I
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Company Formation in DMCC

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

Formation Time
3–5 business days
Min. Capital
AED 50,000
Corporate Tax
0% qualifying income / 9% standard
Foreign Ownership
100%

Overview

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) has been crowned 'Global Free Zone of the Year' by the Financial Times fDi Magazine for nine consecutive years. Located in the bustling Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district of Dubai, DMCC is home to over 24,000 registered companies spanning commodities (gold, diamonds, tea, coffee, agro), Web3 and crypto (DMCC Crypto Centre), gaming (DMCC Gaming Centre), AI, financial services, and global consulting. DMCC operates under an advanced digital regulatory framework, offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, and full eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) corporate tax regime for qualifying commodity, trading, and headquarters activities.

#1 Free Zone in the world (9 yrs)
JLT prime location
DMCC Crypto Centre
0% QFZP tax rate
Tier-one banking access

Why Choose DMCC

1

Voted #1 Free Zone in the World for 9 consecutive years by Financial Times fDi Magazine

2

Prime vibrant location in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) with direct Dubai Metro connectivity

3

0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income under UAE Federal Corporate Tax QFZP rules

4

Home to the DMCC Crypto Centre — the Middle East's largest web3 and blockchain ecosystem

5

Dedicated commodity exchanges: Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), DMCC Tea & Coffee Centres

6

100% foreign ownership with zero personal income tax and full capital repatriation

7

Direct tier-one banking relationships with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Wio Bank, and HSBC

Business Entity Types

EntityOwnershipDirectorsCapitalTaxBest For
FZ-LLC100%1AED 50,0000% on Qualifying Income; 9% on non-qualifying revenueCommodity trading, tech startups, web3 ventures, global consulting, e-commerce
Branch of Foreign Company100%1 (Manager)None0% qualifying / 9% non-qualifyingInternational trading houses and corporate groups expanding to Dubai

Step-by-Step Formation Process

1

Online Application & Name Reservation

1–2 days

Submit application via DMCC portal and reserve trade name.

2

Initial Approval & KYC Clearance

2–3 days

Receive DMCC initial approval and complete background screening.

3

Office Selection & Tenancy

1–2 days

Select flexi-desk (DMCC Business Centre) or private office in JLT.

4

Document Signing & License Issuance

1–2 days

Sign electronic MOA, pay fees, and receive DMCC electronic trade license.

5

Banking & UAE Residence Visas

2–3 weeks

Open corporate accounts with partner banks and process 2-year UAE residency visas.

Costs & Fees

Government / License FeeAED 18,000 – 35,000
Our Service FeeUSD 4,500+
Annual RenewalAED 18,000 – 30,000

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

DMCC carries the highest prestige among UAE free zones, making corporate bank account opening straightforward with tier-one UAE banks and digital banking platforms.

Account Opening Time
2–3 weeks (3 days via Wio Bank)
Multi-Currency
Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Emirates NBDMashreq BankWio Bank BusinessRAKBANKFirst Abu Dhabi Bank

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax
0% on Qualifying Income (under QFZP rules); 9% on non-qualifying domestic income
Personal Income Tax
0%
VAT / Sales Tax
5% standard VAT
Capital Gains Tax
0%
Withholding Tax
0%
Double Tax Treaties
137 countries

DMCC entities qualify for 0% corporate tax if they meet Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria under Ministerial Decision No. 139 of 2023, maintain adequate substance in JLT, and prepare annual audited accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 0% UAE Corporate Tax apply to DMCC companies?
DMCC companies can benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) on 'Qualifying Income' (such as wholesale trading, commodities transactions, reinsurance, fund management, and transactions with other free zone persons). Any non-qualifying income or mainland consumer sales are taxed at the standard 9% rate.
What is the minimum share capital for a DMCC company?
The standard minimum share capital for a DMCC FZ-LLC is AED 50,000 per company (AED 10,000 per shareholder). The capital must be deposited into the company's UAE bank account within six months of license issuance.
Can a DMCC company operate in the crypto and web3 space?
Yes. The DMCC Crypto Centre is the leading blockchain and crypto hub in the Middle East, offering bespoke proprietary trading and crypto software licenses in partnership with the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
Do I need a physical office in JLT?
DMCC permits several office solutions: startups can utilize cost-effective flexi-desks or shared workstations within the DMCC Business Centre (which support up to 3 visas), or lease private commercial office space across JLT towers.
How many residence visas can I get with a DMCC company?
A standard flexi-desk package provides 1 to 3 residence visas. Physical private offices allow approximately 1 visa per 9 square meters (approx. 100 sq ft) of leased space without statutory maximum caps.
Can a DMCC company trade directly with mainland UAE?
A DMCC company can trade with mainland UAE businesses provided it does not conduct retail operations directly on the mainland. For mainland trade, goods are cleared through customs with standard 5% customs duty, or the entity can establish a mainland branch or dual license.