Laws & Regulations
Explore the laws, regulation, policies and tariffs in detail about all the services provided by Dubai South.
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Forms
If you are interested in opening a business with Dubai South, fill the forms that best suit your business type. Upon submission, our business consultants will contact you with details and instructions on how to proceed.
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Customer Portal
Dubai South provides a comprehensive suite of services for businesses wanting to set up here. For ease of business, as an existing customer you can access all our services and forms online.
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Procurement
Dubai South provides a comprehensive suite of services for businesses wanting to set up here. For ease of business, as an existing customer you can access all our services and forms online.
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Career
Dubai South provides a comprehensive suite of services for businesses wanting to set up here. For ease of business, as an existing customer you can access all our services and forms online.
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About Us
Dubai South is Dubai’s largest single urban master development focusing on an aviation and logistics ecosystem that houses the world’s largest airport when fully operational complemented by a multi-modal transport infrastructure connecting air, land and sea.
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FREE ZONE
Dubai South is creating a vibrant society to invest, live and work within a sustainable, healthy and happy environment. As an important function of the regulatory authority Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC), the Free Zone Management fosters ingenuity and ease of business set up.
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BUSINESS SET UP & LICENSING
Dubai South’s Free zone provides best in-class customer service as well as facilitated business setups and processes for companies to operate under one umbrella in a dynamic, free-zone environment. It offers a spectrum of business solutions customised to meet the requirements of potential customers.
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LOGISTICS
Dubai South’s Logistics District was formed as part of Dubai South’s key offerings to provide leading solutions to the global supply chain system.
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MBR Aerospace Hub
As the region’s first dedicated free zone for aviation and aerospace, The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub is a diverse aviation ecosystem on the doorstep of Al Maktoum International Airport.
Residential
Dubai South seeks to meet the aspirations of real estate investors, tenants and homeowners by committing to developing quality, affordable residential units for purchase or lease.
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COMMERCIAL
Dubai South offers customers a commercial and retail infrastructure of purpose-built leased office spaces, a business centre with smart desks, and investment opportunities for them to take advantage of at affordable and highly competitive rates.
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Media Centre
FAQ's
The DACC free zone provides four types of visas: employment, freelancer, student and visiting.
1 - 3 years
You can avail for this service through registered E-Service portal account of the company https://dwc.force.com/portal
The procedure and fees may vary depending on whether an applicant currently resides in the UAE or not (please refer to the tariff for the visa fees).
The entry permit is valid for 60 days, renewable for another 60 days upon entry to the country.
No, you need to cancel the entry permit and apply again.
No, as per the GDRFA, the extension service is no longer available. If an entry permit expires, you will have to cancel it and then apply for a new one.
Partner
Ethiopian, Sir Lankan and Indonesian
18-65, subject to the GDRFA’s approval
Subject to the GDRFA’s approval.
Subject to the GDRFA’s approval.
A. Freelancer visa
Subject to GDRFA Approval.
You may apply for a freelance visa via the registered online portal https://dwc.force.com/freelancer
No, per the GDRFA’s guidelines
B. Golden visa – 10 years visa
Local amendment / change of status
It is an optional service for in-country processing. Once an entry permit is issued, applicants have the option to continue the process inside the country without the need to leave.
If you did not apply for it as part of the entry permit package, then you may do so via the company’s registered e-service portal
https://dwc.force.com/portal
After your entry permit is issued.
Yes.
After receiving the entry permit approval from the GDRFA
When an employee does not change their status in the period granted by the GDRFA.
No, the penalty will be suspended after the change of status is approved by the GDRFA.
-If the applicant is inside the country with a cancelled residency permit, the penalty would amount to AED 25 per day. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff)
-If the applicant is inside the country with a visit t visa/arrival visa, then the penalty would amount to AED 100 per day. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff)
No
Yes, the free zone management team will communicate with the company and generate the invoices of any applicable penalties.
Residence permit stamping
Within one month from the date of entry into the UAE or from the change of status.
No, you need to apply for your Emirates ID before you you go for a medical test..
At any typing centres authorised by the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship.
at any medical centres authorised by the Dubai Health Authority and Ministry of Health.
Not currently.
Yes, if the UAE is covered within their network.
Visit visa
permeant offices.
There are short- and long-term visit visas. The short-term visit visa is valid for one month, while the long-term visit visa is valid for three months.
Single-entry.
The quota will be maintained if the company keeps the deposit with the GDRFA. However, there is a AED 200 annual requirement to renew the visit visa quota. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff)
Yes, when the company cancels this service.
Each five visit-visa quota will require a AED 5,041 deposit from the company. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff)
Transfer of residency permit
Internal transfer and External transfer
It is for transferring a current valid visa from a company-registered one under the DACC to another one, subject to residence-permit validity.
It is for transferring a current valid visa from any government entity/free zone in Dubai.
You may do so through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
Currently, the visa validity must be 2-3 months from the submission of the visa stamping.
The DACC authority.
Yes, you would just need to acquire an NOC letter from your current sponsor.
Employees need to submit all relevant documents to DACC business counters within one month from the date the transfer form was issued. This is to avoid the expiration of the application.
Transferring a residence permit will automatically shift all the dependents associated with it.
Yes, in 60 days.
No, only government or free-zone residence permits are accepted.
Yes, but only after 60 days from the date of expiry, and you will be required to settle the fees again.
Release out
It allows you to apply for visa transfers among companies under the jurisdiction of DACC or the Free Zone Authority in Dubai.
