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Set Up Your Company in Dubai South Free Zone

Dubai South sits at the centre of Dubai’s biggest bet on the future. Built around Al Maktoum International Airport and connected directly to Jebel Ali Port, this 145-square-kilometre master-planned district is where aviation, logistics, and e-commerce businesses get the infrastructure they actually need. Your company gets 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and a free zone authority that handles licensing and visas on-site.

Why Dubai South Free Zone?

This isn’t a generic office park with a free zone label. Dubai South is an integrated economic district where your supply chain, your team, and your customers’ cargo all move through the same connected infrastructure.

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. That's a real operational advantage you won't find in most Dubai free zones.

AED 128 Billion Airport Expansion

Al Maktoum International is undergoing one of the largest airport expansion projects ever planned. The AED 128 billion project will create the world's largest airport, with capacity for 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. Phase 1 targets 150 million passengers by approximately 2032. Your business grows alongside the airport.

100% Foreign Ownership

You own your company entirely. No local sponsor, no partner requirement. Whether you're setting up as a single founder or bringing in multiple shareholders, the ownership structure stays yours.

0% Tax on Qualifying Income

Free zone companies that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. This includes maintaining adequate substance in the zone, keeping audited financials, and ensuring non-qualifying revenue stays below the lower of AED 5,000,000 or 5% of total revenue. The standard UAE corporate tax rate of 9% applies to income that doesn't qualify.

Full Capital and Profit Repatriation

Every dirham you earn, you can move out. There are no restrictions on repatriating your capital or profits. That matters when you're running a trading or distribution operation with significant cash flow.

0% Import and Export Duties

Goods moving within the free zone aren't subject to import or export duties. For logistics and trading businesses, this directly impacts your margins.

Ready to Set Up in Dubai South Free Zone?

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Who is Dubai South Free Zone Best For?

If your business moves goods, relies on air freight, or needs warehouse space alongside an office, Dubai South was designed for you. Here’s who thrives here:

Logistics and freight forwarding companies

E-commerce businesses

Aviation and aerospace firms

Light manufacturing and industrial operations

Import/export trading companies

Tech companies serving the logistics and supply chain sector

Regional distribution centres for multinational brands

License Types and Company Structures

Dubai South offers six license categories. Your business activity determines which one you need.

License Types:

Senior businessman holding laptop standing in modern office

Commercial License

For import, export, distribution, and general trading; best suited to trading companies, distributors, and wholesalers.

Group of business people having psychotherapy sessions at the workplace, talking to a therapist

Service License

For professional, consultancy, and business support services; ideal for consultants, IT firms, and marketing agencies.

Engineer is reptorting a problem with a walkie talkie on the power station at a night shift

Industrial License

For light manufacturing and production activities; best for manufacturers, assembly operations, and production units.

Female foreperson using digital tablet while working in a supply chain

Logistics License

For freight forwarding, warehousing, and transportation; suited to 3PL providers, freight forwarders, and courier services.

E-commerce business owner preparing a shipment

E-commerce License

For online trading platforms and digital businesses; ideal for e-commerce brands, online retailers, and marketplace operators.

Two aviation engineers inspecting the external fuselage of a commercial airplane and discussing what needs to be improved

Aviation License

For aviation-related services and operations; best for MRO firms, ground handling companies, and charter operators.

Company Structures

Happy web designers working on PC in the office

Free Zone Establishment (FZE)

A structure for a single shareholder, whether individual or corporate; best for solo founders, single corporate investors, and businesses seeking full control.

Confident Businessman In Blue Suit Smiling While Holding Smartphone In A Modern Indoor Lobby

Free Zone Company (FZCO)

A structure for two or more shareholders; ideal for partnerships, co-founders, and multi-investor ventures.

Professional Woman With Tablet In Modern Office

Branch Office

A structure fully owned by the parent company; best for existing companies expanding into Dubai South.

The Virtuzone Advantage for Dubai South

Dubai South isn’t a one-size-fits-all free zone. Six license categories, three company structures, and facility options that range from a smart desk to a 10,000 sq ft warehouse. Getting the wrong combination costs you money every year in renewals. We make sure that doesn’t happen.

We Know the Logistics and Aviation Angle

Most business setup firms treat every free zone the same. Dubai South is different. A freight forwarding company needs a logistics license, a bonded warehouse, and customs corridor access. An e-commerce brand needs a dedicated e-commerce license and fulfilment space in the EZDubai district. An MRO firm needs an aviation license and proximity to the MBRAH aerospace hub. We've set up all of these in Dubai South, and we know which workspace tier, activity code, and visa package matches each one.

