DMCC Free Zone (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is a government-regulated free zone headquartered in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district of Dubai. As the UAE’s most awarded free zone authority, DMCC free zone setup gives your company 100% foreign ownership, direct access to the Dubai Unified License (DUL) system, and a registry of over 24,000 active member companies. In 2026, DMCC remains the most strictly regulated free zone in the UAE, requiring all member companies to submit a mandatory annual audit report to maintain license validity.
Based in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district, DMCC blends global commodity trade, specialized business centers, and digital government services for founders. Join a registry of over 24,000 active companies. Select from 600+ business activities across the gold, diamond, and technology sectors to access the world’s leading commodity exchange.
Access the right to own or lease physical office space in the JLT district, providing a permanent asset base in Dubai.
Access the largest ecosystem for blockchain and web3 firms in the MENA region, including direct regulatory pathways for VARA-compliant virtual asset activities.
Every DMCC license features a unique QR code for immediate data verification by the UAE Central Bank and federal authorities.
DMCC is recognized as a top-tier global jurisdiction, reducing the Know Your Customer (KYC) approval timelines at traditional banks like Emirates NBD.
Direct access to the world’s largest diamond trading floor and specialized storage facilities for precious metals.
Access the option to apply for a DET permit to operate on the Dubai Mainland while maintaining your primary headquarters in the JLT zone.
We manage the application for every license structure authorized by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority. Select the category that aligns with your 2026 operational model:
Authorized for service providers, consultants, and agencies. This license permits you to offer non-physical skills such as Management Consultancy, IT Advisory, Marketing Management, and HR Services.
Operational Scope: Permits you to invoice Mainland UAE companies directly from your JLT base for services rendered.
Physicality: Requires a minimum of a flexi-desk or private office lease in JLT.
Permits the import, export, distribution, and storage of specific physical goods. You can register related product lines under one legal setup. DMCC is the primary global hub for trading Gold, Diamonds, Tea, and Coffee.
Logistics: Entities receive a Dubai Customs Code to facilitate the movement of goods through Dubai’s ports and airports.
Condition: Trading physical goods directly with Mainland UAE consumers (B2C) requires a local distributor and triggers a 9% Corporate Tax liability on that specific revenue.
Allows for the manufacturing, assembly, and packaging of products using raw materials. This license requires the leasing of a physical warehouse facility within the DMCC Industrial Zone.
Compliance: You must secure environmental and safety approvals from the DMCC technical department before beginning operations.
Specifically for firms engaged in proprietary trading, asset management, or service provision involving virtual assets.
Tax Note: Eligibility for a 0% Corporate Tax rate requires full adherence to VARA regulations and the maintenance of adequate economic substance within the JLT district.
Ecosystem: Grants access to the DMCC Crypto Centre, the largest web3 business hub in the Middle East.
Firms in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre must follow UAE federal laws and specific zone mandates. Al Arabiya Group manages these technical filings to keep your business active and prevent administrative penalties. Under the 2026 regulatory framework, DMCC operates as the most strictly monitored jurisdiction regarding financial transparency.
Every DMCC member company must submit an audited financial statement to the authority to maintain its trade license.
The Deadline: The audit report must be uploaded to the DMCC portal within 90 days of your company’s financial year-end.
Corporate Tax Registration
All DMCC entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and obtain a Tax Registration Number (TRN).
Tax Rate: A 0% rate applies to “Qualifying Income” derived from transactions with other Free Zone Persons. A 9% tax rate applies to all taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 for non-qualifying activities.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) & ESR Filings
DMCC requires the disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (individuals owning 25% or more of the shares). Furthermore, firms conducting “Relevant Activities” must adhere to Economic Substance Regulations (ESR).
Requirement: You must file annual ESR notifications to prove your Core Income-Generating Activities (CIGA) occur within the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) zone.
Penalty: Non-compliance leads to trade license revocation and federal fines starting from AED 50,000.
