Dubai South Free Zone Business Setup

Dubai South Company Formation Made Simple

If your business moves goods by air, you already know that location isn't just an address — it's your supply chain.

Dubai South Free Zone sits directly around Al Maktoum International Airport, the future largest airport in the world. For logistics operators, e-commerce sellers, freight forwarders, and aviation businesses, this isn't a generic office park with a free zone label. It's an integrated economic district where your cargo, your team, and your customers all move through the same connected infrastructure .

Zounder helps you set up your Dubai South company with a fully guided process — from licence to visa to bank account.

Dubai South Company Formation • Dubai South Business Licence • Dubai South Visa • Dubai South Bank Account • Dubai South Company Setup

Start your Dubai South company formation today.

What Is Dubai South Free Zone?

Dubai South Free Zone — formerly known as Dubai World Central (DWC) — is a 145 square kilometre master-planned district built around Al Maktoum International Airport . It's not a standalone business park. It's a full economic city with dedicated districts for logistics, aviation, e-commerce, business, and residential living.

The free zone is regulated by Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) and companies register as a DWC-LLC or a branch of an existing entity . The zone is organised into three core business districts: the Business Park for consulting and service companies, the Logistics District for freight and warehousing, and the Aviation District for MRO and aerospace operations .

What makes Dubai South different from most Dubai free zones:

• Direct airport and port access — your business sits between Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, linked by a dedicated logistics corridor. Goods move between air and sea without standard customs formalities .

• AED 128 billion airport expansion — Al Maktoum International is undergoing one of the largest airport expansion projects ever planned. The project targets 260 million annual passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo once complete .

• 100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor or UAE national partner required .

• 0% corporate tax on Qualifying Income — subject to Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions .

• Full profit repatriation — no restrictions on moving capital or profits out of the UAE .

• Designated Zone status — Dubai South appears on the Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2017 list of Designated Zones, meaning goods can sit in your facility outside the scope of UAE VAT for qualifying transactions .

Why Choose Dubai South Free Zone?

• Air cargo infrastructure — direct airside access for aviation businesses, with the only UAE free zone offering MRO and ground handling facilities adjacent to an active cargo terminal 

• EZDubai e-commerce hub — a 920,000 square metre dedicated e-commerce zone within the Logistics District, offering dual-licensed and hybrid-bonded facilities 

• Same-day digital licensing — the Dubai South Business Hub (DSBH) platform enables fully online setup with licences issued in as little as one business day for qualifying activities 

• Flexible activity combinations — up to five activities on a single licence at no additional cost 

• Low entry cost — service and commercial licences from AED 8,500 per year 

• Wide activity range — 245+ licensed business activities across consulting, e-commerce, logistics, and aviation 

• Banking support built in — corporate bank account introductions and VAT registration guidance as part of the setup process 

• Founder-first platform — the DSBH offers integrated services including banking, accounting support, visa solutions, and family relocation assistance 

Dubai South Licence Cost 2026 — Full Breakdown

Dubai South licence cost depends on your district, activity type, and visa requirements. The zone is notably transparent compared to many UAE free zones.

Licence Packages by District

Published Government Fees (DACC Tariff) 

Facility Costs 

• Flexi-desk (Business Park): AED 8,000–15,000 per year, supports 1–2 visas

• Private office: AED 30,000–80,000+ per year

• Logistics warehouse (500 sqm+): AED 25–45 per square foot per year

Realistic Year 1 Totals 

• Business Park (1 visa, flexi-desk): AED 20,000–35,000

• Logistics District (1 visa, small warehouse): AED 45,000–85,000

• Aviation District (consulting-type activity): AED 30,000–70,000

Key Insight: Dubai South is priced competitively with mid-tier Dubai free zones for straightforward commercial and service setups. Where it stands apart is the operational infrastructure — if your business genuinely needs air cargo access or warehousing, the total cost of operations often beats zones where you pay separately for third-party fulfilment .

