DMCC Company Setup in Dubai:
Licence, Address and Visas
DMCC is a Dubai free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, established in 2002 around commodities trade and now home to trading, service, technology and holding companies. A DMCC company offers 100% foreign ownership and needs a registered address inside the zone. Maven& checks your activity, structure and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Registered address in Jumeirah Lakes Towers
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- DMCC company setup partner
Foreign ownership
A standard DMCC setup needs no UAE national partner or local service agent.
Main licence types to compare
Trading, service and industrial licences are the main categories, with more options by activity.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your DMCC licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who DMCC suits
Businesses that suit a DMCC company
Commodity and trading companies
DMCC began as a commodities hub, covering areas such as gold, diamonds, metals, tea, coffee and energy trading.
Service and consulting firms
Professional and service companies that want a recognised Dubai free zone address and mostly serve overseas clients.
Technology and e-commerce businesses
Online and technology businesses that want a Dubai base with a free zone licence.
Holding and investment structures
Holding companies and asset-holding structures that want a Dubai free zone entity.
What are the main DMCC rules and tax points?
A DMCC licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, reporting and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Registered address: every DMCC company needs a registered address inside the zone, from a flexi-desk to a private office, depending on activity and visa needs.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is available, with no UAE national partner needed for a standard setup.
- Mainland trading: a DMCC licence does not automatically allow unrestricted trading in mainland Dubai.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- Reporting: DMCC expects annual financial reporting, so plan for accounting from the first year.
- DMCC vs mainland
DMCC vs Dubai mainland company
Choose DMCC if your business is international, commodity-linked or holding-based. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | DMCC free zone | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | DMCC Authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Not automatic: depends on the licence and approvals | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Address | Registered address inside DMCC (JLT) | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Trading, holding and overseas-focused service companies | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in DMCC
Company
For most new businesses
- Separate legal entity in DMCC
- One or more shareholders
- Registered address in the zone
- Trading, service or industrial licence
Final cost depends on your licence, address and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, address and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
SPV Structure
For investment and asset holding
- Holds shares, assets or intellectual property
- Operating needs are often simpler
- Tax position depends on the type of income
- Confirm eligibility before applying
Final cost depends on your licence, address and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does DMCC company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, address and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every DMCC and service fee before you commit.
- DMCC licence package and activity fees
- Registered address, from flexi-desk to office
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal from the second year
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a DMCC company in Dubai in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence type
We match your activities to the right DMCC licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your DMCC name
We submit your preferred name through the DMCC online portal and check it against DMCC naming rules.
Apply and secure your address
We submit the application and arrange a registered address in the zone, from flexi-desk to private office.
Receive your DMCC licence
After approvals and fees, DMCC issues your electronic trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for DMCC company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where DMCC or the bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for DMCC company setup in Dubai
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence type and tax position
DMCC licence categories and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- DMCC FAQs
DMCC company setup in Dubai: frequently asked questions
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a Dubai free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, established in 2002 to support commodities trade. It now licenses trading, service, technology and holding companies, and offers 100% foreign ownership. See all free zones.
Yes. DMCC allows 100% foreign ownership, and a standard setup needs no UAE national partner or local service agent.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, address and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, the registered address, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
You need a registered address inside the zone. Depending on your activity and visa needs, that can range from a flexi-desk to a private office in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
Not automatically. A DMCC licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights, so trading with UAE customers depends on your licence and any approvals. If most customers are in the UAE, a mainland company may fit better.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
The main categories are trading, service and industrial licences, with further options depending on the activity. We match your activities to the right licence before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and DMCC runs a digital application process. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A DMCC company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to the licence and the address. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your DMCC company in Dubai?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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