DMCC was established in 2002 as a strategic initiative of the Government of Dubai with a mandate to provide physical, market, and financial infrastructure required to set up and operate a thriving commodities marketplace, today DMCC is officially recognized as the largest Free Zone in the United Arab Emirates with over 14,100 registered companies.
Largest Free Zone in the UAE - DMCC is the fastest growing and largest Free Zone in the UAE with over 14,100-member companies licensed across different sectors.
100% business ownership - An expat can fully own the business without a requirement of a local partner.
Strategic Location - DMCC is located in the heart of new Dubai with the proximity to Jebel Ali Free Zone & Ports and the Dubai International Airports.
Flexible Office Solutions - Options for immediately available flexi desks (plug and play), serviced offices, as well as freehold & leasehold offices for retail and commercial use. Buying an office space is also allowed.
World Class Business Hub - Dubai is perfectly situated to access the world’s developing economies, which makes it the ideal location to set up and grow the business in this region.
A full range of business activity options - DMCC mirrors majority of Dubai Department of Economic Development activities from commodities to retail outlets, consultancies to beauty salons.
Training Events – Regular networking events through DMCC industry events, sector specific clubs, and informative workshops as well as Training on the latest developments in trade regulation & compliance standards.
Trading Platforms - Trading platforms such as the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), Dubai Diamond Exchange, DMCC Pearl Exchange, DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Trade flow.
Fewer Nationality Restrictions - Lesser restrictions apply compared to other free zones in terms of ownership, visas & dependents sponsorship.
Day 1 - Submit application forms along with the required documents for Pre- Approval to CREATIVE ZONE and make payment.
Apply for the DMCC portal login ID and Password for the establishment of a new company.
Day 4 - Application for Pre-Approval is submitted.
Day 19 - Pre Approval is issued and proposed company name shall be reserved.
STAGE 2
Day 20 - Client to Visit CZ office to submit & sign the documents for registration of the company.
Day 21 - Submission of documents for registration to DMCC.
Day 31 - Provisional approval & Bank Letter is Issued.
STAGE 3
Day 32 - Submission of documents for Licensing.
Day 40 - Following documents will be released.
For New Company
1) Issue the Company License
2) Issue the Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA)
3) Issue the share certificate (s)
4) Issue the Certificate of Registration
5) Issue the Personal Secondment Agreement
Release quota for 1 visa (until completion of office fit –out)
For Subsidiary Company
1) Issue the Company License
2) Issue the Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA)
3) Issue the share certificate (s)
4) Issue the Certificate of Registration
5) Issue the Personal Secondment Agreement
Release quota for 1 visa (until completion of office fit–out)
For Branch Company
1) Issue the Company License
2) Issue the Personal Secondment Agreement
Release quota for 1 visa (until completion of office fit–out)
STAGE 4
Day 41 - Submit documents for Stage 4 within 3 weeks from the date of the trade license is issued.
Day 41 - Apply for Establishment Card – will be issued within 15 working days.
Please Note:
The above timelines correlate to working days not calendar days.
The above timelines are collated based on the average processing times over the previous 3 months and hence are not exact and in reality may be shorter or longer.
Applications are submitted for processing and indicated timelines commence upon realization of payment.
The cut-off time for documents to be submitted/received, and payments to be received/realized is 1pm, anything received after this time will be considered towards the following working day.
During periods in and around Ramadan, days of mourning, Eid and other National and Religious Holidays the indicated timelines are likely to become subject to delays.
Change of status (in/out stamp) would need to be carried out prior to proceeding for your Emirates ID Card.
Should you be outside the country when the visa is issued, and are not from one of the 46 countries that are granted a visa on arrival, and are entering the UAE on your new entry visa, which will constitute your change of status, please be sure to contact your airline prior to travelling, as many airlines will need to see a copy of your entry visa prior to travel in order to verify the same and then upload a copy of the visa onto their system, and provide you with an ‘OK to Board’. The same would apply if you are inside the country when the visa is issued, and plan to exit the country with your visa in hand, and then re-enter the UAE by air.
Furthermore, when you are entering the country on your new entry visa, please ensure you carry out your eye scan at the airport on arrival, and ensure the immigration official stamps the entry visa as well as your passport. Do NOT enter on your e-gate card.
