Looking to grow your business in Dubai? Dubai South Free Zone is the perfect place for aviation, logistics, and e-commerce companies. With 100% foreign ownership, fast setup, and world-class infrastructure near Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port, you can launch quickly and reach global markets with ease.
Dubai South is not simply a free zone. It is the UAE government's most ambitious infrastructure project in a generation, and the companies here now are staking their claim before the rest of the world catches up.
Formerly known as Dubai World Central (DWC), this 145-square-kilometre development was designed around one idea: build an integrated city where aviation, logistics, commerce, and residential life operate together. Al Maktoum International Airport sits at its core. With an AED 128 billion expansion underway that will grow the airport's annual capacity to 260 million passengers, Dubai South is where the next chapter of Dubai's economy is being written.
The Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) governs the free zone and regulates all licensing, visa, and business activities within it. The zone sits 37 kilometres southwest of Dubai International Airport and directly borders Jebel Ali Port, the largest man-made harbour in the world.
For most business types, the setup process is fully digital. Licence issuance takes 3 to 5 working days from complete document submission, making Dubai South one of the fastest formation processes in the emirate.
Dubai South combines designated zone tax status, direct airport access, and a location tied to the UAE's largest infrastructure investment. No other free zone matches this.
Every Dubai South Free Zone formation delivers a defined set of regulatory outputs. Here is exactly what you receive and what each document does for your business from day one.
DACC-issued license covering all approved activities. Issued electronically in most cases. Valid for one year and renewable annually.
Your chosen name is reviewed against UAE naming rules by DACC before any other step proceeds. Approval is confirmed in writing.
Outlines company objectives, shareholder structure, capital details, and governance rules in line with DACC regulations.
Confirms each shareholder's ownership stake. Required for UAE residency visa applications and corporate bank account opening.
Official identity document for your entity within UAE immigration and government systems. Issued alongside your license.
A valid Dubai South address from day one. Options range from a shared flexi-desk to a dedicated private office or warehouse.
Tied to your office type. A flexi-desk supports one to two visas. Larger facilities unlock higher quotas for employees.
Licenses issued through Dubai South's digital government platform. Physical presence not required for most categories during setup.
The Dubai Aviation City Corporation issues six primary licence categories. Your choice depends on your industry, whether you need warehouse space, and whether your revenue comes from services or physical goods.
Structure choice affects your visa quota, bank account options, tax position, and future flexibility. The wrong choice at this stage can be expensive to unwind. RIZ & MONA Consultancy assesses your ownership goals, tax planning requirements, and growth plans before recommending a structure.
Pricing varies by license category, office type, visa quota, and corporate structure. These are verified 2025 to 2026 indicative ranges to help you plan before requesting a formal quote.
AED 20,000 to AED 35,000
Flexi-desk, one visa, and a service or commercial license. The lowest cost tier for Dubai South. Ideal for solo founders, consultancies, and e-commerce startups.
AED 35,000 to AED 85,000
Dedicated desk or small private office with two to four visas. Suited for small teams, trading companies, and logistics businesses needing a physical presence.
AED 85,000 and above
Warehouse or aviation specialist setup. First-year cost excludes warehouse fit-out. MRO and hangar facilities are quoted individually based on operational requirements.
Aviation and industrial licenses carry higher base fees. Entry-level service and commercial licenses start from AED 8,500 per year
Flexi-desk from AED 8,000 per year. Dedicated offices from AED 30,000. Warehouse space priced per square foot in the Logistics District
Each investor or employee visa costs AED 3,500 to AED 5,500 including medical fitness test and Emirates ID
Adding more than one activity group increases the annual fee. Declare all intended activities at setup to avoid amendment fees later
Entities with a corporate parent require additional attested documents and typically pay higher processing fees
All figures are indicative and based on 2026 market data. Riz & Mona Consultancy provides a personalised, itemised quote based on your exact activity, office, and visa requirements at no obligation.
The registration runs through a fully digital government platform for most business types. Physical presence is not required at any stage for the majority of applications, making the process accessible for international founders from the very first step
Define your business activities, select your licence category and district, and confirm your legal structure. This decision determines all document requirements and fee calculations for every stage that follows.
Submit your preferred company name to the DACC for review. Names must comply with UAE naming rules: no offensive terms, no names that duplicate existing registrations, and no government body references without special approval.
Compile your required documents and submit them through the Dubai South digital portal. Individual applicants need passport copies and proof of address. Corporate shareholders require attested parent company documents in addition.
The DACC reviews your application and issues initial approval within 24 to 48 hours for standard cases. You pay your licence fee, establishment card fee, and office arrangement at this stage.
Your trade licence and Memorandum of Association are issued electronically. The establishment card is processed in parallel. Both documents are typically delivered within the same working day.
Once the licence is issued, you apply for your investor or employee visa. The process covers an entry permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and visa stamping. End-to-end: 7 to 14 working days.
Use your licence, MOA, and establishment card to begin the account opening process. RIZ & MONA Consultancy introduces you to suitable banking partners matched to your business type and transaction profile.
All corporate documents originating outside the UAE must be notarised, legalised by the relevant UAE embassy or competent authority, and translated into Arabic by a UAE-certified legal translator. Confirm your specific document list with RIZ & MONA Consultancy before submission to avoid rejection delays.
Document requirements vary by activity, nationality, and corporate structure. Confirm your specific document list with RIZ & MONA Consultancy before submission to avoid rejection delays.
Your Dubai South licence gives you the legal basis to sponsor yourself and your team for UAE residency. The number of visas available to you is tied to your office type, not a fixed cap set by the authority.
A flexi-desk supports 1 to 2 visas. A dedicated desk or small private office supports up to 4 to 6 visas. Warehouse units and larger offices unlock higher quotas proportional to their size.
RIZ & MONA Consultancy manages the full visa process on your behalf and advises on current processing norms at the time of application.
Visa processing timelines are indicative. Delays can occur during high-volume periods, public holidays, or if additional documentation is requested. Visa quota depends on your office type and is subject to DACC and UAE immigration policy.
Dubai South companies are well understood by UAE banks. Logistics and aviation businesses with cross-border flows face closer scrutiny, so preparation and the right bank match matter more here than in most free zones.
UAE Resident Applicant
2 to 4 weeks
Non-Resident Applicant
4 to 8 weeks
High-Risk Nationality or Activity
6 to 12 weeks
Digital Bank Alternative
3 to 10 working days
Home to the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub. The only aviation-exclusive free zone covering MRO and aerospace.
Built for freight forwarders and 3PL operators. Direct connectivity to Al Maktoum Airport cargo terminals and Jebel Ali.
Primary hub for offices, retail, and professional services. Suits consultancies, traders, and e-commerce businesses.
Home to the Dubai Exhibition Centre. For event management, MICE, hospitality, and large-scale international exhibitions.
Dubai South competes directly with JAFZA for logistics and trading operators and with IFZA for SMEs and professional services. Here is an honest side-by-side before you commit.
Not Sure Which Free Zone Is Right for You?
Riz & Mona Consultancy compares your options at no cost and recommends the zone that best fits your business model, budget, and operational requirements.
