Dubai Production City (DPC), formerly the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), is a TECOM Group business district on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road built for publishing, printing, media production and light industry. Company registration and licensing in DPC are handled by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). It suits printers, publishers, packaging firms, production houses and freelancers who need offices, studios, warehouses or light industrial units in one place. We help you pick the right activity, legal structure and space in DPC, prepare the documents and manage the application, visas and corporate bank account.
- Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, about 20 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport
- Licensing authority: Dubai Development Authority (DDA)
- Company types: Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC), Branch of a foreign or UAE company, Freelance permit
- Shareholders: individuals, companies, or a mix of both for an FZ-LLC
- Minimum share capital: AED 10,000 refundable capital for a new company; no minimum capital for a branch
- Licence validity: one year, renewable annually
- Space: offices, coworking desks, boutique studios, sound stages, warehouses, light industrial units, retail units and land
Who Dubai Production City Suits
- Commercial, digital and newspaper printing companies
- Publishers and content businesses
- Packaging and light manufacturing companies that need industrial units or warehouses
- Film, TV and post-production companies that need studios or sound stages
- Start-ups in media, design and tech that want an incubator setting (in5 media is based in DPC)
- Freelancers in design, media or education
- Retail and food businesses serving the DPC community
Licence Types in Dubai Production City
DDA issues licences by business cluster, and each licence lists the exact activities your company may carry out. DPC focuses on the activity groups below. Other commercial or production activities are reviewed case by case, so we check your activity against the DDA list before you apply.
Printing and publishing activities
For printing presses, book and magazine publishers and related services. This is the core community DPC was built around.
Media and production activities
For production companies, studios, broadcasters and post-production houses that need office space with attached studios or a sound stage.
Light industrial and packaging activities
For packaging, light manufacturing and assembly businesses that lease a warehouse or a light industrial unit in DPC.
Retail and hospitality activities
For shops, cafes and restaurants that serve the people who work in DPC.
Freelance permit
Lets an independent professional work under their own name rather than a brand name. TECOM's GoFreelance package covers design, media and education.
Mainland licence at the same location
A DPC licence lets you operate within the free zone. The DPC FAQ notes that a DPC company can also obtain a Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) licence at the same location if it wants to trade on the Dubai mainland. We check if your activity is eligible.
Company Types in Dubai Production City
Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)
A separate legal entity registered with DDA. The shareholders can be individuals, companies, or both. A minimum refundable capital of AED 10,000 applies to a new company.
Your company can later hold shares in other companies, and you can own more than one business in DPC subject to DDA rules.
Branch of a foreign or UAE company
An existing company can open a branch in DPC. A branch is a legally dependent part of the parent company, not a new company.
No minimum capital is required.
Freelance permit
For sole professionals who work under their birth name. Suited to designers, media professionals and educators who do not need a full company.
Office, Studio and Warehouse Space
DPC leases fitted and non-fitted offices in a range of sizes, coworking desks, boutique studios with attached offices, sound stages, warehouses, light industrial units, retail units and land plots. You can also design and fit out your own commercial space. The space matters for visas: DPC allows a company to sponsor one employee per 80 to 100 sq. ft of leased space, so we size your space around your hiring plan before you sign. Visas and Emirates IDs are processed through axs, TECOM Group's government services platform, and our PRO team can handle the paperwork for you.
How to Set Up a Company in Dubai Production City
- Free consultation: we confirm your business activity, licence and company type.
- Activity check: we check your activity against the DDA activity list and tell you up front if another government body must approve it.
- Choose your office, studio, warehouse or industrial unit in DPC.
- Submit the application and documents to DDA through the business community portal and pay the invoice.
- Receive provisional approval, then your licence and company documents.
- Apply for investor and employee visas and Emirates IDs.
- Open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax.
Documents You Need
For individual shareholders: passport copies of the shareholders, directors and general manager (with the UAE visa page if you live in the UAE), the resolution to incorporate the FZ-LLC and, if the general manager already holds a UAE visa, a declaration of appointment.
For a company shareholder or a branch: the parent company's certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, a certificate of good standing and the incorporation resolution. These must be notarised and attested up to the UAE Embassy.
If someone applies for you: a power of attorney, notarised and attested, with the representative's passport copy.
We send you the exact checklist for your activity and structure.
Dubai Production City Setup Costs
Your cost depends on the activity, the company type, the size and type of space, the number of visas and any outside approvals. DPC does not publish a single package price on its website, and licence fees are set by the activities you choose. Tell us your activity and visa needs and we send you a written, itemised quote, including the refundable AED 10,000 capital where it applies.
Corporate Tax for Dubai Production City Companies
Every Dubai Production City company must register for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority, even if it expects to pay 0%. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions, which include keeping adequate substance in the UAE and meeting the de minimis rules; its other taxable income is taxed at 9%. A company that does not qualify is taxed like any UAE business: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that. Our group's tax agency can handle registration, the qualifying income review and filing.
Why Set Up in Dubai Production City With Jitendra Business Consultants
Company formation in the UAE since 2001, with 5,500+ companies formed. One group for setup, accounting, VAT, corporate tax and trademarks. Offices in Dubai and Sharjah, with advice in English, Arabic and Hindi.
Dubai Production City Company Setup FAQs
Is Dubai Production City the same as IMPZ?
Yes. The International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) was renamed Dubai Production City (DPC). It is part of TECOM Group and licensing is handled by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA).
Who regulates companies in Dubai Production City?
The Dubai Development Authority (DDA) registers and licenses companies in DPC.
What is the minimum capital to set up in Dubai Production City?
DPC lists a minimum refundable capital of AED 10,000 for a new company. A branch of an existing foreign or UAE company has no minimum capital.
What business activities are allowed in Dubai Production City?
DPC is built for publishing, printing, media production and innovation, with space for packaging and light industry. Other activities are reviewed case by case against the DDA activity list.
How many visas can a Dubai Production City company get?
It depends on your leased space. DPC allows one sponsored employee per 80 to 100 sq. ft of space, so a larger office or unit supports more visas.
Can a Dubai Production City company trade on the Dubai mainland?
A DPC licence covers activity within the free zone. DPC notes that companies can also obtain a DET mainland licence at the same location. We check if your activity qualifies.
Can freelancers get a licence in Dubai Production City?
Yes. DDA issues a freelance permit for professionals who work under their own name, and TECOM's GoFreelance package covers design, media and education.
How long is a Dubai Production City licence valid?
Licences and permits are valid for one year and are renewed every year.