How much does DMCC company setup cost in 2026?
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) sets its fees, and we show them apart from ours. The table lists what you pay to the authorities and what Startex charges. Our service fee is quoted in writing before you pay anything.
| Item | Government fee (paid to) | Startex service fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, once | From about AED 9,000 (DMCC publishes AED 9,020 on its standard schedule) | Quoted per activity |
| Application fee | AED 1,035 per application (DMCC) | Quoted per activity |
| Articles of Association | AED 2,020 per application (DMCC) | Quoted per activity |
| Business license, per year | AED 10,000 to 50,000 depending on the license type, AED 20,285 on the standard schedule (DMCC) | Quoted per activity |
| Establishment card, per year | AED 1,825 (DMCC) | Quoted per activity |
| Flexi desk, serviced office or co-working | About AED 15,000 to 20,000 a year (DMCC) | Quoted per activity |
| Each added residence visa | About AED 10,000 to 11,000 in published consultancy schedules, July 2026 (DMCC and GDRFA Dubai) | Quoted per activity |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026, checked against DMCC's published information and current package schedules. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
What does a DMCC package include?
- A DMCC license of the Service, Trading or Industrial type, with more than 900 business activities across about 20 sectors.
- Ready packages for first-time sign-ups, such as Basic Biz at about AED 35,500 and Jump Start with a flexi desk at about AED 43,800 for one year.
- Sector ecosystems for gold, diamonds, tea and coffee, energy, tech, gaming, crypto and AI, each with its own community and sometimes its own package.
- A fully digital process that DMCC says can take two to three weeks from application to e-license.
DMCC issues Service, Trading and Industrial licenses. A trading license is the usual choice for commodity and goods companies, a service license for consultants and tech firms, and an industrial license for processing. Gold, diamonds and crypto companies add sector approvals and compliance checks.
What are the DMCC visa and office rules?
DMCC offers flexi desks, serviced offices, co-working space and business centres in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, plus buildings such as Almas Tower and Uptown Tower. The visa quota depends on the office size and license type, so a larger office means more visas. A residence visa needs an in-person visit for the medical test and Emirates ID.
For the full range of visa costs and quotas by route, see our business setup cost guide and the PRO services we use to file them.
Who does DMCC suit, and who should look elsewhere?
DMCC suits:
- Commodity, gold, diamond, tea and coffee traders that want to trade in a recognised hub.
- Tech, crypto, gaming and AI companies that benefit from a sector community.
- Founders who want a premium address, a strong banking file and room to grow.
DMCC is a weaker fit for:
- Early-stage founders who need the lowest entry cost, because other Dubai zones start far lower.
- Companies that sell mainly to mainland customers without a distributor or mainland arrangement.
- Businesses with no use for a trading hub or sector ecosystem.
How long does DMCC setup take?
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Application and trade name | 1 week | DMCC |
| Sector approvals, if needed | 1 to 2 weeks | DMCC |
| License and incorporation documents | 2 to 3 weeks from application, in total | DMCC |
| Establishment card, then visas | Weeks 3 to 4 onward | DMCC and GDRFA Dubai |
| Corporate bank account | Several weeks | The bank |
What are the steps to set up a DMCC company?
- Choose the activities you will list, so the license matches what you sell.
- Pick the package that fits your visas and office, and confirm what DMCC includes.
- Send the documents: passport copies, photographs and, for company shareholders, attested papers.
- Sign and pay the DMCC application and receive the license.
- Apply for the establishment card, visas and bank account.
How does DMCC compare with other free zones?
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC | AED 35,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Commodities, gold, tea, coffee, crypto and tech companies that want a premium address and banking reputation. |
| IFZA | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
| DAFZA | AED 23,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Air cargo, logistics, aviation, electronics and pharmaceutical traders that need an airport-linked address. |
Not sure which zone fits? Read free zone vs mainland vs offshore, or compare all seven on the free zone setup cost page.
Fee ranges are for Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and were checked in October 2026. Official sources: DMCC and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with DMCC.