Dubai’s leading free zone for international trade & services
Register a Company in DMCC (Dubai)
If you’re looking to register a company in DMCC, you’re choosing one of Dubai’s most established free zones—popular with international founders, trading firms, consultancies, and fast-scaling startups. DMCC is positioned as a “premier business destination” and (as a free zone) offers a structured setup pathway with flexible office solutions and business setup packages.
Consultrio supports you A–Z: activity selection, company formation, licensing, visas, corporate tax readiness, and bank/EMI onboarding—so you can launch quickly and stay compliant.
Table of contents
Trading licence
For companies that buy/sell and import/export goods/commodities under the specific activities approved on the licence.
Industrial licence
For businesses doing light manufacturing/industrial operations as described in the approved activities.
Service licence
For firms providing professional services/consulting and other non-trading activities listed on the license.
Crypto & Web3 in DMCC
DMCC supports a range of crypto-related activities (e.g., blockchain/DLT services and proprietary activities). Explore our DMCC Crypto Licence page to choose the right activity mix.
Why register in DMCC?
DMCC positions itself as a leading global business hub and highlights sector ecosystems (including tech, crypto, gaming, commodities). DMCC also states it drives a meaningful share of Dubai’s foreign direct investment.
1) Global credibility + strong ecosystem
DMCC positions itself as a leading global business hub and highlights sector ecosystems (including tech, crypto, gaming, commodities). DMCC also states it drives a meaningful share of Dubai’s foreign direct investment.
2) Clear license framework (and predictable renewals)
DMCC outlines the common licence categories (trading / service / industrial) and provides clarity on renewal expectations (with fees varying by licence).
3) Free zone corporate tax positioning (done right)
DMCC confirms that DMCC-registered entities are required to register for UAE corporate tax, and that entities meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions may benefit from 0% on Qualifying Income, with 9% applying to non-qualifying income.
4) Option to expand onshore via dual licensing (where eligible)
DMCC announced a dual licensing scheme (with conditions, including NOC requirements), enabling certain DMCC companies to establish an onshore presence under a DET/DED licence pathway.
5) Packages built for founders (not just corporates)
DMCC publishes business setup packages with transparent starting points (e.g., Basic Biz / Jump Start / Prime Plus), which can be more efficient than building everything à la carte.
Requirements to register a DMCC company
1. Corporate Requirements
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Proposed company name + activity mapping to the right licence type
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Shareholder/director details and UBO disclosure approach
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A practical operating plan (especially if you need banking quickly)
2. Office & facility requirement
DMCC provides multiple office solutions and fee categories (including flexi desk options), and fees vary based on the selected solution.
3. Capital Requirements
DMCC requires a minimum of 50,000 AED paid up capital to be deposited in a bank account to approve the license
Process
Process to register your DMCC company (4 steps)
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Step 1 — Strategy & “approval-ready” structure
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Confirm the right DMCC route: new company vs branch vs subsidiary
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Select the optimal licence type + business activities (aligned, bankable, compliant)
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Recommend the best package/office setup based on visas needed, budget, and timeline
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Confirm the share capital approach (varies by activity/structure) and whether proof of deposit will be required as part of the setup
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Step 2 — Application preparation
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Compile documents and complete application details
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Draft strong activity descriptions and supporting narrative (reduces back-and-forth)
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Prepare a pre-bank readiness pack (KYC profile + business model + source of funds summary)
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Where applicable, arrange share capital deposit evidence (e.g., bank letter/statement), aligned with DMCC and banking requirements
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Step 3 — DMCC approval & licence issuance
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DMCC indicates the overall process can take around 10 working days (typical case; complexity varies)
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Secure licence and corporate documents
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Coordinate office solution confirmation
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Step 4 — Post-setup: visas, tax, banking
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Establishment card & immigration file support (as required)
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Corporate tax registration roadmap + QFZP positioning
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Bank/EMI onboarding (UAE + international options depending on your risk profile)
Costs (indicative) to register a company in DMCC
DMCC fees depend on (i) licence type, (ii) office solution, and (iii) package selection. DMCC itself notes there is no single fixed licence cost and gives a broad expectation of ~AED 20,000–50,000 per year for the licence component depending on factors.
Most founders should budget AED 35k–55k+ for year-one setup depending on package + office + visa needs, plus banking/tax/compliance add-ons based on the business model.
DMCC publishes package examples such as:
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Basic Biz: AED 35,484
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Jump Start: AED 43,780
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Prime Plus: AED 40,145
DMCC’s schedule of charges includes (among others):
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Application fee: AED 1,035
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Registration fee: AED 9,020
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Articles of Association (AoA): AED 2,020
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Annual licence fee: AED 20,285
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Establishment card: AED 1,825
How Consultrio supports you from A to Z
End-to-end support
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Choose the right company type — new entity, subsidiary, or branch in DMCC
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Map your licence type and activities (aligned, bankable, compliant)
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Confirm share capital structure (varies by activity; proof of deposit when required)
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Select optimal office or flexi-desk solution based on visas, budget, and timeline
1. Strategy & structure setup
1
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Compile all corporate documents and draft approval-ready applications
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Craft strong activity descriptions and supporting rationale to speed up DMCC review
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Prepare bank-ready KYC pack (business model + source of funds + ownership structure)
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Arrange share-capital verification if applicable before final submission
2. Application preparation
2
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DMCC approval and licence issuance (typically ~10 working days)
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Receive corporate documents and confirm office allocation
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Obtain establishment card, manage visa processing, and tax registration (QFZP)
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Coordinate bank/EMI onboarding with UAE and international partners
3. Approval, licensing & post-setup
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Set Up in DMCC—Fast, Compliant, Bank-Ready
We support founders and international groups with DMCC company formation from A to Z: the right licence type and activities, smooth approvals, office solution, visas, and a banking-ready onboarding pack. Clear process, transparent costs, and a structure built to scale.
Corporate tax in DMCC: what founders must understand
DMCC confirms:
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DMCC entities must register for UAE Corporate Tax
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Entities meeting QFZP conditions can benefit from 0% on Qualifying Income
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9% can apply to non-qualifying income
Our role: We structure your setup and operating model to avoid accidental loss of QFZP positioning (where relevant), and to keep your banking file consistent with your license scope.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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What does it mean to “register a company in DMCC”?
Registering a company in DMCC typically means you will:
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Choose the right licence type and business activities (aligned and approvable)
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Establish your legal setup (new company / subsidiary / branch, depending on your case)
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Secure an office solution (e.g., flexi desk to physical office)
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Obtain your DMCC licence and corporate documents
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Complete post-setup steps (establishment card, visas, banking, tax registration)
DMCC’s own licensing guide outlines common licence types and an end-to-end pathway from application to issuance