Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
The world's flagship free zone — a global hub for commodities, crypto, and premium commerce.
Emirate
Dubai
Est.
2002
Cost/Year
AED 20,000 – 60,000+ / year
Setup Time
4–6 weeks
Visas
1 visa per 9 sq
Office
Physical office mandatory — flexi-desk is not available
DMCC requires physical office space before a trade licence is issued. Budget for office lease costs (AED 35,000–150,000+/year) in addition to licence fees.
About DMCC
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is consistently ranked the world's #1 free zone by FDI Magazine. Located in the prestigious Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) district, DMCC is purpose-built for commodities trading — gold, diamonds, pearls, energy, tea, and agricultural goods — but has evolved into a global hub for crypto, fintech, technology, and premium corporate offices. DMCC's regulatory framework is robust, its ecosystem is unmatched, and its address commands international respect.
Ideal for
Commodities traders, crypto companies, gold/diamond dealers, fintech firms, investment managers, premium professional services, and multinationals seeking a tier-1 UAE address.
Pros & Considerations
Advantages
- World's #1 free zone (FDI Magazine, multiple consecutive years)
- Premium JLT address — Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
- Dedicated crypto/VASP regulatory pathway
- Robust compliance framework inspires global investor confidence
- Commodities-specific infrastructure (vaults, logistics, assaying)
- Extensive business ecosystem — 22,000+ member companies
- Strong corporate banking relationships
- Access to DMCC Tradeflow digital commodity platform
Watch out for
- Significantly higher cost than other Dubai free zones
- Physical office mandatory — no flexi-desk option
- Stricter compliance and KYC requirements
- Slower setup (4–6 weeks vs 3–5 days for other zones)
- Not ideal for solo consultants or micro-businesses
Licence Types
Popular Business Activities
Permitted activities vary — we confirm your specific activity before registration.
Setup Process
Pre-Approval & Name Reservation
Company name reservation and pre-approval from DMCC authority. DMCC rejects certain company names — we advise upfront.
Office Selection
Identify and lease a physical office in one of DMCC's JLT towers. Office lease must be confirmed before licence issuance.
Document Submission
Submit corporate documents, business plan, shareholder/director details, and source-of-funds declarations. DMCC KYC is thorough.
Licence Issuance
Trade licence issued within 2–3 weeks of complete document submission. Physical Establishment Card follows.
Banking & VASP (if applicable)
Bank account opening (3–5 weeks). VARA application submitted separately if virtual asset activities are planned.
Cost Breakdown
| Licence fee (annual) | AED 20,000 – 60,000+ / year |
| Registration / one-time fees | AED 2,000–5,000 (one-time) |
| Visa cost (per person) | AED 3,500–5,500 |
| Emirates ID (per person) | AED 370 |
| Medical test (per person) | AED 300–600 |
| goCorp service feeIncluded | Advisory — get a quote |
| Bank account setup | Advisory — get a quote |
Physical office is mandatory. Office lease is additional (AED 35,000–150,000+ per year depending on size). Total Year 1 cost often AED 70,000–200,000+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started
Set up in DMCC today
Free consultation, full quote, and end-to-end formation support. Typical timeline: 4–6 weeks.
Get a free quote Talk to an expertQuick Specs
Emirate
Dubai
Founded
2002
Setup Timeline
4–6 weeks
Annual Cost
AED 20,000 – 60,000+ / year
Visa Allocation
1 visa per 9 sq.m of office space. Physical office mandatory for all visa allocations.
Office Requirement
Physical office mandatory — flexi-desk is not available. DMCC has its own dedicated towers in JLT.
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