Dubai South Free Zone Company Setup

Dubai South free zone company setup gives you a DWC-LLC or branch next to Al Maktoum International Airport, with offices in the Business Park and warehouses in the Logistics District. We help you choose the district and space, which set your visa quota, and handle the setup through to visas and bank account.

Description

Dubai South free zone company setup is for businesses that want to be based in Dubai South, the 145 sq km district around Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in the south of Dubai, next to Expo City Dubai. The free zone registers companies as a DWC-LLC or as a branch of an existing company, and also issues a freelancer licence for individuals.

A DWC-LLC can have between one and eight shareholders and between one and six directors. Shareholders can be individuals or companies, with full foreign ownership. A branch lets an existing UAE or foreign company operate in Dubai South under its parent's name.

Where you set up depends on what you do. The Business Park has offices and a Business Centre with serviced offices for service companies, regional offices and startups. The Logistics District has warehouses, built-to-suit facilities, logistics offices and the EZDubai e-commerce zone, with bonded links between the airport and Jebel Ali Port. The aviation district, home to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, serves aviation and maintenance firms. In the Business Park, you get one visa for every 8 sqm of office you lease, and leases run for at least one year.

Dubai South suits logistics, freight forwarding, aviation, e-commerce fulfilment and businesses that want space to grow near DWC. Dubai has announced plans for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International, so some companies choose Dubai South for the long term. If your cargo moves mainly by sea or you need port-side land, compare JAFZA. If you only need a licence and one or two visas for a consultancy, IFZA is often simpler and closer to central Dubai.

Dubai South says it generally registers a company within 3 to 5 days of receiving all the correct documents, not counting approvals from other authorities. After that come the establishment card, your Dubai investor visa and employment visas within your quota, a Dubai Customs code if you trade goods, and the corporate bank account.

A Dubai South company can sell goods into the UAE through customs, with duty and import VAT paid; to work on the mainland itself you need a mainland licence or branch. You must register for corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income if you meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. Services are taxed normally for VAT, so check whether you need UAE VAT registration.

Cost depends on the district and type of space, the size of your office or warehouse, the number of visas and any extra approvals. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat with your activity and team size and we will send a written quote.

What's Included

Advice on company form (DWC-LLC, branch or freelancer licence) and district
Office or warehouse selection matched to the visas and space you need
Activity and trade name checks
Preparation and submission of the Dubai South application and documents
Coordination of lease, licence issue and company documents
Establishment card application
Shareholder and employee residence visas: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID
Dubai Customs code registration if you trade goods
Support with opening the corporate bank account
Guidance on corporate tax and VAT registration after setup

Requirements / Prerequisites

One to eight shareholders (individuals or companies) and one to six directors for a DWC-LLC
A business activity Dubai South can license
A lease in Dubai South (minimum one year for Business Park offices)
Approvals from other authorities if your activity is regulated
NOC from your current employer if you hold a UAE employment visa and the free zone asks for one
For a branch: an existing parent company in good standing

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders, directors and the manager
Passport-size photographs
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies, if resident
Proof of residential address
CV or business profile; business plan for warehouse and logistics users
Trade name choices and proposed activities
Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, board resolution, register of directors and shareholders, attested for UAE use
Branches: parent company documents and a board resolution to open the branch, attested
Ultimate beneficial owner details

Our Process

Initial call: activity, cargo and space needs, team size
Choose the company form, district and space
Submit the application and documents to Dubai South
Third-party approvals, if your activity needs them
Sign the lease and pay licence and lease fees
Company registration and licence issue (Dubai South: generally 3 to 5 days after complete documents)
Apply for the establishment card
Investor and employee visas: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, residence visa
Register with Dubai Customs if you trade goods
Open the corporate bank account, then register for corporate tax and, if needed, VAT

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DWC-LLC?

It is the limited liability company form used in the Dubai South free zone (DWC stands for Dubai World Central, the original name of the area). It can have one to eight shareholders and one to six directors, with full foreign ownership.

How many visas can I get in Dubai South?

In the Business Park, Dubai South allows one visa for every 8 sqm of office you lease. For warehouses and other facilities, the allocation depends on the space and your business plan. Tell us your hiring plan and we will size the space to it.

How long does Dubai South company setup take?

Dubai South says registration generally takes 3 to 5 days once all correct documents are submitted, not counting approvals from other authorities. Visas and the bank account take additional time.

How much does Dubai South free zone setup cost?

The total depends on the district and type of space, the size of the office or warehouse, the number of visas, the company form and any extra approvals. Send us your activity and team size and we will give you a written quote.

Can a Dubai South company sell in the UAE mainland?

Goods can be sold into the UAE; they go through Dubai Customs and customs duty and import VAT are paid. To operate on the mainland itself, for example with a shop or staff working at client sites, you need a mainland licence or branch.

Is Dubai South good for e-commerce?

It can be, if you hold stock. The Logistics District includes the EZDubai e-commerce zone and warehouses with links to the airport and Jebel Ali Port. If you sell digital products or services only, any free zone with an e-commerce activity may suit you.

Dubai South or JAFZA?

Dubai South suits air cargo, aviation, logistics and businesses wanting room to grow near Al Maktoum Airport. JAFZA sits on Jebel Ali Port and suits sea freight, heavy industry and large plots. Many logistics firms choose based on whether their goods move mainly by air or by sea.