Dubai Media City Free Zone | Dubai Media City Business Setup

Dubai Media City Free Zone was established by the government to strengthen the UAE’s influence in the media industry, and it has since become a regional and global hub for the world’s most recognizable media firms.

In its 20 years of existence, Dubai Media City has become the most reputable media community in the Middle East, hosting major international and domestic media outlets. Dubai is home to a diverse range of businesses, from solopreneurs to multinational corporations. It is a neighborhood where independent contractors, new businesses, SMEs, and huge corporations coexist, which helped Dubai earn the title of “The capital of Arab Media 2020.”

Businesses in the media and marketing industries, printing and publishing industries, music industries, film industries, new media industries, leisure, and entertainment industry, broadcasting industries, information industries, and many others have been collaborating in Dubai Media City to maximize its efficiency.

If you’re looking to set up a business in Dubai, read on for our guide to setting up a shop in Dubai Media City Free Zone.

How to Setup Business in Dubai Media City Free Zone?

Become a part of the premier media hub in the region, which is thriving with innovation and has limitless potential for expansion, and is continually establishing strong business communities.

Setting up a business in Dubai Media City Free Zone could be challenging, but with the right guidance, it could be easier than you would imagine.

Here’s how to set up a business in Dubai Media City Free Zone (DMC) in 5 simple steps:

1. Select your Business Activities

Establishing the kind of business you want to run is the first order of business in DMC Free Zone. While the free zone’s primary target audience is members of the media, it is open to a wide range of organizations, including those involved in public relations, marketing, event planning, and media consulting.

2. Choose a Company Name

You should choose a name that does not contain any offensive or blasphemous language, nor does it refer to any well-known organizations or corporations.

Also, if you wish to name your business after yourself, you can only do so if you include both your first and last name.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must check that your chosen business name is available to be registered. A company formation expert can do this for you.

3. Applying for Your DMC License

Now that you’ve decided on a name, it’s time to submit an application for your DMC license. Freelance work, commerce, and professional service licenses are just a few of the numerous that may be earned in the Dubai Media City free zone.

The type of license your business need depends depend on the operations it does. Again, a specialist in business creation can be of assistance in this respect by suggesting a structure that best fits your needs.

In order to apply to Dubai Media City, you will need to pay a license fee. These will vary according to the type of license you seek and the scope of your business.

License fees in Dubai Media City are comparable to those in the mainland or other free zones in the area.

4. Applying for Your Visas

The process of applying for a business license will likely involve applying for visas as well. If you own a company, you can apply for visas not only for yourself but also for your employees. The maximum number of permits for which you may apply is based on the type of license you possess and the extent of your business.

You may also sponsor your dependents for a visa if they wish to travel with you. It’s easy to move to the United Arab Emirates with your immediate family. You can also hire domestic help with this very process.

The cost of a freelancing visa in Dubai Media City is notoriously difficult to pin down because it is sometimes lumped in with the cost of a license, which varies widely depending on the nature of your business.

5. Opening Your Bank Account

Finally, you can start your business in Dubai Media City by opening your business bank account.

An expert in business formation can also help at this step by suggesting banks that will best serve your needs and helping you schedule meetings with them.

The particular steps you need to follow to launch your business in Dubai Media City will depend heavily on the nature of the business you intend to start and the organizational structure you decide to adopt. 

However, in most cases, you’ll need to provide the following information before your application can even get started:

1. Successfully completed the application form
2. A copy of the owner’s passport (or passports, if more than one owner is listed) is necessary.
3. Two passport-sized color pictures with a white background.
4. Documentation of the necessary share capital.

If you submit your application precisely, it is possible that the formation of your DMC company could be completed within a few days. However, it’s crucial that you remember that any inaccuracies in your application could cause extra delays or even a complete refusal of your request.

Experts can help you form a company in the UAE by registering a business entity, applying for necessary licenses and visas, and taking care of other administrative details on your behalf.

Requirements for Company Formation in Dubai Media City Free Zone

There are a few requirements to meet in order for you to establish a company within Dubai Media City Free Zone. The following list includes all the crucial details you need so that it can go ahead and become established!

• Application form for company registration
• License application
• If you wish for a freelancing permit, it typically calls for a portfolio or sample of previous work, three or more references, and maybe other documentation
• Business plan
• Color copy of the passport of the manager/director/legal representative
• Passport photo
• Emirates ID if you are a UAE resident
• Original MOA and AOA
• Board Resolution
• NOC from residency visa sponsor
• Proof of share capital of AED 50,000
• Agreement for personnel secondment
• Managers specimen signature
• Registration and license fee in accordance with your particular type of business

What Are the Benefits of Starting a Business in Dubai Media City Free Zone

A proper premium address, a strategic position, limited liability for professional services, 100% ownership, and the availability of all services under a single umbrella, are just a few of the many advantages that come with the free zone.

