Dubai Media City (DMC) Setup
Dubai Media City (DMC) setup for advertising, PR, publishing, production and digital media companies, licensed under the Dubai Development Authority. We check which media approvals your activity needs and handle setup through to visas and banking.
Description
Dubai Media City (DMC) is TECOM Group's free zone community for media and marketing businesses: advertising and PR agencies, media buying, publishing, broadcasting, production support, events and digital content. Like Dubai Internet City and Dubai Knowledge Park next door, it is licensed under the Dubai Development Authority (DDA), and company services such as visas run through TECOM's axs platform.
You can register a Free Zone LLC or a branch of an existing company. If you are a solo writer, photographer, producer or consultant, the Dubai GoFreelance permit is often a better fit than a company.
Media work carries an extra layer. The federal media law (Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023) covers publishing, broadcasting, news and advertising content across the UAE, and the National Media Authority now regulates it. Creators and influencers who promote brands need an Advertiser Permit as well as a business licence. We check early whether your activities need media approvals, because that affects your timeline.
Your leased space sets your visa quota, and TECOM's communities require a lease of at least a year. Once documents and payments are in, TECOM's free zones quote about 7 working days for registration; content activities that need media approval can take longer. After the licence come the establishment card, the Dubai investor visa, employment visas for your team and a corporate bank account.
A DMC licence covers business within the free zone. Working for clients on the mainland needs a dual licence or, for eligible activities, Dubai's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit. If most of your clients are mainland brands, compare with a Dubai mainland professional licence. If your business is mainly tech or software, Dubai Internet City may fit better.
Cost depends on your activities, any media approvals, your space, the number of visas and the licence term. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote.
What's Included
- Advice on whether DMC, another free zone, GoFreelance or a mainland licence fits your media business
- Activity check, including whether federal media approvals or an Advertiser Permit apply
- Workspace selection matched to your visa needs
- Application, documents and payments through axs
- Licence and company documents
- Establishment card, visa and Emirates ID applications
- Support with the corporate bank account application
Requirements / Prerequisites
- A media, marketing or communications activity approved by DDA
- One or more shareholders, or an existing parent company for a branch
- Any capital requirement that applies to your company type
- A lease in DMC (at least one year), sized for your planned visas
- Media approvals or an Advertiser Permit where your activity needs them
- NOC from your current employer if you hold a UAE employment visa and your situation requires one
Required Documents
- Passport copies of shareholders, directors and manager
- Passport photos and, for UAE residents, visa and Emirates ID copies
- Business plan or activity description
- Proposed trade names
- Portfolio or CV where the activity review asks for it
- Corporate shareholder or branch: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, board resolution, attested as required
Our Process
- Consultation: activities, structure, media approvals and space
- Submit the application through axs
- Submit documents, confirm the lease and pay fees
- Initial approval
- Sign company documents and receive the licence
- Media approvals or Advertiser Permit, where needed
- Establishment card, visas, medical test and Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account application
Pricing
Contact us on WhatsApp for a tailored quote for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can I license in Dubai Media City?
DMC is for media and marketing: advertising and PR agencies, media buying, publishing, broadcasting, production support, events, photography and digital content. DDA approves each activity, so we check yours before you apply.
Do I need a media licence as well as a DMC trade licence?
It depends on the activity. Publishing, broadcasting and news content fall under the federal media law, regulated by the National Media Authority. Creators who promote brands need an Advertiser Permit. Agency services without published content usually need fewer approvals.
How long does DMC setup take?
TECOM's free zones quote about 7 working days for registration once documents and payments are submitted. Media approvals, visas and the bank account add time and depend on the authorities and the bank.
How many visas can a DMC company get?
Your visa quota depends on the leased area, as in all TECOM communities. We confirm the quota for the exact space with axs before you sign the lease.
Can a DMC agency work for clients in mainland Dubai?
The free zone licence covers business within the free zone. For mainland work, you can add a dual licence or, for eligible activities, Dubai's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit. If most clients are on the mainland, a mainland licence may be simpler.
How much does a Dubai Media City company cost?
It depends on your activities, any media approvals, the space you lease, the number of visas and the licence term. Tell us your plans and we'll send a written quote.
What is the difference between Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City?
DMC suits agencies, publishers, broadcasters and media services. Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City are separate TECOM communities with sound stages, studios and production space. Choose by whether you need physical production facilities.