Register a company in Dubai CommerCity

Partly. We prepare the application file with you while you stay abroad, and your corporate documents are notarised and attested by the UAE embassy in the country that issued them, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two steps need people on the ground: DCC takes specimen signatures of the authorised individuals at its premises, and each residence visa needs a medical test and an Emirates ID application in the UAE. We plan one trip around both where the timing allows.

Our registration work starts from $2,900; with a UAE bank account set up, from $5,400. Zone fees come on top: the zone publishes no price list, so we quote its fees for your case. Renewal and visa fees are not published either, so they appear as separate lines in the quote - and the licence must stay valid, or the Registrar may wind the company up.

The DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023 set AED 1 for an FZCO, with each share paid up at least 25%, and DCC's Business Cluster page says the same. DCC's FAQ still quotes AED 1,000 (USD 273). We ask DCC which figure it applies to your file before you sign anything. A PLC needs AED 250,000; a branch needs no capital.

Only on qualifying income, and only as a QFZP, whose conditions include adequate substance in the zone, audited accounts, transfer-pricing compliance and non-qualifying revenue within 5% of total revenue or AED 5,000,000, whichever is lower. Sales to consumers are an Excluded Activity, so a mainly B2C shop fails the test and loses the status for that tax period and the next four. It then pays 0% on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above. A company that is not a QFZP and has never had revenue above AED 3,000,000 in a tax period can elect small business relief for periods ending by 31 December 2029.

Not on the free zone licence alone - it covers operations inside the free zone. Federal rules point to a licensed mainland distributor or a mainland branch or company. In Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 adds branch licences (one year, renewable; AED 10,000 a year for a branch operating out of the free zone) and a temporary permit (up to six months, AED 5,000), each approved by the zone's licensing authority; Dubai's Media Office describes the permit as open to companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence. DCC also offers a dual licence with DET without separate mainland office space, but its own table does not tick 100% foreign ownership for it, so we check ownership first. Income from a mainland branch or permit is taxed at 9%, not as qualifying income.

VAT is 5%. Registration is compulsory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 a year and optional above AED 187,500. DCC publishes no VAT Designated Zone status, and "bonded" is a customs term, so we plan on standard VAT treatment until your case is confirmed. E-invoicing comes next: with revenue under AED 50,000,000 you appoint an accredited service provider by 31 March 2027 and go live by 1 July 2027.

Yes, some space. DIEZA requires every company to lease premises in the free zone, and the licence is issued once the lease is confirmed. DCC offers Smart Desks, coworking, fitted and premium offices, shell-and-core space and warehouses, and one licence can hold several leases. Visa numbers depend on the package. DCC publishes no quota per desk or office, so we confirm it with the offer.

An FZCO needs at least one director who is a natural person and at least one secretary, which can be a company. The manager is the hard one: the Regulations require a natural person resident in the UAE. We settle who holds the role, and how residence is shown, before filing.

DCC publishes no timeline, and we will not invent one. Its seven steps run from consultation and licence choice through documents, registration, office allocation and visas to the bank account. Start the attestation first: notary, UAE embassy, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After incorporation, corporate tax registration is due within three months, and the FTA processes it in 20 business days. We confirm dates in your quote.

Bank account opening is the last of DCC's seven steps, after the licence. Each bank runs its own KYC: expect questions on source of funds, contracts and the business plan. We match your profile to UAE banks and EMIs and build the file. If DCC asks for a bank share capital letter, it must come from a UAE bank.