Opening LLC, bank accounts, and residence visas in UAE! Increase the profit of your business by 50%!
- How to open a company in the JLT Free Zone
- JLT Free Zone Licenses
- Which businesses are suitable for opening a company in JLT?
- Substance Requirements
- Opening a Bank Account for a Company
- Residency Visas
- Company Registration Procedure in JLT
- Why do business owners choose the JLT Free Zone to register a JLT company?
- FAQ
Why have thousands of foreign investors chosen to register a company in the Jumeirah Lake Towers Free Zone (JLT)? This is a large commercial and residential district in Dubai, consisting of over 80 residential and commercial buildings along three man-made lakes. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone is located within JLT.
The JLT DMCC Free Zone is conveniently located in the city of Dubai and offers modern business infrastructure, including high-quality office and commercial space, as well as well-developed residential properties. A key advantage is the ability to purchase any type of property—an option typically unavailable in most other UAE free zones, where rentals are the only option available.
The JLT Free Zone has one significant advantage over other free trade zones in the Emirates. Registering a company in JLT gives entrepreneurs access to commodity markets. The JLT Free Zone currently hosts over 26,000 registered businesses. The business environment of this area is regulated by the JLT DMCC Free Zone Authority.
These forms can be used to register a company in the JLT:
Companies can be registered by private shareholders (non-UAE residents), as well as local or foreign companies.
The DMCC Free Zone classifies licenses by type of economic activity. Licenses are issued for specific approved activity codes, which are specified in the constituent documents and reflected in the trade license.
The following license types are available to investors in DMCC:
|
License type |
Description |
|
Trading License |
A trading license is intended for the import and export of goods, international trade, distribution and re-export, storage, and resale of goods. Registration is possible for both general trading (a wide range of goods) and highly specialized trade (e.g., metals, equipment, electronics). |
|
Service License |
A service license is issued to companies providing professional and consulting services, including management and business consulting, IT services and software development, marketing and digital services, educational and training services, logistics administration, and holding activities (if the relevant activity is selected). |
|
Industrial License |
An industrial license is intended for raw material processing, product manufacturing and assembly, packaging and labeling, and light manufacturing. |
|
E-commerce License |
An e-commerce license allows online trading of goods or services through a website, marketplaces, or digital platforms. |
|
Commodities & Regulated Activities |
Specialized Licenses (Commodities & Regulated Activities): DMCC has historically specialized in commodity markets. Licenses are available for gold and precious metals trading, diamond trading (under the Kimberley Process), oil trading, agri-commodities, energy commodities, and crypto activities. |
DMCC approves activities after reviewing the business plan, description of operations, proposed counterparties, sources of funding, and compliance with real economic substance.
Your activities must be conducted within the license, commensurate with the size of your office and staff, and within the permitted activity codes.
Conducting activities outside of your license may result in fines, license suspension, denial of renewal, or loss of QFZP status for corporate tax purposes.
DMCC is ideal for:
This free zone is not suitable for direct mainland without intermediaries.
DMCC companies must meet economic substance requirements, especially in terms of corporate tax and QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) status. They require that the company conduct real commercial activities in the UAE and not just be a formal organization that exists on paper.
Substance would be having a physical office (in the form of either a Flexi Desk or an actual physical location, depending on the type of business), making management decisions from inside the UAE, keeping corporate records, and hiring a director and, if applicable, employees. ESR may be applicable to some activities with associated reporting; consequences for non-compliance may include a fine, denied license renewal, or loss of tax credits.
Once a DMCC license has been acquired, the company may proceed with the opening of a corporate bank account in the UAE. Opening of an account shall be at the sole discretion of the bank after necessary KYC (know your customer) and AML (anti-money laundering) checks. The final single point of contact or provider company director must usually be in person.
The bank reviews the legal structure, funding source, business model, draft contracts, and geographic coverage. The application process usually takes between 2 and 8 weeks but may be longer based on business history and where the beneficial owner is a national of. For the avoidance of doubt, a DMCC license does not guarantee the opening of an account and is at the sole discretion of the bank, subject to their internal compliance approval.
If a company is incorporated with DMCC, the shareholder or director becomes eligible to obtain an investor visa. The quantity of visas issued is determined by the size of the office rented and its allocated DMCC quota. An investor visa is usually given for two years with the option to extend.
The process involves securing a company immigration card, entry visa (if applicable), medical test, fingerprinting for an Emirates ID, and finally a residence stamp. On approval of the visa, the investor will be able to open a personal bank account, sponsor family members, and enter long-term lease agreements. Violation of the visa regime or refusal to renew it might entail administrative penalties and cancellation of residence.
The DMCC company registration process has become entirely digital and can be completed online, including the submission of all required documents and payment of fees. In-person presence may be required only for certain procedures, such as opening a bank account or obtaining a visa. Here is a list of the key steps to incorporating a company in DMCC:
The minimum declared capital is AED 50,000, and the minimum shareholding per shareholder is AED 10,000.
Documents required for registration are as follows:
|
For an individual shareholder |
For a legal entity shareholder |
|
|
Important! The constituent documents must be notarized and legalized.
First of all, all legal entities operating within the JLT Free Zone enjoy preferential tax treatment.
According to Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate and Business Taxation, companies registered in free zones such as DMCC (JLT) can enjoy a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. However, from January 1, 2025, a minimum tax of 15% will be introduced for large multinational enterprises with global revenues of AED 3.6 billion.
Furthermore, local companies have the opportunity to fully repatriate capital. Most importantly, this free zone offers an excellent combination of a favorable location, the availability of various licenses, and reasonable prices for commercial premises.
Incorporating a JLT company entitles you to permanent residency for you, your family, and your employees. You will also have the opportunity to open an account with one of Dubai's banks and, if desired, purchase real estate in JLT DMCC. The UAE, and Dubai in particular, are very attractive locations for investing and expanding businesses. The country is open to innovation while remaining true to its traditions.
The JLT Free Zone is a progressive and dynamic free trade zone. All clients interested in establishing a company in JLT are served quickly and efficiently. The establishment of JLT DMCC has become a significant step in Dubai's transformation into a global hub for commodity markets.
For complete information on how to register your DMCC company and obtain a residence permit, please contact us.
The minimum share capital required to establish a company in the DMCC Free Zone is AED 50,000. A minimum stake of AED 10,000 is required for each shareholder in the case of multiple shareholders.
Furthermore, the share capital must be deposited into the company's bank account after receiving the license and before receiving the full certificate of incorporation.
DMCC offers a variety of office options to suit the size and type of your business:
Flexi Desk:
Serviced Office:
Physical Office:
In order to keep a DMCC company in good standing, licenses need to be renewed every year prior to expiration.
The requisites of this procedure are as follows:
Your business activity needs regulation under the DMCC’s legal framework:
Free Consultation:
