DMCC company formation
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DMCC is Dubai’s flagship free zone and a “qualified free zone” under UAE Corporate Tax Law, offering 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, 100% foreign ownership, and 0% personal income tax. With 26,000+ companies across 1,000+ activities in JLT and Uptown Dubai, it suits trading, services, e‑commerce, and light industry, with fully digital company formation and E‑license issuance. Basic licence fees start around AED 15,000, while first‑year costs typically range AED 30,000–60,000 depending on activities, office choice, and visas; a practical share capital benchmark is AED 50,000. Timelines are fast: licensing often takes 3–5 business days once documentation is complete, and full onboarding (visas and banking) usually completes in 2–4 weeks. You can start by creating a DMCC portal login on the official site or engage expert local business consultants in Dubai—such as SFM—for end‑to‑end setup, documentation, and bank account support. This 2025 guide explains the advantages of a DMCC freezone company, the entity and licence options, costs and fees, and how to set up your corporate presence in the UAE step by step.
Advantages of a DMCC free zone setup
How to set up a DMCC company in 2025
Choose your activity and structure
- Activities drive everything: licence type, third‑party approvals, and banking. DMCC lists 2,000+ activities across trading, services, e‑commerce, crypto-related operations, and light manufacturing.
- Structures include: Free Zone LLC (FZ-LLC), branch, or subsidiary. An LLC is common for fresh starts; a branch fits when the parent will carry liability.
Secure your trade name and initial approval
- Reserve a compliant name and push your application for initial approval via the portal. Expect basic KYC on owners and managers.
Prepare documentation
- Passports for shareholders/directors and proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement).
- If applicable: UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy.
- A simple business plan or activity description, and any required third‑party approvals for regulated lines.
- If using a consultancy (local or international) like SFM or others, they will give you a checklist, a portal login, and templates for consistent documentation.
Lease your office
- Choose flexi-desk, serviced office, or fitted space within the freezone. The lease anchors visas and substance for tax purposes.
Pay fees and receive E-license
- Pay fees and receive E-license
Open a bank account and start visas
- Shortlist banks that match your risk profile and activity. Expect enhanced KYC for cross‑border trading, crypto‑adjacent activities, and high‑risk geographies.
- Process establishment card and visas based on your office allocation.
Structures and licences: choose with intent
Your legal wrapper sets your risk profile and compliance burden. An FZ‑LLC separates shareholder liability and supports most activities with minimal friction. A branch mirrors its parent and can be faster to register if you already carry a corporate track record. A subsidiary can strike a balance when you want local governance under a parent.
On licences, match what you actually do. Trading licences handle import/export and distribution. Service licences cover consulting, tech, media, and a long tail of professional services. Industrial licences address light manufacturing with specific premises and safety requirements. Crypto‑related activities are possible under DMCC’s specialty framework but require careful scoping and additional controls. Start with the activity list, then map the licence to substance, people, and systems.
Costs, fees, and the real budget you should plan for
The headline cost is only part of the story. Plan a full first‑year budget and your finance team will love you.
- Registration and licence fees: entry-level licences often start around AED 15,000. Total first‑year costs commonly range AED 30,000–60,000, driven by activity scope, number of activities, and whether you add branches or additional lines.
- Office lease: flexi-desk to serviced suites vary widely; remember visas scale with space.
- Establishment card, visas, and medical/Emirates ID: budget per head.
- Audit and compliance: DMCC requires annual audited financial statements; add ESR, UBO filings, and corporate tax registration even if you expect 0% on qualifying income.
- Professional services: accounting, VAT, corporate tax advice, and ongoing admin. Good advisors reduce friction and late fees.
- Banking: no fee for opening is not the norm; expect minimum balance requirements and due diligence.
From time to time, DMCC runs incentives such as extended provisional approval, discounted setup fees, or bundled services. Treat these as a bonus, not a plan. Always verify current offers on the official site before you model costs.
Banking, visas, and compliance that keep you safe
UAE banks run robust KYC/AML. Be ready with group charts, source of funds proof, contracts, and a clear activity narrative. If your business is cross‑border or commodity‑linked, align trade flows, incoterms, and counterparties with your licence. Banking teams understand DMCC; speak their language and accounts open faster.
