Updated July 2026 · Dubai Multi Commodities Centre fees
DMCC Free Zone Cost
From AED 46,780 — premium Dubai pricing, and worth it only for some businesses.
A DMCC licence starts at AED 46,780 in government fees on the one-visa package. That is roughly three times an IFZA or Meydan licence, and this page is honest about when that premium buys something real — commodities, Web3 and businesses whose clients or banks expect the DMCC name — and when it does not.
Government cost from
AED 46,780
one-visa package · DMCC
- With 1 visaAED 46,780
- Zero visa (as published)AED 49,160
- Setup time1–3 weeks
- Ownership100% foreign
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In brief: A DMCC licence costs from AED 46,780 in government fees on the one-visa package, with two visas at AED 57,780 and three at AED 67,780. Unusually, DMCC's published zero-visa package is AED 49,160 — higher than its one-visa package — so if you need a residence visa the cheaper package is also the more useful one. DMCC is around three times the cost of IFZA or Meydan, which is justified for commodities trading, Web3 and businesses that need the JLT address and DMCC's banking relationships, and hard to justify for a general consultancy. Avyanco's professional fee is quoted separately.
What it costs — line by line
These are the government line items. Ranges are real variation by activity and legal form, not padding — where a figure genuinely moves, we show the span rather than a flattering minimum.
| Government item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence with 1 visa | AED 46,780 | The cheapest DMCC entry point as published |
| Zero-visa licence | AED 49,160 | Priced above the one-visa package — confirm before choosing it |
| Licence with 2 visas | AED 57,780 | Each additional visa adds around AED 10,000–11,000 |
| Typical start — founder with residency | AED 46,780 | One licence, one residence visa, government cost |
What each visa adds
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second visa | + AED 11,000 | Steps are far larger than at the budget zones |
| Third visa | + AED 10,000 | Plan headcount before choosing a tier |
Indicative government costs as at July 2026. They exclude Avyanco’s professional fee, office rent, VAT where applicable and external-approval charges for regulated activities. Government fees are set by the authorities and change — confirm the live figure for your activity and visa mix before budgeting.
What the price includes — and what it doesn’t
Most “cheap setup” quotes fall apart here. This is the honest split.
Included in the figures above
- Trade licence issued by DMCC Authority
- Company registration and incorporation documents
- A JLT address and access to the 26,000+ member community
- Establishment card so the company can sponsor visas
- Access to DMCC's commodities and Web3 licensing frameworks
Additional, quoted separately
- Physical office or retail space in JLT — a Dubai commercial lease
- Visas for dependants — spouse and children are priced separately
- External approvals for regulated or commodity-specific activities
- Corporate bank-account opening and minimum balances
- VAT and corporate-tax registration, bookkeeping and audit
- Avyanco's professional service fee, quoted separately
Download the complete DMCC fact sheet
The table above answers the headline question. The fact sheet answers the next ten — every visa tier priced out, what year two costs, and how it stacks up against the cheaper free zones. It is the same one-pager our advisers send to clients, and it is free.
Free PDF · instant download
Download the full DMCC fact sheet
The one-page sheet our advisers quote from — every number, on one page. Yours free.
- Every cost priced for 0, 1, 2 and 3 visas
- Renewal costs — what year two really costs
- DMCC vs IFZA and Meydan on total three-year cost
- Document checklist and realistic timeline
What actually moves the price
Two companies registered on the same day can differ by more than AED 10,000. These are the factors that decide where you land in the range.
Whether you actually need DMCC
The largest cost decision on this page. For commodities, precious metals, Web3 and businesses whose counterparties expect DMCC, the premium buys credibility and banking access that a cheaper zone cannot. For a general consultancy or online business, it buys an address — and IFZA costs AED 29,000 less.
Number of visas
Visa steps at DMCC are AED 10,000–11,000, against AED 4,000–6,500 at the budget zones. Headcount plans change the total here far more sharply than elsewhere.
