Licence onlyAED 12,500
Activities per licenceUp to 5 groups or 5 activities included
Activities on official list1,328
What the lowest price covers: Dubai South Business Hub: setup 'starts from' AED 12,500 (activities, visas and workspace extra)
Figures from Dubai South Business Hub site (dubaisouthbh.com). Calculator itemises visas but shows no amounts without inputs. Instant IBAN add-on AED 1,500.
Official packages
| Package | Price | Visas | Term | Includes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business setup – starting price 'Starts from'; activities, visas, workspace extra | AED 12,500 | 0 | 1 | Licence Not included: Visas, medical, EID, workspace | Medium |
Official fee items
| Item | Amount | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant IBAN add-on | AED 1,500 | one-off | 'Pay AED 1,500 + License Fee' – what it covers not fully stated |
Licensed activities
| Code | Activity | Group / category | Licence type | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6920.96 | Accounting & Bookkeeping | Professional | ||
| 6920.00 | Accounting, Bookkeeping And Auditing Activities; Tax Consultancy | Professional | ||
| 4669.86 | Acids & Alkalines Trading | Trading | DP (Dubai Police) | |
| 5913.02 | Acquiring Film, Video Tape And Dvd Distribution Rights | ICT | UAE Media Council | |
| 6620.00 | Activities Auxiliary To Insurance And Pension Funding | Financial | CB (Central Bank of the UAE) | |
| 7490.13 | Activities Carried On By Agents And Agencies On Behalf Of Individuals Usually Involving The Obtaining Of Engagements In Motion Picture, Theatrical Production Or Other Entertainment Or Sports Attractions And The Placement Of Books, Plays, Artworks, Photographs Etc., With Publishers, Producers Etc. | Professional | ||
| 6629.01 | Activities Involved In Or Closely Related To Insurance And Pension Funding (Except Claims Adjusting And Insurance Agents): • Salvage Administration • Actuarial Services | Financial | CB (Central Bank of the UAE) | |
| 4610.01 | Activities Of Commission Agents And All Other Wholesalers Who Trade On Behalf And On The Account Of Others | Trading | ||
| 5223.01 | Activities Related To Air Transport Of Passengers, Animals Or Freight: Operation Of Terminal Facilities Such As Airway Terminals Etc Airport Air Traffic Control Activities Ground Service Activities On Airfields Etc. | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 9319.04 | Activities Related To Promotion Of Sporting Events | Art | Dubai Sports Council | |
| 4610.02 | Activities of those involved in bringing sellers and buyers together or undertaking commercial transactions on behalf of a principal, including on the internet | Trading | ||
| 5221.01 | Activities related to land transport of passengers, animals or freight: operation of terminal facilities such as railway stations, bus stations, stations for the handling of goods operation of railroad infrastructure operation of roads, bridges, tunnels, car parks or garages, bicycle parkings | Services | Road and Transport Authority | |
| 4669.90 | Adhesives Trading | Trading | ||
| 8299.10 | Administration Of Loyalty Programmes | Administrative | ||
| 8211.09 | Administrative Services For Businessmen | Administrative | ||
| 7310.91 | Advertisement Designing & Producing | Professional | ||
| 7310.00 | Advertising | Professional | ||
| 7310.87 | Advertising Agency | Professional | UAE Media Council | |
| 4761.96 | Advertising Requisites Trading | Trading | ||
| 7310.94 | Advertising Researches & Consultancies | Professional | ||
| 7310.99 | Advertising Services Via Websites | Professional | ||
| 7020.04 | Advice And Help To Businesses And Public Services In Planning, Organization, Efficiency And Control, Management Information Etc. | Professional | ||
| 6920.05 | Advisory Activities And Representation On Behalf Of Clients Before Tax Authorities | Professional | ||
| 7420.97 | Aerial Photography Services | Professional | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 7110.68 | Aeronautical Engineering Services | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 4772.93 | Agarwood & Incense Trading | Trading | ||
| 4773.61 | Agricultural Equipment & Accessories Trading | Trading | ||
| 4773.62 | Agricultural Equipment & Machinery Spare Parts Trading | Trading | ||
| 7490.93 | Agricultural Extension Services | Services | ||
| 4773.20 | Agricultural Pesticides Trading | Trading | Dubai Municipality | |
| 7490.96 | Agricultural Research & Consultancy | Professional | ||
| 4752.59 | Agricultural Tools Trading | Trading | ||
| 4773.72 | Agricultural Tractors & Machinery Trading | Trading | ||
| 7490.09 | Agronomy Consulting | Professional | Dubai Municipality | |
| 5229.96 | Air Cargo Agent | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 5224.97 | Air Cargo Services | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 5120.99 | Air Transport of Radioactive, Chemical & Biological Materials | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority | |
| 4759.89 | Air-Condition Trading | Trading | ||
| 4773.35 | Air-Condition, Refrigeration Spare Parts & Components Trading | Trading | ||
| 7490.84 | Aircraft Classification Services | Services | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority |
Showing 40 of 1,328
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dubai South licence cost?
The cheapest package Dubai South publishes is Business setup – starting price at AED 12,500, which covers Dubai South Business Hub: setup 'starts from' AED 12,500 (activities, visas and workspace extra). These are Dubai South’s own figures, checked on 2 Nov 2026. A bigger office, extra activities or visas, and government fees can add to the total — the packages table above shows what each price includes.
What business activities are allowed in Dubai South?
Dubai South’s official activity list has 1,328 activities — search them in the “Licensed activities” section above. Each licence includes up to 5 groups or 5 activities included. To see which other zones allow the same activity, use the activity search.
Who is Dubai South a good fit for?
Dubai South is a common choice for logistics, aviation, e-commerce. Strengths: Near Al Maktoum Airport, dual-licence route to mainland. Worth checking first: logistics/aviation need facilities, costs rise quickly, virtual options limited. Compare Dubai South side by side with other zones.
Can a Dubai South company sell to customers in mainland UAE?
Usually not directly. A free zone company is licensed to work inside its zone and to trade internationally. To sell to customers elsewhere in the UAE you normally need a local distributor, a mainland branch, or an extra permit from the emirate’s economic department. If most of your customers will be in the UAE, also look at Dubai mainland.
How do I contact Dubai South?
Phone: 800 76884, email: info@dubaisouth.ae. Website: dubaisouth.ae ↗. If you’d rather have someone handle it for you, tap “Get help on WhatsApp” on this page to reach our setup partner.