DMCC is the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, a premium free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) focused on commodities, trade, fintech and professional services.

Which DMCC licence is best for a startup?

Most startups and service businesses begin with a DMCC Service Licence. If you plan to trade physical goods, choose Commercial, Retail or General Trading depending on scale.

Can a DMCC company be owned 100% by a foreigner?

Yes. DMCC offers 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation and 0% personal income tax.

How many visas does a startup DMCC package include?

Entry-level flexi-desk packages usually include 1–3 visas. Larger offices can support more staff.

How long does DMCC company formation take?

Once documents are complete, DMCC can issue a licence in 5–10 working days.

Why does RAKEFZ recommend RAKEZ over DMCC for some founders?

RAKEZ offers a comparable all-in-one package at a lower entry cost and faster timeline, making it the best fit for most freelancers, traders and small businesses.

DMCC Free Zone

DMCC licence types for startups, SMEs & entrepreneurs

DMCC in JLT is one of the UAE’s most recognised free zones. It suits fintech, commodities, professional services and trading startups. Compare the DMCC licence types built for small teams and growing SMEs.

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1–3 visas

Service Licence

Provide consultancy, advisory, marketing, technology, legal, accounting and other knowledge-based services.

Best for: Consultants, agencies, fintech, tech startups

1–4 visas

Commercial Licence

Trade, sell and distribute specific categories of goods approved in your licence.

Best for: Product traders, distributors, import/export SMEs

1–6 visas

Retail Licence

Operate retail stores, showrooms or trading outlets inside the DMCC district.

Best for: Retailers, consumer brands, showrooms

1–6 visas

General Trading Licence

Trade a broad range of products without the category limits of a commercial licence.

Best for: Multi-category traders, e-commerce wholesalers

1–3 visas

E-commerce Licence

Sell products and services online through your own store or third-party marketplaces.

Best for: Online sellers, digital-first brands, SaaS

Startup package snapshot

Licence cost from

AED 15,000

DMCC flexi-desk

Visas included

1–3

Depends on package

Setup time

5–10 days

Docs complete

Ownership

100%

Foreign ownership

Why DMCC suits startups

✓Central JLT address and metro access
✓Banking, legal and co-working ecosystem
✓Strong fintech, crypto and commodities network
✓Respected brand for international clients
✓100% foreign ownership and profit repatriation

Watch-outs

•Higher starting cost than some other free zones
•Visa quota is tied to office size
•Regulated activities may need extra approvals
•Premium locations mean higher renewal fees

DMCC startup and SME FAQs

Find the right UAE setup for your startup

Compare zones and licences with RAKEFZ. Start with Ras Al Khaimah zones or explore other UAE free zones to find the best fit.

Compare zones →