On compliance, deadlines matter. File the annual audit through the DMCC portal, renew licences on time, maintain ESR where applicable, record UBOs, and register for corporate tax with the FTA. Being in a qualified free zone does not exempt you from compliance. It gives you a framework to achieve the 0% rate on qualifying income when the facts and documentation support it.
DMCC vs other Dubai free zones: choose by use case
I love a good comparison, and here’s the practical one I give clients. DIFC focuses on financial services under common-law style courts and bespoke regulation; licences cost more, and the target market is different. JAFZA fits large-scale logistics and manufacturing with port adjacency and massive warehousing; spectacular for supply chains at scale. Dubai South rides the aviation and logistics wave around DWC airport. DMCC, in contrast, serves a broader slate of trading and service businesses with strong community and lifestyle advantages in JLT, often at comparatively lower licensing costs. The best freezone is the one that fits your operations, customers, and hiring plan.
Documentation for a smooth DMCC portal login
The portal is your cockpit. Before you hit “submit,” check that names match passports, addresses are current, and scans are legible. Keep PDF copies of passports, proof of address, and any board resolutions that authorize the setup. If you are using consultants in Dubai—whether a boutique local consultancy or a larger operator like SFM—ask for their document templates and naming conventions. This avoids back‑and‑forth and keeps your 10‑day timeline intact.
A day-by-day playbook: from application to first invoice
Day 1–2: Choose activity and structure, reserve name, and request initial approval.
Day 3–4: Upload KYC and documentation, finalize office lease, and pay fees.
Day 5–7: Receive E-license and share certificates; apply for establishment card; initiate bank onboarding.
Day 8–10: Issue first client invoice, kick off visas, and schedule your audit onboarding so you don’t scramble at year‑end.
If you slip on any step, do not panic. The system is forgiving if you communicate early and keep the portal updated.
Member benefits and community that compound
DMCC is more than a registry number. Expect priority access to networking events, industry forums, and practical meetups where conversations turn into contracts. The Business Rewards programme lets you earn status as you spend on services like licence renewals. It’s a nudge toward loyalty that actually lowers your effective fees over time.
The testimonials you see on the official site—including commodity traders, tech scale‑ups, and global brands—reflect a truth I see with clients: when you place the right activity in the right zone, velocity follows. You feel it in JLT’s cafés as much as in boardrooms.
FAQs for 2025
Still have a questions?
Can I own 100% of my company in DMCC?
Yes. Full foreign ownership is standard, with full control over operations and profit distribution.
How long does setup take?
Licensing can complete in 3–5 business days after documents are in order. End‑to‑end onboarding, including visas and banking, generally lands in 10 working days to 2–4 weeks depending on your activity and readiness.
What is the minimum share capital?
Most activities have no fixed statutory minimum. Many founders start around AED 50,000 for practical banking and governance. Regulated activities may require more.
How much does it cost to set up?
First‑year totals often range AED 30,000–60,000, driven by licence scope, office choice, and visas. Check current fees and any official incentives on the DMCC site before you finalize budgets.
How many visas can I obtain?
Visa quotas link to your office type and size. Flexi‑desks usually support a small team; larger premises support more. Your licence package may include an initial allocation.
Which activities are allowed?
DMCC lists 2,000+ activities across trading, services, e‑commerce, light manufacturing, and specialized lines (including certain crypto‑related operations subject to extra approvals).
Do I get a physical licence?
You receive an E-license. It is valid and widely accepted across the UAE.
Where do I find the official rules on corporate tax in free zones?
