DMCC — the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, headquartered in Jumeirah Lakes Towers — is the UAE's flagship free zone for trading, finance, and Web3. It's seven times "Global Free Zone of the Year" and home to over 25,000 companies. Here's the 2026 cost, timeline, and which licences make sense.
What DMCC actually is
DMCC is a government-owned authority that licenses companies in the JLT cluster — 87 commercial towers, 3 retail districts, the DMCC Gold Souk, and the new Uptown Tower precinct. Members get a free zone trade licence, a JLT business address, and access to commodities clearing houses (DGCX), the Gold & Commodities Exchange, and the DMCC Tea Centre.
Why companies choose DMCC over cheaper free zones
- Reputation — DMCC is recognised by global banks; account opening is materially easier than at smaller free zones.
- Crypto / Web3 licence framework — issued in partnership with VARA, the only fully-regulated UAE crypto setup outside ADGM.
- DMCC Gold Souk — refined-bullion trading hub with allocated and unallocated storage at the DMCC vault.
- Substance — physical office requirement satisfies BEPS and qualifying free zone income tests.
- JLT location — Metro-connected, residential and commercial in one cluster.
Activities and licence types
| Licence type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Trading | General trading, gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, agro-commodities |
| Service | Consultancy, marketing, IT, professional services |
| Industrial | Light manufacturing, jewellery production |
| Crypto / Web3 | Token issuance, custody, exchange (with VARA) |
| Holding | SPVs, family offices |
2026 cost breakdown
| Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Initial registration | 10,200 |
| Trade licence (annual) | 20,285 – 34,340 (activity-dependent) |
| Flexi-desk (smallest office) | 13,500 – 21,000 / year |
| Serviced office (10 sqm) | 40,000+ / year |
| Establishment card | 1,200 |
| Per-employee visa (3-year) | 5,500 – 7,500 |
| Notarisation (multi-shareholder) | 2,500 – 4,000 |
| Crypto licence supplement | 40,000 – 100,000+ |
Year-1 realistic total for a 2-shareholder consultancy with flexi-desk and 2 visas: AED 55,000 – 70,000.
Setup timeline
- Apply for initial approval — DMCC portal, 3–5 working days.
- Trade name reservation — 1–2 working days.
- Document submission and notarisation of MOA — 5–7 working days.
- Licence and certificate of incorporation issued — 3–5 working days.
- Office allocation and Ejari-equivalent registration — 1 week.
- Establishment card and immigration file — 5 working days.
- Visa applications, medical, Emirates ID — 2–4 weeks per employee.
End-to-end with visas: 6–8 weeks on a smooth file.
The DMCC Gold Souk advantage
DMCC operates one of the world's most regulated bullion trading ecosystems. Members trading physical gold benefit from:
- Allocated vault storage in DMCC's Almas Tower vault (independently audited).
- Direct access to the DMCC Gold & Commodities Exchange.
- Compliance with DMCC's Responsible Gold Guidance — accepted by LBMA refiners.
- Customs-free in-zone movement of refined bullion.
For traders, this typically replaces the need for separate Hong Kong or Singapore vaulting arrangements.
Crypto / Web3 licence framework
Since 2024, DMCC issues regulated crypto licences in partnership with VARA (Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority). Categories include:
- Proprietary trading (no client funds)
- Broker-dealer
- Custody services
- Exchange operator
- Token issuance and ICO advisory
You'll need to satisfy VARA's capital adequacy (typically AED 500,000 – AED 1.5 million depending on category), KYC/AML procedures, and an audited cybersecurity assessment. DMCC handles the free zone wrap; VARA handles the activity authorisation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a flexi-desk only and skip the full office?
Yes — flexi-desk is allowed for activities that don't require a physical workspace (consultancy, holding, crypto advisory). Trading and industrial activities typically need an actual office.
Does DMCC accept single-shareholder companies?
Yes — single-shareholder DMCC LLCs are standard, including corporate shareholders.
How long does bank account opening take with a DMCC licence?
Commonly 4–8 weeks with established UAE banks (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAK). Crypto-related licences require enhanced due diligence and may take 8–14 weeks.
Is DMCC suitable for an e-commerce business?
Yes — there's a dedicated e-commerce activity. But check the per-shipment customs treatment if you're importing physical goods at scale.
Can I move my IFZA / RAKEZ company to DMCC?
Direct migration isn't supported — you'd register a new DMCC entity, transfer assets, and cancel the old licence. Plan for AED 25,000 – AED 40,000 in switching costs.
Is DMCC's qualifying free zone income status secure?
Yes for most activities, provided you maintain physical substance (an actual office, qualified employees, and core income-generating activities in the zone).
How we help
Visa Simplified is a DMCC member partner. We assess whether DMCC is the right fit, handle activity selection, prepare the application portal, manage notarisations, secure office allocation, and arrange visa quotas. See our business setup service, or compare against the lower-cost alternative in our IFZA setup guide.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.