Purpose-Built for Production
Production studios for film, television and music, plus post-production facilities — a 22-million-sq-ft site designed around how productions actually work.
Dubai Studio City
Company Formation
Base your film, television or music production business in the district built for it. Since 2005, Dubai Studio City has gathered production studios, post-production houses and broadcast facilities across a 22-million-square-foot purpose-built site.
- 100% Ownership
- Since 2005
- TECOM Group
- Film & TV Production
- Studios & Stages
Dubai's Production Hub
Dubai Studio City was established in 2005 as a purpose-built home for production, part of Dubai Holding and operated within TECOM Group's creative clusters. Spanning roughly 22 million square feet within Dubailand, it brings together film, television and music production studios, post-production operations, animation houses and the support businesses a working production needs.
Dubai Studio City was established in 2005 as a purpose-built home for production. Spanning roughly 22 million square feet within the Dubailand development, it brings together film, television and music production studios, post-production operations, animation houses, artist-management agencies and the support businesses that a working production needs. It is part of Dubai Holding and operated within TECOM Group's creative clusters.
What sets Studio City apart from a general office zone is purpose: it is built around the practicalities of production — studio and stage space, the facilities for editing and mixing, and a community of crews and production businesses in one place. For a production house, broadcaster or post-production studio, that combination of facilities and the creative cluster around it is the reason to be here.
A purpose-built home for film, TV and music production
Why Dubai Studio City
Studio City is built for production, not adapted for it. For a film, TV or music business, studio and stage facilities plus a community of crews and production houses in one place are the deciding factors a general free zone can't match.
Studio and Stage Space
Sound stages, studios and production facilities available to base a shoot or a permanent production operation — infrastructure a normal office zone simply does not have.
A Production Community
Production houses, post-production studios, animation firms and artist-management agencies cluster here, so crews, partners and suppliers are on the same site.
End-To-End Creative Chain
From shoot through editing, mixing and animation to artist management — the production value chain is represented in one district.
Connected to the Media Cluster
Studio City sits alongside Dubai Media City and the wider TECOM creative districts, linking production with broadcast, advertising and media talent.
Full Ownership, UAE Free-Zone Status
100% foreign ownership with no local-shareholder requirement, and eligibility for the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person Corporate Tax rate on qualifying income.
Ideal for
- Film and television production houses
- Broadcast and TV channels
- Music production and recording studios
- Post-production, editing and VFX studios
- Animation and motion-graphics studios
- Artist management and production services
Dubai Studio City Licence Types
Studio City licences are organised around production and the services around it.
Production Licence
For film, television and music production, broadcast and the studios and stages that support them.
- Film & TV production
- Broadcast & channels
- Music production & recording
- Studio & stage rental
- Commercials & branded content
Post-Production & Animation Licence
For editing, mixing, VFX, animation and motion-graphics studios working across the production chain.
- Editing & post-production
- Sound & mixing
- VFX & colour grading
- Animation & motion graphics
- Localisation & dubbing
Service / Professional Licence
For artist management, production services, equipment and the professional services supporting the district.
- Artist & talent management
- Production services & crewing
- Equipment rental & technical services
- Professional & corporate services
- Specialist B2B services
Legal Structures Under Dubai Studio City
Studio City recognises the standard TECOM / free-zone legal forms — the right one depends on shareholder count and whether you are incorporating fresh or extending a company.
Free Zone LLC (Single Shareholder)
A limited-liability entity with one shareholder, individual or corporate — for a founder or wholly-owned production business.
Free Zone LLC (Multiple Shareholders)
A limited-liability entity with two or more shareholders, used for co-founded production houses and joint ventures.
Branch of a Company
A branch of an existing UAE or foreign production company, operating under the parent's name and balance sheet.
Freelance Permit
A permit for individual production professionals — directors, editors, producers and crew — to operate under their own name.
How a Dubai Studio City Company Is Formed
Five steps from activity selection to a banked, visa-ready entity.
- 01
Confirm Activity & Licence
Pick the activities and matching licence — production, post-production / animation, service, or a freelance permit.
- 02
Reserve the Name & Apply
Reserve the company name and file the licence application with shareholder and activity documents through TECOM's portal.
- 03
Choose Premises
Select premises to fit the licence — a freelance desk, an office, or studio / stage space.
- 04
Licence & Establishment Card
On approval, the trade licence and establishment card are issued, which unlocks visa allocation.
- 05
Bank Account & Visas
Open the corporate bank account and process investor and employee visas with Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for Dubai Studio City Setup
A standard production free-zone document set — corporate shareholders add a few group documents.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Proposed company names and the planned production activities
- Personal information / KYC form
- For corporate shareholders: parent licence, MoA, board resolution and UBO list
Why Choose Dubai Studio City
Studio City pairs free-zone basics with production facilities few zones can match.