As of 2026, every DMCC trade license features a unique DUL QR code. This digital identifier allows for real-time data sharing with the Ministry of Economy and the UAE Central Bank.
Utility: Your digital identity is automatically verified when signing commercial leases in JLT or opening corporate bank accounts.
Banking: DMCC licenses are accepted by digital platforms like Wio Business and traditional banks including Emirates NBD.
Affordable UAE free zone company set up packages with transparent pricing. Choose the right jurisdiction and license type for your business goals.
We manage every stage of your company formation through a structured four-step path. Our team ensures your 2026 setup follows all local rules set by the DMCC Authority and the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) regulatory body.
We align your business model with the exact DMCC activity codes. This stage includes the submission of a detailed business plan for specialized licenses—such as Virtual Assets or Gold Trading—and the selection of your initial residency visa quota. You must select between a flexi-desk lease or a physical office space in JLT to proceed.
We secure your business name through the DMCC centralized portal. We submit your passport copy and initiate the digital identity verification via UAE PASS. Our team checks that your chosen name follows every federal legal rule to prevent rejection by the Ministry of Economy.
We process the government fees and draft the digital Memorandum of Association (MoA). Once approved, the authority issues your trade license with a unique Dubai Unified License (DUL) QR code. This document allows you to finalize your commercial lease in JLT and open corporate bank accounts with institutions like Wio Business or Emirates NBD immediately.
We start the residency process for you and your staff by registering your company with the immigration portals. This stage includes the issuance of the entry permit, the mandatory medical fitness test, and the biometric fingerprinting for the Emirates ID. Once your visa is active, we manage the sponsorship applications for your family members.
FAQ's
Yes. Under the 2026 DMCC Regulations, existing companies can “migrate” into the jurisdiction. This procedure allows the entity to maintain its legal personality and operational history without liquidation. Migrating ensures your existing contracts and bank accounts remain active while you relocate your headquarters to the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district.
The standard minimum share capital for a DMCC entity is AED 50,000. For a General Trading license, this capital must be deposited into a UAE bank account and verified by the authority. Specific professional service activities are exempt from the physical deposit requirement, allowing shareholders to declare the capital in the corporate documents without a bank transfer.
Yes. Every DMCC company must maintain a physical premise within the JLT zone. You can select between a flexi-desk lease or a permanent commercial office. Virtual office addresses without a physical contract are not permitted for maintaining a Dubai Unified License (DUL) status.
Yes. DMCC mandates the submission of an annual audited financial statement. You must appoint a DMCC-approved auditor to review your books. The final report must be uploaded to the authority’s portal within 90 days of your financial year-end to prevent trade license suspension and administrative fines.
Direct B2C trading of physical goods on the UAE Mainland is not permitted without a local distributor. For professional services (such as consultancy or software), you can legally invoice Mainland clients directly from your DMCC office. Revenue derived from Mainland services is subject to 9% Corporate Tax if your total taxable income exceeds AED 375,000.
The base cost for a DMCC free zone company setup in 2026 starts from approximately AED 35,000 to AED 45,000, covering the trade license, flexi-desk office lease, and one residency visa. A General Trading license with physical office space and multiple visas will cost significantly more. Contact Al Arabiya Group for a precise quote based on your business activity.
A standard DMCC free zone company setup takes between 7 to 15 working days from the submission of all required documents. Specialised licenses — such as Virtual Asset (crypto) or Gold Trading — may require additional regulatory review and can extend the timeline to 3 to 4 weeks.
The number of residency visas a DMCC company can obtain depends on the size of your office space in the JLT district. A flexi-desk allocation typically supports 3 to 6 visas. A private office allows a higher visa quota proportional to the office square footage, as determined by DMCC authority.
Yes. DMCC free zone companies are well regarded by UAE banks due to the zone’s compliance framework and the Dubai Unified License (DUL) QR code system. DMCC licenses are accepted by Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and digital platforms like Wio Business. Al Arabiya Group manages the full corporate bank account opening process as part of the DMCC setup package.
