How to setup a company in DMCC free zone?

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a strategic initiative of the Dubai government created to establish a commodity market place in Dubai.

It provides industry-specific market infrastructure and a full range of facilities for the gold & precious metals, diamonds & colored stones, energy and other commodities industries.

DMCC was the first UAE free zone authority to offer freehold business premises which comprises

• A 50-year holiday on personal and income taxes.
• Full foreign ownership of business.
• A one-stop shop facility for processing of all documentation including immigration and licensing needs.

Benefits of DMCC Free Zone

Following are the benefits of setting up business in DMCC Free Zone.

• Unique World wide centre Industry Clustering.
• 100% Business Ownership.
• No foreign exchange controls or barriers to entry.
• No restrictions on capital repatriation.
• Guaranteed 50 year tax holiday on personal and income taxes.
• Single Window Clearances (incl. Licensing, Immigration, etc).
• Preferential freight rates.
• Purpose built infrastructure.
• Ability to purchase premises.
• World class security systems.
• Regulated environment.

Decide on your licence type and business activities to set up business in DMCC Free Zone

Each company is issued a licence depending on its business activity.

While the licence will be specific to the selected activities, a company can also apply for multiple licences or for a general trading licence. 

DMCC offer three types of licences:

• Trade Licence: To conduct trading activities as specified in the Licence.

• Service Licence: To perform service activities as defined in the Licence.

• Industrial Licence: To practice light manufacturing activities as stipulated in the Licence.

It’s the nature of your business, along with activities, that tells which type of licence you need for your DMCC company. 

Express your interest to set up company in DMCC Free Zone

There are multiple ways to express your interest to set up a company in DMCC Free Zone. You can follow any of this method.

1. If you have already contacted DMCC and received your reference number, please contact your assigned Business Setup Executive to start the process

2. Submit the Apply Online form through the website

3. Send an email to setup@dmcc.ae

4. Call 600 54 DMCC (600 54 3622) / +971 4 4249600

5. Visit the Client Registration Centre on Level 1, Almas Tower, JLT.

Once you confirm that you wish to start, your Business Setup Executive (BSE) will create an account on DMCC’s portal for you to log in, receive your username, setup your link and create your password. Please take a note of your login details.

Register your company online in DMCC Free Zone

There are 4 stages to registering your company online in DMCC Free Zone.

Stage 1: Pre Approval Stage

Once you log in to the DMCC portal, select your required DMCC company setup option.

Once selected, you will need to complete the full application, enter all the required information, upload the relevant documents, followed by the pre-approval payment and then submit the application.

• Step 1: Accept the Terms & Warranties mentioned on the online portal in order to continue using the DMCC portal. Please note that this document will need to be accepted once, and that is during the first portal login.

• Step 2: Click on “Proceed with Application” to start your company application

• Step 3: Add Shareholders and Officers - Enter the Applicant details and select their relevant role in the company. An Applicant has to be assigned to one of the following roles (Shareholder / Consultant / Power of Attorney (POA)). Add all the shareholder(s) passports and personal details and mention the number of shares. Please note that once you select the roles for applicants and shareholders, further amendments are not allowed. In order to amend roles, you will need to delete the applicant or particular shareholder and re-enter. Make sure to enter the “Share Value”, “Save” and then proceed with “Next”.

• Step 4: Select Company Name, Bank & Financial Year – Propose three preferred company names. Choose the bank that you intend to open an account with and add the financial year dates. You may refer to the ‘Company Name Reservation Rules and Guidelines’ for the restricted names list as per UAE rules.

• Step 5: Add Business Activities – Select your company business activity.

• Step 6: Select Value Added Services – Select add-on services for your company if needed.

• Step 7: Review and Confirm Application – Review your company details that you have entered and confirm. Once this step is passed where the application is reviewed and confirmed, you will not be able to go back and make any changes or amendments.

• Step 8: Upload Required Documents – In this section, please upload the required documents. The required documents will depend on your application and information that have been filled into the application. Some of these documents will be system-generated documents.

• Step 9: Pay and Submit Application – Please top up your portal balance with the amount specified (fees are non-refundable), then make sure to submit the application. Company Status on the homepage will be updated to “Submitted” and an email notification will be sent to the applicant. Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer or at the DMCC cashier directly. 

• Step 10: In case of any missing requirements or documents, the assigned BSE will be in touch with you within 12 working hours.

Documents Required: Pre Approval Stage

• HR Signatory Appointment Letter: This is a system-generated letter that must be filled in and signed by the shareholders and uploaded.

• Passport Visa page and Emirates ID - front and back - for each (Consultant / POA / Shareholder / Director / Manager / Secretary): UAE residence visa and Emirates ID front and back is required if applicable.

