Quick answer
DMCC company setup costs AED 53,000โ60,000 excluding share capital in year one. โ Total setup takes 30โ60 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 10โ30 business days
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DMCC Company Setup in Dubai: Full Cost, Steps & Timeline (2026)
Registration from AED 9,020 ยท Annual license AED 20,285 ยท Complete fee breakdown ยท Updated April 2026
๐ Table of Contents
DMCC Lowest-Cost Setup Package (2026): Consultancy / Recruitment, 1 Visa
The most affordable route into DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is a flexi-desk package with a single visa allocation, well suited to service activities such as management consultancy or recruitment. Indicative all-in first-year cost for a 1-visa flexi-desk DMCC setup typically starts around AED 34,000โ50,000 including the licence, registration and a flexi-desk โ figures move with DMCC promotions and your exact activity, so confirm current package pricing before committing. DMCC offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, full profit repatriation and a central Jumeirah Lakes Towers address.
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 โ 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 โ 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 ยท Annual license: AED 20,285 ยท Share capital: AED 50,000 min ยท Flexi-desk: from AED 15,000/year ยท 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 โ 1,035 | One-time | First step โ 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 โ renewed every year |
| Establishment Card | 1,825 โ 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 โ 20,000 | Annual | Most cost-effective workspace option |
| Investor Visa (per person) | 4,000 โ 6,000 | Per visa | Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamp |
| Total Year 1 (flexi-desk, 1 visa) | ~AED 53,000 โ 60,000 | โ | Excludes share capital deposit |
| Total Year 1 (incl. share capital) | ~AED 103,000 โ 110,000 | โ | 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 โ 35,000 | Commodity trading, import/export |
| General Trading License | 35,000 โ 50,000 | Multiple product categories; needs AED 1M share capital |
| Industrial License | 25,000 โ 45,000 | Manufacturing and processing |
| Crypto / DLT License | 30,000 โ 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 โ 20,000 | 1 โ 3 visas | Shared hot-desk, JLT address |
| Virtual Office Package | 19,500 โ 23,500 | 1 visa | Mailing address + meeting room access |
| Serviced / Executive Office | 45,000 โ 90,000+ | Up to 10+ | Private office with dedicated space |
| DMCC Business Centre | 60,000 โ 120,000 | Scalable | Premium address in DMCC Tower |
DMCC Visa Costs 2026
| Visa Type | Government Fee (AED) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Investor / Partner Visa | 4,000 โ 5,500 | 3 years |
| Employee Residence Visa | 3,500 โ 5,000 | 2 years |
| Dependent Visa | 2,500 โ 4,000 | 2 years |
| Entry Permit (in-country change) | 1,500 โ 2,500 | 60 days |
| Medical Fitness Test + Emirates ID | 1,200 โ 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: 1โ2 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 โ 1,035. Timeline: 3โ5 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: 1โ2 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 โ it’s not lost. Timeline to open account: 2โ6 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 โ 60,000 (excl. share capital).
Apply for Investor & Employee Visas
With your establishment card and license, apply for visas. Process: entry permit โ medical test โ Emirates ID โ residence visa stamp. Cost: AED 4,000 โ 6,000 per visa. Timeline: 2โ4 weeks per person.
DMCC Setup Timeline in Days
| Stage | Business Days | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-approval / name reservation | 3 โ 5 | Day 1โ5 |
| MoA preparation & signing | 1 โ 2 | Day 6โ7 |
| Fee payment & document upload | 1 โ 2 | Day 7โ9 |
| License issuance by DMCC | 3 โ 5 | Day 10โ14 |
| Bank account opening | 10 โ 30 | Day 20โ45 |
| Visa processing (per person) | 10 โ 20 | Day 30โ65 |
| Total to fully operational | ~30 โ 60 days | โ |
Annual Renewal Costs
| Renewal Item | Annual Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade license renewal | 20,285 |
| Establishment card renewal | 1,825 โ 2,205 |
| Flexi-desk renewal | 15,000 โ 20,000 |
| Visa renewals (per person) | 3,000 โ 5,000 |
| Total annual running cost (1 person, flexi-desk) | ~AED 38,000 โ 45,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Set Up in DMCC?
Noble Core Ventures guides you through every stage โ 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 โ 50+ Zones Compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DMCC company setup cost in 2026?
Total first-year cost is approximately AED 53,000 to 60,000 excluding share capital, or AED 103,000 to 110,000 including the AED 50,000 share capital deposit. That covers pre-approval from AED 1,020, company registration at AED 9,020, the memorandum of association at AED 2,020, the annual license at AED 20,285, an establishment card, a flexi-desk at AED 15,000 to 20,000, and one investor visa at AED 4,000 to 6,000.
What is the minimum share capital for a DMCC company?
AED 50,000 for most DMCC companies, rising to AED 1,000,000 for general trading licenses. Importantly, the capital is not lost โ it must be deposited in a UAE corporate bank account within a few months of registration, after which it is usable for business expenses. The bank account opening itself takes two to six weeks and is typically the most critical bottleneck in the whole setup timeline.
How long does DMCC company setup take?
The license itself can be issued in ten to fourteen business days: name reservation takes one to two days, pre-approval three to five business days, and the MOA one to two days after that. However, bank account opening adds two to six weeks and visa processing two to four weeks per person, so total time to fully operational status is realistically 30 to 60 business days.
What are the annual recurring fees for a DMCC company?
The core recurring cost is the trade license at AED 20,285 per year for service or trading activities โ general trading starts from AED 35,000 and crypto or DLT licenses run AED 30,000 to 50,000. Add the establishment card renewal at AED 1,825 to 2,205 and your workspace: flexi-desks cost AED 15,000 to 20,000 annually, serviced offices AED 45,000 to 90,000 or more.
Does DMCC require a physical office?
Yes โ every DMCC company must have a physical office or approved workspace within the Jumeirah Lakes Towers free zone. The most affordable option is a flexi-desk at AED 15,000 to 20,000 per year, which provides a JLT address and a quota of one to three visas. Virtual office packages, serviced offices, and premium DMCC Business Centre space scale up from there, with larger offices supporting ten or more visas.
Is DMCC suitable for crypto and blockchain companies?
Yes. DMCC operates a dedicated Crypto Centre with licenses covering crypto trading technology, blockchain services, NFT marketplaces, and DLT businesses, with license fees of AED 30,000 to 50,000 annually. Note that regulated VASP activities โ exchange, custody, or advisory to UAE clients โ additionally require a VARA license on top of the DMCC registration. DMCC has been ranked the number one global free zone by fDi Intelligence for ten consecutive years.
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