JRE · Joshi Real Estate
DubaiDubai Multi Commodities Centre

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.

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