Business Setup in DMCC Dubai

DMCC — Dubai Multi Commodities Centre — is a UAE federal free zone authority established in 2002 to facilitate global commodities trade. It has been ranked the world's number one free zone by FDI Magazine for multiple consecutive years, based on company growth, infrastructure quality, and business facilitation. Today DMCC hosts over 21,000 member companies from 180+ nationalities.

DMCC company setup costs vary depending on your licence type, number of activities, office space selection, and visa requirements. DMCC is positioned at the mid-to-premium tier among Dubai free zones. For an accurate cost breakdown tailored to your specific business structure, speak with an Infico DMCC advisor — costs should never be estimated without knowing your precise activity and office requirements.

DMCC companies can conduct business with UAE mainland entities — however, this is technically treated as an import transaction and may be subject to UAE customs duties on goods. Service-based DMCC companies face fewer restrictions on mainland client servicing. Businesses requiring unrestricted mainland market access should consider a Dubai Mainland company as their primary or secondary entity.

Yes. DMCC permits 100% foreign ownership for all registered companies. No UAE national shareholder, local sponsor, or service agent is required. This applies to all licence types — trading, service, and industrial. Full equity ownership is maintained by the foreign shareholder(s) from the point of registration.

DMCC visa quota is determined by your office space type. Flexi Desk packages offer a limited allocation. Smart Office and dedicated leased units provide higher quotas — proportional to office size under the Ejari registration. Dedicated offices offer the highest visa capacity and are required for regulated or high-headcount operations.

DMCC companies are subject to the UAE Corporate Tax framework effective June 2023. Qualifying Free Zone Persons earning Qualifying Income may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate. Non-qualifying income and income from mainland UAE operations is taxed at 9% above the AED 375,000 threshold. Substance requirements and compliance with FTA guidelines are mandatory to maintain the Qualifying Free Zone Person status.

Standard DMCC registration documents include: valid passport copies of all shareholders and directors, passport-size photographs, residential address proof, No Objection Certificate (if the shareholder is a UAE resident employed elsewhere), business plan for certain activity types, and notarised Memorandum of Association. Corporate shareholder applications require additional entity documentation including certificates of incorporation and board resolutions.

DMCC trade licence issuance typically takes between 7 to 15 working days for straightforward applications with complete documentation. Complex activity approvals, corporate shareholder structures, or applications requiring third-party NOCs may extend the timeline. Visa processing and Emirates ID issuance follows separately after licence approval.

Yes. DMCC is widely recognised by UAE commercial banks as a credible jurisdiction, which supports corporate bank account applications. However, account approval remains at the discretion of each bank's KYC and compliance team. DMCC's prestige as the world's top free zone generally supports stronger bank acceptance rates compared to lesser-known free zones.

DIFC operates under a separate legal and regulatory framework governed by the DIFC Authority and DFSA, with its own common law courts — making it the preferred jurisdiction for regulated financial services, fund management, and capital markets. DMCC, while capable of hosting financial holding and advisory businesses, does not have DIFC's specific financial regulatory infrastructure. The choice depends entirely on your regulated activity requirements.

Direct conversion between free zone and mainland structures is not a standard regulatory process in the UAE. Businesses wishing to operate in both jurisdictions typically establish a separate mainland entity registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) while maintaining their DMCC free zone company. Infico advisors can structure dual-entity solutions for businesses requiring both market access points.

DMCC requires registered companies to maintain proper accounting records and submit audited financial statements as part of the annual licence renewal process. Audits must be conducted by a DMCC-approved auditor. Failure to comply may result in penalties or licence renewal delays. This requirement aligns with UAE Corporate Tax registration and FTA compliance obligations.

DMCC supports a broad range of technology activities — including IT consulting, software development, digital services, and SaaS operations — under its service licence category. For tech-focused businesses, however, alternatives such as Dubai Silicon Oasis or Dubai Internet City may offer more activity-specific infrastructure and sector community benefits worth evaluating.

DMCC trade licences must be renewed annually. Renewal requires settlement of the annual licence fee, renewal of your office space agreement or workspace package, submission of audited accounts, and confirmation of UBO register accuracy. Licence renewal also triggers related visa renewals for investor and employee residence permits.

Initial DMCC registration can often be completed remotely through the DMCC Member Portal with properly attested documentation. However, physical presence is typically required for visa stamping, Emirates ID biometrics, and corporate bank account opening. Infico can guide you on which stages require your physical presence and optimise your travel requirements accordingly.