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Dubai✓ Checked 2026-10-24

Dubai South Free Zone

دبي الجنوب

Dubai South Free Zone publishes 3 current packages, the lowest without stated conditions at AED 11,375 for year 1 and offers up to 2 visas in a published package (checked 2026-10-24).

Dubai South Free Zone is a free zone in Dubai.

Official sources onlyOfficial site ↗Online portal ↗

Key facts

Solo, no visa · year 1
AED 11,375
DSBH 0 Visa Package + Instant IBAN
Founder + 1 visa · year 1
AED 13,975
DSBH 1 Visa Package + Instant IBAN
Team, 3 visas · year 1
Not published
No published package for 3 visas with this office type. Three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.
Lowest package, any size
AED 11,375
DSBH 0 Visa Package + Instant IBAN · packages with stated conditions excluded
Licence fee from
—
Largest visa quota
2
In a published package
Minimum office
Not published
Incorporation
—
Min. share capital
Not published
General trading
Not published
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
FTA list
Annual audit
Not published

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com, tax.gov.ae.

Figures as published by the zone. “Not published” means no official source states it. Scenario prices are the published package closest to each set-up: solo, no visa = one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity; founder + 1 visa = one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office; team, 3 visas = three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office.

Published packages

Lowest priceFits: Solo, no visa

DSBH 0 Visa Package + Instant IBAN

AED 11,375year 1

0 visas · Flexi-desk · 5 activities

  • Business License
  • Articles of Association (AOA)
  • Share Register
  • Flexi-desk Space
  • Lease Agreement
  • Instant IBAN (T&Cs apply)
Renewal not publishedSource ↗
Fits: Founder + 1 visa

DSBH 1 Visa Package + Instant IBAN

AED 13,975year 1

1 visa · Flexi-desk · 5 activities

  • Business License
  • Articles of Association (AOA)
  • Share Register
  • Flexi-desk Space
  • Lease Agreement
  • One Visa Allocation
  • Establishment Card
  • Not included: Visa processing fees (DSBH T&Cs: visa allocation fees are distinct from visa processing/issuance fees)
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

DSBH 2 Visa Package + Instant IBAN

AED 15,375year 1

2 visas · Flexi-desk · 5 activities

  • Business License
  • Articles of Association (AOA)
  • Share Register
  • Flexi-desk Space
  • Lease Agreement
  • Two Visa Allocation
  • Establishment Card
  • Not included: Visa processing fees (DSBH T&Cs: visa allocation fees are distinct from visa processing/issuance fees)
Renewal not publishedSource ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com.

Packages differ in what they include; compare visas, office and fees before choosing.

Identity and legal basis

Official name (Arabic)
دبي الجنوب ↗
Former, merged or alternative names
Dubai South
Official website
dubaisouth.ae ↗
Online application portal
dubaisouth.my.site.com/DSPortal/login ↗
Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars
Yes ↗
  • Public contact email: info@dubaisouth.ae. [1]
  • Public contact phone: 800-76884 (toll free) / +971-800-76884. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae, moet.gov.ae.

Business activities

Official approved activity list
dubaisouthbh.com/business-activities ↗
  • Total number of approved activities: 3,500. [1]
  • Activities included in base licence: 5. [2]
  • Restricted activities: perished goods; military goods and ammunition (unless permitted by the competent UAE authority); goods, services or activities in breach of legislation in force in the Free Zone. [3]
  1. [1] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24
  3. [3] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com, dubaisouth.ae.

Cost - year one

  • Extras included: Instant IBAN / business account number issued with eligible licences (T&Cs apply); Flexi-desk space and lease agreement; Free company name check. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com.

Cost - ongoing

  • Current promotions and expiry: DSBH Company Launch Offer: 0-visa AED 11,375 (was 12,500), 1-visa AED 13,975 (was 16,350), 2-visa AED 15,375 (was 18,200); "limited time", no end date stated. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com.

Visas and residency

  • Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com.

