Set up your company in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre with expert documentation, licensing, portal submission, office, visa, and post-setup support from PROXPAT.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
DMCC Company Formation with PROXPAT
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, widely known as DMCC, is one of Dubai's leading free zones for international trade, commodities, professional services, technology, consulting, logistics, and regional business operations. It is a strong choice for entrepreneurs and companies comparing free zone company formation in the UAE with a reputable Dubai address, flexible office solutions, and access to a mature business community.
PROXPAT supports DMCC company formation from the first consultation through activity selection, company structure planning, document preparation, online portal coordination, office solution guidance, e-license issuance, visa processing, and ongoing compliance support.
According to DMCC's official setup guidance, the company formation process is digital and can be managed through the DMCC portal. DMCC also confirms that common formation types include Individual, Subsidiary, and Branch structures, with required identification and company ownership documents depending on the selected structure.
Why Set Up a Company in DMCC?
DMCC is suitable for founders and established companies looking for a Dubai free zone platform with international credibility and scalable infrastructure.
Recognised Dubai free zone business address
Suitable for trading, service, consulting, and commodity activities
Digital company setup through the DMCC portal
Office solutions within the DMCC community
Eligibility for UAE residence visa applications
Strong ecosystem for international business growth
DMCC Company Formation Types
PROXPAT helps you choose the right DMCC structure based on ownership, shareholder profile, management, activity, and expansion plans.
Individual Shareholder Company
Subsidiary Company
Branch of an Existing Company
DMCC License and Activity Support
Each DMCC license must match the selected business activities. PROXPAT reviews your operating model and recommends a practical licensing path before submission.
Trading License
Service License
Industrial License
General Trading Guidance
Commodity and Trading Activity Review
Professional Service Activity Review
Our DMCC Company Formation Services
Free zone business setup consultation
DMCC activity and license selection
Company name and structure guidance
Shareholder and manager document checklist
DMCC portal application coordination
Document preparation and review
Office solution and flexi desk guidance
E-license issuance support
Investor and employee visa assistance
Bank account and post-license guidance
DMCC Company Setup Process
DMCC's official process includes online pre-approval, payment and document signing through the portal, and office solution selection. PROXPAT manages the practical steps around that process so your submission is clean and complete.
Step 1: Free Consultation
Step 2: Select Business Activity
Step 3: Choose Company Structure
Step 4: Prepare Shareholder Documents
Step 5: Submit DMCC Pre-Approval
Step 6: Complete Signing and Payment
Step 7: Select Office Solution
Step 8: Receive E-License and Start Post-License Steps
Documents Required for DMCC Company Formation
DMCC documentation depends on whether the applicant is an individual, subsidiary, or branch. Common requirements include:
Passport copies of shareholders and appointed officers
UAE visa and Emirates ID, if applicable
Proof of residential address where requested
Proposed company name options
Business activity and ownership details
Shareholding structure and authorised signatory details
Parent company documents for subsidiary or branch setup
Attested corporate documents where required
Why Choose PROXPAT for DMCC Company Formation?
Practical UAE free zone setup guidance
Clear documentation checklist before submission
Business activity and license selection support
DMCC portal coordination and follow-up
Visa, Emirates ID, and medical coordination
Post-license support for renewals and amendments
DMCC Employee Visas: Documents and Cost
Once your DMCC company is licensed, the visa allocation attached to your package is what lets you sponsor staff. The process runs through DMCC rather than MOHRE, which makes it different from a mainland employment visa.
Documents required per employee
The establishment card and trade licence are company-side documents. Once you are set up with PROXPAT we hold these on file, so you do not have to send them again for each new hire.
Indicative cost, two-year visa
| Stage | Indicative government fee |
|---|---|
| Entry permit | around AED 2,240 |
| Status change | around AED 930 |
| Medical fitness test | around AED 445 |
| Visa stamping | around AED 1,425 |
| Total | around AED 5,045 |
What DMCC Is Built For
DMCC was established around commodities trading, and although it now licenses a wide span of activities, that origin still shapes what it is good at and who it suits.
The commodities heritage
Gold and precious metals, diamonds and coloured stones, tea, and energy trading all have established infrastructure here — vaults, an exchange, and a community of counterparties who already operate in the zone. For a trader in those categories, that ecosystem is the reason to be in DMCC rather than a cheaper zone.
Beyond commodities
Professional services, consultancy, technology and crypto-related activities where eligible are all licensed. The zone has deliberately broadened, and a consultancy in DMCC is not unusual.
The address
DMCC sits in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, and a JLT address carries weight with counterparties and banks in a way a cheaper zone's does not. That is a real commercial factor, not just branding — and it is a large part of what the higher fees buy.