Dubai South Company Setup Process — Step by Step

Zounder makes Dubai South company setup simple, for founders in the UAE and internationally:

1. Choose your business activity and district — your activity determines your licence type and your district determines your facility options

2. Select your company structure — DWC-LLC for most businesses, or a branch of an existing UAE or foreign company 

3. Reserve your trade name — submit 3 options for approval

4. Submit documents — passport copies, application form, business plan, KYC forms

5. Sign MOA and lease agreement — digitally where applicable

6. Receive your licence — issued in 1–3 working days for standard applications via the DSBH digital portal 

7. Apply for establishment card and visas — establishment card takes 3–5 days; investor visa entry permit takes 3–7 days 

8. Complete medical and biometrics — for Emirates ID

9. Open a corporate bank account — with banking introductions provided as part of the DSBH setup process 

Timeline: 1–3 working days for the licence; 3–8 weeks for full setup with visa 

Documents Required: Passport copies of all shareholders (6+ months valid), passport-size photos, proposed company name (3 options), list of intended activities, application form signed by shareholder, proof of address (utility bill less than 3 months old), visa copies and Emirates ID if UAE resident, NOC from current sponsor if employed in UAE 

Dubai South Visa — UAE Residence Visa Support

A Dubai South visa gives you the right to live and work in the UAE. Zounder helps with:

• Shareholder/partner visa — self-sponsored through your Dubai South company

• Employee visa — for staff hired under your Dubai South entity

• Family dependant visa — spouse, children, and parents can be sponsored on an investor visa 

• Emirates ID — mandatory for all UAE residents

• Medical fitness test — required for visa stamping

• Visa quota guidance — tied directly to your physical office space

Visa quota is tied to your facility, not your licence. A flexi-desk in Business Park supports 1–2 investor visas. A private office supports up to 4–6. Warehouses and aviation facilities support proportionally higher quotas .

Dubai South visa cost: AED 3,500–5,500 per investor visa including medical fitness and Emirates ID .

Visa eligibility, quota, and costs depend on your licence package, facility size, and current UAE rules.

Dubai South Bank Account — Corporate Banking Support

Opening a UAE corporate bank account is essential for receiving payments, paying suppliers, and building credibility.

Zounder supports your Dubai South bank account application with:

• Bank selection guidance — banks familiar with logistics, e-commerce, and aviation businesses

• Document preparation — trade licence, MOA, lease agreement, passports, proof of address

• KYC and compliance support

• Coordination with the bank

• Remote application support where the bank allows

Dubai South Business Hub provides corporate bank account introductions for both onshore and offshore accounts as part of its Beyond Hub platform . This is a genuine advantage — many free zones leave you to navigate bank selection and introductions yourself.

Bank approval is always subject to the bank's own KYC, compliance, and business profile checks.

Dubai South Company Setup from India — Complete Guide

Setting up a Dubai South company from India is fully possible with a guided process. Dubai South is particularly popular among Indian logistics operators, e-commerce sellers, and trading businesses looking for genuine air cargo infrastructure.

Documents Required for Indian Founders:

• Passport copy (6+ months validity)

• Passport-size photograph

• Address proof (Aadhaar, bank statement, or utility bill)

• Business activity details

• Name options (3–5 alternatives)

• KYC and application forms

• Business plan or activity description

India-Specific Considerations:

• FEMA / ODI compliance — Indian residents investing abroad must file Form ODI through their bank

• DTAA benefits — India–UAE tax treaty reduces withholding taxes

• POEM risk — if management stays in India, the company could be treated as Indian tax resident

• Document attestation — corporate shareholder documents must be attested by Indian Notary, MEA, and UAE Embassy

Zounder helps Indian founders manage time zones, documentation, and UAE formalities smoothly.

Dubai South Licence Types — Complete Guide

Dubai South Free Zone offers multiple licence categories to suit different business needs:

Service / Consultancy Licence — for IT, HR, marketing, management consulting, legal support, and education services. Starting from AED 8,500/year .

Commercial / Trading Licence — for import/export, wholesale distribution, and general merchandise. Up to five activities included at no additional cost. Starting from AED 8,500/year .

E-Commerce Licence — for online trading, dropshipping, digital retail, and marketplace seller accounts including Amazon.ae and Noon. Starting from AED 9,000/year .

Logistics Licence — for freight forwarding, 3PL warehousing, last-mile delivery, cold chain, and bonded storage. Starting from AED 10,000/year .

Aviation Licence — for MRO, aircraft parts trading, aircraft leasing support, ground handling, and aerospace services. Exclusive to the Aviation District and Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub. Starting from AED 12,000/year .

Industrial Licence — for light manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and food processing. Starting from AED 12,000/year .

