Quick answer
DMCC company setup costs AED 53,000–60,000 excluding share capital in year one. — Total setup takes 30–60 business days from pre-approval to full operational status.
- Company registration: AED 9,020 + annual license: AED 20,285
- Minimum share capital deposit: AED 50,000 (usable, not lost)
- Bank account opening is the critical bottleneck at 10–30 business days
Best for: Entrepreneurs planning DMCC setup budgets and timelines
DMCC Company Setup in Dubai: Full Cost, Steps & Timeline (2026)
Registration from AED 9,020 · Annual license AED 20,285 · Complete fee breakdown · Updated April 2026
📋 Table of Contents
Why Set Up in DMCC in 2026?
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is the world’s most interconnected free zone and has been ranked the #1 Global Free Zone by fDi Intelligence for 10 consecutive years. It’s home to 23,000+ companies spanning commodities, fintech, crypto, consulting, and professional services.
Key benefits for 2026:
- 100% foreign ownership — no UAE local partner required
- 0% personal income tax and 0% on qualifying free zone income
- Full repatriation of capital and profits
- World-class JLT address — Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
- Access to 600+ commodities and global trade networks
- Crypto & blockchain licenses available within the DMCC framework
Company registration: AED 9,020 · Annual license: AED 20,285 · Share capital: AED 50,000 min · Flexi-desk: from AED 15,000/year · Total Year 1: from AED 50,000
Complete DMCC Cost Breakdown 2026
Here is a full itemized cost table for setting up a company in DMCC, covering every mandatory government fee:
| Fee Item | Amount (AED) | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Pre-Approval | 1,020 – 1,035 | One-time | First step — name approval & activity check |
| Company Registration | 9,020 | One-time | Official DMCC registration fee |
| Memorandum of Association (MoA) | 2,020 | One-time | Legal constitution document |
| Business License (Service/Trading) | 20,285 | Annual | Core license — renewed every year |
| Establishment Card | 1,825 – 2,205 | Annual | Required for visa processing |
| Share Capital (minimum) | 50,000 | Deposit | Refundable/usable for business ops after setup |
| Flexi-Desk (1 visa quota) | 15,000 – 20,000 | Annual | Most cost-effective workspace option |
| Investor Visa (per person) | 4,000 – 6,000 | Per visa | Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamp |
| Total Year 1 (flexi-desk, 1 visa) | ~AED 53,000 – 60,000 | — | Excludes share capital deposit |
| Total Year 1 (incl. share capital) | ~AED 103,000 – 110,000 | — | Share capital is held, not lost |
DMCC License Types & Annual Fees
| License Type | Annual Fee (AED) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Service License | 20,285 | Consulting, IT, professional services |
| Trading License | 20,285 – 35,000 | Commodity trading, import/export |
| General Trading License | 35,000 – 50,000 | Multiple product categories; needs AED 1M share capital |
| Industrial License | 25,000 – 45,000 | Manufacturing and processing |
| Crypto / DLT License | 30,000 – 50,000 | Blockchain, digital assets, Web3 |
Office & Workspace Options in DMCC
DMCC requires all registered companies to have a physical office or approved workspace within the JLT free zone. Options range from flexi-desks to full private offices:
| Workspace Type | Annual Cost (AED) | Visa Quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexi-Desk | 15,000 – 20,000 | 1 – 3 visas | Shared hot-desk, JLT address |
| Virtual Office Package | 19,500 – 23,500 | 1 visa | Mailing address + meeting room access |
| Serviced / Executive Office | 45,000 – 90,000+ | Up to 10+ | Private office with dedicated space |
| DMCC Business Centre | 60,000 – 120,000 | Scalable | Premium address in DMCC Tower |
DMCC Visa Costs 2026
| Visa Type | Government Fee (AED) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Investor / Partner Visa | 4,000 – 5,500 | 3 years |
| Employee Residence Visa | 3,500 – 5,000 | 2 years |
| Dependent Visa | 2,500 – 4,000 | 2 years |
| Entry Permit (in-country change) | 1,500 – 2,500 | 60 days |
| Medical Fitness Test + Emirates ID | 1,200 – 1,800 | Included in above |
Step-by-Step DMCC Setup Process
Choose Business Activity & Company Name
Select from DMCC’s approved activity list (900+ activities). Reserve your company name via the DMCC member portal. Name must be unique within the free zone. Fee: Included in pre-approval (AED 1,020). Timeline: 1–2 days.
Submit Pre-Approval Application
Apply for initial approval via DMCC’s online portal (dmcc.ae/members). Upload: passport copies of all shareholders, CV/professional background, proposed activity details. Fee: AED 1,020 – 1,035. Timeline: 3–5 business days.
Select Office / Workspace
Choose and sign a lease for your office or flexi-desk. DMCC provides in-house options through its business centres. A signed workspace agreement is required before license issuance. Flexi-desk from AED 15,000/year.
Prepare & Sign Memorandum of Association
Draft and notarize your MoA (DMCC provides a standard template for FZCOs). All shareholders must sign. Fee: AED 2,020. Timeline: 1–2 days once pre-approval is granted.
Pay Registration & License Fees
Pay: company registration (AED 9,020), annual license (AED 20,285), establishment card (AED 1,825). Total DMCC fees at this stage: ~AED 31,130.
Deposit Share Capital
Open a UAE corporate bank account and deposit minimum share capital of AED 50,000. This capital is usable for business expenses — it’s not lost. Timeline to open account: 2–6 weeks (most critical bottleneck).
Receive DMCC License & Share Certificate
DMCC issues your trade license and share certificate. You can now officially operate under the DMCC free zone. Total to this point: AED 53,000 – 60,000 (excl. share capital).
Apply for Investor & Employee Visas
With your establishment card and license, apply for visas. Process: entry permit → medical test → Emirates ID → residence visa stamp. Cost: AED 4,000 – 6,000 per visa. Timeline: 2–4 weeks per person.
DMCC Setup Timeline in Days
| Stage | Business Days | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-approval / name reservation | 3 – 5 | Day 1–5 |
| MoA preparation & signing | 1 – 2 | Day 6–7 |
| Fee payment & document upload | 1 – 2 | Day 7–9 |
| License issuance by DMCC | 3 – 5 | Day 10–14 |
| Bank account opening | 10 – 30 | Day 20–45 |
| Visa processing (per person) | 10 – 20 | Day 30–65 |
| Total to fully operational | ~30 – 60 days | — |
Annual Renewal Costs
| Renewal Item | Annual Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade license renewal | 20,285 |
| Establishment card renewal | 1,825 – 2,205 |
| Flexi-desk renewal | 15,000 – 20,000 |
| Visa renewals (per person) | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Total annual running cost (1 person, flexi-desk) | ~AED 38,000 – 45,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Set Up in DMCC?
Noble Core Ventures guides you through every stage — from pre-approval to bank account opening and visa processing. We know DMCC inside out.
Related guide: If you’re choosing between free zones across the UAE, our pillar guide compares all 50+: UAE Free Zone Business Setup — 50+ Zones Compared.
