Dubai Production City
2003
500
DPC
Physical Address
Dubai Production City, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
About Dubai Production City
A specialized free zone dedicated to media production, printing, publishing, and packaging industries, offering a complete ecosystem for content creation and distribution
About Dubai Production City
Established in 2003 as the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) and later rebranded as Dubai Production City, this specialized free zone represents a focused approach to creating a comprehensive media production hub in the region. Spanning an extensive campus in the southwestern corridor of Dubai, the development was conceptualized as a complete production-focused ecosystem that would transform the region’s media landscape by attracting international production companies while developing local content creation capabilities. The master plan follows a production-centric design that prioritizes operational efficiency, technical functionality, and creative excellence—with specialized facilities featuring printing plants, publishing houses, production studios, and creative workspaces designed to facilitate sophisticated media operations across multiple segments of the industry value chain.
What distinguishes Dubai Production City from conventional business zones is its specialized focus on the unique requirements of production businesses. The zone’s infrastructure includes purpose-built facilities for printing operations, publishing activities, packaging production, and media creation—with enhanced technical systems, specialized production environments, creative workspaces, and industry-specific configurations supporting sophisticated production methodologies. This physical foundation is complemented by a regulatory framework specifically designed for media production operations, with streamlined processes for equipment importation, content development, creative talent acquisition, and industry compliance that address the unique operational requirements of production-intensive organizations.
Media Production Ecosystem
Dubai Production City has evolved into a comprehensive production ecosystem that houses numerous organizations spanning the entire spectrum of the media industry—from international publishing houses and printing companies to packaging manufacturers, content creators, and specialized service providers. This concentration of production expertise creates a dynamic environment where creative development, technical execution, manufacturing capabilities, and distribution channels converge, facilitating sophisticated media operations that advance industry excellence across multiple segments and application domains.
The zone’s ecosystem extends beyond traditional printing and publishing to encompass the full spectrum of the production value chain—from content creation and design development to technical execution and distribution logistics. This diversity creates natural synergies where various production specializations complement and reinforce each other, enabling comprehensive media programs that leverage multiple disciplines and methodological approaches. Supporting this core production community is a sophisticated network of ancillary providers including specialized equipment suppliers, technical service organizations, creative consultants, and logistics resources that enhance the functional capabilities of the production ecosystem.
Available License Types
Choose from a comprehensive range of specialized business licenses designed to support various commercial activities in the DPC free zone
Commercial
General trading and business activities
Creative Industries
Design, arts and creative services
Industrial
Manufacturing and production
Media & Entertainment
Media production and entertainment
Service
Support and service industriesEach license type has specific approvals and requirements to suit different types of businesses. Our experts will help you choose the most appropriate license for your business operations.
Why Choose DPC for Your Business
Discover the unique advantages that make Dubai Production City a leading free zone for international business and strategic growth opportunities
Specialized Production Ecosystem
Immersion in a dedicated environment focused exclusively on media production, printing operations, publishing activities, and content creation, fostering natural collaborations with complementary industry organizations, creative professionals, and specialized resources in a purpose-designed production district.
Production-Optimized Infrastructure
Access to purpose-built facilities designed for media operations, including specialized production spaces with technical specifications, enhanced power systems, specialized utility connections, and industry-specific environments supporting sophisticated production methodologies.
Media Regulatory Framework
Operation under regulations specifically designed for production activities, with streamlined processes for equipment importation, content development, creative talent acquisition, and industry compliance appropriate for media-intensive enterprises.
Creative Talent Access
Proximity to a pool of media professionals, production specialists, creative talent, and technical experts, supported by streamlined visa processes for qualified industry personnel from around the world.
Content Protection Framework
Strong framework for safeguarding creative content, intellectual property, published works, and media assets, with clear pathways for copyright protection and content security.
100% Foreign Ownership
Complete ownership of your production enterprise without local partner requirements, giving international media companies full control over creative direction, content strategy, and operational management.
Industry Collaboration Platform
Environment that facilitates production partnerships, creative collaboration, technical cooperation, and joint initiatives with other media organizations, content creators, and production companies across the region and globally.
Regional Market Access
Strategic positioning as a media gateway to markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions, with established distribution networks, audience connections, and industry relationships across multiple territories.
Production Support Services
Access to specialized support services including technical maintenance, creative resources, production logistics, material sourcing, and specialized media consulting tailored to industry operations.
Content Development Advantages
Optimized environment for creative development, content production, media execution, and distribution management, with specialized facilities designed to enhance production quality and facilitate efficient content workflows.
Industry Community Engagement
Regular media events, production showcases, industry forums, and networking opportunities that facilitate connections with fellow production professionals, potential clients, creative partners, and technical suppliers.
Integrated Production Advantages
Proximity to complementary businesses across the media value chain, creating natural synergies between content creators, production companies, technical providers, and distribution channels within a single specialized district.Ready to Join the World's Leading Trading Hub?
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Setup Process
A streamlined 25-step process to establish your commodity trading business in the Dubai Production City
Production Industry Consultation
1-2 days
Meet with Dubai Production City specialists to discuss your specific media focus, production specialization, content categories, and business objectives. This specialized consultation addresses the unique aspects of establishing production operations with consideration for industry-specific requirements, technical needs, and creative positioning.
Production Activity Assessment
3-5 days
Conduct a preliminary review of your media activities, production categories, technical requirements, and business approaches to ensure alignment with Dubai Production City's specialized focus on printing, publishing, packaging, and content creation.
