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Aviation & Logistics Hub

Business Setup in Dubai South

Dubai South is a master-planned economic city built around Al Maktoum International Airport, designed to be a global hub for aviation, logistics and trade. Formerly known as Dubai World Central (DWC) and now home to Expo City Dubai, the free zone is purpose-built for logistics, aviation, e-commerce, light industry and trading businesses that need land, warehousing and direct access to air and sea freight.

We manage your Dubai South setup end to end — company structure, license type, facility selection, registration, visas and corporate bank account introduction — working directly with the free zone authority.
[ INTEGRATED LOGISTICS CORRIDOR ]
Air-and-Sea Gateway

Strategic multi-modal positioning connecting Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port for optimized multi-sector enterprise scaling.

[1.0 / REGULATORY AUTHORITY]

About Dubai South

Dubai South is organised into specialised districts — including the Logistics District, the Aviation District, the Business Park and the Commercial District — each tailored to a sector. Positioned between Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port via Dubai’s logistics corridor, it offers an integrated air-and-sea gateway. The free zone licenses and regulates companies across the city and is a strategic choice for supply-chain, cargo and industrial businesses.

Why Choose Dubai South

[1.1]
  • Airport-city location — uniquely built around Al Maktoum International Airport, planned to be one of the largest globally.
  • Logistics & supply hub — seamless, integrated logistics access to air freight networks and Jebel Ali Port infrastructure.
  • 100% foreign ownership — full enterprise control with absolutely no requirement for local commercial partners.
  • Land and warehousing — spacious plots and purpose-built installations tailored for heavy industrial or logistics operations.
  • Cost-effective frameworks — highly competitive structural pricing brackets across districts, built for SMEs and major groups.
  • Tax efficiency — 0% corporate tax protocols on qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person with full repatriation benefits.

Specialised Business Districts

[1.2]

Dubai South's master-planned layout allows companies to anchor beside sector-specific infrastructure and business clusters.

Logistics District — purpose-engineered for corporate warehousing, multi-modal distribution, and global supply-chain workflows.
Aviation District — dedicated aerospace infrastructure supporting commercial aviation, flight services, and technical support teams adjacent to the airport runway.
Business Park — high-specification corporate office facilities tailored for professional service providers, trading firms, and commercial operations.
Commercial District — integrated infrastructure serving regional retail operations and diverse commercial business activities.
[1.3 / LICENSING & FORMATION]

Operational Entity Frameworks

Select from multiple corporate entity models and target licensing paths based strictly on your core operational footprint and shareholder numbers.

Corporate Types Free Zone Establishment (FZE) for single shareholders, Free Zone Company (FZCO) for multiple partners, or a direct corporate Branch office.
Supply Licenses Industrial licenses for assembly/manufacturing, logistics licenses for freight and warehousing, or trading licenses for standard goods distribution.
Digital & Service Dedicated service licenses optimized for corporate consultancies, alongside digital e-commerce licenses for secure online retail setups.

Dubai South companies enjoy 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital and profits. A company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, while non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard rate. We help structure your activities to remain compliant and tax-efficient.

[1.4 / LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE]
Facilities & Land Leasing

Dubai South provides physical facilities across the full spectrum of industrial and corporate needs. This includes corporate offices or co-working setups within the Business Park, dedicated logistics warehouses for storage and distribution, and expansive long-term land plot leases for purpose-built industrial units.

[1.5 / VISA MATRIX]
Visa Allocation Framework

Total workforce quotas within the economic city are determined directly by your selected facility space and licensing package.

Investor/Partner Visas
Employment Visas
Family Sponsorship
Golden Visa Protocols
[1.6 / SYSTEM SEQUENCE]

Dubai South Setup Process

We manage each core milestone with the free zone authority on your behalf.

01. Activity Selection
we confirm your target activities, company structural type, license model, and primary district.
02. Initial Approval
we secure your company name reservations and coordinate preliminary approval certificates.
03. Facility Selection
our advisory matches your operations to the correct office, warehouse, or industrial land plot.
04. Documentation
we compile, prepare, and formally submit all necessary application and incorporation documents.
05. License Issuance
Dubai South issues your official corporate trade license and formal incorporation certificate.
06. Identity Protocols
we process the company establishment card, investor or staff visas, medicals, and Emirates ID.
07. CORPORATE BANKING INTEGRATION — we introduce you to our banking partners and assist with the application.
[1.7 / REQUIRED DOSSIER]

Documents Required for Dubai South Setup

The documents below cover the typical requirements for each shareholder type. We issue a tailored checklist after your consultation.

Individual Shareholder Corporate Shareholder Branch Company
  • Passport copy of each shareholder and director.
  • UAE visa and Emirates ID copy for residents, or the entry-stamp page.
  • Recent passport-size photograph.
  • Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
  • Completed application form and detailed business plan, where required.
  • Certificate of incorporation of the parent company.
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association.
  • Board resolution approving the Dubai South incorporation.
  • Official register of directors and shareholders.
  • Passport copies of directors and authorised signatories.
  • Documents fully attested and legalised for use in the UAE.
  • Parent company trade license and core incorporation documents.
  • Board resolution to open a Dubai South branch and appoint a manager.
  • Power of attorney for the designated branch manager.
  • Audited financial statements of the parent, where requested.
  • Attested and legalised corporate documents.
[ESTIMATED SETUP TIME]
5 to 7 Business Days
A Dubai South company is typically incorporated within 5 to 7 business days once documents are in order, depending on the company type and chosen facility. Visa and Emirates ID processing usually takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks.
[VALUATION PARAMETERS]
District-Specific Fee Matrix
Dubai South offers competitive pricing across its districts, with costs reflecting the facility you choose — office, warehouse or land. The total depends on the company type, license, facility, visa quota and any activity-specific approvals. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Why Choose Legacy Partners for Dubai South Setup

Direct operational configurations aligned to your corporate rollout workflows.

Direct free zone experience
we manage Dubai South registrations, facilities and approvals daily.
End-to-end service
licensing, facility, visas and bank-account introductions under one roof.
Transparent pricing
clear, all-inclusive packages with no surprise invoices.
Multilingual advisors
a single dedicated point of contact throughout your setup.
[ INTRA-ZONE INQUIRIES ]

Frequently Asked Questions

Dubai South is a master-planned economic city and free zone built around Al Maktoum International Airport, formerly known as Dubai World Central (DWC), and home to Expo City Dubai.

Dubai South is ideal for logistics, aviation, e-commerce, light industry and trading businesses that need land, warehousing and access to air and sea freight.

Dubai South is organised into districts including the Logistics District, the Aviation District, the Business Park and the Commercial District.

Yes. Dubai South companies allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner, plus full repatriation of capital and profits.

A Dubai South company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, while non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard rate.

Yes. Its position between Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, plus its Logistics District, makes it well suited to supply-chain, cargo and warehousing operations.

Incorporation typically takes 5 to 7 business days once documents are ready, with visas and Emirates ID adding about 2 to 3 weeks.

A free zone company trades freely outside the UAE and within the zone. To sell directly in the UAE mainland, it works through a local distributor or a mainland branch.
[REGIONAL COMPLIANCE ROUTER]

Compare your options on our main Company Formation in UAE hub, or explore other Dubai free zones — JAFZA, DMCC, IFZA, DAFZA, DIFC and Meydan. For post-setup support, see our Corporate Tax, VAT, Audit, Accounting, Trademark and Business Advisory services.

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