Here’s is a brief list of all the benefits this free zone has to offer to entrepreneurs:

• Complete ownership of the foreign entity
• No requirement for minimum capital investment
• Feasibility of hiring foreign employees
• Duty and tax exemption on personal and corporate income for 50 years
• After the formation of the company, the availability of residence and work permits
• Hassle-free and streamlined procedure for forming a corporation
• Personal and corporate facilities such as business centres, commercial offices, a parking system, and commercial and real estate properties are available
• Freelancer friendly and offers packages for freelancers in a variety of fields that are quick, simple, and affordable
• After completing the required procedure, there are no restrictions on changing the company’s name, address, business activity or status
• DMC Free Zone provides flexible desk packages and commercial office space to companies of all sizes, and their freelancer packages are simple, quick, and inexpensive
• DMC facilitates collaboration opportunities among the industry’s most illustrious media organizations and independent journalists

License Options in Dubai Media City Free Zone

Being diverse as it is, Dubai Media City offers a range of licensing options for you to choose from depending on the type of business you are aiming to start. The following are the licensing options to set up a business in Dubai Media City Free Zone. 

• TV/radio broadcasting license
• Film distribution/management license
• News agency license
• Publishing license
• Web designing license
• Media and marketing license
• Music and entertainment license

Cost to Setup Business in Dubai Media City Free Zone

Company Formation in Dubai Media City is going to set you back a pretty penny, so make sure you have plenty of cash on hand. The following is an overview of the costs associated with establishing a business in Dubai Media City.

• The business plan approval charge costs around AED 2,000 (USD 544.51)
• The registration fee for starting up your business in Dubaid Media City Free Zone is AED 3510 (USD 955.61)
• The license cost in Dubai media city free zone is AED 15,010 (USD 4,086)

Office rent per 74 square meters in the Dubai Media City Free Zone is AED 152,000 (USD 41,382.61). The office space defines the number of visas the company is eligible for one visa per eight square meters.

The total cost of business setup in Dubai Media City is AED 172,520 (USD 46,969.20)

Business Activities Allowed & Restricted in Dubai Media City Free Zone

Dubai Media City Company can have various forms of business activities. Main groups include: 

• Advertising and Communication
• Media, New Media, and Marketing Services
• Event Management and Support Services
• Business Information
• Freelancing
• Media Associations
• Media and Marketing Consultancy

Under the umbrella of Dubai Media City, the TECOM administration also offers the possibility of obtaining freelance authorization. Check out this link for additional information regarding the possibility to work as a freelancer in DMC.  

The ability to engage in professional activities on a self-employed basis is made available by the freelance permit. You will be able to conduct business using your birth name rather than under a brand name if you have this permit, which identifies you as a single practitioner and gives you permission to do so. Your family can join you in the United Arab Emirates if you get a Dubai Media City freelancing visa and live there.

Best Businesses to Start in Dubai Media City Free Zone

Before diving into the specifics of how to sign up for this Free Zone, it is important to have a firm grasp on the variety of media-centric firms and enterprises that Dubai’s free zones accommodate. Since its inception in 2001, the affluent region has become home to a wide variety of businesses.

Here are some suggestions of the top businesses to start in Dubai Media City Free Zone

• Journalism
• Media consultancy
• Web Designing
• Acting
• PR
• Brand consultancy
• Social media
• Broadcasting
• Media support services
• New media
• Advertising and communication
• Event management and support services
• Business Information
• Freelancing
• Media associations
• Media and marketing consultancy

FAQs about Business Setup in Dubai Media City Free Zone

How Can Airzone Help You Start a Business in Dubai Media City Free Zone?

To set up a business in Dubai Media City Freezone, nobody is more capable to guide you than Airzone. We pride ourselves on providing an in-depth knowledge base to help entrepreneurs set up businesses in Dubai and throughout the UAE. At Airzone, through the help of our trusted business formation partners, we guarantee that your company formation process in Dubai Media City Free Zone becomes quick and uncomplicated.

When you start a business in Dubai Media City Free Zone with the help of Airzone’s trusted partners, you can take advantage of their extensive business-setting-up services, allowing you to take care of all of your requirements in one location. You can get assistance from our dependable partners in Dubai and obtain the necessary trade licenses.

So what are you waiting for, get in touch with Airzone and Set up your business in DMC today!

If you want to learn more about how to set up a business in Dubai, we have a comprehensive guide for you. With a thorough understanding of the UAE’s business scene, you should be well prepared to establish a company in the country. If you need information regarding free zones, we have detailed articles on free zones in the UAE