Technical Facility Requirements Analysis
5-7 days
Determine precise specifications for your production facility including equipment configuration, technical requirements, spatial needs, and specialized infrastructure based on your specific media business model and production categories.
Environmental Considerations Review
3-7 days
For printing and packaging operations - conduct preliminary assessment of production processes, material usage, waste generation, and environmental controls to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability standards.
Site Selection & Facility Tour
2-3 days
Tour available production spaces and facilities within Dubai Production City to identify suitable locations based on your technical requirements, equipment needs, and operational specifications.
Media Regulatory Briefing
1-2 days
Receive comprehensive briefing on media regulations, content requirements, production standards, and industry guidelines specific to your production activities within the UAE.
Company Name Reservation
3-5 days
Submit your production company name for approval and reservation. Names are evaluated for compliance with naming conventions and to prevent confusion with existing media organizations in the UAE registry.
Initial Application Submission
2-3 days
Complete and submit the preliminary application forms with company information, shareholder details, and proposed production activities to initiate the formal review process with Dubai Production City Authority.
Production Business Plan Submission
5-7 days
Submit a comprehensive business plan detailing your media focus, production specialization, content categories, technical approach, and growth objectives specific to your operations in Dubai Production City.
Document Submission
3-5 days
Submit required documentation including corporate documents, shareholder information, production portfolio, industry qualifications, and facility specifications through the application portal.
Technical Compliance Review
7-10 days
For manufacturing operations - undergo evaluation of your production processes, technical standards, quality protocols, and industry compliance approaches to ensure alignment with UAE regulations and Dubai Production City requirements.
Application Review
7-10 days
Your complete application undergoes review by Dubai Production City authorities who evaluate industry alignment, technical viability, creative approach, and compatibility with the free zone's media development objectives.
Initial Approval
3-5 days
Receive initial approval for your production establishment in Dubai Production City, confirming eligibility to proceed with the registration process for your printing, publishing, packaging, or content creation operations.
Facility Lease Agreement
3-5 days
Sign the lease agreement for your selected production facility, specifying technical requirements, equipment specifications, and infrastructure needs for your media operations.
Fee Payment
1-2 days
Pay the required fees including registration fee, production license fee, facility lease security deposit, and establishment card fee through the online payment portal.
License Issuance
5-7 days
Receive your Dubai Production City business license, officially authorizing your company to operate within the free zone for specified media activities and production operations.
Specific Activity Approvals
10-15 days
For certain production operations - obtain specific approvals for particular activities, content types, or production processes that require specialized authorization from relevant regulatory authorities based on your business focus.
Environmental Permits
10-20 days
For printing and packaging operations - secure necessary environmental permits, waste management approvals, emissions authorizations, and sustainability certifications required for your specific production processes.
Immigration Card Issuance
5-7 days
Obtain your establishment immigration card, enabling your production company to sponsor visas for creative professionals, technical specialists, production personnel, and support staff.
Facility Handover
2-3 days
Receive access to your leased production facility, including basic infrastructure, utility connections, and standard configurations as specified in your lease agreement.
Utility Connections
10-15 days
Establish specialized utility connections including enhanced power supply, technical water systems, specialized ventilation, and other utilities required for your production operations.
Production Equipment Installation
15-30 days
Install and configure your production machinery, technical equipment, creative tools, and specialized apparatus based on your specific media requirements and operational needs.
Bank Account Opening
7-14 days
Open corporate bank accounts with local or international banks operating in Dubai, facilitating financial operations for your production business including equipment procurement, material purchasing, and operational expenses.
Staff Visa Processing
15-25 days
Begin processing employment visas for your production team, creative professionals, technical specialists, and support personnel, with consideration for specialized industry qualifications and expertise.
Commencement of Production Operations
5-10 days
Begin media activities, production operations, content creation, or publishing work following completion of all setup requirements, equipment installation, and operational readiness assessments.
Total Timeline
2-4 weeks typical setup
Documentation
Comprehensive support provided
Expert Guidance
End-to-end assistance
Eligibility Requirements & Documentation
Comprehensive requirements and documentation needed for establishing your free zone business
Required Documents
Passport copies
Color copies of passport with minimum 6 months validity for all shareholders, directors, and key personnel. Additional documentation may be required for international media professionals and production specialists.
UAE visa copies
For existing UAE residents - copies of current residence visa with sponsor information clearly indicated.
Emirates ID
For existing UAE residents - clear copies of Emirates ID (front and back).
Passport-size photographs
Recent passport-size photographs with white background (8 copies). Additional copies may be required for production facility access cards and studio credentials.
Production business plan
Comprehensive business plan detailing your production focus, media specialization, content categories, technical approach, and growth objectives specific to your operations in Dubai Production City.
Permitted Activities
Printing Services
Production of printed materials, publications, marketing collateral, and physical media utilizing various printing technologies, production processes, and finishing techniques
Publishing Operations
Development, production, and distribution of books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, and other published content in physical and digital formats
Packaging Production
Design and manufacturing of packaging solutions, product containers, promotional packaging, and specialized packaging applications using various materials and production techniques
Content Creation Services
Development of creative content, editorial material, visual assets, and media elements for various applications, platforms, and distribution channels
Media Production
Creation of audio-visual content, video productions, broadcast materials, and multi-media assets for entertainment, marketing, and informational purposes
Restricted Activities
Amenities Available in This Free Zone
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Dubai Production City, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates