If you've been quoted three different numbers by three different consultants for a DMCC licence, you're not imagining it. DMCC pricing is genuinely modular. This guide breaks down what each part actually costs so you can tell a fair quote from an inflated one.
DMCC licence cost at a glance
| Package | Typical Cost (AED) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| No-visa licence | ~27,000 | Trade licence, flexi-desk, registration |
| Jump Start (1 visa) | ~49,000 | Licence, flexi-desk, establishment card, 1 residence visa (medical, Emirates ID, stamping) |
| Typical first-year total | 35,000 – 55,000+ | Varies by activity, office and visa count |
Figures are indicative 2026 market ranges and change with DMCC's own fee schedule, your business activity, and office package. Get an exact figure for your case with our free setup cost calculator or in a consultation.
What actually makes up the total
- Trade licence fee: set by your business activity category (commercial, service, or industrial).
- Office / flexi-desk: DMCC requires a registered physical presence; a flexi-desk is the entry-level option, a leased office scales the cost up.
- Establishment card: the corporate card needed before you can sponsor any visas.
- Per-visa costs: entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and stamping for each investor, partner or employee visa.
- Share capital & MOA drafting: legal documentation for your company structure.
Why businesses choose DMCC over cheaper free zones
DMCC costs more than budget options like IFZA or Ajman Free Zone, and that's usually the point. It's based in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, carries strong international recognition, and supports 600+ business activities, which matters most if you're in trading, commodities, or financial services and need a jurisdiction that banks and international partners already trust on sight.
If your priority is the lowest possible entry cost rather than address prestige, see our Mainland vs Free Zone guide or the IFZA cost breakdown for comparison.
Worth knowing: DMCC is our own home base. Our office is in One JLT Tower, inside the free zone itself, which means DMCC applications typically move faster for us than for consultancies operating remotely.
The setup process, step by step
- Choose your business activity and confirm DMCC allows it under your target licence type.
- Reserve a trade name and get initial approval.
- Submit incorporation documents (passport copies, business plan where required, MOA).
- Pay licence fees and receive your trade licence, typically within days once documents are complete.
- Apply for the establishment card, then process visas (medical, Emirates ID, stamping), usually one to two weeks.
- Open a corporate bank account.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in DMCC?
A DMCC company with no visa typically starts from around AED 27,000, and around AED 49,000 with the Jump Start package (trade licence plus one residence visa). Most businesses land between AED 35,000 and AED 55,000 in year one once flexi-desk, establishment card and visa costs are included.
What is included in the DMCC Jump Start package?
Jump Start bundles the trade licence, one residence visa, a flexi-desk, the establishment card, and the full visa chain: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping.
How long does DMCC company formation take?
Once your documents and trade name are ready, the trade licence is typically issued within a few working days. Visa processing adds roughly one to two weeks on top.
Get an Exact DMCC Quote for Your Business
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