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The process is deposit-driven: a refundable fit-out deposit is paid up front, sized to your unit's area, alongside a separate work permit fee. A registered consultant and contractor are required, and a health, safety and environment (HSEQ) NOC must be approved before mobilisation on site.

Application procedure

  1. Lease signed and handover. Premises are handed over via a condition checklist once the lease is signed.
  2. Receive As-Built plans. Dubai South provides As-Built plans; a kick-off meeting follows with your designer/architect.
  3. Register consultant and contractor. Both must be registered with Dubai South before submission.
  4. Submit fit-out drawings. A Fit-Out Work Permit Request is submitted with the full architectural, MEP, furniture and structural drawing set.
  5. Pay the fit-out deposit and fees. The refundable deposit and submission fees are paid; the contractor is formally appointed.
  6. Submit the HSEQ NOC. A health, safety and risk-assessment NOC is required before mobilisation on site.
  7. Work Permit issued. Fit-out works can begin once the permit is granted.
  8. Testing and commissioning. Fire protection, plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems are tested and commissioned, witnessed by a Dubai South representative.
  9. Final inspection and completion. A Fit-Out Work Completion form is submitted with NOCs and as-built drawings; approval triggers deposit refund.

Documents required

  • Tenancy contract (Ejari/lease)
  • Consultant and contractor appointment/acceptance letters
  • Trade licence and Dubai South registration for consultant and contractor
  • DEWA transfer proof
  • Full design drawing package (architectural, MEP, furniture, structural)
  • HSEQ NOC application with risk assessment/HSE plan
  • Insurance certificates (CAR, Public Liability, Workers' Compensation)
  • NOCs from DEWA and Dubai Civil Defence
  • Completion test/commissioning certificates and as-built drawings

Fees & payments

Per Dubai South's published Tenant Fit-Out Manual: a Fit-Out Deposit of AED 50,000 (units up to 1,000 sqm), AED 100,000 (1,001–5,000 sqm) or AED 150,000 (over 5,000 sqm), refundable; a Fit-Out Work Permit fee of AED 15/sqm of built-up area (minimum AED 2,500); an HSEQ NOC of AED 1,000 (up to 1,000 sqm) or AED 10,000 (over 1,000 sqm); and consultant/contractor registration fees of roughly AED 500–2,000.

Note: These figures come from Dubai South's published manual and may have been revised since — confirm current rates with Dubai South's Fit-Out Coordination team before budgeting.

How SMB Design & Build helps

Our approvals team is in-house — the same people preparing your design and MEP drawings submit and follow up directly with Dubai South. We manage this alongside every other authority your project touches, so nothing falls between two consultants. See the full Authority Approval overview, or read our complete approvals guide for how these authorities interact on a typical project.

Official resource: Dubai South — Planning and Development