FREE ZONE · DUBAI · UAE
Dubai South Free Zone (UAE): Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
- Activity combinations
- 124 33 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 12,500* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 4,620 – 12,500* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 5–11 days fastest → slowest filed
About Dubai South
Dubai South (Dubai South) accounts for 124 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 33 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is Furniture & Home Goods Trading with 12 packages, followed by Building Materials Trading (11 packages).
Entry packages start at AED 4,620*, the median combination runs from AED 12,500*, and the fullest configurations in the catalog reach AED 12,500*. Filed setup timelines range from 5 to 11 days depending on the activity mix, visa quota and office option.
Dubai South is the aviation and logistics free zone around Al Maktoum International Airport, positioned for trade, aviation and warehousing. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with Dubai South licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
Fit check
Who is Dubai South best for?
- Aviation, aerospace and airfreight-linked businesses around Al Maktoum International Airport.
- Traders and distributors that combine sea and air cargo flows.
- Warehousing and light-logistics operations.
- E-commerce and trading companies building plans around the airport's growth corridor.
- Firms serving the developing residential and commercial districts south of Dubai.
Verdict
Pros & cons
Pros
- A location around Al Maktoum International Airport with the aviation and logistics ecosystem on the doorstep.
- One of the quickest filing windows in the snapshot: 5 to 11 days.
- A wide catalog for its profile: 124 combinations across 33 clusters.
- Room to grow: the master-planned district around the airport keeps adding residential and commercial demand.
Cons
- The district is still developing: amenities and ready neighbourhoods are thinner than in central Dubai.
- The air-cargo focus means sea-side traders may still prefer Jafza next door.
- The commute from central Dubai is long for staff and clients.
- Visa and bank steps are rarely bundled in the packages, so those need separate arrangement.
Activities
Top activity clusters at Dubai South
| Activity cluster | Packages at Dubai South | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture & Home Goods Trading | 12 | from AED 12,500* |
| Building Materials Trading | 11 | from AED 12,500* |
| Software Development & IT | 10 | from AED 12,500* |
| Auto Parts & Accessories Trading | 10 | from AED 12,500* |
| General Trading | 6 | from AED 12,500* |
| Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading | 6 | from AED 12,500* |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading | 6 | from AED 12,500* |
| Marketing & Advertising | 5 | from AED 12,500* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at Dubai South
- Scope tagging
- 1% visa / 0% bank share of packages tagging visa / bank steps
- Establishment card
- 68% of the catalog 3,161 packages platform-wide include the step
- Corporate bank account
- 61% of the catalog 2,840 packages platform-wide include the step
- Investor visa
- 44% of the catalog 2,047 packages platform-wide include the step
- Head office address
- Dubai South Headquarters, Dubai South (Dubai World Central), Dubai
The typical Dubai South sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Dubai jurisdictions.
FAQ
Dubai South: questions
How much does a Dubai South license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, 124 combinations are tracked, starting from AED 4,620*. The median package runs from AED 12,500* and the range stretches to AED 12,500*. The spread reflects activity type, visa quota and office option. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at Dubai South take?
Filed packages at Dubai South complete in 5 to 11 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can a Dubai South license cover?
The catalog maps 124 Dubai South combinations onto 33 activity clusters. The strongest are Furniture & Home Goods Trading; Building Materials Trading; Software Development & IT. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is Dubai South located and who is it for?
Dubai South is based in Dubai — the aviation and logistics free zone around Al Maktoum International Airport, positioned for trade, aviation and warehousing. As a free zone jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Where is Dubai South located?
The authority is headquartered at Dubai South Headquarters, Dubai South (Dubai World Central), Dubai. License applications are submitted to this authority — online or at its customer service desk, depending on the license type.
Which authority issues licenses in Dubai South?
Dubai South (Dubai emirate) is the issuing authority. Its September 2026 catalog tracks 124 activity combinations, with entry packages from AED 4,620*.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in Dubai South?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.