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Dubai Media City (DMC) is Dubai’s media and marketing free zone, licensed by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). Its licence fees come from DDA Licensing Categories Decision No. 1 of 2021, the schedule shared with Dubai Internet City and seven other zones. This page sets out the DMC figures as checked on 4 October 2026.
DMC licence fees
| DMC sector | Annual fee (AED) | Activities allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising and communication | 20,000 | 2 |
| Media and marketing services | 15,000 | 4 |
| Media support services | 15,000 | 2 |
| Event management | 15,000 | Per schedule |
| New media | 15,000 | 5 |
| Business information | 15,000 | 1 |
| Gaming and e-sports | 15,000 | 3 |
| Freelancers | 7,500 | 3 |
An extra sector adds AED 10,000 a year. With the AED 3,500 registration and AED 20 government fees, a one-sector media company pays at least AED 18,520 to DDA in the first year, or AED 23,520 in advertising, before rent and visas (our arithmetic).
Office and visas
A DMC company licence needs a leased facility in the zone and a registered Ejari; the visa quota is one per 80 square feet. Rents and company visa fees are not published.
Rules
- Legal forms: FZ-LLC or branch of a UAE or foreign company; broadcasting and publishing must be FZ-LLCs.
- Capital: AED 10,000 for an FZ-LLC, none for a branch.
- Media activities also register with the federal media regulator.
- Late renewal: AED 2,500 to 10,000 depending on the delay.
Media freelancers
GoFreelance costs AED 7,500 a year (AED 7,520 with government fees), includes a hot desk and is issued in two working days. The visa is AED 4,600 for one year or 5,042 for two, plus a AED 2,000 establishment card. A freelancer cannot hire staff.
Working on the mainland
Under Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025: AED 5,000 for a DET permit valid up to six months, or AED 10,000 a year for a branch.
Other media zones
See all nine DDA zones on DDA free zones licence cost, and compare media zones with published packages: SHAMS, twofour54, Fujairah Creative City and Ajman Media City.
Other Dubai free zones we cover: JAFZA, DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai South, DWTC, Dubai Design District and Dubai Healthcare City.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Dubai Media City licence?
AED 15,000 a year for most media sectors and AED 20,000 for advertising and communication, plus a one-time AED 3,500 registration and AED 20 in government fees.
Can a media freelancer work in Dubai Media City?
Yes, with the GoFreelance permit at AED 7,500 a year including a hot desk; a one-year visa is AED 4,600 plus a AED 2,000 establishment card.
How many visas does a Dubai Media City office give?
One visa per 80 square feet of leased space.
Official references used for context in this article.
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