Dubai · Free zone
DMCC license cost, and whether DMCC suits you
An established Dubai free zone with a broad activity list and a strong international profile.
Written by Tabish Ahmed, Senior ManagerReviewed by Auj Afreen Ahmad, Founder and Chief Executive OfficerLast updated
At a glance
DMCC in summary
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority, Jumeirah Lakes Towers |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Market access | Free zone and international; strong commodities and trading ecosystem; mainland sales through a distributor, branch or permit |
| Premises | Flexi-desk through to full offices in JLT |
| Audit | Audited financial statements are commonly required at renewal; confirm with the authority |
| Best for | Trading, commodities and businesses where the zone's profile carries weight with banks |
Published fees
Activities: Licence covers up to 6 activities sharing the first two digits; AED 1,500/yr per extra activity, AED 10,000/yr to add a same-first-digit group, AED 20,265/yr for a different group or licence type. Note: All charges subject to AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation Dirham unless marked; packages shown inclusive of VAT & KID.
Visas: Per-visa fees by 1 or 2-year validity and whether applicant is inside/outside the UAE; volume discounts at 50+/100+/200+ visas.
Authority fees, as published
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application (company setup)one-time, per application | 1,035 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Articles of Association (AoA) preparationnot applicable to branches | 2,020 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Basic Flexi Packagelisted under licence packages; inclusive of VAT & KID | 35,564 | OnceFlexi | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Flexi Boost package (1 year)2yr 81,861 / 3yr 120,000; inclusive of VAT & KID | 43,720 | OnceFlexi | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Flexi-Desk (DMCC Business Centre)range AED 16,000-19,000; admin, deposit and rent in one advance instalment | 16,000 | OnceFlexi | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| FreelanceUAE Package 1 (1-year licence)one time | 4,020 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| General Trading licenceper annum | 50,265 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Industrial licence 50-100 sq m (1-2 units)per annum; larger tiers 15,265 / 20,265 / 25,265 | 8,265 | OnceIndustrial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Licence (standard Trading & Service)annual; renewal 20,265/yr, multi-year discounts 5-20% | 20,285renewal 20,265 | OnceCommercial licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Registration (new company, standard activities)one-time; schedule also shows 9,000 ex-KID | 9,020 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Government fees for residence visas
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional fee if sponsored person is inside the countryAdded to entry permit when applying inside UAE; Dubai GDRFA | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| DHA Express Medical Fitness Service (6 working hours)Domestic workers AED750; no 48-hour tier published; medical fitness | 700 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| DHA Medical Fitness at Smart Salem Center (30 minutes)Pregnancy test for domestic workers +AED50; medical fitness | 700 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| DHA Regular Medical Fitness Service (24 working hours)Dubai; excludes typing fees; domestic workers AED300; medical fitness | 250 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| DHA VIP Medical Fitness Service (2 working hours)Tawajod service also AED1020 (Al Muhaisnah only); medical fitness | 1,020 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID renewal for residents, per year of residencePlus AED100 Smart Application Fees; service 377-004-001-009; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID Smart Service Fees (new issuance, residents)Fixed per application; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID Typing Service 1 Yearpage shows 351.40; 2-year 451.40 | 351 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Emirates ID urgent service fee (ICP centres only)Optional fast-track, in-person only; ICP Emirates ID | 150 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Employment visa cancellation, inside countryoutside country 580 | 438 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Entry permit linked with job contract (work visa fee)Plus 5% VAT; outside-country applicant pays this only; Dubai GDRFA | 200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| GDRFA golden residence permit issuance, investors (10-yr)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; Golden Visa route | 1,100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Green residence permit issuance, partner/investor (5-year)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; +AED100/yr over 2 yrs; Dubai GDRFA | 200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Green residence permit renewal, partner/investorPlus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 inside country, AED20 delivery; Dubai GDRFA | 200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Green visa issuance, investor/partner (entry visa)Plus 5% VAT; inside-country extras AED500+10+10; 60-day entry visa; Dubai GDRFA | 200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Innovation DirhamCharged per GDRFA transaction; Dubai GDRFA | 10 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Issue company Establishment Cardper card; renewal 2,205 | 1,805renewal 2,205 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Knowledge DirhamCharged per GDRFA transaction; Dubai GDRFA | 10 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New Emirates ID for residents, per year of residence1yr=100, 2yr=200, 3yr=300; 5/10-yr cards follow same per-year rate; ICP Emirates ID | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New employment visa, inside country, 2 years (without amendment)page shows 3,407.50; with amendment 4,220 | 3,407 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| New employment visa, outside country, 2 yearspage shows 2,972.50; 1yr new 2,237; renewal 1yr 2,200 / 2yr 2,790; volume discounts 50+ | 2,972renewal 2,790 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Residence permit issuance, private sector employee (2-year)Plus AED10+AED10 dirhams, AED500 if inside country, AED20 delivery; +AED100/yr beyond 2 yrs; Dubai GDRFA | 200 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Smart Salem Medical Fitness Certification Typing Service30-minute service; VIP 6-hour option 770 | 800 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Status amendment (change of status) registering feePlus AED10 Knowledge + AED10 Innovation Dirham; individual fee AED15 / establishment AED50; Dubai GDRFA | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
Every figure above comes from the authority’s own fee page or schedule, with the link beside it and was last checked on 17 October 2026. Fees change, some exclude VAT, and the list is not everything a setup costs: our professional fee, office rent, document attestation and bank requirements are quoted separately. Lines older than 90 days drop off until re-checked.
What happens after formation
Corporate tax registration, bookkeeping, VAT if you cross the threshold, and — in many zones — audited financial statements at renewal. We set the dates out before you launch rather than after.
Package contents, visa quotas, activity lists and audit requirements are set by each authority and change. Every figure is confirmed against the authority’s current terms at the time we advise you.
Next step
Thinking about DMCC?
A short call, a written comparison, and fixed fees before anything starts.
Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 GST. Messages outside those hours are answered the next working morning. WhatsApp +971 55 786 7621.