Dubai South Free Zone (DWC)
Dubai South
Logistics, aviation and trade free zone around Al Maktoum International Airport.
Dubai · Regulator: Dubai South / DWC Authority · Civil law
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Where to set up — compared
Dubai's flagship ICT/tech free zone — software, telecom and internet companies.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 15,010/year (per segment, excl VAT)mediumrelocate-uae.com
- Timeline
- Up to 2 weekslowrelocate-uae.com
- Min capital
- AED 50,000 (refundable)mediumrelocate-uae.com
Dubai's largest free zone and global hub for commodities, crypto and trade — 20,000+ member companies.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 20,265/yrhighdmcc.ae
- Timeline
- 5–7 working daysmediumcompanyformationdmcc.com
- Min capital
- No fixed paid-up minimum (declared in MOA)mediumdmcc.ae
Dubai free zone known for flexible, low-cost packages sold via channel partners — 2,000+ activities, remote setup.
- Cheapest licence
- ~AED 12,900/yr (via agents)mediumfreezonecompare.com
- Timeline
- 3–5 working daysmediumarnifi.com
- Min capital
- No mandatory paid-up minimummediumradiantbiz.com
Centrally located Dubai free zone offering fully digital, fast trade-licence setup from AED 12,500 with 2,500+ activities.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 12,500/yr (licence + registration)highmeydanfz.ae
- Timeline
- ~24 hours (Fawri < 60 min)highmeydanfz.ae
- Min capital
- No paid-up capital requiredhighmeydanfz.ae
Laws that apply
Commercial Companies Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021
DIFC Companies Law
DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
DIFC Operating Law
DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018
ADGM Beneficial Ownership & Control Regulations 2022
BOCR 2022
ADGM Companies Regulations 2020
Companies Regulations 2020
Full foreign ownership (CCL amendment)
Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020
Strategic Impact Activities (ownership restrictions)
Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021
Corporate Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022
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Activities by jurisdiction
What these zones typically licence. Each free zone publishes its own activity list — confirm yours covers your exact activity.
- Popular activities: Software, IT services, telecom, e-commerce, multimediarelocate-uae.com
- Not permitted: Manufacturing is not facilitated; DIC incorporates only FZ-LLCs or branches and directs manufacturing to Dubai Industrial City.dic.ae
- Scope: Licenses tech/ICT companies — software, AI, cloud, VR, network solutions, e-commerce, big data, IT services, telecom and blockchain.dic.ae
- Popular activities: Commodities, general trading, consultancy, software, crypto & blockchaindmcc.ae
- At renewal: A third-party NOC is required for regulated activities at renewal; companies with industrial or selected regulated activities cannot take multi-year (2/3/5-yr) renewal.dmcc.ae
- Needs separate approval: Most activities are approved by DMCC directly, but regulated sectors need extra external approval — financial services & investment, crypto/virtual-asset activities, healthcare, and oil/gas & energy.dmcc.ae
- Popular activities: Consultancy, e-commerce, general trading, software, mediaifza.com
- Activity groups per licence: An IFZA licence includes up to three activity groups in the standard fee; each additional activity is charged separately. Cross-licensing across categories is allowed.ifza.com
- Needs separate approval: Regulated (“Amber”) activities require approvals from specified Dubai/UAE federal entities; the licensee must obtain and evidence the approval.ifza.com
- Popular activities: E-commerce, general trading, consultancy, software, media (up to 3 groups/licence)meydanfz.ae
- Needs separate approval: Certain engineering activities need third-party approval — fire-safety & general facilities engineering consultancy need pre-licence approval (Dubai Civil Defence / Municipality); building & industrial-installation inspection need post-licence approval.meydanfz.ae
Activities & permissions
What a licence lets you actually do — and how to add more. Confirm your specific activities with the licensing authority.
- No — only listed activities are permitted
- Yes — a business can have more than one activity
- Amend the licence (base fee AED 500)
- Yes — certain activities need special approval first
- Six: industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural, occupational
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not legal advice.
Tax & accounting
The ongoing obligations for most UAE companies — confirm what applies to your activity with the FTA.
- 9%
- AED 375,000
- AED 375,000
- 5%
- 7 years
- Revenue over AED 50,000,000
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not tax advice.
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