Your Guide to Starting a Company in Dubai Media City

Dubai is currently popular as a thriving hub for global trade and business. Investors and entrepreneurs from all around the world choose Dubai as their work base because of its business-friendly ambiance. Among all the preferred locations in the UAE, Dubai has set a place where all the creative minds can go and showcase their talents – Dubai Media City. To illustrate, this global media hub is specially designed to offer a creative environment for media and related businesses to interact and collaborate. Furthermore, investors who wish to set up a company in Dubai Media city get to be in one of the most amazing cities in the world.

So, if you wish to start a media services business, a media consultancy company, or any other media-related business in Dubai, here’s a complete guide that will help you through the significant facets of company setup in Dubai media city. 

Dubai Media City overview

Established in 2000 by the UAE government, Dubai Media City (DMC) hold the largest media companies in Dubai that execute media business activities for the entire City of Dubai. Similarly, it has more than 25 buildings that are home to the largest global media firms such as television, radio, print, and advertising firms.

The chief authority that controls the activities of DMC is Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone(DTMFZ). Additionally, the registration and licensing department within the DTMFZ issues licenses for the companies registered in the region.

In fact, media giants like Forbes, CNN, CBS, Showtime, Sony, Arab Media Group, and many other big corporations are operating in the DMC. The best feature about DMC is its co-working environment that is not just for large media industries, but also for creative freelancers and startups. This place is ideal for the collaboration and growth of companies as well as individuals. Hence, the business opportunities for freelancers and independent media professionals are endless in the DMC which helps them gain visibility and build relationships.

Benefits of starting a business in Dubai Media City

Business leaders who set up a company in Dubai Media city can reap several benefits from this creative community. For example –

Full ownership of the foreign entity
Complete repatriation of earned profits and assets
An ideal business platform for all the media companies
Exemption from personal tax and corporate tax for years
No taxes on imports
A working environment that enables individuals and groups to interact and cooperate
No need to find an office space
Availability of Flexi-desk as well as residential facilities
Flexible procedure for registration
Perfect habitat for the media community
Ease to open a corporate bank account
Allows multiple shareholders in one company
Easy accessibility to dependent’s visa
Centrally located free zone
Availability of multiple visa options
Excellent networking prospects
Exceptional infrastructure
Easy-to-get workforce, local as well as foreign employees
Single window operations with transparent company regulations
Presence of other corporate facilities such as commercial properties, business centers, parking systems, etc.
Freedom to make amendments post company registration
No requirement for minimum share capital

Activities permissible in DMC

DMC permits the practice of any of the following major business activities to the investor who set up a company in Dubai Media City –

Advertising and communication
Media consultancy services
Event management & support
New Media and Marketing services & consultancy
Freelancing
Media associations
Business information

Licenses available in Dubai Media City

A valid permit is indeed necessary to operate your business in Dubai Media City legally. Therefore, it presents several options of licenses for companies to choose from. These license options are –

TV or radio broadcasting license
Film distribution or management license
Media and marketing services license
Music and entertainment license
News agency license
Publishing license
Web design license

Business structures allowed in Dubai Media City

1- Free Zone LLC(Limited Liability Company) – An LLC formation requires the union of a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 50 shareholders. Also, the liability of every shareholder is limited to the amount they have invested in the company's formation.

2- Branch - A branch is basically a sub-division of an existing company, which may be a domestic or a foreign establishment. The parent company oversees the activities and dealings of the branch company.

Procedure to set up a company in Dubai Media City

To initiate a media business in Dubai, the business owner must first seek approval from the DTMFZ, which oversees all the media agencies situated in Dubai. The further steps to company setup in Dubai media city include –

Select your preferred media business activity
Choose a company name depending on the nature of your business
Submit an application form along with the required documents through the DTMFZ’s E-channel in Dubai
Wait for DTMFZ to approve your application as well as the documents
Complete the other legal formalities compulsory for your media business
Sign and return the customer confirmation letter
Make the requisite payments for the whole process
Sign the (MOA) Memorandum of Association
Receive the registration documents and business license
Apply for your visa
Open a corporate bank account 

Points to remember:-

1- The application for the business registration process for LLCs as well as branch companies is similar. However, there might be a difference in the documentation of both these entities.
2- To acquire a freelancing permit in DMC, the applicant must submit a portfolio, at least three reference letters, and a few other additional documents.
3- The amount of the license fee differs accordingly depending on the type of entity you choose to establish in Dubai Media City.

Documents required to set up a company in Dubai Media City

While you apply for registration at DTMFZ, you also need to submit relevant documents to get the desired approval. The documents include –

Application form
Business plan
Proof of share capital
Business license application and fee receipt
Registration fee receipt
Passport copies of the legal representative, director, and manager
Original MOA and AOA
Board resolution
NOC(No Objection letter) from residency visa sponsor
Signature of company officials

Once you present all the documents, the authorities might take a little time to review and examine them thoroughly. The documentation and legal paperwork involved in starting a business in DMC can be technical and also hard to execute. Therefore, it would be better to seek the help of a professional consultant in Dubai who will do all the heavy lifting for you.

Conclusion

Dubai Media City is truly a hot spot for big media groups and freelancers and beginners who can unhesitantly come to Dubai and share their expertise and insights. With over 1500 companies currently operating successfully, DMC has become a renowned center for media companies, such as print & publishing, online media, production houses, advertising firms, and news and broadcasting groups.

If you are a foreigner or a beginner in business investment, who is planning to set up a company in Dubai Media City, you might have to be extra careful while going through the legal procedures of DMC company formation. Any minor errors might lead to delays or even rejection of your application. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to work with a company formation specialist such as Shuraa Business Setup while planning a new business anywhere in the UAE.

Shuraa has over 35,000 happy clients and still counting! Their expert business consultants have experience in company formation all over the UAE including Dubai Media City. Furthermore, Shuraa professionals aspire to make your business setup journey simple by walking you through all the legal administration including the licensing applications and banking activities. In short, Shuraa will establish your company on your behalf.

Enquire now!

Call – +971 44081900

Chat on WhatsApp – +971 50 777 5554

Email - info@shuraa.com