiaries (individual shareholders only)
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Fits: Founder + 1 visaFits: Team, 3 visas

Jump Start Package - Standard Flexi Desk (1 year)

AED 43,780year 1

3 visas · Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • standard flexi desk (eligible for three UAE residency visas)
  • one UAE residency visa included in package price
  • complimentary true copy of the resolution
  • Sustainability Hub access
  • VAT and Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams
  • Not included: second and third visas
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

Jump Start Package - Co-working Space (1 year)

AED 49,941year 1

3 visas · Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • co-working space (eligible for three UAE residency visas)
  • one UAE residency visa included in package price
  • complimentary true copy of the resolution
  • Not included: second and third visas
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

Jump Start Package - Standard Flexi Desk (2-year term, multi-year offer AED 65,504; original AED 81,881)

—year 1

3 visas · Flexi-desk

  • two years of licence and standard flexi desk
  • one UAE residency visa
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

Jump Start Package - Standard Flexi Desk (3-year term, multi-year offer AED 96,000; original AED 120,000)

—year 1

3 visas · Flexi-desk

  • three years of licence and standard flexi desk
  • one UAE residency visa
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

Prime Plus Package (1 year; 3-year offer AED 62,480, original AED 78,100)

AED 40,145year 1

  • DMCC company licence
  • fast-track setup
  • 180-day provisional approval
  • price freeze on licence renewal
  • 20% discount on additional business activities
  • complimentary office operational fitness certificate
  • complimentary bank account opening
  • complimentary true copy of the resolution
  • Not included: office space not stated as included
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Conditions apply

JLT Resident Package

AED 29,205year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • special flexi-desk options
  • Not included: only for JLT residents
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Lowest priceFits: Solo, no visa

DMCC Crypto Centre Package

AED 31,000year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • co-working access in DMCC Crypto Centre
  • 50% discount on second-year renewal fees
  • VAT and KDID
  • Not included: VARA authorisation and fees for regulated virtual-asset activities
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

DMCC Gaming Centre Package

AED 31,000year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • co-working access
  • 50% discount on second-year renewal fees
  • VAT and KDID
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

DMCC AI Centre Package

AED 31,000year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • time-share co-working desk in DMCC AI Centre
  • 50% discount on second-year renewal fees
  • VAT and KDID
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Conditions apply

Nook Package (health and fitness professionals)

AED 10,345year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • Nook co-working desk
  • 50% discount on second-year and 30% on third-year fees
  • Not included: restricted to health and fitness professionals
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Conditions apply

AstroLabs Package

AED 1,925year 1

Flexi-desk

  • DMCC company licence
  • AstroLabs co-working desk
  • Not included: AstroLabs membership charged separately (AED 750-2,500 per month in schedule of charges)
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Conditions apply

CLG Package - New (Company Limited by Guarantee)

AED 34,185year 1

No office

  • DMCC company licence
  • 100% digital process
  • Not included: office, flexi desk or co-working space
  • Not included: for single/multi-family offices and industry associations only
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

