BUSINESS SETUP IN DUBAI MEDIA CITY (DMC)

Dubai Media City (DIC)

Since its official launch in 2001, Dubai Media City (DMC) has rapidly emerged as a global media hub, providing advanced infrastructure and a supportive environment for media-related businesses to operate in and out of Dubai. Strategically located in Dubai at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, Dubai Media City (DMC) has rapidly emerged as a global media hub. DMC provides an advanced infrastructure and supportive environment for media-related businesses to operate globally out of Dubai.

Types of Services Allowed in Dubai Media City Free Zone:

• Advertising and Communication
• Media Consultancy
• New Media
• Event Management
• Event Support Services
• Media and Marketing Services
• Media Support Services
• Freelancers and Associations (Non-Profit)

Benefits in Registering a Company in Dubai Media City Free Zone:

• 100% foreign ownership
• Full repatriation of profits and capital
• No personal, income, and corporate taxes (50-year exemption)
• Exemption from customs duty for goods and services
• World-class infrastructure to help support the growth of the cluster
• The process of incorporating the business is extremely simplified
• Business-friendly company laws and legal framework
• A variety of government services, including licensing, visa, traffic, and postal services
• 24-hour visa service
• Fast-track immigration process
• Networking opportunities

License Available in DMC:

Freelance permits and commercial licenses.

Types of Entities in Dubai Media City:

Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC), branch office & freelancers.

Value Added Tax (VAT):

Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced across the UAE on 1 January 2018 at a standard rate of 5%.

Who should register for VAT?

A business whether situated in a designated zone or non-designated zone or outside a free zone should register for VAT if the taxable supplies and imports exceed the mandatory registration threshold of AED 375,000 within the preceding 12 months or it is anticipated that the total value of taxable supplies exceeds AED 375,000 in the next thirty 30 days. Upon registration, a tax registration number (TRN) would be issued to businesses by the Federal Tax Authority.

What is a designated zone?

A Designated zone is a specified fenced geographical area having security measures and customs controls in place to monitor entry and exit of individuals and the movement of goods to and from the area. Following free zones are declared as designated zones.

a. Free Trade Zone of Khalifa Port
b. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone
c. Khalifa Industrial Zone
d. Jebel Ali Free Zone (North-South)
e. Dubai Cars and Automative Zone (DUCAMZ)
f. Dubai Textile City
g. Free Zone Area in Al Quoz
h. Free Zone Area in Al Qusais
i. Dubai Aviation City
j. Dubai Airport Free Zone
k. Hamriyah Free Zone
l. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
m. Ajman Free Zone
n. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone in Ahmed Bin Rashid Port
o. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
p. RAK Free Trade Zone
q. RAK Maritime City Free Zone
r. RAK Airport Free Zone
s. Fujairah Free Zone
t. FOIZ (Fujairah Oil Industry Zone)

What is a non-designated zone?

Any free zone which is not declared as a designated zone is a non-designated zone. In other words, a non – designated zone is any geographical area within the UAE that does not have any security measures and customs controls in place to monitor the entry and exit of goods and individuals. Eg. DMCC, Dubai Media City, DIFC, and Dubai Internet city.

What transactions are subject to VAT within Designated zones?

a) Goods transferred between designated zones shall not be subject to VAT. However, goods supplied by an entity in the designated zone to entities outside the designated zone are subject to 5% VAT.
b) Services provided by an entity to other entities inside the designated zone or outside the designated
zone are subject to 5% VAT.
c) Professional fees for services are subject to VAT @ 5%.

What government/free zone fees (License/Visa/rent) are subject to VAT?

In the case of designated zones the trade license fees, visa fees, lease rentals will not be subject to VAT. And in the case of non-designated zones, the trade license fees and visa fees are not subject to vat however rent is subject to 5% VAT.