Why choose DMCC free zone
DMCC charges more than most Dubai free zones, and for the right business it earns the premium. Here is what you are paying for.
01 A record-setting name
Named Global Free Zone of the Year by the Financial Times nine years running, a record no other zone matches.
02 Banking they recognise
UAE and international banks know DMCC, which smooths account opening, useful when you are moving money between the UK and UAE.
03 A credible address
A JLT address alongside 24,000 companies reassures UK clients and investors who check where you are incorporated.
04 Commodity ecosystems
The Gold and Diamond Park, the Tea Centre and Tradeflow give commodity traders infrastructure no other zone offers.
05 The Crypto Centre
A dedicated home for blockchain and Web3 firms, with hundreds of companies and a ready-made community.
06 A huge activity list
More than 600 approved activities across 20-plus sectors, so most businesses find a fit under one roof.
DMCC licence types
DMCC groups its activities under a handful of licence types. You pick the one that matches what you do, and you can often combine related activities under a single licence.
| Licence type | What it covers | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Trading | Buying, selling, importing and exporting specific goods named on your licence. | Commodity and product traders with a defined range. |
| General Trading | Trading a much wider range of products under one licence, for a higher fee. | Traders who deal in many unrelated product lines. |
| Service | Professional, consulting and advisory work, from management to marketing. | Consultants, agencies and professional-services firms. |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, processing, refining and assembly of goods. | Producers and light-industrial businesses. |
| E-commerce | Selling goods and services online, a lower-cost entry point. | Online sellers and early-stage founders. |
What you can do in DMCC
DMCC has one of the broadest activity lists in the UAE, more than 600 across over 20 sectors. Most fall into a few families.
Commodities
Gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, base metals, agri-products and energy, with DMCC’s own trading infrastructure.
Trading
Import, export and distribution of goods, from a single line to general trading across many products.
Professional services
Consulting, management, marketing and advisory work for clients in the UAE and abroad.
Technology and crypto
Software, AI, blockchain and Web3, with a dedicated home in the DMCC Crypto Centre.
DMCC setup costs in 2026
DMCC sits in the premium tier, so budget more than you would for a value zone. A trading licence starts from around AED 15,000, and the mandatory flexi-desk runs about AED 16,800 a year and covers up to three visas. A realistic first-year all-in figure is AED 35,000 to 55,000 or more, depending on your activity, office and visas.
- Trading licence from about AED 15,000
- Flexi-desk about AED 16,800 a year
- Flexi-desk covers up to three visas
- First-year all-in AED 35,000 to 55,000+
- Reference share capital AED 50,000
- Annual audited accounts required
Pricing note
DMCC fees are set by the free zone and change regularly, so these are indicative 2026 ranges rather than a quote. Your real cost depends on your licence, activity, office and visa count. Riz & Mona Consultancy gives you an itemised quote before you commit, with government and service fees shown separately.
Is DMCC worth the premium?
DMCC costs more than zones like IFZA, RAKEZ or Meydan, and the honest answer is that it is worth it only when you need what the premium buys. Here is a straight read.
DMCC is worth it if you
Trade commodities and want the gold, diamond or tea infrastructure
Need banking credibility for high-volume or trading accounts
Run a crypto or Web3 business that benefits from the Crypto Centre
Serve corporate clients or investors who check where you are incorporated
Are building toward investment or a sale, where the jurisdiction faces due diligence
Consider a cheaper zone if you
Are a lean digital startup or consultant on a tight budget
Do not need the DMCC name or a JLT address
Will not use the commodity or crypto ecosystems
Mainly want 100% ownership and a low-cost licence
Would rather put the saving into the business itself
Not sure DMCC is the right zone? We will point you to IFZA, RAKEZ or Meydan if one of them fits you better.
Set up your DMCC company with Riz & Mona Consultancy
Riz & Mona Consultancy handles DMCC setups end to end for UK founders: the licence, the right activities, visas and banking. Most of it runs remotely, so you rarely need to fly out before your visa stage. We prepare your bank file the way it needs to look, plan the UK tax side with you, and tell you honestly if a cheaper zone would serve you just as well. UK-based, with more than 15 years on the ground in Dubai.
- DMCC licence and activities
- Visas and banking
- Honest zone advice
- Set up from the UK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The questions UK founders ask us most about holding structures. Rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm your own case before you commit.
What is DMCC?
DMCC, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, is the UAE’s largest and most established free zone, based in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. It is home to more than 24,000 companies and is best known for commodities, trading, professional services and crypto.
Where is DMCC located?
DMCC occupies the Jumeirah Lakes Towers district in Dubai, a business community of more than 80 towers served by two Metro stations, with offices, retail and residences in one place.
How much does it cost to set up in DMCC?
A DMCC trading licence starts from around AED 15,000, with a flexi-desk at about AED 16,800 a year. A realistic first-year all-in figure is AED 35,000 to 55,000 or more, depending on activity, office and visas.
What licence types does DMCC offer?
DMCC offers Trading, General Trading, Service, Industrial and E-commerce licences. You choose the one that matches your activity, and related activities can often sit under a single licence.
Can I run a crypto business in DMCC?
Yes, the DMCC Crypto Centre hosts blockchain and Web3 companies. Regulated virtual-asset services such as exchange or custody also need approval from the relevant regulator, usually VARA, on top of the DMCC licence.
How many visas can I get with a DMCC company?
A flexi-desk covers up to three visas. Taking a larger office raises your visa quota, since the number of visas is tied to the space you lease.
Do I need a physical office in DMCC?
Yes. Every DMCC company needs an address in the zone, and a flexi-desk is the minimum. Larger teams take private offices or full floors in the JLT towers.
How long does DMCC setup take?
Most DMCC companies are set up within one to two weeks once documents are ready, as the process is fully digital through DMCC’s single-window portal.
Is DMCC better than IFZA or RAKEZ?
It depends on what you need. DMCC gives you reputation, banking access and commodity or crypto ecosystems. If you do not need those, IFZA, RAKEZ or Meydan give the same legal result for less.
Can I own 100% of a DMCC company?
Yes. A DMCC company is fully foreign-owned, with no UAE partner required, and you can repatriate 100% of your capital and profits.
Does a DMCC company need audited accounts?
Yes. DMCC requires every company to file an audited financial report within 90 days of its financial year-end. Our accounting team handles this for you.
Can I set up a DMCC company from the UK?
Yes. Most of the DMCC process is handled remotely and online, so UK founders can complete the licence and much of the paperwork without flying out. You usually only travel for the visa medical and Emirates ID stage, and we arrange that around you.
If I set up in DMCC, do I still pay UK tax?
Setting up a DMCC company does not end your UK tax on its own. Your UK tax residence is decided by the Statutory Residence Test, and you need to plan your exit and count your UK days. We plan this with you before you move, and our living and working guide explains it.
Can a DMCC company open a UAE bank account?
Yes, and DMCC’s reputation helps. UAE banks recognise the zone, which smooths the process, though the file still has to be prepared properly. We handle that as part of the setup.
