Dubai Studio City: the film, TV & broadcast free zone with MENA's largest sound stages
Dubai Studio City (DSC) is the TECOM/DDA cluster purpose-built for film, television, broadcast and animation production. Licenses start from AED 14,000, the cluster hosts the largest sound stages in the MENA region (up to 50,000 sq ft, 16-metre clear height), and its facilities have supported Star Trek Beyond and Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol. Incorporation runs in roughly 7 to 10 working days.
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Why Dubai Studio City anchors film & broadcast in the region
Dubai Studio City was launched in 2005 as the dedicated production cluster of the TECOM Group, now operating under the Dubai Development Authority (DDA). It is the part of the TECOM family that specialises in moving-image production, sitting alongside Dubai Media City (broadcasters), Dubai Production City (print & publishing) and Dubai Internet City (tech).
The cluster spans roughly 22 million sq ft of land in Dubailand with over 1 million sq ft of constructed studio infrastructure: sound stages, water-tank studios, backlots, workshops, warehouses, post-production suites and an office park. It is the address of choice for production houses, broadcasters, animation studios, ad agencies and live-event companies who need physical stage capacity in addition to a trade license.
Unlike a generalist free zone, DSC bundles the regulatory side (license, visas, registered address) with operational access to the kind of infrastructure you would otherwise have to import from London or Atlanta: soundproofed stages, elephant doors, grid-and-catwalk systems and a five-metre-deep water tank.
What you can run under a Dubai Studio City license
DSC licenses are scoped to the film, broadcast and content economy. Five clusters cover most production businesses. We map yours during the consultation.
Film & TV production
Feature films, TV series, documentaries, branded content and short-form. Access to sound stages, water tank and backlot included as paid add-ons.
Broadcast & live TV
News channels, sports broadcasters, satellite uplink, OB-van operations and studio-based talk shows. Sits next to MBC, OSN, CNN and Sky News Arabia.
Animation, VFX & CGI
2D / 3D animation studios, visual-effects houses, motion-graphics shops and game cinematics. Professional license with IP-ownership protection.
Events & live production
Live-event production, concert staging, corporate AV, esports broadcasts and award-show technical direction. Activity rooted in stage infrastructure.
Post-production & audio
Editing, colour grading, sound design, ADR, foley, dubbing into Arabic / Hindi / Tagalog, mastering and delivery. The bread-and-butter of resident DSC tenants.
What you actually get with a DSC license
The practical entitlements that come with every Dubai Studio City license, plus the cluster-specific perks the brochure rarely spells out.
100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor required.
100% repatriation of capital and profits.
No currency restrictions on inbound or outbound transfers.
On-site access to the largest sound stages in MENA (11,000–50,000 sq ft, bookable per shoot day).
Pre-vetted local crew, equipment rental and casting agencies inside the cluster.
Five-metre water-tank studio and backlot available without leaving the campus.
Direct neighbours include MBC, OSN, CNN, Sky News Arabia and Endemol Shine.
Visa quota starts at 3 visas with a flexi-desk; expandable with office upgrades.
Production-license holders get fast-track access to Dubai Film & TV Commission filming permits.
License renewal and amendments handled via the DDA AXS portal in 2 to 3 working days.
Pick the DSC license that matches your model
Dubai Studio City issues three main license families under the DDA framework. Pricing scales with activity count, visa quota and office tier.
Most picked
Service
The default for production houses, post-production and creative studios.
- Film & TV production services
- Animation, VFX, post-production
- Broadcast services and content creation
- Flexi-desk address included
- Up to multiple service activities per license
Commercial
For trading and distribution of media equipment and content.
- Broadcast and production-equipment trading
- Distribution of films, music and IP rights
- Camera, lighting and audio-gear resale
- Required when you sell physical product on top of services
Freelance Permit
For solo directors, DOPs, editors, sound designers and producers.
- One person, one specialisation
- Self-sponsored residence visa included
- Recognised by film & broadcast clients
- From roughly AED 7,500–15,000/year
Notable names established at Dubai Studio City
DSC anchors the Arab world's broadcast and production economy. The cluster hosts the regional headquarters of major broadcasters, production houses and infrastructure operators.
