Free Zone
Dubai South is a strategic free zone near Al Maktoum Airport and Expo City, ideal for logistics, aviation and trading firms. SKY Corporate Services manages your setup.
About
Dubai South (a registered trademark of Dubai World Central Corporation) is an area of 145 square kilometres in Madinat Al Matar around Al Maktoum International Airport. Dubai World Central is the erstwhile name of the Madinat Al Matar development area, and is the name of the free zone located within Dubai South. Companies registered with this free zone are registered as DWC-LLC.
A Dubai free zone provides flexibility to do business to its company owners. A few benefits of forming a company with the Dubai South Free Zone are:
Why Dubai South Free Zone
Dubai South is a master-planned district around Al Maktoum International Airport, giving businesses room to grow alongside aviation, logistics and e-commerce activity.
Getting started
Set up your Dubai South Free Zone company by taking the following three (3) steps
Initial consultation
Application preparation and submission
Business license issuance
Licences & companies
Companies can be registered with Dubai South Free Zone under various license types. The free zone offers the following licenses:
This license allows a company to carry out activities related to buying and selling.
Companies registered under this license can carry out professional services within the free zone. The license also allows the company to provide the same services elsewhere in the UAE.
This license permits companies to undertake manufacturing activities.
Dubai South allows incorporation of companies in the following two legal forms:
Also known as a Dubai World Central Limited Liability Company (DWC-LLC). In this type of company, the liability of a shareholder towards the company is capped at their investment, and the shareholder cannot be held personally responsible for the liabilities of the company. LLCs at Dubai South Free Zone can have up to six (6) shareholders and seven (7) directors, who can be located anywhere in the world. Non-UAE nationals can enjoy full ownership. The minimum share capital of a DWC-LLC is AED 300,000 (each share is AED 1).
Existing companies (inside or outside of the UAE) can also open a branch at Dubai South Free Zone. It is mandatory that the branch carries out the same business activity as the parent company — a branch cannot undertake any activity which the parent company is not authorised to undertake. The branch must also be directly related to the parent company, and the parent company must appoint a general manager of the branch for its daily operations.
Process
The process of setting up a company in Dubai South Free Zone and obtaining your trade license is designed to be straightforward.
Checklist
Note: Document requirements may vary based on the chosen business activity and the regulations of the respective licensing authority.
At a glance
Here are the key reasons for opting for a Dubai South Free Zone company
| Incorporation Time | Your company is incorporated within three (3) to seven (7) working days. |
|---|---|
| Accessibility | Easy access to Jebel Ali Sea Port and Al Maktoum International Airport. |
| No Hidden Costs | The cost for formation of a Dubai South Free Zone company is all inclusive. |
| Repatriation of your Funds | The capital and profits can be repatriated without any deductions. |
| Ownership | Foreigners can fully own the company without having to partner with a UAE national. |
| Time Zone | Opportune world time zone; GMT + 4 |
| Expo City Dubai | Do business at the site of the former Dubai Expo 2020, now Expo City Dubai. |
One team, everything covered
Everything you need to start and run a UAE company, under one roof.
A professional website, domain and business email for your new company.
Residence visas for owners, staff and family, processed for you.
Corporate, personal and non-resident account opening with leading UAE banks.
Registration and advisory so you stay compliant.
Workspace
It is mandatory for every Dubai South Free Zone company to lease an office space. The free zone offers office solutions where companies can lease flexible and dedicated spaces.
A smart desk is a desk allotted to a company in a large open seating space. Under this option, companies do not get a fixed seating position. Smart desks are allotted on a day-to-day basis and subject to availability. A smart desk can be used for up to five (5) hours per week, and Dubai South gives companies the option to carry forward unused hours to the next week, subject to availability. With a smart desk a company gets two (2) visa quotas.
A permanent desk in a large, shared office space. Unlike a smart desk, there is no limit on the usage of this dedicated desk. This is a favourable choice for companies that plan to operate fully from the free zone itself and therefore need to spend more time there. Companies get two (2) visa allocations with a permanent smart desk.
For small to medium business operations looking for flexible office solutions, Dubai South Free Zone offers the smart office. These flexible offices can be used for up to five (5) hours per week, and unused hours can be carried over to the next week (subject to availability). Dubai South grants three (3) visa allocations to companies that opt for a smart office.
A fixed office space at Dubai South Free Zone committed for the use of a particular company. This dedicated office space does not come with any restrictions on its usage. Companies can apply for up to three (3) visas with a permanent office space.
Dubai South Free Zone provides various support services with each of the above office options, such as guest reception services, access to meeting rooms, secretarial support, and ancillary business services. The price of the office space is included in our company formation packages.
What's included
Why SKY Corporate Services
We manage the paperwork, approvals and follow-through so you can focus on your business. From your first enquiry to your licence, visas and bank account, you have one team looking after everything.
Prefer to talk it through? Message us on WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation consultation and a clear quote.
Why SKY Corporate Services
A single team handling every step, so nothing falls through the cracks.
We keep things moving and get the paperwork right the first time.
Know exactly what you're paying before you commit — no surprises.
FAQs
It depends on your exact requirements. Message us for a free, all-in quote with no obligation.
Timelines vary by service, but we always give you a clear estimate up front and keep you updated.
Yes — from paperwork to approvals to follow-up, we manage the whole process so you don't have to.
