Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
DMCC is the world's flagship free zone and Dubai's largest, home to over 26,000 companies. Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, it was named Global Free Zone of the Year by the Financial Times for 9 consecutive years. DMCC offers unmatched banking credibility, specialized ecosystems for crypto, gaming, and AI, and the strongest brand recognition of any UAE free zone — but at a significant premium over budget alternatives.
From
AED 27,049
Established
2002
Companies
26,000
Max Visas
20
Banking
Easy
DMCC Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance Permit 5% (2-year), 10% (3-year), 15% (4-year), 20% (5-year) on license renewals. | AED 4,020 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 27,049 | AED 23,825 |
| Basic Biz (Service License) 5% (2-year) to 20% (5-year) on license renewals. | AED 35,484 | 1 | None | AED 40,708 | AED 22,070 |
| Jump Start — Flexi Desk 5% (2-year) to 20% (5-year) on license renewals. | AED 43,780 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 49,004 | AED 42,070 |
| Jump Start — Co-Working Desk 5% (2-year) to 20% (5-year) on license renewals. | AED 49,941 | 2 | Dedicated Desk | AED 60,389 | AED 47,070 |
| General Trading License 5% (2-year) to 20% (5-year) on license renewals. | AED 50,265 | 3 | Flexi Desk | AED 85,742 | AED 72,070 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Most prestigious and globally recognized UAE free zone — 9x Global Free Zone of the Year (FT fDi)
- Best banking relationships of any free zone — banks actively seek DMCC companies
- Dual License Office Permit allows mainland trading (AED 5,000/year)
- Dedicated ecosystems: Crypto Centre (700+ firms), Gaming Centre (140+), AI Centre (110+)
- 26,000+ companies create massive networking and partnership opportunities
- Prime JLT location with metro access and residential options
- Freehold property ownership available within DMCC
- Widest activity range: 1,000–2,000+ business activities
- Multi-year renewal discounts up to 20% for 5-year terms
- Contributes ~15% of Dubai's annual FDI and ~7% of GDP
Watch out for
- Significantly more expensive — Year 1 minimum ~AED 47,000–50,000 with 1 visa
- Physical office mandatory — no virtual office option, minimum flexi desk AED 16,000–19,000/year
- AED 50,000 share capital must be deposited within 30 days (withdrawable after)
- Annual audit always mandatory (AED 5,000–15,000 in accounting fees)
- General trading license expensive: AED 50,265/year renewal
- Steep late renewal penalties: AED 2,500 (31–60 days), AED 5,000 (61–90 days)
- Annual renewal burden roughly double IFZA/Meydan (~AED 42,000–45,000)
- Not cost-effective for solopreneurs or early-stage startups with limited revenue
Visa Information
Max Quota
20 visas
Visa quota tied to office size. Flexi desk supports ~3–4 visas. Private office supports more.
Processing Time
21 days
Renewal Cost
AED 2,790
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 4,500
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Two Year Visa Outside Country
AED 2,973
Two Year Visa Inside Country
AED 3,408
Smart Salem Medical
AED 800
Emirates Id Typing2 Year
AED 451
Employee Protection Insurance
115–414 depending on salary band
Bulk Discount50 Plus
AED 2,276
Bulk Discount100 Plus
AED 2,095
Bulk Discount200 Plus
AED 1,898
2–4 weeks typical. Compliance-heavy sectors may extend to 4–8 weeks.
Banking
Partner Banks
The most bankable free zone in the UAE. Banks actively seek DMCC companies as clients. CBD has a dedicated kiosk at Almas Tower in JLT. Account opening: 2–4 weeks typical. AED 50,000 share capital deposit aids bank onboarding. Most banks require AED 5,000–15,000 minimum balance.
Features
Mainland Trading
Dual License Office Permit available at AED 5,000/year. Also benefits from Resolution No. 11 of 2025 for mainland branch access.
Physical Office Required
Minimum flexi desk required in JLT. AED 16,000–19,000/year. No virtual office option.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
Dedicated Crypto Centre with 700+ companies (38% YoY growth). Specialized crypto trading licenses. Planned Crypto Tower: 17-storey landmark in JLT.
Shared Ownership
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Always mandatory. Budget AED 5,000–15,000 annually for accounting.
Share Capital Requirement
AED 50,000 minimum (AED 10,000 per shareholder). Must deposit within 30 days of license issuance. Withdrawable afterward.
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- Jan 2025: All new companies registered as FZCO (not DMCC). Existing companies must update by June 30, 2026.
- H1 2025: 1,100+ new company registrations, targeting 2,000 for full year 2025
- Oct 2024: Regulatory framework update — simplified share capital management, currency flexibility
- New legal structures: SPVs, Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) for family offices
- Expanded freelance licensing
- Crypto Tower planned: 17-storey landmark in JLT
- AI Centre launched September 2024 with 110+ companies
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a DMCC license cost in 2026?
DMCC's Basic Biz package starts at AED 35,484 (excluding office). The Jump Start flexi desk package is AED 43,780 all-in. Total Year 1 with 1 visa: approximately AED 47,000–50,000. Freelance permits start at AED 4,020 but still require a flexi desk (AED 16,000+).
Why is DMCC more expensive than IFZA or Meydan?
DMCC charges a premium for unmatched global reputation, best banking relationships, JLT location, dual licensing for mainland trading, and specialized ecosystems (crypto, gaming, AI). The AED 50,000 share capital and mandatory physical office also increase costs.
Does DMCC require a physical office?
Yes. Minimum flexi desk required, starting at AED 16,000–19,000/year in JLT. No virtual office option. Visa quota is tied to office size — flexi desk supports ~3–4 visas.
What is the DMCC share capital requirement?
AED 50,000 minimum (AED 10,000 per shareholder). Must be deposited in the company bank account within 30 days of license issuance. It can be withdrawn afterward but must be shown during setup.
Is DMCC good for crypto businesses?
The best in the UAE. DMCC operates a dedicated Crypto Centre with 700+ companies (38% growth YoY), specialized licenses, and a planned 17-storey Crypto Tower. Also has Gaming Centre (140+) and AI Centre (110+).
How easy is banking with a DMCC license?
Easiest of any UAE free zone. Mashreq, CBD, Wio, and Emirates NBD are formal partners. CBD has a kiosk at Almas Tower in JLT. Account opening: 2–4 weeks. The DMCC brand carries significant weight in bank due diligence.
What changed with DMCC company naming in 2025?
From January 2, 2025, all new companies are registered with the suffix 'FZCO' instead of 'DMCC'. Existing companies must update by June 30, 2026. The change is free through the DMCC portal.
What is the DMCC annual renewal cost?
Service license renewal: AED 20,265/year. General trading: AED 50,265/year. Add flexi desk (AED 16,000–19,000), establishment card (AED 1,805), insurance, and any visa renewals. Total: ~AED 42,000–45,000/year for a 1-visa service license setup.
Ready to set up with DMCC?
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Starting From
AED 27,049 /yr