Do what you love with a Freelance License in the UAE, offering you flexibility and freedom.
58,800 AED
4 weeks
Guaranteed
2 years
The registration process for the DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) begins with an initial approval to determine whether your business model qualifies for the free zone. This typically takes about 5-7 days. After receiving initial approval, the remaining steps of the registration process can be completed, with the total time for company formation ranging from 4 to 6 weeks.
In the early stages of the process, in-person presence is not required, and the registration can be done remotely. However, you will need to be physically present to sign the company documents and collect the office keys.
It’s important to note that to establish a company in the DMCC, you must rent a premise within the free zone, whether it’s a co-working space or a standard office, depending on the nature and size of your business.
Carefully determine the type of license and legal entity that best suits your business within the DMCC Free Zone. This decision is crucial, as choosing the wrong business activity, registration authority, or location can lead to complications during the company registration process, potentially causing issues with opening a bank account or securing a residence visa.
In DMC you can form the following legal entities:
DMC requires a minimal documentation package.
They include:
Receive your establishment card, which contains details about your company and visa quotas. The issuance of the establishment card typically takes 3-5 working days.
If you are outside the UAE when your entry permit is processed, you must travel to the country within 60 days of issuance to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you are already in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, your visa status will be updated from your current UAE tourist or residency visa to the new one.
Undergo a medical examination and submit the necessary documents for your residence visa. The number of visas available for company owners and employees may vary depending on the registration package chosen.
After your visa is issued, proceed to obtain your Emirates ID card. The processing and issuance of both the visa and Emirates ID typically take 5-7 working days following visa approval.
Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate account with either a local or international bank in the UAE. Once you receive your account details, you can begin operating your business in the UAE.
Below is an estimated cost of registering a license in the Dubai Media City free zone with a dedicated desk facility.
| ITEM | COST |
|---|---|
| License | 3,520 AED |
| Dedicated desk lease | 36,000 AED |
| Facility lease VAT | 1,800 AED |
| Lease refundable deposit | 5,000 AED |
| Establishment card | 2,000 AED |
| Total | 48,320 AED |
The cost of registering a company with a large executive office of 190 sqm will be around 203,000 AED.
Yes
If your business is in the media industry, such as advertising, marketing, event management, or media consulting, Dubai Media City (DMC) is the ideal free zone. It specializes in these fields, providing you with an opportunity to showcase your products and services while interacting with top international marketing, entertainment, and advertising companies, as well as numerous regional media firms.
If your nationality is considered high-risk (e.g., Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey), forming a company in a Dubai free zone is recommended. It will help you avoid difficulties when obtaining a resident visa or opening a bank account.
Freelancers and independent media professionals will benefit from DMC’s option to register for a freelance permit through GoFreelance, which offers a 1-visa package. This allows you to enjoy various business facilities and a prestigious office address.
No
If you’re looking to complete your setup remotely, Dubai Media City might not be the best option, as your personal presence is required at the final stage to sign documents and collect office keys. In this case, alternatives such as Ajman Media City or Sharjah Media City Free Zone would be more suitable.
Dubai Media City offers a diverse range of business activities, making it the perfect platform for businesses in the media and communication sectors. Whether you’re involved in advertising, marketing, event management, or media consultancy, Dubai Media City provides the ideal environment to grow and succeed.
Do what you love with a Freelance License in the UAE, offering you flexibility and freedom.
Create and distribute content with a Media License, covering fields like advertising, media, PR, and marketing.
Run your own restaurant, café, or food outlet and serve the UAE’s diverse and food-loving population.
Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.
In addition to its wide range of business opportunities, Dubai Media City also offers freelance permit options. Freelancers can operate under the TECOM authority within Dubai Media City, allowing them to work independently and establish their professional identity.
GoFreelance is a platform that brings together the freelancer community from Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Design District, and Dubai Knowledge Park. Managed by the TECOM Group, this platform enables freelancers to obtain a freelancer license, apply for a visa, connect with like-minded individuals, and discover relevant projects—all in one place.
Freelance activities available within Dubai Media City include, but are not limited to:
Actor
Artist
Choreographer
Content Provider
Copywriter
Graphic Designer
Journalist
Market Analyst
Musician
Social Media Specialist
Translator
Web Developer
The freelance permit allows you to operate under your personal name rather than a brand name, positioning you as a sole practitioner in your field. Additionally, the Dubai Media City freelance visa provides the opportunity to reside in the UAE and sponsor your family, offering a comprehensive solution for freelancers seeking stability and growth.
Office facility rental is a requirement during the registration process. The smallest available option is the hot desk, which allows for 1 visa allocation.
Dubai Media City offers a variety of office facilities to meet your business needs, including:
Provides a business address and mail handling services without the need for a physical space.
Provides a business address and mail handling services without the need for a physical space.
Fully equipped office space with furniture and essentials, allowing you to move in and start working immediately.
Please note that to open a company in Dubai Media City, you must rent a premise within the free zone, whether it’s a co-working space or a warehouse, depending on your business activity and size. Virtual offices are only available under the freelance license. For regular licenses, renting an office space is mandatory.
Opening a company in the Dubai Media City free zone entitles you, your personnel, and your dependents for residence visas.
In the table below, you can find the DMC residence visa fees.
| ITEM | COST |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | 4,220 AED |
| Refundable visa security deposit | 2,500 AED |
| Medical check | 760 AED |
| Emirates ID | 390 AED |
| Service fee for visa assistance | 2,100 AED |
| Total | 9,970 AED |
To sponsor dependents under your visa, you will need the following documents:
If you are not in Dubai, your representative can handle the company renewal process. The procedure includes:
Renewal of the office lease
Renewal of the license
Once your company is renewed, it’s important to notify your bank about the license extension. You’ll need to bring the renewed license to any branch of your bank. Business consultants in Dubai can assist with this process.
DMC Company Amendments
Dubai Media City allows company owners to make various amendments. The costs of these changes vary depending on the type of amendment. Amendments can be classified as Registry Amendments or License Amendments.
Registry Amendments:
Company name change
Operating name change
Parent company name change
Adding/removing directors
Change of financial year
License Amendments:
Manager name change
Location/address change on the license
Change of business activity or addition of activity within the same segment
Removal of an existing segment or activity within the segment
Addition of a new publishing segment or channels
Dubai Media City offers a simplified company liquidation process, with a current fee of approximately AED 2,000. The process typically takes around 1 month and includes the following steps:
Visa cancellation (7-10 working days) if the company has issued visas
Establishment card cancellation (7-10 working days) if it was a visa-eligible company
License cancellation
If a company wishes to cancel its license and deregister, it must approach the authority to complete the deregistration procedures.
If you fail to renew or cancel your license, it will become non-operational, and the Dubai Media City authority will initiate the liquidation process.
Refundable deposits made to the authority will be refunded upon company deregistration.
Dubai Media City (DMC) was established in January 2001 with the goal of positioning Dubai as the leading media hub in the region, catering to news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, and broadcast production.
Managed by the Technology, Electronic Commerce, and Media Group (TECOM), which is part of Dubai Holding, DMC is one of the 11 free zones managed by TECOM.
The free zone offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and a supportive environment, enabling media businesses to operate globally from Dubai. As one of the most prestigious locations for company registration in Dubai, DMC is renowned for its dynamic ecosystem tailored to the media industry.
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