See the UAE Ministry of Finance site (mof.gov.ae) and the Federal Tax Authority guidance. Map your “qualifying income” and maintain substance in the free zone to aim for the 0% rate where applicable.
| Topic | Key details (2025) | How to proceed | Costs & timelines (indicative) | Notes and official resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is DMCC free zone | DMCC is a geographically designated free zone in Dubai, UAE. It is a qualified free zone under UAE Corporate Tax Law, enabling 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. Home to JLT and Uptown Dubai, with 26,000+ member companies from 180+ countries and 1,000+ activities. 100% foreign ownership and capital repatriation. 100% digital setup. | Decide if a freezone company suits your market plan (free zone vs mainland). Map activities, markets, and office needs. | N/A | Official site: dmcc.ae. Corporate Tax overview: mof.gov.ae (Corporate Tax – Ministry of Finance – UAE). |
| Advantages of DMCC company formation | Business‑friendly tax environment; 0% corporate tax on qualifying income in the free zone; multi‑year licences; priority access to networking; DMCC Business Rewards loyalty programme; world‑class office options; lifestyle benefits in JLT. | List what you need: activities, shareholders, capital, office, visas, banking. Use a local consultancy or DMCC experts for fast setup. | Membership perks can reduce ongoing fees; check current offers. | Explore “Member benefits” and “DMCC Business Rewards” on the official site. |
| Entity types | Free Zone LLC (FZ‑LLC) with 1–50 shareholders; Branch of local/foreign company; Subsidiary of local/foreign company. | Choose based on liability, branding, and group structure. Branch mirrors parent activities; LLC offers standalone liability. | Registration fees differ by entity. | DMCC Rules & Regulations on dmcc.ae outline requirements. |
| Licence types | Trading, Service, Industrial, e‑commerce, and regulated categories (e.g., certain crypto‑related activities). Multi‑year options available. | Match your chosen activities to the correct licence. Some activities need external approvals. | Licence fees from about AED 15,000; add activity/class variations. | Check the official activities list on the DMCC site. |
| Step‑by‑step: how to set up a DMCC company | 1) Choose activities and name. 2) Create portal account and login. 3) Apply for initial approval. 4) Submit documentation. 5) Sign a lease in DMCC (flexi‑desk, serviced, or office). 6) Pay fees. 7) Receive E‑license and corporate documents. 8) Open bank account. 9) Apply visas. 10) Start operations. | Use the DMCC portal for all steps; you can also engage business consultants in Dubai for a managed setup. | Portal-driven process typically 10 working days end‑to‑end once documents are ready; licence issuance often 3–5 business days post‑approval. Full onboarding with visas/banking: usually 2–4 weeks. | E‑license is issued digitally. All government interactions are online. |
| Documentation checklist | Shareholder/director passports; proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement); UAE residence visa and Emirates ID if applicable; business plan; proposed activities; specimen signatures; for corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, board resolution, MOA/AOA, UBO details. | Prepare clear, recent scans. Ensure name matches passports. For sfm or other consultancy onboarding, expect similar KYC and proof‑of‑address requirements. | Notarisation/legalisation for foreign corporate documents may add cost & time. | DMCC “Business setup document guides and templates” and the “2025 Dubai Business Set Up Guide” are available on the official site. |
| Office solutions in the free zone | 87+ high‑rise towers with co‑working, serviced offices, fitted space, and shell & core. Lease is required for company formation. | Choose an office that aligns with visa needs and budget. Flexi‑desks suit lean teams; larger offices enable more visas. | Typical annual ranges: flexi‑desk AED 7,500–20,000+; serviced AED 25,000–80,000+; fitted/shell vary by size and tower. | An office lease in DMCC is needed before licence issuance. |
| Banking and corporate account | Open a UAE corporate bank account after licence issuance. Banks require company docs, licence, shareholders’ IDs, and may ask for business plan, invoices, or contracts. | Shortlist banks based on your activity and target markets. Prepare source‑of‑funds and trade flows. | Account opening can take 1–4 weeks depending on compliance. | Some promotions include complimentary bank account opening support via consultants or DMCC partners. |
| Visas and headcount | Visa quota depends on office type/size. Flexi‑desk commonly supports around 3–4 visas; larger offices allow more. | Plan visas early (owners, dependents, employees). Reserve quota when choosing office. | Government fees per visa apply (entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID). | Timelines vary by nationality and security clearance. |