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

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

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة ↗
Former, merged or alternative names
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) ↗
Licensing / regulating authority
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA) ↗
Parent group / government body
Government of Dubai ↗
Zone type
General business, Specialised ↗
Year established
2002 ↗
Official website
dmcc.ae ↗
Online application portal
portal.dmcc.ae/communitylogin ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Physical locations / campuses: Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Dubai; Uptown Dubai (Uptown Tower HQ), Dubai. [1]
  • Public contact email: setup@dmcc.ae. [2]
  • Public contact phone: +971 4 424 9600. [2]
  • Number of registered companies: 26,000. [1]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dmcc.ae/hubfs/website%20support%20documents/Lice ↗
Licence types offered
Trading, Services / consultancy, Industrial, General trading, Holding, Freelancer, Virtual assets, Regulated financial services ↗
General trading licence available
Yes ↗
  • Total number of approved activities: 1,006. [1]
  • Activity categories offered: Personal & Community Services; General Trading; Healthcare; Personal & Household Goods; Professional Services; Construction, Engineering & Machinery; Technology & Telecom; Food & Agro; Financials; Education; Automotive Transportation; Hospitality; Shipping & Logistics; Media & Marketing; Energy; Aviation; Real Estate & Facility Services; Crypto & Web3; Support Services; Precious Metals & Stones; Metals & Minerals. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 6. [2]
  • Fee per additional activity: AED 1,500. [2]
  • Trading and services on one licence: no. [2]
  • Activities needing another authority's approval: Dubai Health Authority (59 activities); Dubai Sports Council (35); Central Bank (26); Knowledge & Human Development Authority (24); Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (23); Roads and Transport Authority (19); Security Industry Regulatory Agency (31); Real Estate Regulatory Authority (16); Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (9); Community Development Authority (9); Public Health Services Department - Dubai Municipality (8); Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) (8); Directorate of Civil Defence (7); Dubai Police General Headquarters - Management of Chemical Precursors (6); Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (6); Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (5); Dubai Ports Authority (5); Dubai Chamber (4); Securities & Commodities Authority (3); UAE Space Agency (3); Emirates Post Group (3). [1]
  • Restricted activities: 20 activities limited to 'Outside UAE only' (e.g. oil and gas well drilling services); Standalone activities that cannot be combined with others (e.g. Single-family office, real estate, DGCX, Virtual Assets Custody Services); Some activities limited to 'Branch companies only' or 'Inside JLT only'; 16 activities 'Subject to prior approval by DMCC Authority'; General Trading excludes oil and gas activities and regulated activities requiring third-party approvals; Massage services not allowed under listed wellness activities. [1]
  • Conditions for general trading: General Trading Licence AED 50,265 per year; new company registration for General Trading AED 29,000 (vs AED 9,000 standard); minimum share capital AED 1,000,000 per activity list; covers all activities except oil and gas and regulated activities needing third-party approval; retail shops need business plan and concept approval at pre-registration. [2]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Cost - year one

Lowest licence fee (zero-visa)
AED 20,285 ↗
  • Establishment / immigration card fee: AED 1,825. [1]
  • Visa fees: DMCC schedule of charges: new 2-year employment visa AED 2,972.5 (outside UAE) or AED 3,407.5 (inside UAE, no status amendment) / AED 4,220 (with amendment); 1-year visa AED 2,237 / 2,672 / 3,439; Emirates ID typing AED 351.40 (1 yr) or AED 451.40 (2 yr); Smart Salem medical typing AED 800 (VIP 6-hour AED 770); employee protection insurance AED 85-310 (1-yr visa) or AED 115-414 (2-yr visa) by salary band; priority stamping AED 4,972.5+; volume discounts for 50+, 100+, 200+ visas. [1]
  • MoA / notary / attestation fees: AED 2,020. [1]
  • Extras included: Complimentary true copy of the resolution (most packages); Sustainability Hub access; 0% interest instalment option via Wio Bank (subject to bank terms); Complimentary bank account opening (Prime Plus); Complimentary office operational fitness certificate (Prime Plus); One residency visa (Jump Start). [2]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Cost - ongoing

  • Renewal costs more than the first-year price: yes. [1]
  • Visa renewal cost per person: AED 2,790. [1]
  • Visa validity: 2 years. [1]
  • Late renewal penalty: Licence: no late fee 0-30 days; AED 2,500 for 31-60 days; AED 5,000 for 61-90 days. Lease: AED 500 per month from lease expiry. Establishment card: AED 100 per month (max AED 1,000). [1]
  • Renewal grace period: 30 days. [1]
  • Fee to add activity: AED 1,515. [1]
  • Fee for shareholder change: AED 4,515. [1]
  • Fee for name change: AED 4,515. [1]
  • Deregistration / liquidation fee: AED 4,015. [1]
  • Multi-year licence discounts: Trading & Service licence renewal: 2 years AED 40,530 (5% discount), 3 years AED 60,795 (10%), 5 years AED 101,325 (20%). Multi-year Jump Start and Prime Plus setup offers also published. [1]
  • Current promotions and expiry: Basic Biz Package AED 35,484 (original AED 57,481); no expiry shown; Jump Start 2-year AED 65,504 (original AED 81,881); no expiry shown; Jump Start 3-year AED 96,000 (original AED 120,000); no expiry shown; Prime Plus 3-year AED 62,480 (original AED 78,100); no expiry shown; Crypto/Gaming/AI Centre packages AED 31,000 with 50% off second-year renewal; Uptown Homeowners Package free for Uptown Dubai owners. [2]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Visas and residency

