Quick answer: Dubai South Free Zone is a Dubai government free zone built around Al Maktoum International Airport and Expo City, designed for logistics, aviation, e-commerce and trading companies that need proximity to air and sea cargo. As a Dubai-based free zone, a licence plus one investor visa typically falls within the Dubai free-zone band of roughly AED 12,000–20,000, depending on activity and visa count — well above Northern Emirates zones but with a genuine Dubai address.
Key takeaways
- Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central, DWC) is one of the largest master-planned free zones in the UAE, centred on aviation and logistics.
- It suits e-commerce, freight, warehousing, trading and aviation businesses that value cargo access over a downtown address.
- Expect Dubai free-zone pricing — roughly AED 12,000–20,000 for a licence with one visa — not Northern Emirates prices of AED 5,500–7,000.
- 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and a single-window setup process apply here as in other UAE free zones.
- If you only need an online licence and lowest cost, a Northern Emirates zone is cheaper; if you need airport-side logistics, Dubai South earns its premium.
What is Dubai South Free Zone?
Dubai South Free Zone is a government free zone in southern Dubai that lets foreign investors own 100% of a company positioned next to Al Maktoum International Airport, the Jebel Ali port corridor and Expo City. It was originally launched as Dubai World Central (DWC) and is built around aviation, logistics, e-commerce and light industry rather than office-tower branding.
In practice, Dubai South is a district as much as a free zone — it includes a residential city, a business park, a logistics district and an aviation district. That footprint is the reason companies choose it: if your goods move by air or road freight, being inside the airport free zone shortens the distance between your licence and your cargo.
For a wider look at how it compares with other Dubai zones, see our overview of Dubai free zones, or read the dedicated Dubai South page.
Why choose Dubai South over other free zones?
Choose Dubai South when logistics, aviation or physical goods are central to your business, because no other Dubai free zone sits as close to an international cargo airport and the wider Jebel Ali logistics chain.
The core advantages are:
- Logistics and cargo access. Being adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and connected to Jebel Ali port makes Dubai South a natural base for freight forwarders, importers, exporters and e-commerce fulfilment operations.
- E-commerce and warehousing scale. The free zone offers warehouse and logistics units, not just desks — useful if you actually hold stock rather than drop-ship.
- Dubai address and reputation. Unlike a Northern Emirates zone, your company carries a genuine Dubai licence, which matters when clients, banks or suppliers weigh location.
- 100% foreign ownership and the standard UAE free-zone tax position — no personal income tax, with corporate tax applying under the federal regime once thresholds are met.
- Expo City proximity, keeping the zone tied to a long-term commercial and events district.
The trade-off is price. Dubai South is a Dubai zone, so it costs roughly double a Northern Emirates equivalent. If your work is online-only and you simply want the cheapest UAE licence, that is a different decision — we cover it in our guide to the cheapest free zone licence in the UAE.
What licence types does Dubai South offer?
Dubai South issues the standard UAE free-zone licence categories, matched to its logistics-heavy activity list rather than to office-service businesses alone.
The main licence types are:
- Trading / commercial licence — import, export, distribution and general trading of goods.
- E-commerce licence — online selling and fulfilment, a strong fit given the warehousing on site.
- Logistics / freight licence — freight forwarding, cargo handling and supply-chain services.
- Service / consultancy licence — professional and advisory activities.
- Industrial / light manufacturing licence — assembly and light production within the logistics district.
- Aviation licence — activities tied to the airport ecosystem.
Each licence permits a set number of activities and a visa allocation that scales with the office or warehouse space you lease. For a broader explanation of how licence categories work across the country, see our trade licence in the UAE guide.
How much does a Dubai South Free Zone licence cost?
A Dubai South Free Zone licence sits in the Dubai free-zone price band — realistically AED 12,000–20,000 for a licence with one investor visa — because it is a Dubai zone, not a Northern Emirates one. The exact figure depends on your activity, the number of visas, and whether you take a desk or a warehouse unit.
To keep pricing honest, here is how Dubai South compares to the zones DBM sets up most often. These are 2026 ranges; government and authority fees are set by each authority and change without notice.
| Route | Licence only (no visa) | Licence + 1 investor visa (all-in) |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman (ANC) | AED 5,500 – 6,800 | AED 10,500 – 12,500 |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | AED 5,750 – 6,500 | AED 11,000 – 13,000 |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,500 – 8,500 | AED 12,000 – 14,500 |
| IFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,500 – 14,000 | AED 16,000 – 18,500 |
| Meydan (Dubai) | AED 12,500 – 15,000 | AED 17,000 – 20,000 |
| Dubai South (Dubai) | Dubai band — request an exact quote | ≈ AED 12,000 – 20,000, by package |
Two points worth being clear about. First, the UAE entry point is around AED 5,750, and that is only reachable outside Dubai — no Dubai zone, including Dubai South, starts there. Second, the "all-in" figure includes licence, establishment card, investor visa, medical, Emirates ID and basic insurance, which a headline "from AED X" banner usually leaves out.
