Dubai · Free zone
Dubai Media City: what it is good for, and what it is not
The media cluster under the Dubai Development Authority: advertising, PR, broadcasting, publishing and freelancers.
At a glance
Dubai Media City in summary
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Dubai Development Authority (DDA), TECOM Group community |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
| Market access | Free zone and international; mainland sales through a distributor, branch or permit |
| Premises | Offices and co-working space; freelance permits are also issued in this cluster |
| Audit | Confirm the current renewal requirement with the authority |
| Best for | Agencies, broadcasters, publishers, content studios and media freelancers |
Published fees
Activities: Priced by segment under DDA LCD 2021; Advertising & Communication is AED 20,000, other DMC segments AED 15,000, each covering 1-5 activities. Note: LCD PDF issued 07 Apr 2021; VAT not stated; office prices not published.
Visas: Freelancer visas published at AED 4,600 (1yr) / AED 5,042 (2yr) plus AED 2,000 establishment card; company visa fees not published.
Authority fees, as published
| Item | AED | Charged | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Segment annual licence feeon top of standard AED 15,000 segment fee | 10,000renewal 10,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Advertising & Communication segment (annual)2 activities allowed | 20,000renewal 20,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Freelancers permitAED 7,500 per annum; 3 activities in DMC | 7,500renewal 7,500 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| GoFreelance freelance packageexcludes visa | 7,520 | OnceProfessional licence | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Media & Marketing Services / New Media / Event Management etc. (annual)most DMC segments; 1-5 activities by segment | 15,000renewal 15,000 | Once | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Registration Fees (FZ-LLC)one-time | 3,500 | 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 urgent service fee (ICP centres only)Optional fast-track, in-person only; ICP Emirates ID | 150 | 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 |
| Establishment Card (freelancer)required before employment visa | 2,000 | OnceProfessional licence | 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 |
| ICP entry visa for employment to obtain Green ResidencePlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP golden residence issuance (10-yr), per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; Golden Visa route | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit application feeService 377-006-003-000; federal/ICP system (emirates other than Dubai); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit issuance fee, per yearAED100 per year of validity (2-yr visa = AED200); ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP residence permit renewal fee, per yearPlus AED100 application fee and AED100 smart service fee; service 377-006-003-003; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP smart service feeListed as 'Smart Service Fees' on residence issuance; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 100 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| ICP status adjustment (change of status)Listed as 'Status Adjustment - 500 AED'; ICP federal system (emirates other than Dubai) | 500 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Innovation DirhamCharged per GDRFA transaction; Dubai GDRFA | 10 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| Knowledge DirhamCharged per GDRFA transaction; Dubai GDRFA | 10 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness with vaccination (Category B)AED250 + AED50 Hepatitis B vaccination + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 310 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, female cat. with pregnancy test (C)AED250 + AED50 vaccination + AED50 pregnancy test + AED10 printing; medical fitness | 360 | Per visa | Authority pagechecked 2026-10-17 |
| MOHAP medical fitness, workers/employees (Category A)AED250 service + AED10 printing; emirates other than Dubai/Abu Dhabi; medical fitness | 260 | 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 |
| One year Visa (freelancer)fees subject to change | 4,600 | Per visaProfessional licence | 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 |
| 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 |
| Two years Visa (freelancer)fees subject to change | 5,042 | Per visaProfessional licence | 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 Dubai Media City?
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.