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ZoneWise AI · online

Dubai free zone · Logistics, trading & industrial

JAFZA Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE: Cost, Benefits & Visa (2026)

JAFZA, established in 1985 beside Jebel Ali Port, is the UAE’s best-known logistics and industrial free zone, home to more than 9,000 companies. If your business moves physical goods — trading, warehousing, distribution or light manufacturing — its port-side location and warehouse infrastructure are hard to match.

Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra Indicative — not a quote
Get a written quote → Official JAFZA website ↗ 💬 WhatsApp
LocationJebel Ali, beside Jebel Ali Port, Dubai
OwnershipUp to 100% foreign
Setup time1–3 weeks
Visa quotaLinked to office or warehouse size
Banking easeGood
RenewalLicence and lease renew annually

JAFZA company setup cost (2026)

ItemGovernment cost
Trading licence — one activity group≈ AED 5,000 / yr
Trading licence — two activity groups≈ AED 8,500 / yr
General trading licence≈ AED 15,000 / yr
Warehouse or officeQuoted by size and location

Headline: Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra — indicative, not a quote.

Year-one budget: Varies widely — warehouse or office lease usually drives the total.

This is an indicative market band compiled from published guides, not the zone’s price list. Treat it as a planning range and confirm before you pay.

Not included: professional-service fees, residence visas beyond the package, office upgrades, bank minimum balances, and external approvals for regulated activities.

Benefits of the JAFZA licence

  • Direct access to Jebel Ali Port and the Al Maktoum International Airport corridor
  • Warehousing, storage and industrial units on site
  • Customs-friendly environment for re-export and transit trade
  • Mature network of freight forwarders, shippers and service providers
  • 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation

Who is JAFZA best for?

  • Importers, exporters and re-exporters
  • Warehousing and distribution
  • Manufacturers and light industrial operators

Typical permitted activities

  • Import, export and re-export
  • Warehousing and distribution
  • Manufacturing and assembly
  • Freight and logistics services

Always check your exact activity against the zone’s permitted list. Regulated activities need separate approvals.

What to watch out for

  • The real cost is the warehouse or office lease, not the licence
  • Poor fit for a purely online or services business — IFZA or Meydan cost far less
  • Jebel Ali is a commute from central Dubai

How to set up a company in JAFZA

  1. Choose the zone and activityMatch your business activity to the zone’s permitted list and your budget. Check whether you need physical space or a specific licence type.
  2. Reserve the trade nameSubmit two or three name options; zones typically approve within one to three working days.
  3. Submit documents and applicationPassport copies, photos, proof of address and shareholder details. Corporate shareholders provide attested documents.
  4. Pay fees and sign the incorporation documentsFees are paid to the free zone authority; sign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person.
  5. Receive your licence and certificatesYou receive the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and a desk or lease agreement.
  6. Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDGet the immigration card, then entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
  7. Open the bank account and register for taxApply for a corporate bank account, and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.

JAFZA compared with similar UAE free zones

JAFZADAFZADubai SouthDMCC
EmirateDubaiDubaiDubaiDubai
Best forLogistics, trading & industrialAviation, logistics & premium tradingAviation, logistics & e-commerceCommodities, crypto & multi-sector
Licence costTrading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extraYear-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa)Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packagesFrom AED 46,780 (one-visa package)
Setup time1–3 weeks2–4 weeks1–2 weeks1–3 weeks
Banking easeGoodHighModerateHigh
Fee dataIndicative bandIndicative bandIndicative bandPublished

FAQs: JAFZA Free Zone company formation

Is JAFZA good for import-export?

Yes — its core strength is trade logistics: a port-side location, warehouses and customs procedures built for import, re-export and distribution. For online sales or services, a lower-cost zone is usually better value.

How much does it cost to set up a company in JAFZA Free Zone?

Indicative cost: Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra. This is a market price band, not a quote; Year-one totals: Varies widely — warehouse or office lease usually drives the total. Residence visas, office upgrades, professional-service fees, bank minimums and renewals are extra.

How long does JAFZA company setup take?

Typically 1–3 weeks once documents are complete. Residence visa stamping (medical test, Emirates ID) adds further working days and requires you to be in the UAE.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in JAFZA?

Yes. UAE free zones allow up to 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits and capital. You do not need a UAE national partner or local sponsor.

Can companies licensed in JAFZA trade in the UAE mainland?

Not freely. A free zone company generally cannot sell directly to mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare with a mainland licence.

Do I need a physical office in JAFZA?

Many packages include a flexi-desk or smart desk. Larger visa quotas, industrial activity, warehousing, or regulated activities usually need a dedicated office or unit — confirm for your activity and visa count.

Are JAFZA companies eligible for 0% corporate tax?

The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can access 0% on qualifying income, but only if strict conditions are met, and it is not automatic. Only some zones are also VAT Designated Zones. Get tax advice for your structure.

Can I open a corporate bank account for my company in JAFZA?

UAE banks assess each application on the shareholders, business model and documents — not only on the zone. Our banking-ease view for JAFZA is “Good”. No zone or consultant can guarantee an account.

What documents are required to set up in JAFZA?

Typically: colour passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport photos, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities and zones. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents. Regulated activities need approvals from the relevant authority.

Who is JAFZA best for?

Importers, exporters and re-exporters; Warehousing and distribution; Manufacturers and light industrial operators.

Get a written quote for JAFZA Free Zone

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email, with government fees shown separately from our fee.

  • Free, no obligation
  • Honest advice — including when a cheaper zone fits better
  • Remote setup available for most zones

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry.

Figures are indicative and were last reviewed in July 2026 (published fees) / September 2026 (page content). They are set by the relevant authorities and change; they exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond a bundled desk, and external approvals. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm the live position with the free zone authority before paying.

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