Dubai South publishes package prices that move with activity and space, so rather than guess a single number we quote the exact figure once we know your activity and visa count. You can also model it yourself with our cost calculator. For a like-for-like Dubai comparison, our RAKEZ licence cost and Dubai mainland licence cost posts show where the money goes.
How to set up a company in Dubai South — step by step
Setting up in Dubai South follows the standard UAE free-zone sequence, with the space decision doing more work here because warehousing is common.
- Choose your activity and licence type. This fixes your cost, your visa allocation and whether you need a desk or a warehouse unit.
- Reserve your company name. The name is checked against UAE naming rules before approval.
- Submit the application and documents. Passport copies, application form and activity details go to the free-zone authority for initial approval.
- Select your facility. A flexi-desk keeps costs down; a warehouse or logistics unit raises both the cost and the visa allocation.
- Pay fees and receive the licence. Once approved and paid, the free zone issues the trade licence and establishment card.
- Apply for visas. With the establishment card issued, you apply for the investor visa and any employee visas — entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping. Our visa services team handles this end to end.
- Open a corporate bank account. With the licence in hand, you can open a business account. This is a dedicated DBM service because bank onboarding is where many setups stall.
DBM manages this whole flow through its free zone company formation service, so you deal with one point of contact rather than the authority, the typing centre and the bank separately.
Documents checklist
You will typically need the following to start a Dubai South company:
- Passport copy for each shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph (white background)
- Proposed company name and business activity
- Emirates ID and visa copy if you are already a UAE resident
- Entry-stamp or visa page if applying from inside the UAE
- Basic business plan or activity description (for certain regulated activities)
- Proof of address may be requested for bank onboarding
Is Dubai South right for your business?
Dubai South is right for you if goods, cargo, aviation or serious e-commerce fulfilment sit at the centre of your model — and less compelling if you are a solo consultant or online seller chasing the lowest possible licence. The zone earns its Dubai-level price through location, not branding.
If you are still weighing structures more broadly, our guide on mainland vs free zone walks through the decision. For a pure lowest-cost start, compare it against a Northern Emirates option first.
FAQ
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai South Free Zone?
A Dubai South licence with one investor visa realistically falls within the Dubai free-zone band of roughly AED 12,000–20,000 all-in, covering licence, establishment card, visa, medical, Emirates ID and basic insurance. The exact figure depends on your activity, visa count and whether you lease a desk or a warehouse unit.
Is Dubai South cheaper than IFZA or Meydan?
Dubai South is priced in the same Dubai free-zone band as IFZA and Meydan — roughly AED 12,000–20,000 with a visa — rather than below them. All three are Dubai zones and cost about double a Northern Emirates zone like Ajman or SPC. The right choice depends on activity, not just headline price.
Can I get 100% ownership in Dubai South Free Zone?
Yes. Dubai South Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required, like other UAE free zones. You also get full profit repatriation and no personal income tax, with federal corporate tax applying only once your business crosses the relevant thresholds.
What is Dubai South best known for?
Dubai South is best known for logistics, aviation and e-commerce, thanks to its position around Al Maktoum International Airport and its connection to the Jebel Ali port corridor. It offers warehousing and logistics units alongside standard offices, making it a strong base for freight, trading and fulfilment companies.
How long does it take to set up in Dubai South?
Free-zone licence issuance in Dubai South typically takes a few working days once your name is approved and documents are submitted, though warehouse-based setups and visa processing add time. Visa stamping, medical and Emirates ID usually run over one to three weeks after the licence is issued.
Do I need a visa to open a Dubai South company?
No — you can hold a licence without a visa, but you cannot live or work in the UAE on a licence alone. Most owners add at least one investor visa, which is included in the all-in packages and requires an establishment card to be issued first.
Thinking about a logistics, e-commerce or trading company in Dubai South — or comparing it against a cheaper Northern Emirates zone? DBM has formed 1,000+ companies over 10+ years and holds a 4.9-star rating from 126 Google reviews. Contact us for a free consultation, or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228 and we'll quote your exact Dubai South package with no hidden fees.