Once you complete your change of status you will NOT be able to travel outside of the UAE until your passport has been stamped with your residency visa.
The Visa process for certain nationalities may be longer than the timelines indicated above.
Should you have a visa application under process and wish to travel in and out of the UAE, and are a national of one of the 46 countries who are granted visit visas on arrival, please contact us before re-entering the UAE, as if your visa application has cleared security approval, you may have to wait until your new employment visa has been issued and to re-enter the UAE using the same.
Please note that we are legally obliged to keep the applicant notified of all steps and progress reports concerning their visa process and release the visa and passport directly to them unless they instruct us otherwise. We will not be able to release the passport or visa to anyone else, including the company owner/s, unless expressly directed to do so by the applicant.
Fees:
Commercial Trading/Service License
Year 1
Year 2
Trade Name Reservation
AED 1,015
Trade License Fee
AED 20,285
AED 20,285
Registration Fee
AED 9,020
Memorandum Of Association
AED 2,020
Auditors Appointment Letter
AED 1,000
Paid Up Share Capital Requirement
AED 50,000
Establishment Card
AED 1,800
AED 1,800
CZ Professional Fee
AED 12,600
AED 10,500
TOTAL
AED 97,740
AED 32,585
General Trading, Financial & Hospitality
Year 1
Year 2
Trade Name Reservation
AED 1,015
Trade License Fee
AED 50,285
AED 50,285
Registration Fee
AED 29,020
Memorandum Of Association
AED 2,020
Auditors Appointment Letter
AED 1,000
Paid Up Share Capital Requirement
AED 1,000,000
Establishment Card
AED 1,800
AED 1,800
CZ Service Fee
AED 12,600
AED 10,500
TOTAL
AED 1, 097, 740
AED 62,585
Office Options
Options
Cost
Flexi Desk Part Time*** 3 visa allocation
Starting from AED 17,000
Physical Office for Lease*
Starting from AED 90+ per 300 per sq.ft
Options available to purchase or lease the office space
If a visa is required the share capital requirement will be AED 50,000 per shareholder.
For General Trading License, Hospitality and Financial activities, the minimum share capital requirement is AED 1 million.
AED 1 Million minimum share capital requirement per company, is also applicable for the following activity names:
One to Five Star Hotels
Vacation Homes Rental
Life Insurance / Life Reinsurance
Accidents & Liabilities Insurance
Fire Insurance
Transportation Risk Insurance
Credit & Saving Insurance
Health Insurance
Mechanical Failure Insurance
Insurance Agent
AED 500,000 minimum share capital requirement is required for Reinsurance or Insurance Brokers activity name.
Please consult CREATIVE ZONE for the specific Share Capital & facility requirements, Restrictions & Third-Party Approval activities.
The total cost is exclusive of flexi desk or physical office cost.
Flexi offices and desks are subject to availability and approval from DMCC and they require a 10% deposit. The flexi desk option is not available for General Trading License.
AED 1,000 additional to the Share Capital for the Bank Share Capital Deposit Letter.
Visa (Visas are valid for 3 years)
Timeline: 7 business days for entry visa and 7 business days for residence visa stamping
Emirates ID Card -AED 370 (payable directly to the ID Card Center)
Medical -AED 880 (payable directly to the Medical Center)
If you wish to avail our Assistance for the Medical test and Emirates ID card application, we can provide this for a fee of AED 2,500.
This includes the following:
Pick up and drop off from your home address, hotel, or any point in Dubai using one of our regular 4 door sedan cars.
Assistance by one of our efficient Public Relations Officers to make the process as seamless as possible.
Inclusive of the government costs for both the medical test and Emirates ID application.
We shall assist you in doing both your Medical test & Emirates ID application in Al Karama medical center all on the same day.
Collection of the Medical report on your behalf (results are collected after 4 hours).
Collection of the Emirates ID card on your behalf (released after 15 working days from residence visa stamping).
Upgrade for ONLY AED 195! Ride in Style & Luxury in our Lexus VIP service! Our Senior PRO will assist you during your Medical test and Emirates ID card application for a more premium experience. (Total of AED 2,695)
* Health Insurance (mandatory for all employees). Please get in touch with your dedicated Account Manager for the cost.