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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Dubai
  4. ›DWC

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DWC rules at a glance

Licensing authority
Dubai Aviation City Corp
Parent authority
Dubai South / DSBH (Dubai South Business Hub)
Sector regulator
Dubai South Free Zone Authority
Legal system
UAE Civil Law
Can qualify for 0% Corporate Tax (QFZP)
Yes
Audited accounts required
Yes
Foreign ownership
Up to 100%
Licence renewal
Visa renewal cost shown recurs every 2 years.

Setting up in DWC?

Setup costs, licence packages, visas and banking

See DWC costs

Comparing zones?

Estimate your setup cost across every free zone

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Other free zones in Dubai

  • Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
  • Dubai Auto Zone (DUCAMZ)
  • Dubai CommerCity (DCC)
  • Dubai Design District (D3)
  • Dubai Flower Centre (DFC)
  • Dubai Free Zone at Mina Rashid (DUQE)
  • Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)
  • Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)
  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
  • Dubai Internet City (DIC)
  • Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)
  • Dubai Maritime City (DMC)

Want help setting up in DWC?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Dubai South. There's no charge to ask.

Dubai South (DWC)Free zone tax status and compliance

Dubai

Dubai Aviation City Corp

The Verdict

Strategic Aviation Hub; High-Substance Logistics Node.

I. Statutory Basis

As a Qualifying Free Zone Person, this jurisdiction requires strict adherence toCore Income-Generating Activities.As a Designated Zone, Dubai South falls under specific Article 18 protocols where 'Qualifying Income' is strictly defined by Cabinet Decision No. 55. Compliance centers on the physical movement of goods and the localization of CIGA within the airport-adjacent logistics district.

Compliance Roadmap

01

Full Customs Data Integration with the Arakan Forensic Engine to automate inventory-to-tax reconciliation

02

Securing Aviation-specific 'Qualifying Activity' certification for technical ground-handling and MRO services

03

Monthly audit of 'Place of Consumption' for last-mile delivery revenue to prevent mainland leakage

Audit Hotspots

Mixing logistics service revenue with retail/consumer sales in the non-designated areas

Inadequate documentation for temporary admission of high-value aviation assets

Jurisdictional Connectivity

Check your DWC setup

Scout scores Dubai South against your activity, ownership and visa needs, with full setup costs, and compares it with every other free zone and mainland.

See costs and setup options
Global Parent

15%

DWC

0%

Live Node
Dubai Mainland

9%

Forensic Brief

Qualifying Income requires physical CIGA within the zone boundaries. Article 18 mapping is mandatory to maintain 0% status.