Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone lets foreign investors own their company outright, with no local partner or sponsor required. A US-based consultant, for example, can hold full ownership and start trading without ever visiting a government office.
Affordable Licenses Starting at AED 12,500
DSBH offers one of the lowest entry points in the UAE, with business licenses beginning at AED 12,500. Five business activities are included free with the base license, keeping startup costs predictable.
Same-Day Digital License Issuance
The DSBH digital platform can issue licenses the same day for standard applications, removing the delays common in traditional setups. The entire process runs online, so entrepreneurs can complete setup without traveling to the UAE.
Prime Location Next to Airport and Port
DSBH sits directly beside Al Maktoum International Airport, which is on track to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2026, and just 20 minutes from Jebel Ali Port, which processes over 14 million TEUs per year. This proximity allows logistics and e-commerce businesses to clear air cargo and load it onto a ship the same day.
Over 3,500 Approved Business Activities
Entrepreneurs can choose from more than 3,500 approved activities spanning trade, technology, services, and more. This breadth makes DSBH suitable for a wide range of business models, from medical device distribution to e-commerce.
Residency Visas Tied Directly to Your License
DSBH links UAE residency visa packages to the company license, streamlining the path to legal residency for founders and their families. Family sponsorship is also available through the same platform.
Strategic Gateway to the Wider GCC Market
Businesses based at DSBH can reach Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman by road in one working day for eligible activities of clearing customs. Dubai also handles roughly 30% of all air cargo in the Middle East, giving DSBH companies exceptional regional reach.
In 2026, a growing community of businesses operate through Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, making it one of the UAE's fastest-growing free zones. Licenses start from AED 12,500. licensing in one working day for eligible activities runs through the DSBH digital platform. Foreign investors keep 100% ownership with no local sponsor needed. The zone covers 145 km² and sits next to Al Maktoum International Airport, which is on track to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo each year by 2026 (Dubai South, 2026). Jebel Ali Port, 20 minutes away by road, moves over 14 million TEUs per year (DP World, 2025). Dubai handles roughly 30% of all air cargo in the Middle East (u.ae, 2025).
This guide explains what DSBH offers, what it costs, how setup works, and what tax rules apply, so you can decide if it is the right home for your company.
What Is Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone
Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone is a UAE free zone built around Al Maktoum International Airport. It gives entrepreneurs 100% foreign ownership, licenses from AED 12,500, same-day digital issuance, and access to over 3,500 approved business activities with no local sponsor required.
The airport is on track to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo each year by 2026. Jebel Ali Port, 20 minutes away by road, processes over 14 million TEUs per year. A logistics startup at DSBH can clear cargo at Al Maktoum and load it onto a ship at Jebel Ali the same day.
A US-based consultant can own 100% of their DSBH company, get a UAE residency visa, and start trading without visiting a government office. Key features include:
100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor needed
Licenses from AED 12,500 with same-day digital issuance
Over 3,500 approved business activities, five included free
Residency visa packages tied to the company license
Full online setup, no UAE travel required
Location and Logistics
Dubai South sits next to Al Maktoum International Airport and 20 minutes from Jebel Ali Port. For entrepreneurs in trade, e-commerce, or logistics, that proximity cuts transport time and reduces operating costs.
Hub | Capacity | Distance from DSBH |
|---|---|---|
Al Maktoum International Airport | 12 million tonnes/year (planned) | On-site |
Jebel Ali Port | 14 million TEUs/year | 20 minutes by road |
An e-commerce brand shipping electronics from Asia can land goods at Al Maktoum, store them in a DSBH warehouse, and dispatch to GCC customers the same day. A medical device distributor using DSBH as its GCC hub can reach Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman by road within 24 hours of clearing customs.
6 Reasons DSBH Suits Modern Entrepreneurs
DSBH offers low setup costs, 100% ownership, fast digital licensing, airport and port access, a wide range of approved activities, and UAE residency visas tied to the company license, all from one platform.
100% foreign ownership. No local partner or sponsor required.
Licenses from AED 12,500. One of the lowest entry points in the UAE. Use the business setup cost calculator to build your exact quote.
Same-day license issuance. The DSBH digital platform issues licenses the same day for standard applications.
Airport and port access. Al Maktoum and Jebel Ali both within 20 minutes.
