Dubai South, previously known as DWC Free Zone, offers Company Set up options and is one of the most cost-effective options to set up a free zone company in UAE. DWC stands for Dubai World Central and it is a well-planned city located in the south of Dubai. An ideal location connected to the Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport that is going to become the largest airport in the world once completed, the Dubai South (DWC) Free Zone offers amazing opportunities to investors from around the world. The 100% foreign ownership of the business and exemption from duties on imports and exports are some of the significant advantages that make Dubai South an ideal place to start a free zone company in UAE. Different districts are integrated with the Dubai World Central free zone including the Al Maktoum International Airport, Aviation, Logistics, Residential, Exhibition, Commercial and Golf Districts.
Company set up in Dubai South Free Zone
Business set up in this free zone can yield significant benefits for companies looking to establish and grow their business in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai. It is important to have a physical presence in the DWC free zone to set up a free zone company in this economic zone. All businesses need to get themselves registered and obtain a license to start a free zone company in Dubai South.
There are two types of legal entities that can be established in this free zone:
- Branch of an existing entity
- Incorporation of a New DWC Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Business Activities in Dubai South free zone
Dubai South offers a variety of options to the investors for maximum ease of doing business. It is important to understand that a free zone company can have up to five activities under one license in Dubai Business Centre and 10 related activities are allowed in the Logistics District and the Aviation District of the DWC Free Zone. It must be noted that the service activity and trading activity cannot be performed under the same license. Companies with a DWC Free zone commercial license can also carry out their activities within the UAE market with the help of a local commercial agent in the country.
Dubai South Free Zone license types & cost
Dubai South Free Zone Licenses allow the investors to start and grow their business in an ideal economic environment. There are different types of licenses available in the DWC free zone and specific business activities are allowed under a specific type of license.
Here are the four types of license options available in the Dubai World Central Free Zone:
- Commercial License (General Trading and Logistic activities)
- Industrial License (Light manufacturing activities)
- Service License (Services as specified in the license within Dubai South freezone and in UAE)
- Educational License (Educational and Social activities)
- Logistics License (Logistics and related services)
- General Trading License (import, export and storage of products for UAE market through a local agent)
Company formation cost in DWC free zone includes the DWC license fees, which vary depending on the specific type of license. While the license fee of AED 10,000 remains the same for industrial, services and educational licenses, the fee for a general trading license in Dubai World Central Free Zone is AED 25,000. The whole registration and licensing procedure can be completed within just one day provided that all the security confirmations and verification of all the documents have been done.
| License fees (Starting prices – AED) |
|
| General Trading license | 20,000 |
| Consultancy / Service license | 10,000 |
| Trading / Commercial license | 10,000 |
*Starting prices only. Additional government costs, Service fees applies
Dubai South Visa Procedure
The investors looking to start their business in Dubai South Free Zone must apply for a residence visa. In order to apply for the residence visa, the applicant must be present in Dubai for 5 to 7 working days. Besides the medical checkup of the applicant, the fingerprint session and visa stamping process take place within these days after which the visa is issued. It is important to note that the residence visa remains valid for three years after which it needs to be renewed. The Dubai residence visa holder must also visit Dubai at least once in every six months as it is an important residence visa requirement.
Dubai South Free Zone Advantages
Company set up in Dubai World Central could be an excellent idea as this is an ideal economic platform to grow a business under the business-friendly policies of the UAE government. There are a number of advantages offered to the investors for starting their free zone company in Dubai World Central.
Listed below are the costing and advantages of starting a free zone company in Dubai South
Visa Cost
| AED* | |
| Employment Visa (Outside Country) | 2153 |
| Employment Visa (Inside Country) | 3066 |
| Medical Test + Emirates ID | 1240 |
*Additional Service fees applies
Advantages
- 100% ownership of the business
- Flexible packages to set up a free zone company
- An opportunity to operate your business in one of the cargo hubs of the world
- 100% tax-free operations
- Cost-effective yet top-quality office solution
- 100% repatriation of profits and capital
Once the Al Maktoum International Airport is completed, the Dubai South Free Zone will become one of the biggest economic hubs in the region. A number of international companies have already invested in this free zone and with all the above-mentioned advantages, the free zone company set up in Dubai South could prove to be a highly profitable investment in the long-term.