If you are a business owner or employee in Dubai, securing a visa in the DMCC Free Zone is beneficial for establishing yourself in Dubai. However, it is important to choose the suitable DMCC visa types, and how can you apply without complications? You can do this by understanding the right visa category, meeting the requirements, and following a structured application process to obtain your DMCC visa.
This article simplifies your confusion about obtaining DMCC visas. This article covers the different types of visas, essential requirements, step-by-step application processes, estimated costs, and cancellation procedures of DMCC visas. At Now Consultant, we specialize in business setup in DMCC and guide businesses and individuals through every step of the visa process in compliance with Dubai regulations.
Types of Visas DMCC Offers
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) offers a range of visa types designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals operating within the Free Zone:
1. Employment Visa
This visa is for employees working in DMCC-licensed businesses operating in the Free Zone. It includes subcategories such as:
Employment Residence Visa
The most common visa type in DMCC is the Employment Residence Visa. It is valid for one, two, or three years. The Free Zone authority sponsors it and requires an employment contract and an offer letter.
Identity Card
A Free Zone company can sponsor the father or spouse of its employees through the identity card. This is valid for one year.
Access Approval
This temporary visa type is issued for contractors, consultants, or employees from a parent enterprise visiting the company. It remains valid for 1, 3, or 12 months.
2. Dependent Resident Visa
If you earn a minimum salary of AED 4,000 per month, you can sponsor your dependents (spouse and children). If you want to sponsor parents or in-laws, the monthly salary threshold will rise to AED 20,000 for the dependent resident visa.
This visa’s requirements include suitable residential accommodation, valid health insurance for dependents, and a bank statement for clerical-level employees.
3. Investor Visa
You can apply for the Investor Visa (or Partner Visa) in the DMCC Free Zone. For that visa, business owners must have a minimum investment of AED 50,000 in a DMCC-licensed company. This enables stakeholders and partners to reside and work within the DMCC Free Zone.
4. Student Visa
Students enrolled in Dubai’s Free Zones educational institutions can apply for a Student Visa in the DMCC Free Zone. The visa requirements include a passport with at least six months of validity and a letter from the sponsoring academic institution.
DMCC Visa Requirements
The requirement criteria for the DMCC visa vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. The following are the general visa requirements for most visa types:
- Passport and its colored scanned copies
- Passport-sized photograph with a white background
- Valid residency documents for dependents, if applicable
- Health insurance coverage details
- A copy of the establishment card (for businesses sponsoring employees)
- Education certificates (attested for certain professions)
- Sponsor details or a signed offer letter (for employment visas)
These requirements ensure that both businesses and individuals comply with UAE laws governing Free Zones.
Application Process of Visa In DMCC:
The following is the step-by-step application process to apply for a DMCC visa:
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
First, you should log into the DMCC member portal and complete the online visa application. Make sure to choose the specific visa type that fits your requirements. You should fill in all the necessary details to avoid delays during the processing.
Step 2: Submit Required Documentation
In the second step, you should prepare and upload all the required documents. The documents depend on your visa type in the DMCC Free Zone. All the documents must meet DMCC’s compliance requirements.
Step 3: Issue Entry Permit
In the third step, the DMCC Authority will review your visa application. Once they verify your application, they will issue an entry permit. This permit allows you to travel to the UAE.
Step 4: Approve From HR Signatory
In the fourth step, the HR signatory from your company reviews and approves all employment-related documents. This makes sure that the company legally approves the visa.
Step 5: Entry Update Upon Arrival
In the fifth step, once you arrive in the UAE, you should notify DMCC and update your status on the company portal.
Step 6: Health Insurance & Medical Test
In the sixth step, secure your health insurance and complete a medical fitness test at a government-approved hospital.
Step 7: Apply for Emirates ID and Visa Stamping
In the final step, you should apply for Emirates ID through your biometric verification. This can be done through a typing center. Once the visa is stamped on your passport, it becomes valid, and the application process is complete.
DMCC Free Zone License Cost
DMCC Company Formation Fees
| Type of Fee | Fees (AED) |
| Trading & Service License (Includes up to 3 Visas) | 20,285 |
| Flexi-Desk Rental | 18,460 |
| Visa Application Fee (Overseas) | 4,470 |
| Documentation for Establishing an Entity | 1,825 |
| Administrative Services Fee (Flexi-Desk) | 656 |
DMCC Visa Fees
| Visa Service | Fees (AED) |
| Visa Application Fee (Overseas) | 4,470 |
| Domestic Residence Visa (With Amendment) | 3,439 |
| Residence Visa (Overseas) | 2,237 |
| Medical Examination (24-Hour Result) | 755 |
| Emirates ID (2 Years) | 390 |
DMCC Visa Cancellation Guide & Rules
The visa cancellation process must be initiated through the DMCC portal if an employee resigns or is terminated.
Steps to Cancel an Employment Visa
- For Employees Working in Dubai
- Both the authorized company representative and the employee visit the DMCC counter to complete an end-of-service document.
- Sponsored dependents’ visas must be canceled first.
- For Employees Outside the UAE
- Cancellation is possible if the visa-holder is outside the UAE for over six months or if their DMCC visa expires during this period.
- Employers may process the cancellation provided the original passport is delivered to them.
How Long Does The DMCC Visa Process Take?
The DMCC visa process usually takes 7 to 10 working days, depending on the visa type, approvals, and document accuracy.
How Much Does a DMCC Employment Visa Cost?
The cost of a DMCC employment visa varies depending on the applicant’s location. For applicants outside the UAE, the fee is AED 2,972.50 for a two-year visa. Those applying inside the UAE without amendment pay AED 3,407.50, while applications with amendment cost AED 4,220. These charges are based on the official DMCC schedule and may vary slightly depending on additional services or updates.
How We Can Help You?
The DMCC visa process can be difficult to manage for you due to its requirements, documents, and rules to follow. A small mistake in choosing the visa type, submitting papers, or updating your status can cause delays or rejection. At Now Consultant, we help you at every step.
Our visa experts assist you in selecting the right visa, preparing documents, and submitting applications. Our team also ensures you meet all DMCC rules without any errors. We handle entry permits, medical tests, Emirates ID applications, and visa stamping to make the process easy for you.