Office requirement
DMCC packages assume a JLT presence. Flexi-desk options exist, but physical space in JLT is a Dubai commercial lease and typically the largest single line in a DMCC budget.
Activity type
Commodity trading and Web3 activities carry their own approval requirements and, in some cases, capital or compliance conditions beyond the licence fee.
Renewal, not just setup
At this price point renewal is a material annual commitment. Model three years, not one, before committing.
How long it takes
- 1
Week 1 — Activity & structure
We confirm the activity, whether DMCC is genuinely the right zone, and which package tier fits your headcount.
- 2
Week 1 — Name & application
Trade name reserved and the application filed with DMCC Authority.
- 3
Week 1–2 — Approvals
Activity approvals, and any commodity or Web3-specific requirements, are cleared.
- 4
Week 2–3 — Licence issued
Incorporation documents and trade licence issued.
- 5
Week 3–4 — Establishment card & visas
Immigration card, then entry permit, status change, medical and Emirates ID per person.
- 6
After licensing — Bank & compliance
Corporate account opening, corporate tax registration and bookkeeping set up.
Get a quote with the government fees shown separately
Tell us the activity and how many visas you need. You will get a written figure that separates what goes to the authorities from what goes to us — no bundled “all-in” number hiding the difference.
Compare before you commit
Cost is one input. Where you can trade, who your customers are and what banking you need matter just as much. Read the dmcc free zone page for the structure itself, then compare the alternatives:
Cost FAQs
How much does a DMCC licence cost?
From AED 46,780 in government fees on the one-visa package. Two visas cost AED 57,780 and three cost AED 67,780. The published zero-visa package is AED 49,160. Avyanco's professional fee is quoted separately.
Why is the zero-visa package more expensive than the one-visa package?
That is how the pricing is published, and it is unusual — normally packages rise with visa count. It means that if you need a residence visa, the cheaper package is also the more useful one. Because it is counter-intuitive, we verify the live figure with DMCC before quoting rather than relying on any published table, including ours.
Is DMCC worth the extra cost over IFZA?
For commodities trading, precious metals, Web3 and businesses whose clients or banks expect the DMCC name — often yes; the credibility and banking relationships are real. For a general consultancy or online business, usually no: IFZA costs about AED 29,000 less with one visa and gives the same ownership, visas and banking access. We will tell you which category you are in.
What is DMCC best known for?
Commodities — gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and agricultural trade — and more recently Web3 and crypto, for which it operates a dedicated licensing framework. It has been named Global Free Zone of the Year nine times and has over 26,000 member companies in JLT.
Does the price include Avyanco's fee?
No. Every figure here is government cost paid to DMCC Authority. Our professional fee is quoted separately and transparently.
How long does DMCC setup take?
Typically one to three weeks from a complete document set, longer if your activity needs commodity-specific or Web3 approvals. Residence visas run after the licence and establishment card are issued.
Does DMCC help with banking?
DMCC's standing and its member community do carry weight with UAE banks, which is one of the genuine reasons businesses pay the premium. It is not a guarantee — banks still assess your activity, documentation and substance.
Do I need a physical office in JLT?
DMCC packages assume a JLT presence, and flexi-desk options exist at the lower tiers. Physical space is a Dubai commercial lease and is usually the largest line in a DMCC budget, so decide this before comparing headline licence prices.
What does renewal cost?
Less than first-year setup, but material at this price point — model three years rather than one before committing. Exact renewal figures are in the fact sheet.
Does a DMCC company pay corporate tax?
UAE Corporate Tax applies at 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above it. A qualifying free-zone person can access 0% on qualifying income subject to strict substance and activity conditions — it is not automatic. VAT registration becomes mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies.
Pricing note. Figures on this page are indicative government costs as at July 2026, published so you can budget realistically. They are set by the relevant UAE authorities, vary by activity, legal form, visa mix and office type, and change over time. They exclude Avyanco’s professional service fee, office rent and any external-approval charges. This is general guidance, not a quotation — confirm your specific position with us before acting.