Broadcasting
MBC Group
The largest private broadcaster in the MENA region, anchoring DSC since the cluster's early years.
Pay TV
OSN
Leading pay-TV operator in the Middle East and North Africa, headquartered inside the cluster.
News
CNN
Regional bureau of the American 24-hour news network, broadcasting from DSC studios.
News
Sky News Arabia
Arabic-language 24-hour news channel, with its main studios and newsroom on campus.
Production
Endemol Shine Group
Global producer of format TV (MasterChef, Big Brother) operating its MENA arm from DSC.
Events / Film
Filmmaster MEA
Italian event and ceremony producer behind several Expo and FIFA opening ceremonies in the region.
Infrastructure
DSC Sound Stages
TECOM-operated sound-stage complex, the largest in MENA at up to 50,000 sq ft with a 16-metre clear height.
Ads
Boomtown Productions
Independent commercials and branded-content production house resident in the cluster.
Inside Dubailand: DSC's production campus
Dubai Studio City sits in the Dubailand area, with direct access from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). It is a campus, not an office tower. Production infrastructure lives on-site.
- 25 min to Downtown Dubai
- 30 min to DXB International Airport
- Co-located with Dubai Production City and adjacent to Dubai Media City's ecosystem
- Notable neighbours: MBC, OSN, CNN, Sky News Arabia, Endemol Shine
Sound stages
11,000–50,000 sq ft, bookable per shoot day
Water-tank studio
Five-metre-deep tank for underwater scenes
Crew & casting
Pre-vetted local crews and casting agencies on-site
Backlot & workshops
Outdoor sets, set-construction workshops and warehouses
How we incorporate your DSC company in 7–10 working days
Six steps from first call to issued license. We handle four of them; you only act on two.
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Scope activities with us
30-minute call to confirm your production model and match it to the DDA activity list (service vs commercial vs freelance permit).
Pick the legal form
FZ-LLC (one or more shareholders), branch of an existing foreign company, or freelance permit for solo operators. Substance considerations apply for IP holding.
Reserve trade name & package
We submit name approval through the DDA AXS portal and lock the package (visa quota, office tier, sound-stage add-ons if any).
KYC & document collection
You send passport, address proof, bank reference and a CV / portfolio for creative activities. We compile the file in English.
Sign the MoA electronically
We share the Memorandum of Association via secure e-sign. The DDA accepts e-signed documents without notary visit.
Pay & receive license
Final invoice is settled, the DDA issues the trade license, establishment card and visa allocation within 7–10 working days.
Four realities first-time producers miss
Production license vs filming permit
A DSC production license lets you operate the company. It does not grant the right to film on public streets. That is a separate Dubai Film & TV Commission permit issued per project. DSC holders get a fast-track lane.
Lead time
License in 7–10 working days. Residence visa adds 2–3 weeks. Sound-stage bookings need to be locked 6 to 12 weeks ahead for any production over two days. Budget 6–10 weeks end-to-end.
Corporate tax 9%
UAE corporate tax applies at 9% on net profit above AED 375,000. Below that the effective rate is 0%. Free-zone "qualifying income" can stay at 0% with substance. Service revenue to non-UAE clients usually qualifies.
Sound-stage booking model
Stages are billed per shoot day (typically AED 25,000–90,000/day depending on stage size and prep days). Your license does not entitle you to free stage access. Book and quote like any third-party.
What's inside our DSC all-in-one package
One transparent fee covers company formation, residence visa and UAE banking. From AED 28,500: 1 year, 1 visa, service license at Dubai Studio City.