Your Consultant Owns the Entire Process

One person handles your setup from start to finish. Trade name reservation, license application, establishment card, investor visa, bank account introduction. No handoffs between departments, no repeating yourself to a new contact every week. Your consultant knows your file because they built it.

We Cut the Back-and-Forth

Here's what slows down most Dubai South applications: incomplete document sets, mismatched activity codes, and workspace selections that don't align with the license type. Our team catches these before submission. That's the difference between a smooth approval and weeks of corrections.

Compliance Doesn't Stop at Setup

Your license renews annually. Visas renew every two years. Corporate tax filing is mandatory, and if you're claiming QFZP status, you'll need audited financials and substance documentation. We handle all of it. You focus on running the business you came here to build.

What's Included in Your Dubai South Setup Package

Company Formation Essentials

Visa & Residency Processing

Business Support

Corporate bank account introduction (top UAE banks)
PRO services for government documentation
Ongoing compliance and renewal support
Dedicated relationship manager
Accounting and bookkeeping services
Corporate tax registration and filing

How Dubai South Free Zone Compares

Feature	Dubai South Free Zone	Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)	International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Primary Focus	Aviation, logistics, e-commerce	Heavy industry, large-scale trading, sea freight	General purpose, startups, SMEs
Location	Near Al Maktoum International Airport	Adjacent to Jebel Ali Port	Dubai Silicon Oasis
100% Foreign Ownership
0% Tax on Qualifying Income (QFZP)
100% Profit Repatriation
0% Import/Export Duties
Direct Airport Access
Direct Seaport Access	Via logistics corridor to Jebel Ali	(adjacent)
Warehouse and Industrial Land
Flexi-Desk / Smart Desk Options		Limited
Cost for SMEs/Startups	Moderate	Higher	Lower
Best For	Logistics, aviation, e-commerce, and distribution businesses needing airport proximity	Large manufacturers, heavy traders, and companies needing direct port access	Service-based startups and SMEs looking for cost-efficient entry

Your 3-Step Setup Process

We’ve streamlined the official Dubai South setup process into three simple, managed steps.

Consultation & Strategy

We start with your business plan. You tell us what you want to do, and we identify the right license type, company structure, and workspace option. We'll also confirm your visa requirements and give you a transparent cost breakdown.

Document & Application Management

We prepare your application package, reserve your trade name, and submit everything to the Dubai South authority. You'll need passport copies and a few supporting documents. We handle the rest.

License & Visa Issuance

Once approved, we process your trade license, establishment card, and investor visa. We then introduce you to banking partners for your corporate account opening. Your company is operational.

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Setup in Dubai South

What types of businesses can set up in Dubai South Free Zone?

Dubai South supports a wide range of activities across six license categories: commercial, service, industrial, logistics, e-commerce, and aviation. The zone is purpose-built for businesses that benefit from proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and the Jebel Ali Port logistics corridor. If your business involves moving, storing, or distributing goods, this is one of your strongest options.

Do I need a physical office to get a Dubai South license?

Yes, Dubai South requires a workspace linked to your license. Options range from smart desks and flexi-desks (ideal for startups and service businesses) to fully fitted offices, shell-and-core units, large warehouses, and industrial land plots for custom construction.

How does the 0% corporate tax work in Dubai South?

UAE corporate tax sits at 9% for all businesses. However, free zone companies that qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) pay 0% on qualifying income. To qualify, your company needs adequate substance in the free zone, audited financial statements, and non-qualifying revenue must stay below the lower of AED 5,000,000 or 5% of total revenue.

Can I have 100% ownership of my Dubai South company?

Yes. All free zone entities in Dubai South allow 100% foreign ownership. You don't need a local partner or sponsor. This applies whether you set up as an FZE (single shareholder), FZCO (multiple shareholders), or branch office.

What's the minimum share capital requirement?

The minimum share capital is AED 300,000. Here's the important part: you don't need to deposit this amount into a bank account. It's a declared capital figure, not a cash-out-of-pocket requirement at the time of setup.

Can I operate a financial services business from Dubai South?

Generally, no. Banking, financial services, and investment management activities on behalf of third parties aren't permitted in Dubai South. If your business falls in this category, you'd want to look at ADGM in Abu Dhabi or DIFC in Dubai, both of which have dedicated financial regulatory frameworks.

What's happening with the Al Maktoum Airport expansion?

The airport is undergoing an AED 128 billion expansion that will make it the world's largest. The project targets capacity for 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually—Phase 1 alone aims for 150 million passengers by approximately 2032. For businesses in Dubai South, this means growing infrastructure and connectivity for decades to come.