DMCC Free Zone Setup — World’s #1 Free Zone
DMCC has been ranked World’s #1 Free Zone by FDi Magazine for 8 consecutive years. 18,000+ companies, located in JLT, best banking access in the UAE. We handle DMCC setup end-to-end since 2013.
What is DMCC?
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a government-of-Dubai Free Zone in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district. Founded in 2002 to anchor Dubai’s commodities trade, it has grown into a multi-sector hub home to 18,000+ companies from 180+ countries.
DMCC offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, full profit repatriation and a tier-1 reputation that opens doors with UAE banks. It is the easiest Free Zone in which to open an Emirates NBD, FAB or ADCB account.
Activities Available at DMCC
DMCC supports 600+ business activities across these sectors. We map your activity to the right license category before applying.
Commodities & Trading
Gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, agri-commodities, oil, plastics, steel and general trading licenses.
Crypto & Fintech
DMCC Crypto Centre hosts 600+ crypto firms. Activities include proprietary trading, VASP, blockchain consulting and fintech development.
Professional Services
Management consulting, marketing, IT services, business advisory and legal consultancy.
Tech & Media
Software development, SaaS, e-commerce, digital marketing, content production and gaming.
DMCC Cost Overview & Visa Quotas
DMCC is a premium-tier zone. Below are realistic 2026 ranges including license, registration and 1 visa for a standard setup.
- License (no visa) — Starting from 34,340 AED for trading/services license.
- License + 1 visa package — Starting from 48,000 AED all-in.
- License + 2 visas package — Starting from 55,000 AED.
- Visa quotas — 6 visa packages (Smart Flexi Desk to executive office tier).
- Office requirement — yes, but Flexi Desk packages available from AED 5,000/year.
- Annual renewal — license renews each year; budget similar to first-year cost.
Banking Access & Best Fit
Why DMCC is the gold standard — and where it might not fit.
- Banking access — the easiest Free Zone for tier-1 UAE banks (Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB) thanks to DMCC’s reputation.
- Best for — trading companies, commodities, crypto, fintech, tech SMEs with AED 500K+ expected turnover.
- Not ideal for — pre-revenue solo consultants on a tight budget (IFZA or Meydan are cheaper).
- Compliance — DMCC requires audited financial statements yearly. Our accounting team handles this.
DMCC FAQ
How long does DMCC company formation take?
5-10 working days from document submission to license issuance for standard activities. Crypto and regulated activities can take 4-8 weeks due to KYC.
Can I trade crypto on a DMCC license?
Yes — DMCC Crypto Centre supports Proprietary Trading, VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) and blockchain technology consultancy. VASP requires VARA approval and additional capital.
Do I need a physical DMCC office?
You need either a Flexi Desk (shared) or a dedicated office. Flexi Desk packages start at AED 5,000/year and qualify for up to 3 visas.
What about Corporate Tax at DMCC?
DMCC is a Designated Free Zone for QFZP purposes. Meet the qualifying activity + substance + audit requirements and qualifying income stays at 0% Corporate Tax. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%.
Compare with other zones on our Free Zones hub, or see the full Free Zone formation process.
Get Your DMCC Quote
Tell us your activity, visa headcount and timeline. We’ll reply within 24h with a fixed DMCC quote.