In four steps on the DMCC portal: express interest, submit the online application, pay and sign the legal documents, then sign your office lease and receive the e-licence. DMCC says the process is fully digital and typically takes around two weeks.
DMCC also sets a minimum share capital that has to be deposited after the licence is issued. NXTSTAR prepares the application, the compliance documents and the office step with you.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who DMCC suits
DMCC suits trading companies, especially in commodities such as gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and energy, as well as service firms that want an address in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
Founders who want the lightest possible setup, with no office lease and no capital deposit, should compare other zones first.
Company structures
- A new company owned by individuals.
- A subsidiary of an existing company.
- A branch of an existing company.
Licences and activities
- Service licence, for professional and consultancy services.
- Trading licence, for importing, exporting and distributing goods.
- Commercial licence, for broader trading across several product categories.
- Industrial licence, for manufacturing, including precious metals.
Documents
- Passport copies for shareholders, directors and authorised signatories, with UAE visa and Emirates ID where held
- Proof of residential address, such as a current utility bill
- The shareholding structure and, for a subsidiary or branch, the parent company's documents
- Proposed company name and business activities
- Third-party approvals for regulated activities
The process, step by step
- Decide the activity and structure and submit an enquiry.
- Submit the online application. DMCC reviews the name, the management and compliance.
- Pay the fees and sign the legal documents. DMCC issues a provisional approval and bank introduction letters.
- Sign the lease for your office space and receive the e-licence.
What is particular to DMCC
DMCC requires share capital to be deposited in the company's UAE bank account within three weeks of the licence date, and says it can be withdrawn afterwards. That makes the bank account an early priority, so we start the banking file alongside the application.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We help you choose the structure, licence and activities.
- We prepare and submit the application.
- We handle the visa and bank account steps afterwards.
- We do not decide approvals. The authority does, and banks decide on accounts.
- We are an independent consultancy and are not part of DMCC.
Common questions
How long does DMCC setup take?
DMCC says the process typically takes around two weeks, depending on documentation and approvals.
Is the DMCC share capital locked in?
DMCC says the capital must be deposited within three weeks of the licence date and can be withdrawn any time after that.
Do I need an office in DMCC?
Yes. The e-licence is issued after you sign and submit the documents for your office space.
How much does DMCC setup cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates authority fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about DMCC
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.