DMCC vs JAFZA
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) (Dubai) or Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) (Dubai)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose DMCC for…
- Crypto and Web3 activities
- Shared office options
- Popular with commodity traders
- Popular with crypto and web3 businesses
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is Dubai's flagship free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, home to nearly 26,000 member companies across commodities, trading, technology and Web3. It suits firms that need a highly recognised name for banks, suppliers and investors. Expect a first year of roughly AED 35,000 to 50,000 for a flexi-desk setup with one visa, and around two to four weeks from application to licence.
Choose JAFZA for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 10,300 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Room for more visas (up to 25 vs 6)
- Faster setup (around 10 vs 14 working days)
- More activities on one licence (up to 5)
- Warehouse options
- Popular with importers and exporters
- Popular with logistics companies
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) is Dubai's oldest and largest free zone, next to Jebel Ali Port and owned by DP World. It is built for importers, re-exporters, logistics companies and manufacturers that need offices, warehouses or land plots. A small flexi-desk company with one visa typically costs AED 40,000 to 55,000 in the first year, and incorporation usually takes one to three weeks after documents are complete.
DMCC vs JAFZA side by side
| DMCC | JAFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Packages from | AED 26,780 | AED 16,480 |
| Renewal from | AED 24,720 | AED 15,450 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 25 |
| Typical setup | ~14 working days | ~10 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 3 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Flexi-desk, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Trading, Commodities, Consultancy, Tech & IT, Crypto & Web3, E-commerce | Trading, Industrial, Logistics, Holding / SPV, Consultancy |
| Crypto / Web3 | Yes | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2002 | 1985 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
DMCC in brief
DMCC began in 2002 as a government push to make Dubai a trading centre for gold, diamonds and other commodities. Over two decades it built the Dubai Diamond Exchange, a gold and precious metals ecosystem, tea and coffee centres, and a clearing culture for physical trade. That history still shapes its reputation: banks and counterparties around the world know the DMCC name.
Strengths
- Globally recognised name that reassures banks and partners
- Deep ecosystem for gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and other commodities
- Large Crypto Centre and other sector hubs with regular events
- Walkable district with two metro stations and housing nearby
Watch out for
- Among the most expensive free zones for a small company
- Registration, licence and facility billed separately, so quotes need care
- Annual audit adds cost and admin work
JAFZA in brief
Jebel Ali Free Zone opened in 1985 with a handful of companies beside a new deep-water port. Forty years later it hosts more than 11,000 businesses, including regional distribution centres for many of the world's best-known manufacturers and retailers. In the first four months of 2026 alone, DP World reported over AED 850 million of new investment commitments in the zone.
Strengths
- Direct link to Jebel Ali Port and close to Al Maktoum Airport
- Warehouses, industrial units and land plots in one zone
- VAT Designated Zone for qualifying goods movements
- High visa capacity with larger facilities
Watch out for
- Expensive for service-only businesses
- Every company must lease a real facility; there is no virtual option for onshore companies
- Far from central Dubai and Dubai International Airport
DMCC vs JAFZA: common questions
Which is cheaper, DMCC or JAFZA?
On our current packages, JAFZA starts lower at around AED 16,480, against AED 26,780 for DMCC. Compare renewal too: DMCC renews from about AED 24,720 and JAFZA from about AED 15,450. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, DMCC or JAFZA?
JAFZA allows up to 25 visas, depending on the office you lease. DMCC allows up to 6.
Which is faster to set up, DMCC or JAFZA?
JAFZA is typically quicker at around 10 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a DMCC licence valid for business in the rest of the UAE?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from DMCC to JAFZA later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
DMCC or JAFZA? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place