Where it is the wrong choice
If cost is the deciding factor, DMCC is not the cheapest zone and does not try to be. If you need industrial or warehouse space, RAKEZ is built for that and DMCC is not. And if you will sell directly into the UAE mainland market, no free zone solves that on its own — see our business setup guide.
DMCC at a Glance: What the Free Zone Publishes
| Topic | What DMCC states |
|---|---|
| Community | 26,000+ member companies from 180+ countries, across 87 towers in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Uptown Dubai |
| Activities | 1,000+ approved business activities across 20 sectors |
| Licence types | Service, trading, commercial and industrial |
| Formation types | Individual, subsidiary and branch |
| Shareholders and officers | At least one shareholder (individual or corporate); a director and company secretary must be appointed, and one person can hold both roles |
| Registered address | Every company needs a registered office in DMCC, from a flexi desk to a private office |
| Timeline | Around 10 working days, with the e-licence issued within 2 to 3 working days once setup is complete |
| Share capital | Typically AED 50,000, depending on the business activity |
| Corporate tax | A qualifying free zone under the UAE Corporate Tax Law, allowing a 0% rate on qualifying income as set by the relevant decisions |
The Four DMCC Licence Types
| Licence | For |
|---|---|
| Service licence | Professional or consultancy services such as advisory and IT services |
| Trading licence | Importing, exporting, distributing or selling goods |
| Commercial licence | Broader trading across multiple product categories under one licence |
| Industrial licence | Manufacturing, including gold and precious metals |
DMCC notes that regulated activities, such as financial services, crypto and virtual assets, healthcare, and oil, gas and energy, need additional approval from the relevant authority. Activities such as gambling, explicit content production and activities harmful to the environment or public health are not permitted. See business activity consultation.
DMCC Costs and Packages Published by the Zone
DMCC does not publish a single fixed price. It states that initial setup costs typically range from AED 10,345 to AED 84,515 depending on licence duration and office, and that the licence itself generally costs about AED 20,000 to AED 50,000 a year. Its published packages include:
| Package | Published price (AED) | Main inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| JLT resident package | 29,185 | Company licence, establishment card, special flexi-desk options |
| Basic biz package | 35,484 | Company licence, establishment card, special flexi desk eligible for one residency visa |
| Prime plus package | 40,145 | Company licence, establishment card, fast-track setup, complimentary bank account opening, price freeze on renewal |
| Jump start package | 43,780 | Company licence, establishment card, flexi desk or co-working eligible for three visas, one two-year residency visa included |
| Ecosystem packages (gaming, AI and more) | From 31,000 | Company licence, establishment card, ecosystem co-working access, 50% off second-year renewal |
Please note: package prices are DMCC's published figures and change periodically. PROXPAT fees are separate. We confirm the current package against your visa and office needs before you commit.
Office Space and Visa Allocation
| Office solution | Visa entitlement DMCC describes |
|---|---|
| Business centre flexi desk | Typically 1 to 3 visas, depending on the package |
| Private office in JLT | Generally one visa for every 9 square metres |
| Growing beyond your space | Request an increased visa quota through the member portal, or upgrade the office |
Setup can be completed remotely, but DMCC notes that anyone applying for a residence visa through the company must visit the UAE for the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics. See employment visa services.
DMCC Setup Steps and Documents
Step 1: Choose activity and structure, then submit an enquiry through the setup wizard
Step 2: Submit the online application for name reservation, management review and compliance approval
Step 3: Pay registration and licence fees and sign legal documents
Step 4: Receive provisional approval and bank introductory letters
Step 5: Sign the office documents
Step 6: Receive the e-licence
Passport copy of shareholders, directors and signatories
UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy, if applicable
Proof of residential address, such as a current utility bill
Shareholding structure and memorandum and articles
Parent company documents for a subsidiary or branch
Third-party approvals for regulated activities
Office lease or property documents
UBO documents for anyone with 25% or more ownership or control
DMCC requires UBO information to be kept current and updated whenever ownership or control changes.
Renewal and Multi-Year Licences
- The licence must be renewed before it expires to avoid sanctions and penalties, which can ultimately lead to termination.
- Subject to eligibility, DMCC offers renewals with extended validity of 2, 3 or 5 years.
- Renewal fees depend on the licence, package and office solution under DMCC's schedule of charges.
- The company's establishment card must also stay valid to keep visas moving. See establishment card services.
As a Dubai free zone company, a DMCC company also holds a Dubai Unified Licence and can apply for the Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit for eligible mainland work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue planning your UAE business setup.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
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Start Your DMCC Company Formation with PROXPAT
From activity selection and documentation to DMCC portal coordination, office guidance, licensing, and visas, PROXPAT helps you launch with a clear step-by-step process.