  • Visa quota rule: Flexi desk: up to 3 visas; serviced office: 4 or 5 visas depending on size; physical space: 1 visa per 9 sqm. [1]
  • Max visas without dedicated office: 3. [1]
  • How to increase quota and cost: Apply via portal 'Apply for Exceptional Visa Quota' with justification letter; company must have used its existing quota, operate from a physical unit (not flexi desk/business centre/shared space), hold an active lease or title deed, be in good standing; DMCC management approval. Fees: AED 250 application (non-refundable) + AED 500 per additional visa (refundable if declined). Extra visas revoked if unused within 1 year or if the company moves to a smaller office or changes activity. [2]
  • Investor / partner visa available: yes. [1]
  • Employee visa available: yes. [3]
  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [4]
  • Golden Visa support: DMCC issues salary certificates and NOCs used for Golden Visa eligibility checks; the visa itself is self-sponsored 10-year residency (blog cites basic salary AED 30,000+ route). NOC for 10 years visa AED 2,000 in schedule of charges. [1]
  • Typical visa processing time: 20 days. [3]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  4. [4] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Office and facilities

Minimum facility requirement
Flexi-desk ↗
Office / facility types
Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office, Retail unit, Warehouse, Light industrial unit, Land plot ↗
Warehouse available
Yes ↗
  • Flexi-desk annual cost: AED 16,000. [1]
  • Minimum sqm per visa: 9 sqm. [2]
  • Premises outside the zone allowed: no. [3]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Meeting rooms (Cluster I, Cluster O, Uptown); Board room (Uptown); Auditoriums; Podcast room (Luxury Innovation Centre); Co-working spaces (Crypto, Gaming, AI centres, AstroLabs, Nook). [1]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Market access and customs

Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence
No ↗
  • Invoicing mainland clients: no. [1]
  • Dual licence cost: AED 5,000. [2]
  • Can open mainland branch: yes. [3]
  • Customs duty in the zone: Duty exemptions apply to goods within the zone; goods must clear customs (with applicable duties, restrictions and permits) to enter the UAE mainland. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: DMCC blog: duty exemptions within the zone; goods entering the mainland must clear customs and pay applicable duties. [1]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dmcc.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 revenue threshold. Exemption only for companies dormant throughout the financial year (Company Regulations 2024 Art. 73.4), unless shareholders holding at least 10% require accounts; branches with a group auditor are exempt from the Approved Auditor rules but still file. [1]
  • Audit submission deadline: Within six months after the end of each financial year, via member portal (AFS + auditor-signed summary sheet). [2]
  • Annual return and renewal documents: Audited financial statements and auditor summary sheet; Valid lease / Ejari or title deed; Workmen's compensation insurance for active employees; Third-party liability insurance for physical units; Annual Operational Fitness Certificate (office/retail/industrial); Third-party NOC for regulated activities; Certificate of Good Standing of parent (branches, subsidiaries, JVs); No outstanding fees or fines. [3]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Banking

Zone offers bank-account facilitation
Yes ↗

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

Setup process and speed

Typical incorporation time stated by the zone
10 days ↗
Direct application without an agent
Yes ↗
  • Documents for an individual shareholder: Passport; UAE residence visa and Emirates ID (if applicable); Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement); Identification for shareholders, directors and authorised signatories; Ownership documents (e.g. Memorandum and Articles of Association); Business information: proposed name, activities, lease documents, bank reference or capital deposit confirmation; UBO information (25%+ ownership or control). [1]
  • Refund policy if rejected: New company application cancellation after submission and before approval: AED 1,035. Once approved, fees for registration, AoA, NOCs and VAT are non-refundable on cancellation. [2]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Moving to larger premises: Within DMCC: flexi desk (AED 16,000-19,000) or co-working, serviced desk, serviced office (AED 35,000-140,000), fitted or core & shell offices, retail units, manufacturing units and warehousing on application. Visa quota grows with space (1 visa per 9 sqm); extra quota only from physical units. [1]
  • Adding shareholders: Online request via portal: share transfer AED 4,515; increase of share capital with new shareholder AED 7,224. Prime Plus package allows adding shareholders, directors and activities free for 3 months after licence issue. [1]
  • Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [2]
  • Multi-year licence options: 1 year; 2 years (5% discount); 3 years (10% discount); 5 years (20% discount). [1]
  • Multiple licences under one group: yes. [1]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