Over 3,500 approved activities. Trade, tech, services, and more. Five activities come free with the base license.
Residency visa packages. Tied directly to your company license via UAE residency services, with family sponsorship available.
How to Set Up at DSBH
Setting up takes 5 steps: choose your activity, pick a package, reserve your trade name, submit your documents, and get your license. The whole process runs on the DSBH digital platform. licensing in one working day for eligible activities is available for straightforward applications.
Step 1, pick your activity: Choose from over 3,500 approved activities on the DSBH platform.
Step 2, select a package: Decide how many visas you need and whether you want flexi-desk or office space.
Step 3, reserve your trade name: Check company name availability and book the name you want.
Step 4, submit your papers: Passport copy, photo, and proof of address are the core documents.
Step 5, receive your license: Same-day issuance is available on the digital platform.
Most applicants have all documents ready in under an hour. The name check takes seconds on the DSBH portal.
Is the DSBH setup process fully online?
Yes. The entire license application runs through the DSBH digital platform. You submit your passport copy, photo, and proof of address online. For a standard application, you can receive your UAE trade license the same day you apply, with no in-person visit required.
Costs and What You Get
DSBH licenses start from AED 12,500 per year. That covers your trade license and up to five business activities. Visa packages, flexi-desk space, and extra activities cost more. Use the DSBH cost calculator to build an exact quote before you apply.
Item | Cost |
|---|---|
Base trade license | From AED 12,500 per year |
Business activities included | 5 at no extra cost |
Visa packages | Priced by visa quota, see calculator |
Flexi-desk / office space | Priced separately by option |
Annual renewal | Required each year, budget from day one |
DSBH Free Zone vs UAE Mainland
Feature | DSBH Free Zone | UAE Mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
Foreign ownership | 100% permitted | 100% permitted in most sectors since 2021 |
Local sponsor needed | No | Not required in most activities |
UAE mainland sales | Via distributor or agent; direct retail needs a separate license | Full direct access |
License cost entry point | From AED 12,500 per year | Typically higher; varies by activity |
Setup speed | Same-day via digital platform | Typically 3 to 7 business days |
Residency visa | Tied directly to the company license | Applied for separately after license is issued |
Tax Rules Every DSBH Entrepreneur Must Know
DSBH companies must register for corporate tax once the company exists, regardless of turnover. A free zone company may qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate if it meets the Federal Tax Authority's Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. VAT registration is required above AED 375,000 in taxable turnover.
Corporate tax. Register with the FTA via tax.gov.ae once your company is set up. The standard rate is 9%. Free zone companies can pay 0%, but only if they meet the FTA's qualifying conditions. Trading heavily with the UAE mainland can remove that benefit.
VAT. The registration threshold is AED 375,000 in taxable turnover. Miss the deadline and you pay a fine of AED 10,000. Keep your books for 7 years. The FTA can ask to see them at any time.
Does a free zone company always pay 0% corporate tax?
No. A DSBH free zone company can qualify for the 0% rate only if it meets the Federal Tax Authority's Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. If you trade directly with UAE mainland buyers, the standard 9% rate may apply to that income. Register at tax.gov.ae and confirm your status with a qualified tax adviser.
Who Gets the Most Out of DSBH
DSBH suits traders, logistics operators, tech founders, consultants, and e-commerce businesses. Its low cost and digital setup attract solo founders and small teams. Its 3,500-plus activity list covers most legal business types.
General and specialist traders needing fast customs clearance
Logistics and supply-chain firms using Al Maktoum and Jebel Ali
ICT and tech startups wanting a low-cost UAE base
Consultants and professional-service firms serving the Gulf
E-commerce brands using Dubai as a GCC fulfilment hub
If your model depends on direct UAE mainland retail sales, a mainland license may serve you better. Financial services, clinical healthcare, and real estate brokerage also need separate regulators. The full list of business activities covers over 3,500 options across ICT, trading, services, and more.
DSBH gives you a UAE base without a local sponsor, a digital platform that issues licenses the same day, and a location next to the UAE's biggest air and sea freight hubs. If you are ready to start your business in Dubai, use the DSBH cost calculator to build your quote, check your trade name, and start your application today.
References
Dubai South (dubaisouth.ae)
DP World (dpworld.com)
u.ae (u.ae)
Federal Tax Authority (tax.gov.ae)
Frequently Asked Questions
