Company Setup in Dubai South Business Hub | Free Zone Licence Dubai

Why open your business in Dubai South Business Hub.

Fully digital setup

Application, documents and licence issuance happen online, with same-day issuance available on qualifying applications.

100% foreign ownership

Own your company outright. No local sponsor or partner is required.

Up to five activities on one licence

Choose from more than 3,500 approved activities, with up to five included on a single licence and more added later if you need them.

Airport and port on the doorstep

Al Maktoum International Airport sits beside the zone and Jebel Ali Port is within close range, useful for anything that moves by air or sea.

Workspace to match your size

Flexi-desks for solo founders and small teams, dedicated offices, and warehouse or light industrial units for trading and logistics.

Residency linked to your licence

Investor and employee residence visas follow the licence, with your visa quota set by the workspace you choose.

Licences and structure

Licences are issued in trading, professional and services categories. Trading covers buying, selling, importing and exporting goods; professional covers advisory, consulting and skilled services; services covers work such as facility management and maintenance.

Worth knowing before you apply: some regulated activities, including financial services, insurance brokerage, real estate brokerage, travel agency work, recruitment and clinical healthcare, are not offered in this zone. We check your activity against the current list before anything is submitted.

Documents you will need

The typical starting list is below. The authority may ask for more depending on your activity, and we tell you exactly what applies before you gather anything.

Passport copies for every shareholder and manager
A recent passport-size photograph of each
Proof of residential address
Current UAE visa page or Emirates ID, if you are already in the UAE
For a corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, and a board resolution approving the new company

Each free zone sets its own rules, activity lists and visa quotas, and these change from time to time. We confirm the current position with the authority before you commit to anything.

How setup works.

Brief

A short conversation about what the company will do, how many visas you need, your timeline and where your clients are.

Structure

We map your business to the right licence type, activities and workspace, and confirm the current requirements with the authority.

Application

We prepare your documents, submit the application and follow up on approvals, so you are not chasing anyone.

Licence and visas

Licence issued, then establishment card, residence visas and Emirates ID, with help preparing for your bank account.

Questions we are asked.

Can I set up without coming to the UAE?

The company itself can be formed online. If you want a residence visa, you will need to be in the UAE for the medical test and biometrics.

How many activities can I have?

Up to five activities are included on one licence. More can be added later if your business grows into them.

How many visas can I get?

Your visa quota depends on the workspace you choose. A flexi-desk supports a smaller quota than a dedicated office or warehouse unit, and we confirm the exact number for your package before you commit.

How much does it cost?

It depends on your licence type, workspace and number of visas. Tell us what you need and we will send you a written quote.

How long does it take?

Once complete documents are in, the licence can be issued quickly, and same-day on qualifying applications. Residence visas follow over several working days. We confirm timings for your case at the start.

Company setup in Dubai South Business Hub.