Dubai · Dubai Development Authority · Est. 2005
Dubai Studio City (DSC) is TECOM Group's dedicated hub for film, television, audio, and broadcasting production. Packages start from AED 38,540, supporting up to 10 visa allocations with moderate banking access. DSC provides specialized sound stages, backlots, post-production workshops, and commercial office space designed specifically for broadcasting networks, production houses, and entertainment firms.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Dubai Development Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 38,540
Year 1 (estimated)
Quick facts
FZ-LLC Starter (0 Visa)
AED 38,540
FZ-LLC · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 35,020
Estimated
FZ-LLC + Flexi Desk (1 Visa)
AED 47,120
FZ-LLC · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 38,040
Estimated
FZ-LLC + Dedicated Desk (2 Visas)
AED 61,680
FZ-LLC · Dedicated Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 47,040
Estimated
FZ-LLC + Private Office (4 Visas)
AED 126,800
FZ-LLC · Private Office · 4 visas
Renews at AED 101,040
Estimated
Physical office/studio space required; flexi desk is a conservative proxy, actual studio-grade space is quote-based. Visa renewal cycle observed as every 2 years for the dependent/employee visa cost shown.
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
High
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
8/10
The Creative Hub; Specialized in IP 'Exploitation' & Grant Accounting.
Dubai Studio City is the premier node for content creation. For 2026, the primary forensic challenge is 'Grant Characterization.' Production houses often receive regional subsidies or co-production grants; these must be mathematically segregated from commercial 'Qualifying Income.' Furthermore, income from copyrighted media must satisfy the 'Modified Nexus Ratio' to maintain 0% status, requiring a strict audit trail of on-site production hours vs. outsourced post-production.
Non-Designated Zone. QFZP status is driven by the 'Exploitation of Intellectual Property' and specialized media services under Cabinet Decision No. 100. Compliance hinges on the physical localization of production CIGA within the DSC soundstages.
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Tax and compliance
DSC tax status and QFZP rules →
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How much does it cost to set up in DSC?
The cheapest published package for Dubai Studio City is FZ-LLC Starter (0 Visa) at AED 38,540 for Year 1, renewing at AED 35,020. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
How long does DSC setup take?
Typical processing time is 10–12 business days, though bank account opening usually adds further time.
Is banking easy to set up with a DSC licence?
Banking difficulty for DSC is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, ADCB, Wio Business.
How many visas can I get with a DSC licence, and what do they cost?
DSC allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 4 visas (FZ-LLC + Private Office (4 Visas), AED 126,800 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 5,560. Visa renewal cycle observed as every 2 years for the dependent/employee visa cost shown.
How much is the DSC 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 DSC?
DSC 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 DSC?
Physical office/studio space required; flexi desk is a conservative proxy, actual studio-grade space is quote-based. The smallest office we hold for DSC is 18 sq m.
Can a DSC company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A DSC company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.