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

Industry-specific regulation

  • Virtual-asset regulator and licences: Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). DMCC issues the commercial licence; VARA authorisation is needed for regulated virtual-asset activities: Advisory, Broker-Dealer, Custody, Exchange, Lending and Borrowing, Management and Investment, Transfer and Settlement services, and Category 1 VA Issuance. Two-stage VARA process (Approval to Incorporate, then full VASP licence). [1]
  • Financial services regulator and capital requirements: Activity list names Central Bank (26 activities) and Securities & Commodities Authority (3) as third-party approvers for financial activities; minimum share capital AED 1,000,000 for most insurance activities and AED 500,000 for reinsurance and insurance brokers; some DGCX-related activities restricted to SCA-licensed brokers. [2]
  • Healthcare and education approvals: Healthcare activities need Dubai Health Authority approval (59 activities); education activities need Knowledge & Human Development Authority approval (24 activities), per DMCC activity list. [2]
  • Hazardous goods and environmental approvals: Industrial activities may need Dubai Municipality (food control, public health), Directorate of Civil Defence, Dubai Police (chemical precursors) approvals per activity list; industrial licences need an Industrial Annual Operational Fitness Certificate (AED 3,000 per inspection). [2]
  1. [1] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dmcc.ae · opened 2026-10-24

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

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

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: Trading, Services / consultancy, Industrial, General trading, Holding, Freelancer, Virtual assets, Regulated financial services.

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

Notes and history

  1. History · 2002

    DMCC describes itself as a Government of Dubai Authority established in 2002. Its About page says it grew from 28 member companies in 2003 to more than 26,000 member companies in 2025. [source]

  2. History · 2024-10-10

    New DMCC Company Regulations, Companies Limited by Guarantee Regulations, Licensing Rules and Family Office Rules came into effect on 10 October 2024. Among the changes, share capital may now be denominated in AED or another currency approved by the Registrar, and new holding company and freelance licence categories were added. [source]

  3. Good to know · 2024-10-10

    Most DMCC companies must lease or own premises in the free zone, but under the October 2024 rules a special purpose vehicle (SPV) only needs a registered office address, which may be that of a DMCC-registered corporate services provider, and a freelance licence holder does not need a commercial lease. [source 1][source 2]

  4. Good to know · 2025-12-08

    A DMCC company whose branch licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will work from the same JLT office needs a Dual Licence Office Permit, valid for one year. DMCC's guideline (version 2, issued 8 December 2025) states that entities with common shareholders or operating as subsidiaries are not eligible. [source]

  5. Good to know

    The free zone covers two districts: Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), which is divided into lettered clusters, and Uptown Dubai, where DMCC's headquarters at Uptown Tower is located. DMCC reports 87 residential and commercial towers across the two. [source 1][source 2]

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

Questions worth asking

How much does a DMCC licence cost?

The lowest package DMCC advertises is AED 31,000 for the first year (DMCC Crypto Centre Package). Packages differ in what they include, so check visas, office and fees before comparing.

Does DMCC require a physical office?

The minimum facility DMCC states is: flexi-desk. Facility types offered: flexi-desk, serviced office, private office, retail unit, warehouse, light industrial unit, land plot.

How many visas come with a DMCC package?

The largest visa quota in a package DMCC publishes is 3. Larger quotas usually need more office space; ask the zone for the rule that applies to you.

How long does DMCC company setup take?

DMCC states about 10 days for incorporation. Visas take extra time after the licence is issued.

Can I get a general trading licence in DMCC?

Yes, DMCC offers a general trading licence.

Is DMCC a VAT Designated Zone?

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

What is the minimum share capital in DMCC?

DMCC states a minimum share capital of AED 50,000.

About this data

Every fact comes from DMCC'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 →