Best if you value A broader industry focus that includes advertising, marketing, publishing, and new media, creating a more diverse networking environment..
Best if you prioritize Hyper-specialization in large-scale film and broadcast production infrastructure, which may be more suitable for pure-play broadcasting or film studios..
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
AED 11,500
Annual Renewal
AED 9,500
Year 1 Total
AED 7,500
Annual Renewal
AED 7,500
Detailed Breakdown
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
GoFreelance Permit
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 7,500
NoteThis is the entry-level package for individual freelancers. The Establishment Card (AED 2,000) and Residence Visa are additional costs.
FZ-LLC with Flexi-Desk
Standard TierAnnual Cost
AED 27,500
NoteEstimated cost for a small FZ-LLC. Includes approx. AED 15,000 for license, AED 2,000 for Establishment Card, and AED 10,500 for a basic flexi-desk. Costs can vary.
GoFreelance Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 7,500
NoteThis is a permit for individual freelancers. To get a visa, an Establishment Card (AED 2000) and visa fees must be paid separately.
SME / FZ-LLC Package (Estimated)
Standard TierAnnual Cost
Custom
NoteDubai Studio City does not publicly advertise bundled company packages with fixed prices. Costs are calculated based on individual fees for license, registration, and office lease. This is an illustrative example.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai Studio City offers a lower starting price point at AED 7500
Dubai Studio City typically processes new licenses in ~2 days
Dubai Studio City allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Dubai Media City carries a premium market perception and positioning
Dubai Studio City wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Dubai Media City is the largest media community in the region, targeting industries such as advertising, marketing, communication, broadcasting, publishing, and new media. Its primary investor profile includes multinational media corporations, local media startups, advertising agencies, production companies, and individual media professionals or freelancers seeking a collaborative and well-networked environment.
Key Advantages
Ideal for any media, advertising, or content creation business, from freelancers to global corporations, that prioritizes industry-specific networking, collaboration, and a prestigious ecosystem over minimum cost.
Businesses involved in general trading, logistics, warehousing, or industrial manufacturing. Companies in highly regulated non-media sectors like crypto, heavy finance, or healthcare would be better served in specialized zones.
Dubai Studio City targets companies and professionals in the broadcasting, film production, television, music, and entertainment industries. Its primary investor profile includes major international production houses, local filmmakers, sound and post-production studios, and industry freelancers. The zone is known for having the largest sound stages in the region, attracting large-scale film and TV productions.
Key Advantages
Dubai Studio City is the undisputed leader for businesses involved in the physical production of content—film, television, music, and large-scale broadcasting—that require state-of-the-art sound stages, backlots, and a complete, co-located industry value chain.
Businesses seeking a General Trading license, companies in the cryptocurrency sector, or startups looking for the absolute lowest-cost entry point. Its focus is purely on the media and entertainment production industry.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai Studio City is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 7,500. In the broader market context, Dubai Studio City is officially positioned as "Mid-Range".
Dubai Studio City typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 2 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai Studio City, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai Media City: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Dubai Studio City: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.
Dubai Media City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Studio City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Ideal for any media, advertising, or content creation business, from freelancers to global corporations, that prioritizes industry-specific networking, collaboration, and a prestigious ecosystem over minimum cost.
Dubai Studio City is the undisputed leader for businesses involved in the physical production of content—film, television, music, and large-scale broadcasting—that require state-of-the-art sound stages, backlots, and a complete, co-located industry value chain.
