Selecting the wrong activity, licensing authority, or business location can lead to complications during company registration. These mistakes may cause delays or issues when opening a bank account or applying for a residence visa.
12,500 AED
3 weeks
Guaranteed
2 years
Selecting the wrong activity, licensing authority, or business location can lead to complications during company registration. These mistakes may cause delays or issues when opening a bank account or applying for a residence visa.
In Dubai South, you’ll need to define the legal status of your company. You can choose to establish a Free Zone Company (FZCO), which functions similarly to a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or set up a branch of an existing business already registered in the UAE or abroad.
Dubai South has a streamlined documentation process, requiring only a minimal set of documents:
A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
Your email address, residential address, and mobile number
Several proposed company names and a clear description of your intended business activities
Once all documents are prepared and the necessary forms are completed, you’ll need to pay the applicable registration fees to move forward with your application.
Once your company is successfully registered, you will receive the following essential documents:
Certificate of Incorporation
Trade License
Lease Agreement
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA & AoA)
The Establishment Card contains key details about your company and its visa quota. It is typically issued within 3 to 5 working days after registration.
Once your entry permit is issued, you’ll have 60 days to enter the UAE if you’re currently abroad, in order to complete your medical test and biometric procedures for your residency visa. If you’re already in the UAE, your visa status will be changed from your current tourist or residency visa to the new one without the need to exit the country.
As part of the residency process, you’ll need to undergo a medical examination and submit the required documents for your residence visa. The number of visas you can obtain for owners and employees depends on the specific company registration package you choose.
After your residence visa is approved, you can proceed to obtain your Emirates ID. The processing and issuance of both the visa and Emirates ID typically take around 5 to 7 working days.
To open a corporate bank account in the UAE, apply to a local or international bank of your choice. Once your application is processed and you receive your account details, you can begin operating your business in the UAE.
| PACKAGE | COST |
|---|---|
| License + 0 visa allocation | 12,500 AED |
| License +1 visa allocation | 15,950 AED |
You can add 1 additional visa allocation for a fee of 1,000 AED.
If you require convenient logistics for your trading activities, Dubai South is an ideal choice. Its close proximity to Al Maktoum Airport and excellent transportation links to Abu Dhabi make it highly accessible.
For affordable company registration in Dubai, Dubai South offers competitive pricing options.
If you’re interested in working and living near Expo City, a unique development built on the legacy of EXPO 2020, Dubai South offers a “15-minute city” concept. This ecological setting, free of cars, is surrounded by greenery and equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for comfortable living and working.
If you belong to high-risk nationalities such as Iranians, Syrians, or Egyptians, Dubai’s free zones have more relaxed requirements for such nationalities.
Additionally, Dubai South is classified as a designated zone, offering tax benefits. Companies here can be exempt from VAT and Corporate Tax under certain conditions.
If your desired business activity isn’t available within Dubai South Free Zone, consider DMCC for company formation. DMCC supports a wide range of activities recognized by the Department of Economic Development within a free zone environment.
The available licenses in Dubai South Free Zone are as follows:
Turn your passion into a profession with a Freelance License in the UAE—enjoy the freedom and flexibility to work on your own terms.
A Commercial License enables you to start a business in retail, wholesale, or import-export, providing access to both local and international markets.
A Project Management License enables you to assist companies in efficiently managing and completing complex projects.
Start your IT business in the UAE’s growing market, whether it’s software development or IT consulting.
Provide financial services, including accounting, auditing, and tax consulting.
With a Professional License, you can offer specialized services in fields like consulting, management, education, real estate, and more.
Quality food is in ever-growing demand in the UAE. A Foodstuff Trading License will allow you to import, distribute, and sell food products.
Opening a good coffee shop or tea house in busy areas or shopping malls is a great business idea, as the UAE is full of coffee and dessert lovers.
Launch your online store or digital marketplace in the UAE and tap into the region’s fast-growing e-commerce sector.
Trade multiple products across various industries with a single license, offering maximum business flexibility.