100% foreign ownership with no local-shareholder requirement
A purpose-built production district with studios and stages
Post-production, animation and the full creative chain on site
A community of production houses, crews and suppliers
Licensing tuned to film, TV, music and post-production
0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income under the QFZP regime
Freelance permits for individual production professionals
Connected to Dubai Media City and the wider creative cluster
Tax & Compliance Position — Dubai Studio City
Studio City entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax and can qualify for the 0% QFZP rate. VAT applies in the standard way — it is a production / services zone, not a goods Designated Zone.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
Studio City entities follow UAE Federal Corporate Tax under Decree-Law 47/2022 — 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Most can elect the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) regime and pay 0% on Qualifying Income.
QFZP eligibilityQFZP eligibility needs Qualifying Income, adequate Free Zone substance, arm's-length transfer pricing and audited financials. Production-services and content / IP income each have specific rules we assess per business.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Standard VAT Regime
Studio City entities follow standard UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold, with input-tax recovery on production costs. Exported production services are often zero-rated; we confirm the treatment per project.
Not a Designated ZoneDubai Studio City is a production and services free zone, not a Designated Zone for goods under Cabinet 59/2017 — Designated-Zone treatment is not relevant to its production tenant base.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment
- Audited financial statements (free zone requirement; mandatory for QFZP)
- Trade-licence renewal with the free zone authority
- Film / content permits where required for specific productions
- ESR notification + report where a Relevant Activity is carried on
- UBO register with the free zone authority
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT)
Sectors Active in Dubai Studio City
Studio City's tenant base is film, TV and music production.
Film & TV Production
Broadcast & Channels
Music & Recording
Post-Production & VFX
Animation & Motion Graphics
Artist & Talent Management
Production Services
Equipment & Technical
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs Dubai Studio City setups end-to-end — from activity scoping through to a banked, visa-ready entity registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Production-Activity Fluency
We map film, TV, music and post-production activities to the right Studio City licence, and flag content / filming permit needs.
QFZP for Production & IP
Qualifying Free Zone Person assessment for production-services and content / IP income, so the 0% rate is claimed correctly.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that onboard production firms, with the compliance file they ask for.
Investor, Employee & Freelance Visas
Visas for owners, crew and individual production professionals, processed with Emirates ID and medicals.
Permits & IP
Coordination of filming / content permits and protection of content IP as part of the setup.
Corporate Tax & VAT
FTA registrations and ongoing filings, including zero-rating review for exported production services.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering every leg of a Dubai Studio City setup — formation, permits, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for Dubai Studio City
Three things that come up in every Studio City engagement once the licence is issued.
Production-Sector Aware
We set up production and post-production businesses and know how Studio City's facilities and the creative cluster work together.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, premises, bank, visas, permits and tax — handled by one team on one engagement letter.
Content & IP Handled
QFZP, VAT and content-IP handled for the way production income actually arises.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
Dubai Studio City suits film, TV, music and post-production businesses. Other zones serve different sectors — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE companies through Avyanco.
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
Dubai Studio City — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Dubai Studio City.
What is Dubai Studio City?
Dubai Studio City is a purpose-built production district established in 2005, part of Dubai Holding and operated within TECOM Group's creative clusters. Spanning roughly 22 million square feet in Dubailand, it houses film, television and music production studios, post-production and animation operations, and the support businesses a production needs.
What kinds of business is Studio City best for?
Film and television production houses, broadcasters and channels, music and recording studios, post-production / VFX and animation studios, and artist-management and production-services businesses.
Does Studio City have studio and stage facilities?
Yes — that is its main draw. The district was built around production, with studios, stages and post-production facilities, which is what distinguishes it from a general office free zone for a production business.
Can individual production professionals set up in Studio City?
Yes. Studio City offers freelance permits that let individual directors, producers, editors and crew operate under their own name and obtain a UAE residence visa.
Does Studio City qualify for the 0% UAE Corporate Tax rate?
Studio City is a UAE free zone for Corporate Tax purposes. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Production-services and content / IP income have specific rules we assess at the planning stage.
Are filming or content permits needed?
Specific productions and content often require filming or content permits alongside the trade licence. Avyanco identifies which permits apply to your activity and coordinates them as part of the setup.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the official Dubai Studio City / TECOM Group sources and Wikipedia as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of Dubai Studio City, TECOM Group, Dubai Holding and all UAE government authorities, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Free zone licence categories, studio and stage availability, filming-permit rules and Corporate Tax Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve, and the legacy 'tax-free' free-zone incentives have been superseded by the UAE Corporate Tax regime. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with the authority and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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Ready to Set Up in Dubai Studio City?
Speak to an Avyanco partner about a Studio City licence scoped to your business — a production house, broadcaster, music studio or post-production company in Dubai's production district.
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