You can do so through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
After submitting the requirements through the e-service portal, you should approach a free-zone management business counter with the original transfer form signed by the new sponsor to get it signed by the DACC Free Zone Authority.
Same-day processing.
Yes. The company visa quota will remain the same until the new visa copy is provided.
Cancellation of Entry permit and residency permit
You can do so through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
All active dependents on a visa or permit must be put on hold or cancelled before you can apply for this service.
By visiting any GDRFA or AMER centres.
AED 25 per day (As per GDRFA Calculations)
Yes, after 180 days.
No.
As per DACC policy, the residency permit of a general manager must be under the company.
Yes, however, if a company will be winding up, its staffs’ visas must be cleared before that of the shareholder/general manager.
No, you must remain in country until the completion of the applied-for cancellation.
Yes, the company would still be responsible for an employee until they exit the country or change their status within the country.
To release the visa quota, we would require a proof of exit or of a change of status for the system to update.
You may apply for Residence permit status closer service at the e-service portal.
Residence permit renewa
- At the company e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
- For freelance residency permit renewals https://dwc.force.com/portal
When the validity of the current residence permit is less than six months.
Yes, the minimum requirement is a validity of three months.
30 days after the visa expiration.
AED 25 per day. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff)
No, the company must cancel the original residency permit and apply for a new employment visa.
NOCs
Salary certificate, employment certificate, car registration, etc.
Through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
After settling the payment, you may receive the letters on the same day.
No, all DACC letters are digital and their verification links/barcodes can be found on the NOC page.
Through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
Subject to the approval of the free-zone management.
Data Amendments
Available visa amendment services include changing job titles on residence permits, name amendments, transferring visas from expired passports onto newly issued ones, and nationality changes.
Through the company’s registered e-service portal https://dwc.force.com/portal
The education certificate will be attested by the MOFA based on the selected position. The job directory is available on Dubai South’s website.
No, the visa must be transferred to a new valid passport before you can change the job title on your visa.
Lost passport
- If the passport was lost inside the UAE, then you should report it to the police and request a lost certificate to re-issue a new passport in your embassy/consulate in the UAE.
- If you lost the passport outside the UAE, you should report it to the police, request a lost certificate, and visit a UAE Embassy to obtain an entry pass to enter the country. You must then approach us to re-stamp the visa on your new passport.
Establishment card
To apply for any service related to the company, such as new residence permits, NOCs, cancellations, etc.
Each company will have an establishment card once the company’s trade licence is issued.
Establishment cards for new/renewed companies are digital. Once approved by the GDRFA, the client will receive a digital copy on the registered company email.
No, it would only be required to apply for new residence permits.
Yes, the penalty counter starts after 26 days of the expiry.
If the granted grace period by the GDRFA is over, you must pay a penalty of AED 100 per month. (Subject to the GDRFA tariff).
PRO card
- The PRO card can only be granted by two authorities, the GDRFA and Dubai Customs.
- The GDRFA will grant a PRO card based on a company’s request to proceed with the family visas of its staff.
- Dubai Customs will grant PRO cards to company representatives to clear a company’s related shipments.
Access pass
Access passes, contractor passes, and facility-management contractor passes.
- FM contractor passes are for companies whose services include cleaning, security, maintenance, plumping, and electrical services.
- Contractor passes are for company-excluded contracting, engineering consultancy, and catering services.
Yes
Yes, If the GCC national is a registered employee under DACC
1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Work permit
- Emirati/GCC nationals.
- People holding student visas and those with valid visas under their spouses or parents.
- People holding student visas and those with valid visas under their spouses or parents.
-
Through your registered portal account under https://dwc.force.com/portal
1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year
No, as per the GDRFA, applicants must be registered in Dubai.
Yes, the GDRFA requires it.
From your sponsor (parent, spouse, etc.)
Absconding (declaration/ withdrawal)
When an applicant does not report to a company within 10 days.
No, the GDRFA requires applicants to be inside the country.
Yes, a company can apply for the deposit refund when the absconding request is closed/withdrawn.
Ban
Only if the employee is absconded.
Applications payment process
E-service wallet or credit cards.
Dispute
- Employees should approach free-zone management business counters at Dubai South HQ along with the following:
- Official complaint letter.
- Employment contract.
- Copies of the passport and visa page.
- Any supporting document.
Salary update
An increment letter from the company is required along with a stamped bank statement copy for the past three months.
An amended employment contract signed by both employer and employee would be required
Through bank transfers or any other approved channels.
Refund process
For rejected or non-processed applications.
By submitting an official refund request letter to FZM@dacc.ae
The client can request for a refund within 90 days of the payment. Otherwise, the request will be rejected.
Others
No. Companies can request samples from DACC’s business counters.
No, currently only employment visas are available.
The e-service portal.
Yes, if the names are included with the authorisation card relevant to the company.
No, this service is not available within DACC.
CONTACT
Dubai South Headquarters:P.O. Box 282228,Dubai South, UAE
Other Contacts:Within UAE (toll free):800-SOUTH / 800-76884 International: +971-800-76884 Email: INFO@DUBAISOUTH.AE
Quick Contact
Within UAE (toll free):
800-SOUTH / 800-76884
International: +971-800-76884
Email: INFO@DUBAISOUTH.AE
800-SOUTH / 800-76884
International: +971-800-76884
Email: INFO@DUBAISOUTH.AE
Dubai South Headquarters:
P.O. Box 282228,
Dubai South, UAE
Views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Dubai South.