DMCC Company Setup
The world's leading free zone for trade, commodities and crypto, in the heart of JLT.
- Ownership
- 100% foreign
- Setup time
- 1 to 3 weeks
- Licence cost
- from AED 34,000 first year
- Visas
- Scales with office size
DMCC has been named global free zone of the year repeatedly and hosts more than 24,000 companies across Jumeirah Lakes Towers. It began as the home of Dubai's gold, diamond and tea trade and now licenses everything from general trading to the DMCC Crypto Centre, one of the region's largest concentrations of Web3 firms.
The zone's real advantage is ecosystem depth: dedicated commodity exchanges, banking relationships that understand trading flows, grade-A towers with flexi-desk to full-floor options, and a licence portfolio wide enough to keep group companies under one roof. For businesses that trade physical goods or digital assets, DMCC is usually the first shortlist entry.
Who DMCC suits
- Commodities and general trading
- Crypto and Web3 (DMCC Crypto Centre)
- Precious metals and stones
- Professional services and holding companies
Why choose DMCC
- 0% corporate tax available as a qualifying free zone person
- Deep trading ecosystem: exchanges, vaults, tea and coffee centres
- Strong bank onboarding track record for trading activities
- JLT location on the metro with 68 towers of office stock
- Dual licensing options to operate onshore via DED
DMCC frequently asked questions
How much does a DMCC licence cost?
A first-year DMCC setup with a flexi desk typically starts around AED 34,000 to AED 50,000 including registration, licence and workspace. Renewals from year two are lower. Exact pricing depends on activity, workspace and visa count, and we confirm a fixed quote before you commit.
How long does DMCC company formation take?
With documents in order, name reservation to licence issuance usually takes one to three weeks. Bank-account opening afterwards adds two to four weeks depending on the bank and your profile.
Can a DMCC company trade in mainland Dubai?
A DMCC licence covers business within the zone and internationally. To invoice mainland UAE customers directly you either appoint a local distributor, or use DMCC's dual-licence arrangement with the Dubai DED where eligible. We structure this during setup so it never becomes a compliance surprise.
Is DMCC good for crypto businesses?
Yes. The DMCC Crypto Centre hosts hundreds of Web3 companies and offers dedicated licence types for proprietary trading, NFT and metaverse activities. Regulated financial services such as exchanges or custody still require VARA or other regulatory approvals, which we scope with you before incorporation.
JRE analysis
Advisory Journal- 2026-09-05UAE's 15% Global Minimum Tax: What Free Zone Companies Must Do Before the Clock Runs OutThe UAE's QDMTT regime means free zone entities in large MNC groups may owe a 15% top-up tax, ending a long-held structural advantage.
- 2026-08-07UAE Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax: Registration Requirements Now PublishedThe UAE has released formal registration requirements for the 15% domestic minimum top-up tax, with deadlines businesses must now act on.
- 2026-08-02DMCC Adds Cybersecurity Hub, Tether Partnership and Family Office Tools: What Members Need to KnowDMCC's mid-2026 moves, from a cybersecurity hub to blockchain education and a new wealth platform, signal a broadening strategic focus.
Latest DMCC news
Auto-updated- DMCC sees over 1,000 Chinese firms join Dubai free trade zone in 2025 - China DailyChina Daily · 15 Sept 2026
- DMCC Signs Strategic Partnership with Hong Kong Tinkam Capital to Drive Industrial Investment between Hong Kong and Dubai - Macau BusinessMacau Business · 28 Jul 2026
- Dubai Oil Trader Seeks to Become Top Creditor in Bankruptcy of Former Russian Refinery Owner – Kommersant - The Moscow TimesThe Moscow Times · 27 Jul 2026
- From Russia to Africa: The hidden free zone trade routes running through Dubai - Business Insider AfricaBusiness Insider Africa · 27 Jul 2026