DMCC company setup in Dubai

What kind of company can you set up in DMCC?

DMCC recognises two forms of business: [4]

• a company, owned by individuals or by another company
• a branch of an existing company

A company needs at least one shareholder, one director, one manager and a company secretary. A company limited by guarantee is also available. [4][6]

Which DMCC licence do you need?

DMCC issues four licence types: service, trading, commercial and industrial. The licence follows the activities the company will carry out, which you choose from DMCC's activity list at the start. [5]

Office space and visas

DMCC offers flexi desks, serviced offices and private offices. The number of residence visas depends on the space: [5]

• a flexi desk usually allows 1 to 3 visas
• a private office in JLT usually allows one visa for every 9 square metres

How much does a DMCC company cost to set up?

DMCC states that initial setup costs typically range from AED 10,345 to AED 84,515, depending on the package, the office and the visas. [2] Its published packages, as listed on 28 October 2026, include: [6]

DMCC publishes package prices rather than a line-by-line fee table. Annual renewal, visa and office costs come on top. Confirm current prices with DMCC before you apply.

How do you register a company with DMCC?

DMCC sets out these steps: [2]

1. Choose the company's activities and a package.
2. Submit the online pre-approval application, with the company name, activities, shareholders and managers.
3. Pay and sign the company documents in the DMCC portal.
4. Lease an office or flexi desk.
5. DMCC issues the e-licence.

You'll need passport copies, proof of home address and, if you're resident, your UAE visa and Emirates ID. A company owner provides its own corporate documents. DMCC asks for details of anyone who owns or controls 25% or more. DMCC indicates about 10 working days for setup, with the licence issued within 2 to 3 working days once setup is complete. [2]

After the licence: audit, tax and records

• Annual audit. DMCC's own rules require the accounts to be audited by a DMCC-approved auditor within 6 months of the financial year-end, and filed with DMCC. A company that was dormant all year is exempt. [4]

• Corporate tax. Every DMCC company must register for UAE corporate tax. It can pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions:

  • adequate substance in the free zone
  • qualifying income
  • arm's-length dealings with related parties
  • audited accounts
  • other income kept within the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million

  Other income is taxed at 9%. [7][8][14]

• Records. Keep accounting records for at least 7 years, the period the Corporate Tax Law requires. [9]

• Beneficial owners. Ownership records must be kept up to date. [2][4]

UAE corporate tax explained → Accounting and bookkeeping →

Holding companies and family offices in DMCC

Since May 2025, DMCC has offered a dedicated Holding Company licence and an SPV licence. Neither needs an office, and prices start at AED 3,690. DMCC requires these to be set up through a DMCC-licensed registered agent. [10][11] DMCC also has a single family office licence, with rules issued in October 2024. [12] Holding companies in the UAE →

How Marlborough Gulf helps

What we do:

• We help you choose the activities, licence type and office that fit what the company will do, including whether DMCC is the right free zone at all.
• We prepare the documents and manage the application through to the licence.
• After the licence, we keep the company's books and prepare the accounts the DMCC audit needs.
• We advise on corporate tax, including the Qualifying Free Zone Person tests.

What others do:

• DMCC issues the licence.
• A DMCC-approved auditor audits the accounts.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to set up a company in DMCC?

DMCC states that initial costs typically range from AED 10,345 to AED 84,515, depending on the package, office and visas. [2]

What type of company is a DMCC company?

A free zone company, or a branch of an existing company, licensed by the DMCC Authority in Dubai. It can be 100% foreign-owned. [1][4][13]

How many visas does a DMCC flexi desk allow?

Usually 1 to 3, depending on the licence and package. [5]

Does a DMCC company pay corporate tax?

It must register. It can pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, and 9% on other income. [7][14]

Does a DMCC company need an audit?

Yes. DMCC's rules require annual accounts audited by a DMCC-approved auditor, unless the company was dormant all year. [4]