Set up your own production facility in the UAE and benefit from advanced infrastructure and global market access.
Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.
Offer educational services, private tutoring, or professional training in one of the world’s fastest-growing learning hubs.
Dubai South offers a wide variety of business activities across different industries, including commercial operations such as retail, import/export, and consulting in fields like accounting, marketing, IT, and more. It also supports the production and assembly of goods.
It’s important to note that certain business activities within Dubai South may require an attested degree or relevant experience in the respective field to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Additionally, combining unrelated activities or commercial and service (consulting) activities under a single license is not allowed. This policy helps maintain clarity and focus in business operations within the free zone.
A dedicated facility designed for companies that require storage space for goods and materials, often equipped to support light industrial operations
Fully equipped office space with furniture and essentials, allowing you to move in and start working immediately.
A shared workspace available for a limited number of hours, offering the basic facilities required for company registration.
A fully equipped dedicated workspace. It offers privacy, essential support services, and a professional environment for business growth.
A space where businesses can construct their own facilities according to their specific needs, often with freehold or long-term lease options.
A reserved workspace with a dedicated desk, chair, and basic facilities, allowing you to leave your computer and belongings securely.
In addition to a variety of workspace options, the Business Center at Dubai South Free Zone provides convenient services like phone answering and mail handling, ensuring smooth communication and correspondence for businesses.
All office spaces in the free zone come fully fitted, with rental fees inclusive of utility charges. On average, office rents range between AED 1,300 and AED 1,600 per square meter per year, offering businesses cost transparency and predictable budgeting.
Dubai South offers resident visas at highly competitive rates, making it an appealing choice for both individuals and businesses. The visa costs in Dubai South are as follows:
If the applicant is already in the UAE at the time of applying, the total cost will be slightly higher—AED 3,390 per application—plus an additional AED 810 for the visa status change.
Before visa stamping, it’s mandatory to have valid health insurance. A basic health insurance plan is available starting at approximately AED 600.
Visas issued to company owners and employees in Dubai South are valid for 2 years.
It’s also important to note that there is no specific “Investor” visa designation for company shareholders under the Dubai South visa classification.
Renewing your company in Dubai South is slightly more affordable than the initial incorporation. Starting from the second renewal, submission of annual audit reports becomes mandatory.
To complete the renewal process, you’ll need to make the payment and submit a signed lease agreement for the upcoming year. Your agent can handle the entire process on your behalf, so there’s no need for you to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai South Free Zone allows a wide range of company amendments, including:
Company name change
Business activity modification
Changes in shareholders, managers, directors, or secretary
Facility upgrades
Some amendments may require either a personal visit to the free zone or the appointment of a Power of Attorney.
Dubai South offers a streamlined company liquidation process, with a current fee of approximately AED 2,000. The process takes about one month and includes the following key steps:
Visa cancellation (7–10 working days), if visas were issued
Establishment card cancellation (7–10 working days), for visa-eligible companies
License cancellation
For liquidation, you’ll need to:
Submit a final audit report
Return all original company documents
Terminate any active lease agreements
Cancel all visas associated with the company
If you operated a corporate bank account, it must be closed prior to liquidation. A closure confirmation letter from the bank is required.
Once all steps are completed, you will receive an official deregistration letter from Dubai South Free Zone as formal confirmation of the company’s closure.
Dubai South Free Zone is an ideal choice for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to set up a company in Dubai on a reasonable budget. It also presents a practical option for individuals from high-risk nationalities to establish a business and secure resident visas for themselves and their families.
This free zone is especially well-suited for companies involved in cargo trading, thanks to its strategic location near Al Maktoum Airport and JAFZA port.
We highly recommend Dubai South Free Zone for businesses looking to make a strong entry into the UAE market or those seeking company formation for immigration-related purposes.
The brand name Visa Kings Global is used under licence by Visa Success Limited. Visa Success Limited is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Visa Success Limited does not give financial, legal or tax advice.
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