Freelance Permit — a lighter route for individual professionals working solo .

Branch Registration — for companies already registered outside the UAE, or for UAE mainland companies expanding into the free zone .

Business Activities in Dubai South

Dubai South Free Zone supports 245+ licensed business activities across seven categories . The zone is designed around aviation, logistics, e-commerce, and light industrial operations .

Key sectors include:

• Logistics and Freight Forwarding

• E-Commerce and Fulfilment

• Aviation and Aerospace

• Light Manufacturing and Assembly

• Import/Export Trading

• Technology Services for Supply Chain

• Professional Consulting

• Renewable Energy and Sustainability

EZDubai — the dedicated e-commerce hub within the Logistics District — offers 920,000 square metres of purpose-built facilities for online sellers, fulfilment operators, and last-mile delivery businesses .

Dubai South Corporate Tax — What You Need to Know

Dubai South companies can access the 0% corporate tax rate on Qualifying Income by meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions .

Current UAE Corporate Tax Rates:

• Taxable income up to AED 375,000: 0%

• Taxable income above AED 375,000: 9%

QFZP Conditions for 0% Rate:

• Maintain adequate substance in the free zone

• Keep audited financial statements

• Ensure non-qualifying revenue stays below the lower of AED 5,000,000 or 5% of total revenue 

What Counts as Qualifying Income for the 0% Rate:

• Services provided to clients outside the UAE

• Services provided to clients based in other UAE Free Zones

• Certain regulated activities within the same Free Zone

• Passive income from Free Zone entities, such as dividends or capital gains

When the Standard 9% Rate Applies:

• Income from clients in mainland UAE

• Activities not recognized under the Qualifying Income rules

• Work that does not match your licensed activities

• Structures that do not meet Free Zone substance requirements

VAT: 5% — Dubai South is a Designated Zone, meaning goods moving within and between Designated Zones are treated as outside the scope of VAT for qualifying transactions .

Always consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

Dubai South vs JAFZA — The Logistics Zone Decision

These two zones are the most frequently compared logistics free zones in Dubai, and the decision between them is commercially consequential. They are not interchangeable .

Trade Mode: Dubai South — Air cargo vs JAFZA — Sea freight (Jebel Ali Port)

Location: Dubai South — Al Maktoum International Airport vs JAFZA — Jebel Ali Port

Airport-Port Corridor: Dubai South — Al Maktoum to Jebel Ali: 20 minutes vs JAFZA — Direct Jebel Ali Port access

Starting Licence: Dubai South — AED 8,500–15,000 vs JAFZA — AED 15,000–40,000+

Best For: Dubai South — air-cargo-dependent and e-commerce fulfilment operations vs JAFZA — sea-freight-dependent importers and heavy industrial operations

The honest take: if your business lives on air freight, Dubai South is the only Dubai free zone with genuine airside access for MRO and cargo operations. If your business moves containers by sea, JAFZA wins on port depth. E-commerce fulfilment operations that depend on air cargo increasingly choose Dubai South .

Important Dubai South Restriction — Read This Before You Choose

A Dubai South free zone entity cannot invoice UAE mainland businesses directly without a distributor, a mainland branch, or a dual licence arrangement .

This is not a dealbreaker for most internationally focused businesses. But if a large share of your customers are mainland UAE entities, weigh this before deciding. Many Dubai South businesses serve international and supply-chain markets where this is not a constraint .

If your business is mainly international, GCC-wide, or online, this restriction rarely matters in practice.

Renewal reminder: Dubai South licences are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually. Late renewal carries a penalty starting from AED 1,000 escalating with delay duration — initiate renewal at least 30 days before expiry .

Ready to Start Your Dubai South Company?

Zounder makes Dubai South company formation simple for founders in the UAE and around the world.

Get expert help with:

• Dubai South Company Formation

• Dubai South Licence Cost & Packages

• Dubai South Visa & Emirates ID

• Dubai South Bank Account Opening

• Dubai South Company Setup from India

Talk to Zounder today for a tailored Dubai South setup quote.

Contact Zounder

Dubai South licence cost starts from AED 8,500 per year for service and commercial licences . The most popular Business Park package including flexi-desk and one investor visa runs AED 20,000–35,000 in Year 1 . Logistics District warehouses add substantially more depending on unit size.