Company formation
- Trade name reservation via DDA AXS portal
- License issuance (Service, Commercial or Freelance Permit)
- Memorandum of Association drafting + e-signature
- Flexi-desk address inside Dubai Studio City
- Establishment card
- Corporate Tax registration & initial compliance filing
- Activity selection (up to 3 included)
Residence visa
- Entry permit issuance
- Medical fitness test coordination
- Emirates ID application & biometrics
- Visa stamping inside passport
- Status change inside the UAE
- Valid 2 years, renewable
Banking
- Business and personal account introductions
- Document pack prepared to bank-ready standard
- Follow-up support until account is opened
- Backup option with a UAE digital bank
DIY vs working with us
On your own
Compare 45+ providers
Rules, prices and procedures all over the place
Check trade-name availability
Submit the request and wait for approval
Fill admin forms & files
Errors = delays or fines
Gather supporting documents
Missing or incorrect = rejection or fines
Chase extra approvals
Miss one and you trigger penalties or delays
Shop prices and locations
Hidden costs likely
Handle the payments
Procedural errors = fines or delays
Run the visa process
Strict steps and timelines, fine risk
Shop UAE banks cold
High rejection risk
Track compliance yourself
VAT & renewals → penalties if missed
Time sink
Stress, errors, financial risk
Recommended
With us
An optimal structure
Tailored to your goals
Trade name reserved
Fast and approved
Dedicated personal support
By your side at every step
Compliant, validated file
Optimised to pass first time
Easier networking
Targeted introductions
Optimised investment
No unnecessary costs
End-to-end support
Fast and stress-free
Single point of contact
Clear, personalised follow-up
Bank account opening
Fast and simplified
Zero stress, total peace of mind
We look after everything
100% business focus
We handle the rest
Teams we've set up at Dubai Studio City
"Creating my company in Dubai was supported throughout the entire process — preparing for my move abroad, setting up the company, obtaining my Emirates ID, local business number, and opening bank accounts — and the team remains available afterward to answer any questions. I especially want to thank Joïcia, who handled my case and was always responsive, available, and professional. Thanks also to Franck for his assistance with the bank accounts. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate any longer and go for it; they will guide you."
"Thank you to the whole team for their professionalism, responsiveness and support. A huge thanks to Benjamin for being there throughout the visa process. Everything got done quickly and stress-free. And a big thank you to Franck for helping with all the bank account procedures. Without him nothing would have been possible, always with a smile. Trust them if you want to set up your company in Dubai."
"So happy with the professional and friendly service I have received from the team! So helpful throughout the whole process. I will definitely recommend them to anyone looking at opening a company."
Dubai Studio City: frequently asked questions
License pricing starts at AED 14,000 without visa for a basic service license. The total varies with activity count, visa quota and office tier.
- 1-year service license, no visa: from AED 14,000
- 1-year service license + 1 visa: typically AED 25,000–30,000
- Freelance Permit: AED 7,500–15,000/year all-in
- Total budget including office and visas often lands around AED 48,000 for the first year
No. The license lets you operate a production company in the UAE. To film on public streets, in malls, in Downtown or at landmarks like Burj Khalifa, you still need a per-project filming permit from the Dubai Film & TV Commission. The good news: DSC license-holders get a fast-track lane and have done the heavy KYC up front.
The DSC sound-stage complex is the largest in the MENA region: stages range from 11,000 sq ft up to 50,000 sq ft, with a 16-metre clear height, full sound-proofing (NC 25), elephant doors, grid-and-catwalk systems and a five-metre-deep water tank.
Notable productions filmed on these stages include Star Trek Beyond (Paramount, 2016) and Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol (Paramount, 2011), alongside ongoing MBC, OSN and Endemol Shine series.
All three serve the moving-image economy but with different angles:
- Dubai Studio City: physical production: stages, water tank, backlot, workshops
- Dubai Media City: broadcasters and media corporations: office space, no stages
- twofour54 (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi-based, strong 30% cash rebate scheme for feature films
For active production work needing stages, DSC almost always wins. For a pure media-corporate HQ, DMC is the cleaner choice.
The default flexi-desk package starts at 3 visas. Upgrading to a private office inside the cluster expands the quota linearly, roughly 1 additional visa per 9 sq m of leased space. Production-heavy companies routinely hold 20–50 visas.
Yes. The DDA Freelance Permit covers solo creative roles (director, DOP, editor, sound designer, producer, scriptwriter, animator) under a self-sponsored residence visa. It costs roughly AED 7,500–15,000/year all-in and is recognised by broadcasters and production houses inside the cluster.
Other free zones worth considering
Each free zone serves a different model. If Dubai Studio City isn't quite the right fit, these are the closest alternatives.
Book your free 30-minute consultation
We'll tell you within 30 minutes whether Dubai Studio City is the right free zone for your production model, and if it isn't, which one is.
