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UAE Free Zone (Dubai South) · via Dubai South Authority·🇺🇦Founder profile

Dubai South Free Zone LLC Incorporation for Ukrainian IT Contractors

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$5,750

Ukrainian IT contractors can establish a Free Zone LLC in Dubai South to access the UAE's 9% corporate tax regime on income above AED 375,000. This jurisdiction is specifically optimized for businesses involved in aviation, logistics, and technology services.

Founders must evaluate the interaction between UAE tax residency and the Ukrainian Diia City tax framework to ensure compliance with war-time displacement rules.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$11,500
≈ $479.17/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupDubai South Authority setup
    $5,750
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $5,750
Total$11,500
§ 02Tax residency · Ukrainian IT Contractors

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 Article 3 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.

Home-country rule

Diia City tax regime; war-time residency displacement rules

Editorial verdict

Leverage Dubai South's proximity to DWC for logistics-heavy IT hardware or software services to align with the zone's aviation and logistics focus.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE Economic Substance Regulations compliance requirement
  • 02Potential double taxation if Diia City residency status is not properly managed
  • 03Requirement for physical presence to maintain tax residency certificate
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingDubai South Authority submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (Dubai South) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (Dubai South)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,020
$102.00
Annual
$1,020
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; aviation/logistics near DWC airport
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

The UAE imposes 9% tax on profits exceeding AED 375,000. Ukrainian tax residents may be subject to controlled foreign company (CFC) rules under the Ukrainian Tax Code. Consult a tax advisor to determine if your UAE entity qualifies as a CFC in Ukraine.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai South)
Ukrainian IT Contractors — other jurisdictions
Next step

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