Dubai · ranked #3 for your setup
Dubai South
Dubai’s biggest business district, built around Al Maktoum International Airport and close to Jebel Ali Port. Ideal for businesses that ship, store or move goods.
- Issued in 4-6 business days
- 3 activities included
- Visa limit: up to 6 on a business centre package; more with leased space
- Up to 50 shareholders
AED 62,500
AED 12,500 a year on average · AED 12,500 in year one, AED 12,500 in year two
You save AED 5,000 vs an agencyAt the zone’s own rate, no markup
Our fee is the price shown. Government charges for visas, medicals and Emirates ID are itemised on the written quote.
Step 1 · Choose a Package
Start by Choosing a Package.
Your prices update to match. Prices shown are for the first year, without visas. You can add visas and change the term above.
Flexi desk license with no visa allocation
No markup on this package
- Up to 5 activities (combining categories)
- Up to 6 shareholders
Step 2 · The Full Cost
What You’ll Pay Over Your Full Term.
See the cost for every year, including renewals, so there are no surprises later.
Click a term to price the page for it. This zone does not discount multi-year terms; a longer term here just locks the paperwork for longer.
Step 3 · How It Works
How Your Setup Works, Step by Step.
See what’s included, what you’ll provide and how long each stage takes.
Local and International Operation
The company can operate and trade with clients in the UAE and abroad.
100% Foreign Ownership
Shareholders can own the whole company, with no local sponsor required.
Documents
Trade License issued by the Dubai South Business Hub authority.
Documents
Certificate of Incorporation confirming the company exists in law.
Documents
Memorandum of Association (MOA) setting out company structure and governance.
Documents
Share Certificate confirming ownership and shareholding distribution.
Activities
Up to 5 activities on one license, combinable across sectors, such as trading with consultancy, services and professional activities.
Activities EXTRA, PAID
Additional business activities available at AED 2,000 each.
Shareholders
Up to 6 partner visas under one license, one for each shareholder, with no employment visa or degree attestation needed.
No Physical Office
Flexi desk included in the license price.
Fast Registration
Setup completed remotely, with no shareholder or director presence required in the UAE.
Trade Name
Provide three name options in English and Arabic, in order of preference.
Activities
The exact products and services to appear on the license, chosen from the approved list.
Passport Copy
Valid for at least six months, for every shareholder.
Passport-size Photos
Two digital, high-resolution copies on a white background.
Address
A utility bill or equivalent from the country of residence.
Shareholders
How the shareholding is split between the members.
for existing UAE residents
UAE Residence Visas
Required where the shareholder is already in the UAE.
For corporate shareholder
Corporate Documents
Parent company documents, where a corporate shareholder is involved.
Business License
7–10 working days, from inside or outside the UAE.
PRICING
VAT
Prices shown are our fee, inclusive of VAT.
Government Charges
Government charges are itemised on your written quote and paid to the authority.
RENEWAL
Government Charges
Renewal is quoted at the same rate as year one.
Zone rules
Zone Rules and Renewal.
How this free zone works and what you pay to renew from year two.
- Activities included
- 3 free of charge, AED 1,000 each after that
- Mixing activity types
- Free of charge
- General trading
- No charge
- Visas without an office
- Up to 6 on a business centre package; more with leased space
- Longest term
- 5 years
- Office space
- Offices, warehouses and logistics space beside Al Maktoum airport
- Nationality
- Nationality check applies
- Must you be in the UAE?
- Not required
- External approvals
- Aviation and logistics activities need authority sign-off
- Banking
- Dubai-based, so the easier end of the range
- Shareholders
- Up to 50
- Setup time
- 4–6 business days
No written renewal lock on file.
Activities
The Full Activity List.
See every business activity this free zone allows.
1,328activitiesDubai South activity registerDubai South Free ZoneCodesApprovalsApproval timingOpen the Full ListAfter setup
After Setup: Renewing and Closing.
RENEWINGWhat happens each year after the first6 steps
Your license renews every year. Here’s how it works.
01
Get your renewal noticeThe free zone lets you know when your license is due for renewal. Check that your renewal quote is correct.
02
Review your detailsMake sure your company details are up to date. Any changes to activities, shareholders or structure should be made before your license expires.
03
Send your documentsProvide updated copies of shareholder passports, Emirates IDs if you have them, and anything else the free zone asks for.
04
Sign the renewal documentsSign the renewal documents and any shareholder resolutions online. Make sure every shareholder signs promptly to avoid delays.
05
Pay the renewal feePay the amount shown on your renewal quote. It’s always the free zone’s price or less.
06
Receive your renewed licenseOnce everything is complete, the free zone issues your renewed license, usually within a few working days.
CLOSINGHow to close your company, if you ever need to9 steps
If you simply stop renewing, your license doesn’t just disappear, and fines can build up. Closing it properly protects you. Or, if you’d rather, you can list your company for sale instead.
01
Agree to closeAll shareholders sign a resolution confirming the decision to close the company, on company letterhead and stamped.
02
Cancel all visasCancel every visa linked to the company, including investor, employee and family visas, and then the establishment card.
03
Clear what you owe the free zonePay any outstanding fees, rent or other charges to the free zone, and get a clearance certificate to confirm it.
04
Get other clearancesGet clearance letters from any other providers you’ve used, such as electricity, water, telecoms or customs.
05
Prepare a closing reportA UAE-registered auditor prepares a report on the company’s assets and liabilities. If the company never traded, the report should say so.
06
Close your tax registrationFile a final corporate tax return, pay anything due and deregister with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of closing. Do the same for VAT if you’re registered.
07
Close your bank accountMake sure all payments are settled and no cheques are pending, then close the account and get a closure letter.
08
Apply to closeSubmit your closing application and documents to the free zone, and pay the closing fee.
09
Receive your closing certificateThe free zone issues a certificate confirming your company is closed. Keep it safe for your records.
Questions People Ask About Dubai South
What does Dubai South cost over five years?
AED 62,500 through us, for the License + Visa (selector 0-6) with no visas. Going direct to Dubai South costs the same.
Why is your price the same as Dubai South’s own?
As an authorized partner, we’re compensated by the free zone, not by you. So you pay the zone’s own price, with no service fee on top.
Can a foreigner own 100% of the company?
Yes. You can own the whole company, with no local partner needed. Some nationalities may need extra approval.
Do I have to be in the UAE to set it up?
No. Your license and establishment card can be issued while you’re abroad. You only need to come to the UAE for your residence visa, to complete a medical test and register for your Emirates ID.
How many visas can I have?
It depends on your workspace. A flexi-desk supports a few visas, and you can add more with office space. Visa fees are government charges, passed on at cost.
Does the price go up at renewal?
Your renewal price is shown in writing before you sign, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Visas renew separately, usually every two years.
Dubai South for 0 visas · 1 activity · 5 years: AED 62,500.
Written quote within the hour, itemised line by line. Nothing to pay until you approve it.