Dubai Media City (DMC)
Dubai Media City (DMC) is the Middle East's leading free zone for media, broadcasting, publishing, advertising, and entertainment companies. As part of the TECOM Group alongside Dubai Internet City and Dubai Knowledge Park, DMC offers an unrivalled concentration of global media brands including CNN, BBC, MBC, Reuters, and Sony. Setup costs are comparable to DIC, with service licences from AED 15,000/year and flexi desks from AED 15,000/year, making the minimum entry point around AED 30,000 before visa costs.
From
AED 12,542
Established
2001
Companies
3,000
Max Visas
6
Banking
Moderate
DMC Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoFreelance Permit + 1-Year Visa | AED 7,500 | 1 | None | AED 12,542 | AED 12,542 |
| Zero Visa Package | AED 15,000 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 30,000 | AED 30,000 |
| 1 Visa Package | AED 15,000 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 37,340 | AED 33,000 |
| 2 Visa Package | AED 15,000 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 42,680 | AED 34,000 |
| 3 Visa Private Office Package | AED 15,000 | 3 | Private Office | AED 73,020 | AED 60,000 |
| 6 Visa Private Office Package | AED 15,000 | 6 | Private Office | AED 124,040 | AED 104,000 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Premier media ecosystem — home to CNN, BBC, MBC, Reuters, Sony, and 3,000+ companies
- Strong brand signal for media companies — DMC address carries weight with clients and broadcasters
- Flexi desk packages from AED 15,000/year for license plus AED 15,000 for workspace
- Easier banking than newer free zones — established relationships with major UAE banks
- Part of TECOM Group ecosystem with access to DIC, DKP, and other clusters
- DCCA digital portal for streamlined license processing — 5-7 business days typical
- 100% foreign ownership with no minimum capital requirement for most license types
- GoFreelance permit from AED 7,500/year for individual media professionals
Watch out for
- Higher setup costs than budget zones — Year 1 with 1 visa starts around AED 40,000+
- Physical office or flexi desk mandatory for visa eligibility — no virtual office option
- Activity scope limited to media, entertainment, and related sectors — not for general trading
- Private office rents range AED 1,200-1,800/sqm/year, significantly above average
- Visa quota tied to office size — flexi desk limited to 2-3 visas maximum
- GoFreelance permit restricted to single-person operation with limited activity scope
Visa Information
Max Quota
6 visas
Flexi desk: 2-3 visas. Private office: scales with office size, typically 1 visa per 9 sqm.
Processing Time
14 days
Renewal Cost
AED 0
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 0
Dependent visa available through GDRFA. Costs vary by sponsor salary and dependent type.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,500
Investor Visa
AED 5,042
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
Approximately 2 weeks end-to-end including medical, Emirates ID, and stamping.
Banking
Partner Banks
DMC's 20+ year track record means banks are familiar with the license type. Expect 2-4 weeks for corporate account opening. Emirates NBD and Mashreq are the most common choices. Standard KYC documentation required.
Features
Mainland Trading
Free zone entity can trade internationally and within DMC. Mainland operations require a mainland branch permit.
Physical Office Required
Flexi desk or private office required for visa eligibility. GoFreelance permit does not require office. No virtual office option for FZ-LLC.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
No DMC-specific crypto framework. Crypto activities require separate VARA licensing.
Shared Ownership
100% foreign ownership allowed.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
DCCA digital portal for license application, renewal, and visa processing.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Annual audited financial statements required for license renewal.
Share Capital Requirement
None required for most license types
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- 2025: TECOM Group continued expansion of co-working and flexi desk options across DMC buildings
- 2025: DCCA streamlined digital licensing portal for faster application processing
- 2024: GoFreelance permit options expanded for media professionals
- 2024: New content creation and digital media companies attracted following Dubai Media Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Dubai Media City (DMC) license cost in 2026?
A DMC service licence costs approximately AED 15,000/year. With a flexi desk (AED 15,000/year), the minimum entry point is AED 30,000/year before visa costs. GoFreelance permits start from AED 7,500/year.
How many visas can I get with a DMC flexi desk?
A DMC flexi desk typically supports 2-3 residency visas. For larger teams, a private office is required, with visa quotas scaling based on office size (roughly 1 visa per 9 sqm).
What types of businesses can set up in Dubai Media City?
DMC is focused on media, entertainment, and related creative sectors. Permitted activities include media production, broadcasting, publishing, advertising, film and TV production, music, PR, and digital content creation. General trading is not available.
Is it easy to open a bank account with a DMC license?
Moderately easy. DMC's 20+ year track record means banks are familiar with the license. Emirates NBD and Mashreq are common choices. Expect 2-4 weeks for corporate account opening with standard KYC documentation.
How long does DMC company setup take?
License processing takes 5-7 business days through the DCCA digital portal. Full setup including visa, medical, and Emirates ID typically takes 2 weeks.
What is the DMC GoFreelance permit?
GoFreelance is a budget freelancer permit at AED 7,500/year for individual media professionals. It includes a 1-year visa and does not require office space. Total Year 1 cost is approximately AED 12,542 including visa processing.
What is the difference between DMC and Dubai Internet City (DIC)?
Both are TECOM Group free zones under DCCA. DMC focuses on media, publishing, and entertainment companies, while DIC targets technology and IT firms. They share the same licensing authority and similar fee structures.
Does DMC require an annual audit?
Yes, DMC requires annual audited financial statements for license renewal. Budget AED 3,000-10,000/year for accounting and audit services depending on company size.
Ready to set up with DMC?
Get a personalised quote for your DMC business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 12,542 /yr