• Proof of residential address in the country of residence for each (Shareholder / Director / Manager / Secretary):

  •  Any of the below can be provided: 

    • Valid tenancy contract. 

    • Utility bill (not older than 6 months). 

    • Bank confirmation letter (not older than 6 months).

    • Any official document issued by any authority in the country of residence (not older than 6 months).

• Consultant’s Appointment Letter (Optional): This is mandatory only if a consultant is acting on behalf of the company.

• Power of Attorney (POA) (Optional): An attested POA will be required if any of the (Shareholder / Director / Manager / Secretary) wishes to grant signing powers to others on their behalf. Original to be sighted by a DMCC representative or a DMCC International Service Provider.

Stage 2: Registration Stage

• Step 1: Confirm Value Added Services and Financial Year – Please confirm your selected ValueAdded Services (VAS) and Financial Year.

• Step 2: Property Type – Please select from the dropdown menu your preferred property type.

• Step 3: Upload Third Party NOC – In case a third-party approval is required (applicable only for certain activities), please reach out to the relevant third-party authority to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Upload the NOCs once received. 

• Step 4: Customer Payment – Top up your account with the required amount. The payment will be calculated on the DMCC portal account based on your selections. (None of the fees are refundable).

The fees will comprise of the following:

1. Registration Fees.
2. License Fees.
3. Articles of Association (AOA) fees.
4. Establishment Card Fees.
5. Flexi Desk Fees (if applicable).
6. VAS Fees (if selected by applicant).

• Step 5: Prepare the relevant documents as per the requirements mentioned by your assigned BSE and arrange for a meeting with them or with the International Service Provider for the document’s submission. Once the above steps are completed, your application will proceed to the registration stage.

Documents Required: Registration Stage

• Specimen signature form for each (Shareholder / Director / Manager / Secretary): Signed in the presence of a DMCC Executive or an International Service Provider or notarised or verification through video call

• Passport and Visa page for each (Shareholder / Director / Manager / Secretary): UAE residence is required (If applicable). Original to be sighted by the DMCC Executive or an International Service Provider or notarised or verification through video call

• Shareholders’ Resolution: This is a system generated template to be signed in the presence of a DMCC Executive or an International Service Provider or notarised and attested by the UAE Embassy or a Consulate in the country of origin or by any Arab Embassy if a UAE Embassy or Consulate is not available or verification through video call

• Articles of Association (AOA): This is a system generated document to be signed on each page in the presence of a DMCC Executive or an International Service Provider or notarized or verification through video call

• Standard Terms & Warranties: This is a system-generated document to be signed by any of the authorised signatories and uploaded on the portal.

STAGE 3: Licensing

Scenario 1: If the property type selected is Flexi Desk with no third-party approval required and the Share Capital is less than AED 500,000, the application will directly proceed to the license issuance (Stage 3 will not be applicable).

Scenario 2: For all other scenarios, the client will be required to submit documents based on the criteria selected.

Scenario ‘2’ Steps

Step 1: Upload Third Party NOC - In case a third-party approval is required (applicable only for certain activities), please reach out to the relevant third-party authority to receive a No Objection Certificate. Upload the NOCs once received.

Step 2: Upload Bank Letter – In case your share capital is more than AED 500,000, please reach out to your preferred bank with the introduction letter provided by DMCC to receive the bank deposit letter.

Step 3: Upload Property Documents – In case your selected property type is not a Flexi Desk, please arrange for the property documents and schedule a meeting with your assigned Business Setup Executive.

Documents Required: Licensing Stage

A. Leased Property

1. A valid property lease agreement covering the license validity period (original to be sighted or a scanned copy of the original

Evidence of Property Ownership:
1. Title Deed (original to be sighted) or a scanned copy of the original
2. Current dated Certificate of Ownership from the Tower Developer or Building Management Company.
OR
DMCC Serviced Office Contract.
OR
Non DMCC Serviced Office Contract.

B. Owned Property Under the Same DMCC Company Name

Evidence of Property Ownership:

1. Title Deed (original to be sighted) or a scanned copy of the original
2. Current dated Certificate of Ownership

Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by Concordia (Fit-out Approval Company)

Stage 4: Post Licensing

Following documents must be uploaded within 1 month from the license issuance date in the DMCC website.

• Bank Share Capital Deposit Letter or Bank Statement reflecting the deposited amount (stamped).

• Sample Company Letterhead with stamp

• Share Certificate(s)

• Third Party Liability Insurance

Time Required for Company setup in DMCC Free Zone

Just 7-10 working days are enough for company registration in DMCC

Cost to set up a company in DMCC Free Zone