Below is the 2026 procedure for opening a company in DMC: the stages, fees, rent, visas and taxes. The figures are cross-checked against official TECOM Group resources, the GoFreelance platform and current open-source data.
Why Choose DMC
Media companies come here for the ecosystem: clients, contractors and venues are all gathered in a single district.
- Dense media environment: international outlets, agencies and production houses within walking distance
- 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits
- A dedicated-desk package lets you launch for roughly AED 48,300 in the first year
- GoFreelance permit at AED 7,500 a year for journalists, designers, producers and other professionals
- Residency through the company’s own visa quota: employees and family members qualify
- Access to Qualifying Free Zone Person status and a 0% tax rate on qualifying income
Steps to Register a Company in DMC
The authority first reviews your business model, then handles incorporation and visas.
- Define your activities and legal form: FZ-LLC, a branch of a local or foreign company, or a freelance permit
- Apply for initial approval — review takes 5–7 days
- Gather your documents: passports valid for at least 6 months, a business plan and founder application forms
- Pay the fees and sign a lease for a desk or office inside the zone
- Receive your licence, incorporation documents and establishment card (3–5 working days)
- Arrange your entry permit, complete the medical test, obtain your Emirates ID and open a bank account
The full cycle from application to visa takes four to six weeks. Most steps can be handled remotely, but signing documents, collecting keys and giving biometrics must be done in person in Dubai.
Cost of Setting Up a Company in DMC (2026)
DMC confirms exact rates in an offer after initial approval. As a benchmark, open sources give the budget for a dedicated-desk package.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Licence and registration (package with desk) | 3 520 | A standalone licence without the package starts at 15,020 according to open sources |
| Dedicated desk | 36 000 | Per year; plus 5% VAT on rent — 1,800 |
| Workspace deposit | 5 000 | Refundable |
| Establishment card | 2 000 | Required for the visa quota |
| Residence visa | 5 370 | Visa 4,220 + medical 760 + Emirates ID 390; deposit 2,500 refundable |
| GoFreelance permit | 7 500 | For freelancers; visa 4,600 for one year or 5,042 for two |
| First-year total | about 48,300 | Package with dedicated desk; visa costs separate |
A spacious 190 m² office pushes the launch budget to roughly AED 203,000 a year. These figures come from open sources for 2025–2026 — check the authority’s offer before you pay.
Taxation in DMC
DMC companies fall under the standard UAE regime: 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 a year and 0% below that threshold. VAT is 5%, and registration becomes mandatory once taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000. Media companies with foreign revenue and a genuine presence in the zone can claim Qualifying Free Zone Person status and a 0% rate on qualifying income. The criteria are set by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), so check them before you launch.
Who DMC Is Right For
- Production studios and advertising and PR agencies serving the MENA region and global markets
- Publishers, online media and marketing consultants who need a prestigious address
- Media freelancers — journalists, producers, designers — through the GoFreelance permit
“In DMC it’s the density of the environment that makes the difference: clients, contractors and venues sit in neighbouring buildings. The one thing worth settling early is the exact media segment of your licence — otherwise changing activities means a paid amendment”, notes the lead lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open Your Company in DMC with Dynasty Business Adviser
We guide media companies and freelancers from choosing the licence segment to ready visas and a bank account. Get in touch and we’ll send you a cost estimate and a launch plan for DMC tailored to how you work.
Get a consultation
Pricing is current as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against open sources, including dmc.ae, tecomgroup.ae and gofreelance.ae; check the rates directly with the zone authority before you pay.
