The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a government-established free zone headquartered in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), Dubai. Founded in 2002, DMCC was built to strengthen global trade flows through Dubai, initially focused on commodities such as gold, diamonds, tea, and coffee, and now spanning professional services, technology, and knowledge-based industries.
DMCC is home to almost 26,000 companies. It is the nine-time winner of the Global Free Zone of the Year award by fDi Magazine, a Financial Times publication. DMCC drives 15% of Dubai’s foreign direct investment and contributes approximately 7% of the emirate’s GDP.
DMCC is well-suited for the following business types:
DMCC is designed for light manufacturing, processing, and logistics activities. Businesses requiring heavy manufacturing or large-scale warehousing may find other free zones, such as JAFZA more appropriate.
DMCC structures company registration into three clear steps.
Use the DMCC Business Setup Wizard on the official DMCC Member Portal to identify the right package, license type, and legal structure for your business. The wizard produces a tailored proposal based on your activities and budget.
Complete the online pre-approval application through the DMCC Member Portal. This involves submitting the required documents, paying the applicable fees, signing agreements electronically, and selecting your office or workspace solution.
Documents required at this stage:
Once your application is approved, DMCC issues your e-licence. The entire process takes approximately 10 working days from complete document submission and payment. After receiving your license, you can open a UAE corporate bank account, apply for residence visas, and begin operations.
Suffix Update: Effective 2 January 2025, all newly registered DMCC companies must use the suffix FZCO for free zone companies and “FZ Branch” for branch establishments. These replace the previous DMCC and FZE suffixes. Companies registered before this date have an 18-month transition period to adopt the new suffix at no cost.
When registering in DMCC, you select a legal structure suited to your ownership and governance needs:
Share capital requirements vary by license type and business sector, ranging from no minimum to AED 1,000,000.
DMCC offers three core license categories:
For import, export, and trading of goods. A General Trading variant is available for businesses dealing across multiple product categories, subject to applicable approvals.
For businesses providing professional or consultancy services, IT solutions, marketing, financial services, and similar service-based activities.
For businesses involved in light manufacturing or processing within a designated DMCC facility.
DMCC also operates the Freelance UAE program for independent professionals. A freelance permit allows individuals to practice their profession legally in the UAE and obtain a UAE residence visa.
Up to 6 related business activities can be held under one license, provided they fall within the same activity group.
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Different types of licenses are offered in the DMCC free zone to fit the needs of the entrepreneur. These include:
Further, 5 activities can be carried out under one license. This makes running your business more efficient and smoother. Dual licensing is also available in the DMCC free zone.
Dual licensing implies the amount of business activities carried out under one license can be expanded. This can be done by owning dual licenses of both onshore and mainland.
This means you will be able to expand your business to onshore or mainland. In order to get this done, both DMCC and mainland licenses are required.
If we talk about the cost, the cost of a DMCC free zone license starts from AED 9,000 to AED 50,000. The ultimate cost of the license may vary.
Other relevant considerations, such as specific business activities, type of license, etc., are what the ultimate cost of a license depends on.
The process becomes much smoother once these processes are understood well, and this allows you to enter a DMCC free zone company.
Catering to various sectors and industries, a wide range of business activities is offered by DMCC. There is ample room for innovation and growth in this free zone with traditional and present-day ventures in terms of trading.
Within the JLT region, entrepreneurs can set up retail businesses such as restaurants, clinics, shops, etc.
This makes DMCC an attractive alternative to setting up a business organisation on the mainland. In terms of business activity, the flexibility offered by DMCC is another advantage that you can enjoy in this free zone.
From the same group, you can engage in up to six business activities. This is almost double the number of activities permitted across the UAE.
This gives you the opportunity to diversify your operational activities or to explore more than one avenue of business than your current industry.
As discussed earlier, a plethora of key commercial activities take place in the DMCC free zone. Out of these, DMCC has many other companies, like:
For businesses, a plethora of facilities are awaiting for one in the DMCC-free zone. Complementary cafes, washrooms, lounges, and high-speed internet are available in the free zone, along with fully equipped and furnished co-working space and rooms to hold meetings in.
Training and networking opportunities are present, along with storage, processing, and roasting facilities. A tax-friendly environment is provided with 100 percent business ownership, access to various infrastructures, and zero percent personal income tax.
Further, it is the largest free zone in the UAE and is considered to be the leading business authority in terms of commodities trade on an international level.
Your bank won’t break as the process of license renewal in the DMCC-free zone is a breeze. Once the initial report has been passed, you must keep the annual audit report handy. The signed lease agreement for your space needs to be sent, and to seal the deal, the license renewal fee must be paid.
In contrast to the initial process of incorporation, the process of license renewal is cheaper. No one-time fee is involved, and the facility and license fee must be paid. Once again, personal presence is not required, and some person on your behalf can take care of the renewal procedure.
Remote handling of minor amendments is common in this free zone. A personal visit from the owner or power of attorney is required in case of transfer of shares. The average cost of any amendment is around AED 4,000.
During the process of license renewal, some amendments can be made free of charge. For example, while renewing a company, business activities can be added or removed. Common amendments include changing the name of the company, removal of a company manager, changing the company location, etc.
The process of liquidating or shutting down businesses in the DMCC-free zone is as simple as setting it up. You do not have to be present in person, and you can simply appoint someone to handle it on your behalf. For completion of the process, you only have to pay the government fee.
The process of liquidation takes about a month and includes processes such as canceling visas, ending the lease agreement, and closing the bank account.
Other steps that are included in the substantial process of liquidating a company include:
In some cases, the process of liquidation can take up to five months. The government fee mentioned before is approximately AED 10,000.
In the DMCC freezone, the validity of the visa for both the employees and the company owners is about two years. Unlike other zones, company owners are not eligible for an investor visa designation.
But they are eligible to hold any top managerial position in the company. Attested educational certificates must be provided by employees seeking a top managerial position in the company.
Health insurance must be obtained before applying for a visa in the DMCC-free zone. Insurance processing may lead to an increment or lengthening of the visa procedure. Business setup consultants in Dubai can be trusteed for simplification of the procedure to handle both health insurance and visa requirements on your behalf.
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The DMCC business license process typically takes around two weeks from the initial application to approval. Factors such as the completeness of documentation and the type of business activity can influence the timeline. Ensuring that all required documents are submitted accurately can expedite the process.
Yes, businesses operating in the DMCC free zone benefit from zero percent corporate and personal income taxes for a period of 50 years, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs.
Additionally, there are no import or export duties, which further enhances the financial appeal of setting up a business in this free zone.
Absolutely. One of the key advantages of establishing a company in DMCC is that entrepreneurs can maintain 100% ownership of their business. This is particularly beneficial for foreign investors looking to retain full control without needing a local partner.
DMCC offers several types of licenses tailored to various business activities:
Each license type has specific requirements and is designed to cater to different sectors.
The type of license you require depends on your specific business activities. It is essential to clearly define your business model and activities before applying for a license. Consulting with a business setup advisor in the UAE can help determine the most suitable license based on your operational needs.
Office 2505, 25th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE P.O Box 27614
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com