Dubai CommerCity at a glance
Dubai CommerCity is Dubai’s dedicated e-commerce free zone, built for online retailers, marketplaces and brands selling into the region. It offers e-commerce-specific licences, logistics support and space options aimed at online businesses.
Who is Dubai CommerCity suitable for?
- Online retailers and D2C brands
- Marketplace sellers
- E-commerce logistics providers
Industries commonly considered
E-commerce, Logistics. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
Dubai CommerCity company formation cost
Quote required No reliable public price list — a written quote is needed for an exact figure.
Year-one budget: Quote required. Renewal: Annual licence and office/warehouse renewals.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at Dubai CommerCity
The authority (Dubai CommerCity (confirm licensing authority)) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with Dubai CommerCity and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| E-commerce and online retail | E-commerce licence |
| Marketplace selling | Confirm the licence category with the authority |
| Fulfilment and logistics | Media / creative licence |
| Consumer goods trading | Trading licence |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use Dubai CommerCity’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in Dubai CommerCity
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against Dubai CommerCity’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at Dubai CommerCity: 1–3 weeks, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
In a sector district such as Dubai CommerCity, premises range from small desks to full offices. The type and size you choose typically sets your visa allocation — confirm what is currently offered for your activity.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At Dubai CommerCity: Linked to package. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally moderate in their familiarity with Dubai CommerCity entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
A Dubai CommerCity licence does not by itself decide your tax position. Corporate tax registration is required for free zone entities, the 0%/9% structure applies, and qualifying-income rules determine whether a free zone entity keeps a 0% rate on part of its income. VAT registration depends on your turnover and supplies. Read the corporate tax and compliance guide and confirm with a licensed adviser.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence and office/warehouse renewals. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- E-commerce-focused licences and services
- Logistics and fulfilment support for online retailers
- Community of online brands and marketplace sellers
- Flexible office and warehouse options
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- Public fee data is limited — request a written quote
- Selling physically into the UAE mainland needs the right distribution set-up
Dubai CommerCity vs mainland
A Dubai CommerCity licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| Dubai CommerCity | Dubai South | Meydan | IFZA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai |
| Best for | E-commerce | Aviation, logistics & e-commerce | Digital, e-commerce & SME | SME, startup & holding companies |
| Licence cost | Quote required | Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packages | From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa |
| Setup time | 1–3 weeks | 1–2 weeks | Within days; fully digital | 3–7 working days |
| Banking ease (editorial) | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Good |
| Fee data | Quote required | Indicative band | Published fees | Published fees |
Dubai South · Meydan Free Zone · IFZA · JAFZA · Compare any zones
Dubai CommerCity company formation: FAQs
What is Dubai CommerCity company formation?
Dubai CommerCity company formation means registering a company under Dubai CommerCity's rules in Dubai. Dubai CommerCity is Dubai’s dedicated e-commerce free zone, built for online retailers, marketplaces and brands selling into the region. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (Dubai CommerCity (confirm licensing authority)) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai CommerCity?
There is no reliable public price list for Dubai CommerCity, so we do not publish a number. Costs depend on activity, premises and visas — request a written quote from the authority or ZoneWise.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Dubai CommerCity company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with Dubai CommerCity's authority.
What licences are available in Dubai CommerCity?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For Dubai CommerCity the activities most associated with it include e-commerce and online retail, marketplace selling, fulfilment and logistics; these typically map to: Confirm the licence category with the authority; E-commerce licence; Media / creative licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through Dubai CommerCity?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at Dubai CommerCity: Linked to package.
What documents are required for Dubai CommerCity company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does Dubai CommerCity require an office?
In a sector district such as Dubai CommerCity, premises range from small desks to full offices. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a Dubai CommerCity company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of Dubai CommerCity?
E-commerce-focused licences and services; Logistics and fulfilment support for online retailers; Community of online brands and marketplace sellers. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in Dubai CommerCity?
Choose your activity and check it against Dubai CommerCity's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: 1–3 weeks, subject to the authority.
Do I need Dubai CommerCity to sell online?
No — many online sellers use Meydan, IFZA or a mainland licence. CommerCity is best when you want a dedicated e-commerce ecosystem and logistics.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | dubaicommercity.ae |
| Licensing / operating authority | Dubai CommerCity (confirm licensing authority) |
| Fee data status | Quote required — No reliable public price list — a written quote is needed for an exact figure |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for Dubai CommerCity
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.