| Costs & fees (new 2025 snapshot) | First‑year totals often AED 30,000–60,000+, driven by licence, registration, office lease, establishment card, and visas. Basic licences start around AED 15,000. | Build a cost model: licence + activities + office + visas + bank + advisory. Ask for an official quotation. | Document attestation/legalisation and regulated activities add to costs. | Promotions may include fast‑track setup, discounts on setup fees, and price freezes (verify on the official site). |
| Corporate tax and compliance | DMCC is a qualified free zone for UAE Corporate Tax. 0% corporate tax may apply to qualifying income as defined by Cabinet/Ministerial decisions. Non‑qualifying income may be treated differently. Keep proper books and meet filings. | Classify activities and income sources. Seek corporate tax guidance to preserve free zone benefits. | Budget for accounting, audit (if required by your activity), and tax filings. | Reference: Corporate Tax – Ministry of Finance – UAE (mof.gov.ae). |
| Digital portal and login | All applications run through the DMCC portal. Create an account, verify email, and use 2FA. Upload documents, e‑sign forms, and pay fees online. | Go to portal.dmcc.ae, create your account, and login. Keep originals handy for bank and KYC. | N/A | Keep copies of all receipts and approvals in your portal archive. |
| Promotions and what’s new in 2025 | Receive your E‑license. Selected offers may include: complimentary true copy of resolution; complimentary office operational fitness certificate; fast‑track setup and discounts; extended provisional approval validity (180 days); guaranteed price freeze on licence renewal; 20% discount on additional activities; add shareholders/directors/activities at no charge within 3 months of licence issuance; save up to AED 10,000 on additional services; complimentary bank account opening; 100% digital setup with dedicated support. | Confirm availability and eligibility before you apply. Offers change and may be limited‑time. | Promotions can reduce first‑year costs & fees. | Check the official site and speak to DMCC experts for current terms. |
| DMCC Business Rewards | Earn points on licence packages, renewals, and selected DMCC services. Status tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum. | Enrol via your portal and link payments to your account. | Rewards can offset future DMCC services. | See the DMCC site for programme rules. |
| Comparisons: DMCC vs other Dubai free zones | DIFC focuses on financial services; higher regulatory complexity, typically higher fees. JAFZA suits large‑scale logistics/manufacturing. Dubai South is strong in aviation/logistics. DMCC offers broad trading/services scope and lifestyle advantages in JLT. | Pick a zone aligned with your activity, cost profile, and target clients. | Licence and office costs vary widely by zone. | A side‑by‑side comparison with official fee sheets helps decide. |
| Success stories and community | Energy traders, gold companies, tech startups, F&B platforms, and professional bodies highlight DMCC’s speed, sector expertise, and infrastructure. Networking events drive deal‑flow. | Use events and forums to meet partners and clients. | N/A | Join industry meetings via the DMCC events calendar. |
| Liquidation and de‑registration | Orderly closure includes board resolution, clearances, final audit (if applicable), cancellation of visas, licence cancellation, and registry removal. | Plan 1–3 months ahead. Keep rent, utilities, and government dues current to avoid delays. | Government and publication fees apply. | DMCC guidance is available to keep the process compliant. |
| Role of consultants and experts | Local consultancy firms and DMCC‑registered business consultants in Dubai can manage end‑to‑end setup, banking introductions, and visas. They help with documentation, regulated approvals, and timing. | Select an expert with a clear scope, fixed fees, and a timeline. Ask for official quotations and a document list. | Advisory fees vary by activity and urgency. | If using sfm or another provider, ensure they align with DMCC rules and share their KYC requirements up front. |
| Practical checklist: how to avoid delays | Match activities to licence; reserve a compliant name; prepare clean KYC and proof of address; align office size with visa needs; answer bank compliance quickly; keep portal documents consistent across all filings. | Use the 2025 document templates; pre‑book medical/ID slots; keep originals ready for banks. | A complete file often cuts setup to about 10 working days. | Keep a master folder with all signed PDFs, receipts, and approvals. |
| Contact and official site | DMCC official site and portal host fees, services, and step‑by‑step guides. Use “Contact us” for clarifications or book an appointment with DMCC experts. | Visit dmcc.ae and portal.dmcc.ae to start. | N/A | For corporate tax specifics: mof.gov.ae. For tailored help, engage a trusted local consultancy. |
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