When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in Studio City

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Dubai

Dubai Studio City is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2001 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. Dubai Studio City was created to support and develop companies operating in film, television, music, and entertainment production, offering ideal conditions for both local and international projects. The free zone provides advanced infrastructure, including some of the largest recording studios and sound stages in the region, built to meet global standards. This makes the free zone a prime hub for the production of films, commercials, and television shows, such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Star Trek Beyond. Businesses registered in Dubai Studio City are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. Dubai Studio City issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (media and creative industries activities) Professional (service provision) Media The free zone actively promotes the growth of the creative industry by offering innovative solutions and world-class infrastructure, including state-of-the-art sound stages and recording facilities. These resources enable the production of projects of all scales, from international films to TV shows and commercials, creating an attractive environment for media and entertainment professionals.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Infrastructure
Business Ecosystem

About Dubai Studio City

Dubai Studio City is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2001 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. Dubai Studio City was created to support and develop companies operating in film, television, music, and entertainment production, offering ideal conditions for both local and international projects.

The free zone provides advanced infrastructure, including some of the largest recording studios and sound stages in the region, built to meet global standards. This makes the free zone a prime hub for the production of films, commercials, and television shows, such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Star Trek Beyond. Businesses registered in Dubai Studio City are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

Dubai Studio City issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (media and creative industries activities)
Professional (service provision)
Media

The free zone actively promotes the growth of the creative industry by offering innovative solutions and world-class infrastructure, including state-of-the-art sound stages and recording facilities. These resources enable the production of projects of all scales, from international films to TV shows and commercials, creating an attractive environment for media and entertainment professionals.

Recently searched

Media Content Management and Provider
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Animation
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Design, Scenery, Motion Graphics and Lighting
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Casting Agency
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Video Games
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Production – Film, TV, and Radio
Dubai Studio City
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

Popular Business Fields

Media, Marketing & Publishing
01
Professional services
02
Information Technology & Communication
03
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
04

Studio City Offices and Commercial Premises

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Coworking

Open QuartersA workspace in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access Desk QuartersA dedicated workspace in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access

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Dedicated Offices

Office QuartersOffice in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access

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Offices

Shell & Core OfficeCustomizable unfurnished spaces starting from 700 sq.ft. with unlimited 24/7 access

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Commercial Premises

Business-designated areas: retail spaces in business centers, specialized premises, standalone buildings, and other commercial facilities Commercial Premises – Grade A buildings with LEED certification, basement storage facilities, and spaces for retail, F&B, and wellness services. Commercial Office Spaces – flexible office spaces and coworking areas with modern amenities for media and entertainment companies. Retail Spaces – for restaurants and cafés, shops, service providers, corporate showrooms, gyms, and fitness centers.

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Warehouses

WarehousesStorage facilities for goods handling and distribution, with the option to combine multiple units. Include office areas and commercial modules, 6×6 m sliding doors, internal lighting, and modern fire safety systems. Parking, loading zones, and 24/7 security are also available. Light Industrial UnitsFacilities located in Dubai Production City and Dubai Science Park, equipped with built-in offices, dedicated service roads for heavy vehicles, loading zones, parking, 24/7 security, and advanced fire protection systems.

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Studios

Professional media spaces equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, lighting, sound recording systems, and editing facilities for filming, photography, and creative production Boutique StudiosCompact media environments for companies in broadcasting, film production, and media entertainment. Equipped for video recording, audio production, podcasts, interviews, and streaming, they are suitable for executing creative projects in digital media. Sound StagesProfessional studios for television filming, recording, editing, and post-production. Equipped with soundproofing, Elephant doors, and Grid & Cat-walk systems, with the option to join multiple stages for large-scale productions. In5 Media hub in Dubai Production City Production Studios in5 MediaMain and mini production studios for creating video content — from short-form videos and interviews to livestreams and film scenes. Equipped with soundproofing, KinoFlo professional lighting, and Gaffer Kit. Voice Recording Studios in5 MediaProfessional voice recording studios equipped with microphones, Audio Mixer, Audio Speakers, soundproofed walls, and software for recording and editing sound. Podcast Studio in5 MediaCompact, fully soundproofed studio equipped with professional gear: Sony PTZ cameras, Rode and Sennheiser microphones, Aputure studio lighting, and a system for recording and streaming. Suitable for podcast and video content recording. Screening Room in5 MediaScreening room for content previews and presentations, equipped with a Sony 4K projector, 137″ motorized screen, and B&W sound system with professional audio equipment. Editing Suites in5 MediaEditing suites equipped with iMacs and professional software for video and audio editing. Green Room in5 MediaGreen screen studio for creating visual effects, video editing, post-production, and CGI integration, equipped with Ledgo LG-T2880LMC and LG-D1200M studio lights.

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
Must not contain geographical names, such as the names of emirates, cities, countries and other landmarks
Must not contain the names of local/international religious, political or governmental organizations

Authorized capital requirements

The minimum share capital required for Dubai Studio City company is AED 50,000. Its contribution is optional.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.