Dubai · Dubai Development Authority · Est. 2003
Dubai Production City (DPC) is a TECOM/DDA free zone built to support the printing, publishing, packaging, and media production industries. Packages start from AED 36,540, supporting up to 10 visa allocations with moderate banking access. DPC offers specialized infrastructure ranging from commercial office space to large-scale warehouses and light industrial units for manufacturing and packaging operations.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Dubai Development Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 7,500
Year 1
Eligibility restricted
Optimized for print/publishing/packaging supply-chain activities under TECOM/DDA; broader or unrelated activities may be better served by other zones. Media freelancing is typically routed through Dubai Media City rather than DPC.
Quick facts
FZ-LLC Starter (0 Visa)
AED 36,540
FZ-LLC · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 33,020
Estimated
FZ-LLC + Flexi Desk (1 Visa)
AED 45,120
FZ-LLC · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 36,040
FZ-LLC + Dedicated Desk (2 Visas)
AED 58,680
FZ-LLC · Dedicated Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 44,040
Estimated
FZ-LLC + Private Office (4 Visas)
AED 106,800
FZ-LLC · Private Office · 4 visas
Renews at AED 81,040
Estimated
Sole Professional License (Freelancer)
AED 7,500
Freelance Permit · 0 visas
Renews at —
Physical office required. Licensing is segment-based: AED 15,000 for most core DPC segments (printing, packaging, publishing support, warehousing), rising to AED 20,000-25,000 for specialized segments.
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
Medium
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
6/10
Industrial Design District; High-Substance Manufacturing Hub.
DPC (formerly IMPZ) blends physical manufacturing with creative media. For 2026, the critical forensic hurdle is 'Boundary Leakage.' While large-scale printing and global packaging distributions qualify for 0%, publishing services or physical advertising collateral delivered directly to mainland UAE clients are under intense FTA scrutiny. Entities must rigidly map their delivery logistics to defend their QFZP classification.
Qualifying Income is derived from 'Manufacturing and Processing' under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023. As a Designated Zone, it allows for VAT-suspended goods movement, provided the forensic trail for export is maintained via Bill of Entry (BoE) documentation.
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Tax and compliance
DPC tax status and QFZP rules →
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How much does it cost to set up in DPC?
The cheapest published package for Dubai Production City is Sole Professional License (Freelancer) at AED 7,500 for Year 1, renewing at —. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
How long does DPC setup take?
Typical processing time is 12–12 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.
Is banking easy to set up with a DPC licence?
Banking difficulty for DPC is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, ADCB, Wio Business.
How many visas can I get with a DPC licence, and what do they cost?
DPC allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (FZ-LLC + Private Office (4 Visas), AED 106,800 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 5,560.
How much is the DPC licence renewal each year?
Annual renewal runs from AED 10,000 to AED 17,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.
What is the minimum share capital in DPC?
DPC sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.
Do I need a physical office in DPC?
Physical office required. Licensing is segment-based: AED 15,000 for most core DPC segments (printing, packaging, publishing support, warehousing), rising to AED 20,000-25,000 for specialized segments. The smallest office we hold for DPC is 18 sq m.
Can a DPC company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A DPC company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.