Company Setup
DMCC Company Setup 2026: Cost, Packages and Steps
DMCC company setup starts at about AED 35,484 for the Basic Biz package. Flexi-desk packages, visa costs, timelines and documents for a DMCC company in 2026.
DMCC, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, runs the free zone around Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Uptown Dubai. It is one of the largest and best-known free zones in the world, especially for gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and general trading, and its name carries weight with banks and counterparties.
That reputation comes at a price: DMCC is one of the more expensive free zones to enter. This guide sets out the 2026 packages, the extra costs and what to expect from the process.
The short answer: DMCC's Basic Biz package starts at about AED 35,484 for one year for a single individual shareholder. The Jump Start flexi-desk package, which includes one residence visa, is about AED 43,780 for one year. Most founders should budget AED 35,000 to 50,000 for year one. Prices were checked on 2 November 2026 and change often, so always get a written quote before you pay.
DMCC at a glance
| Emirate | Dubai (JLT and Uptown Dubai) |
| Starting price | AED 35,484 (Basic Biz, 1 year) |
| With a visa | AED 43,780 (Jump Start flexi-desk, 1 visa) |
| Activities | 600+, strong in commodities and trading |
| Office | Flexi-desk, co-working, serviced and leased offices |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership |
DMCC setup cost in 2026: starting prices and packages
| Package | Price (AED) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Biz (1 year) | 35,484 | Licence for a single individual shareholder |
| Jump Start flexi-desk (1 year) | 43,780 | Licence, flexi-desk and one residence visa |
| Jump Start flexi-desk (2 years) | 81,881 | As above, two years |
| Jump Start flexi-desk (3 years) | 120,000 | As above, three years |
| Co-working package | 49,941 | Licence with a co-working space |
Source and date: DMCC published package prices as seen on 2 November 2026. DMCC also advertised a three-year Business Acceleration offer at AED 96,000, which may be time-limited; check whether it is still running.
Costs to budget for on top of the licence
A low headline price rarely covers everything. Before you compare quotes, check whether each one includes these:
- Establishment card: about AED 1,805.
- Each additional visa: about AED 4,000 to 6,000 including medical and Emirates ID.
- Health insurance: about AED 1,000 per person per year and up.
- Bigger office: a flexi-desk supports about one to two visas; more visas need more space.
- Corporate tax: a free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; other income is taxed at 9%. All companies must register for corporate tax, so take tax advice before you choose a structure.
Licence types and activities
DMCC issues trading, service, industrial and freelance licences, plus specialist licences for crypto and other regulated sectors, across 600+ activities. It is especially strong for physical commodities. Regulated activities need extra approvals and take longer.
How to set up a company in DMCC: step by step
- 1Choose activitiesPick from the DMCC activity list; regulated ones need extra approvals.
- 2Reserve a nameSubmit three name options.
- 3Apply onlineUpload passports, photos and a short business plan.
- 4Initial approvalUsually two to four working days.
- 5Workspace and incorporation documentsSign the lease or flexi-desk agreement and the company documents.
- 6Licence, establishment card and visasLicence in about five to ten working days; visas about one to two weeks after the establishment card.
Typical timeline: Initial approval in two to four working days; licence in five to ten working days; visas one to two weeks after that.
Documents you need
Individual shareholders usually need:
- Passport copy for every shareholder and manager (at least six months' validity)
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of residential address
- Two or three trade name options and your chosen activities
- Short business plan
Corporate shareholders (a company owning the new company) usually need its certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, a board resolution approving the setup, a certificate of good standing and, often, a power of attorney for the person signing. Documents issued outside the UAE must be attested (notarised, legalised and stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and translated into Arabic or English where needed before the free zone will accept them.
Where DocuGulf helps
DocuGulf does not sell free zone licences. We handle the documents that delay most setups, so your application goes in complete the first time:
- Attestation of overseas corporate documents, board resolutions and degree certificates, from AED 230 per document.
- Certified true copies of passports and company papers for banks and free zones, AED 300 per set.
- Legal translation by MOJ-certified translators.
- Power of attorney drafting and notarisation if someone signs on your behalf.
- Trademark filing to protect your new brand name in the UAE.
Who DMCC suits
- Commodity, gold, diamond and general trading companies
- Businesses that need the strongest possible brand with banks and partners
- Companies planning a real office and team in JLT
How DMCC compares with other UAE free zones
Starting prices for the free zones we cover, checked 2 November 2026. Each name links to its own guide.
| Free zone | Emirate | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | From AED 12,500 | Remote founders who want a Dubai address fast |
| IFZA | Dubai | From about AED 12,900 | Cost-conscious SMEs that want a Dubai free zone |
| DMCC (this guide) | Dubai | From AED 35,484 | Trading and commodity firms that want a premium Dubai address |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | From AED 7,000 | Tech, cleantech and startups that want an Abu Dhabi base |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | From about AED 6,000 | Industrial, logistics and cost-conscious SMEs |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | From AED 5,750 | E-commerce, consultants and solo founders |
| SRTIP | Sharjah | From about AED 5,510 | Tech startups, R&D and innovators |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | From about AED 5,750 | Freelancers, creators and media agencies |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | From about AED 5,500 | Low-cost traders and remote founders |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | From about AED 5,565 | Traders and SMEs that need several visas cheaply |
| Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | From AED 3,999 | Media, creative and freelance businesses on a tight budget |
Key takeaways: DMCC starts from AED 35,484 (Basic Biz package, DMCC published price). Add visas, the establishment card, medicals, Emirates ID, insurance and workspace to compare quotes fairly, and get any overseas shareholder documents attested early, because that is the step that most often holds up a setup.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a DMCC company in 2026?
The Basic Biz package starts at about AED 35,484 for one year, and the Jump Start flexi-desk package with one visa is about AED 43,780. Most founders budget AED 35,000 to 50,000 for the first year.
Is DMCC more expensive than other free zones?
Yes. DMCC sits at the premium end. Zones such as Meydan and IFZA start at around AED 12,500 to 13,000, and the northern emirates zones start at about AED 4,000 to 6,000.
How long does DMCC setup take?
Initial approval usually takes two to four working days and the licence five to ten working days. Visas follow about one to two weeks after the establishment card.
Why choose DMCC over a cheaper free zone?
Its reputation with banks and trading counterparties, its commodity ecosystem, and its large JLT office market.
A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. All regulated work is performed by licensed notaries, lawyers, translators and approved typing centres, and we do not provide legal, tax or company formation advice. Free zone prices on this page are published or typical partner prices as of 2 November 2026; the free zone and its licensed partners set the final price. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.
Setting up in DMCC? Get your documents ready first.
Tell us who the shareholders are and where their documents were issued. We'll confirm what needs attesting, translating or certifying, with the price and timeline, before you pay anything.
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