How much does a DMCC licence cost in 2026?

A basic trading licence starts at AED 25,000, plus AED 18,000 for a flexi-desk office and AED 3,500 per extra visa.

Can I sponsor family with a DMCC visa?

Yes, once your monthly salary meets the AED 4,000 ICP threshold; medical and Emirates ID fees add about AED 1,200 per person.

Which banks accept DMCC companies?

Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and RAKBANK open accounts in 10-15 days with a tenancy contract, passports, and a short business plan.

DMCC Free Zone Setup Cost 2026 and Benefits

DMCC Free Zone Licence Fees in 2026

DMCC charges a base licence fee of AED 25,000 for most trading and service activities. Adding a second activity costs AED 5,000 extra. If you need a warehouse or flexi-desk inside JLT, the physical office package starts at AED 18,000 per year. All fees are paid to DMCC directly through its online portal.

Visa Quotas and Family Sponsorship

Every new DMCC company receives two employee visas included in the licence package. Additional visas cost AED 3,500 each. You can sponsor your spouse and children once your salary meets the AED 4,000 monthly threshold set by ICP. Medical fitness tests and Emirates ID issuance add roughly AED 1,200 per person and are handled at DMCC-approved centres in Dubai.

Bank Account Opening Process

DMCC companies open corporate accounts at Emirates NBD, Mashreq, or RAKBANK within 10 to 15 working days. Banks now require a notarised tenancy contract, passport copies, and a business plan of at least one page. Minimum balance rules sit at AED 10,000 for standard accounts and AED 50,000 for premium packages that waive wire fees.

Tax and Customs Benefits

DMCC entities enjoy the UAE’s 0 percent personal income tax and 9 percent corporate tax only on mainland-sourced profits above AED 375,000. Customs duties are suspended on goods that remain inside the free zone or are re-exported. When you sell to mainland UAE customers, 5 percent VAT is collected and filed quarterly through the Federal Tax Authority portal.

Why Expats Pick DMCC Over Other Zones

DMCC’s gold and commodities reputation gives instant credibility with international suppliers. The zone’s proximity to Al Maktoum Airport cuts logistics time for traders. Annual renewal is straightforward, requires only an audit report under AED 4,000, and keeps your visa quota intact without fresh capital proofs.

Ask Tovi for more

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything. Ask Tovi free →

Got more UAE questions?

Tovi knows current 2026 UAE rules, fees, and processes. Ask anything — visas, banking, housing, schools. Ask Tovi free →