What is the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority and How Can You Start a Business There?

Entrepreneurs from all over the world are drawn to the UAE’s free zones. With zero corporation and personal tax, 100 percent company ownership, 100 percent repatriation of capital and profits, no currency limits, and 100 percent import and export tax exemption, it’s easy to see why they’re attracting attention.

The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority provides even more benefits to enterprises in the creative industries, which rely on intellectual capital as their principal contribution (DCCA).

In line with other efforts such as the Dubai Plan 2021, Expo 2020, and the Dubai Innovation Strategy, the DCCA’s major goal is to enhance Dubai’s global reputation as a leader in creativity and a key center for business innovation. The Authority was established to attract, support, and nurture creative firms in Dubai.

DCCA is a one-stop-shop for all things creative. DCCA encompasses several free zones, each focusing on a different creative industry. They are as follows.

Internet City in Dubai

The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) region’s largest ICT hub. Facebook, Google, Dell, Microsoft, Cisco, and Nokia are just a few of the world’s major web and technology companies that call DIC home.

Outsource City in Dubai

The DOC free zone, which is dedicated to local and foreign outsourcing companies, specializes in business process outsourcing (BPO), human resource outsourcing (HR outsourcing), information technology outsourcing (IT outsourcing), back office, and call center activities.

Dubai Media City (DMC) is a media hub in Dubai.

Thousands of businesses from advertising and communication, media and marketing services, media support services, event management, event support services, media consultancy, new media, and freelancers and associations call DMC home (non-profit).

Dubai Production City is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

DPC is a worldwide and local production hub, with highly qualified business people worldwide trading in industries such as printing, publishing, graphic art, packaging, and media creation.

Knowledge Park in Dubai

Executive search firms, NGOs, academic service providers, assessment and testing centers, and numerous freelancers are among the businesses and institutions that make up DKP, the world’s only free zone dedicated to human resource management and learning excellence.

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

DIAC is home to several local and foreign schools and institutions, serving students from all over the world. It is the world’s largest free zone dedicated to higher education and the pursuit of intellectual advancement.

Studio City in Dubai

DSC houses the largest sound stages in the region, workshops, film studios, production offices, sets, backlots, recording studios, and water tanks for underwater film shoots, and is open to firms in broadcasting, film production, TV, music, and entertainment.

Dubai Science Park

DSP is home to large office and laboratory space and strives to encourage firms and entrepreneurs within the science community. It was designed primarily for the needs of businesses and individuals who work in the life sciences.

Design District in Dubai

The d3 free zone, which offers a combination of office space for leasing and open-plan land for development, is primarily geared toward the design and fashion industries and is home to several prominent global firms and local and boutique design studios and fashion houses.

Do you want to launch a business in the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority?

You’ll find a lively and nurturing environment, complete with all the support and coaching you need to make your business a success, no matter which of DCCA: Is It The Perfect Business Location For Creatives? free zones you pick. So if that seems like the environment you’re seeking, here’s everything you need to know about establishing a business in Dubai Creative Clusters Authority.

1. Easy to understand the setup

Whether you choose to start your company in DIC, DKP, d3, or somewhere else, you’ll find the setting process to be really simple. You submit your application, give some basic proof such as passport copies, and pay your license fees in most DCCA-free zones, and you’re good to go. The entire procedure is usually completed in a matter of weeks.

2. Work with the finest of the best

The DCCA brand is synonymous with exceptional quality, so some of the world’s largest corporations have come to its free zones to do business. Facebook, Google, and Microsoft are all based in Dubai Internet City; Bloomberg, CNN, and Dow Jones are all based in Dubai Media City; while Adidas, Chanel, and Christian Louboutin are all based in Dubai Design District. While DCCA free zones are home to some of the greatest names in the industry, they all embrace small firms, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to work alongside industry titans.

3. Adaptable setup

You’re sure to find the perfect setup for your needs with so many free zones under one jurisdiction. DCCA provides it all, from ordinary office and warehouse space to studio lots, production facilities, sound stages, and fully equipped laboratories.

4. Create a multi-shareholder structure

The ability to start up with many shareholders is another important lure for enterprises of all sizes to Dubai Creative Clusters Authority. Individuals, corporations, or a combination of the two can be included.

5. A variety of visa options

DCCA is highly accommodating, whether you’re setting up alone or with a group of staff. All DCCA free zones are available to assist you and your employees with visa applications. In terms of the maximum amount allowed, each free zone will have its top limit, which is usually determined by the size of your business.

6. Sponsorship of dependents is simple

It’s simple for enterprises in DCCA-free zones to sponsor dependants for their residence visas and make it simple to apply for your visa. Whether you want to sponsor a maid, driver, or family member, the process is quite simple – entry permit, status adjustment, medical fitness exam, Emirates ID registration, and visa stamping. It’s a good idea to seek help from an expert in setting up UAE free zone firms because this is such a crucial step. This guarantees that both you and the people you’re seeking to sponsor meet all of the admission criteria before you begin an application.

7. Setting up a corporate bank account is simple

You’re ready to open your corporate bank account once you’ve gotten your license and established your firm in your chosen DCCA-free zone. The application procedure is straightforward and quick. Staff in the free zone can recommend the right bank for your needs and even set up meetings in-branch for you. A company creation professional can also help, or you can approach any local or foreign bank on your own.

Creating a Free Zone with the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority

So, now that you’ve convinced yourself of the advantages of locating your company within the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, what’s next? Several steps must be completed, some of which are complex and others that are not. The first step is to decide on a business. You can choose a company name, fill out and submit your registration documents to the appropriate authorities, create a bank account, and apply for any necessary visas.

However, the intricacies of this process can vary greatly depending on the type of license you’re seeking and the type of business you want to run. Before beginning any of these processes, you should always contact a company setup specialist who will walk you through each step of the process, ensuring that the entire process takes no more than a few hours of your time.

This article has been published in accordance with Socialnomics’ disclosure policy.