Office and facilities

Warehouse available
Yes ↗
  • Warehouse sizes: Freight House 2,600 sqm + expandable 550 sqm office; Logistics House 2,630 sqm (11 m high) + expandable 570 sqm office; Freight Complex unit 2,250 sqm warehouse including 550 sqm office; Logistics Complex units combinable (size not stated); build-to-suit plots of varying size. [1]
  • Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Flexi Desk; Mail Management; Phone answering. [2]
  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae, dubaisouthbh.com.

Market access and customs

  • Customs duty in the zone: Goods brought into, produced or stored in the Free Zone are exempt from customs duties and none are levied on export outside the UAE; goods moved from the Free Zone into the Dubai customs zone are treated as imports and duty applies. [1]
  • Customs duty exemption details: Customs duty exemption for goods brought into, produced, stored or used in the Free Zone and for re-export outside the UAE; duty due when goods enter the Dubai customs zone. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae.

Tax status

VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list)
Yes ↗
  • The zone states that its companies can qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person: yes. [1]
  • Help with corporate tax registration: yes. [2]

Corporate-tax statements above come from the zone or from general FTA guidance. The schedule of Free Zones under Cabinet Resolution 54/2023 was not available to this research, and the FTA advises taxpayers to confirm their Free Zone or Designated Zone status with the Free Zone authority. The 0% rate applies only to the Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions; other income is taxed at the standard rate.

  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from tax.gov.ae, dubaisouth.ae, dubaisouthbh.com.

Compliance and reporting

  • Activities needing anti-money-laundering registration: Real estate brokers and agents; Dealers in precious metals and stones; Auditors; Trust and company service providers. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae.

Banking

Zone offers bank-account facilitation
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouthbh.com.

Setup process and speed

Direct application without an agent
Yes ↗
  • Refund policy if rejected: DSBH: if a licence application is rejected by State Security, compliance authorities or other regulators, refund less AED 2,000 admin charge; rejected investor/employee visa refunds less AED 2,000 / AED 1,000; claims within 180 days. [1]
  1. [1] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae, dubaisouthbh.com.

Operations, ecosystem and flexibility

  • Transport links: Inside the Al Maktoum International Airport area with direct access to its cargo terminals; customs-bonded logistics corridor to Jebel Ali Port (about 20 minutes, "10 minutes to Jebel Ali Port" per site); DSBH also cites Etihad Rail access. [1]
  • Support programmes and events: DSBH Beyond Hub concierge services (banking, tax, visas); Incubation partners and mentorship (DSBH); Employment Dispute Service. [2]
  1. [1] dubaisouth.ae · opened 2026-10-24
  2. [2] dubaisouthbh.com · opened 2026-10-24

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae, dubaisouthbh.com.

Freelancer and solo founder

Freelancer permit available
Yes ↗

Verified on 2026-10-24 from dubaisouth.ae.

Activity fit (our view)

Needs a regulator's approval

  • None

Not offered

  • None

Our assessment from the zone's published licence types. Always confirm your exact activity on the zone's official activity list. Official activity list ↗

Notes and history

  1. History · 2025-09-08

    In September 2025 Dubai South launched the Dubai South Business Hub (DSBH), a separate online channel for business-centre company setup based in the Business Park. Its terms state that it operates within Dubai South Free Zone, with licensing by DACC. [source 1][source 2]

Verified on 2026-10-24 from mediaoffice.ae, dubaisouthbh.com.

Questions worth asking

How much does a Dubai South Free Zone licence cost?

The lowest package Dubai South Free Zone advertises is AED 11,375 for the first year (DSBH 0 Visa Package + Instant IBAN). Packages differ in what they include, so check visas, office and fees before comparing.

How many visas come with a Dubai South Free Zone package?

The largest visa quota in a package Dubai South Free Zone publishes is 2. Larger quotas usually need more office space; ask the zone for the rule that applies to you.

Is Dubai South Free Zone a VAT Designated Zone?

Dubai South Free Zone appears on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones. Often only some areas of a zone are designated; see the tax section and confirm with the zone.

About this data

Every fact comes from Dubai South Free Zone's own channels or a UAE government source, linked next to it. Last checked 2026-10-24. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

Rules for every zone

Explained in the guides on corporate tax, VAT Designated Zones and mainland access.

How we check

Prices are re-checked every 90 days and other facts on a schedule. How we verify →