JAFZA Company Setup
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Register your company in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — DP World's flagship trade hub — with direct seaport and airport access, industrial-scale facilities, and full visa support from Wise Cat, handled from consultation to bank account.
DP World Flagship
Businesses Based Here
In One Free Zone
Dubai's Largest Free Zone, Built Around a Working Port
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is DP World's flagship free zone and the largest customs-bonded zone in the Middle East. Founded in 1985, it has grown into a base for more than 11,000 businesses generating over $190 billion in annual trade. What sets JAFZA apart from almost every other UAE free zone is its position: it's the only free zone in the world sitting directly between a major seaport (Jebel Ali Port) and a major international airport (Al Maktoum International), connected by a dedicated corridor that moves cargo from ship to aircraft in under 20 minutes.
JAFZA companies also now fall under Dubai's Dubai Unified License (DUL) framework — a recent initiative that recognises your JAFZA trade licence as a single, unified business identity across relevant Dubai government services, rather than a separate free-zone-only registration. Wise Cat keeps track of changes like this so your company stays compliant from day one, not just at setup.
Built for Businesses That Move Goods, Not Just Paperwork
JAFZA is a serious infrastructure play — combining ownership and tax advantages with global logistics reach, industrial-scale facilities, and the weight of DP World behind your company.
Seaport & Airport in One Zone
Backed by DP World
Industrial-Scale Facilities
100% Foreign Ownership
Genuine Mainland Reach
Deep Industry Base
Is JAFZA the Right Free Zone for Your Business?
JAFZA is built for scale — here's an honest read on where it's the clear choice, and where it isn't.
Choose JAFZA if you...
- • Run an established manufacturing, trading, import/export or logistics business
- • Need real warehouse, production or land space — not just a desk
- • Depend on sea and air cargo movement as a core part of operations
- • Want the credibility and network of DP World behind your licence
Consider other zones if you...
- • Are a startup or small team on a lean budget — JAFZA's setup costs and facility minimums run higher than zones built for smaller businesses
- • Mainly need a flexi-desk or remote-work setup with one or two visas
For smaller businesses or leaner budgets, RAKEZ Free Zone offers similar seaport, warehouse and land access at a meaningfully lower setup cost — worth comparing before you commit. We'll help you weigh both as part of your free consultation.
JAFZA Licence Types
JAFZA's licence categories cover a wide range of activities, including several that other free zones don't offer. Wise Cat helps you choose the right one — and combine activities where it makes sense.
| Licence | Covers |
|---|---|
| Trading | Types 1–3, covering 7 to unlimited product categories — Type 3 is effectively a General Trading licence |
| Industrial | Manufacturing, assembly and production activities |
| National Industrial | Manufacturing where AGCC nationals hold at least 51% ownership |
| Service | Consultancy and service-based businesses |
| Logistics | Freight, distribution and supply chain operations |
| E-Commerce | Buying and selling goods and services through digital platforms |
| Innovation | Development of new products and services |
| Offshore Registration | Asset-holding and international structuring, with no physical presence requirement |
Adding an extra activity to an existing licence typically costs a small per-activity fee — Wise Cat will confirm the exact figure for your chosen activities.
Choose Your Legal Entity
JAFZA offers more structural flexibility than most UAE free zones — from single-shareholder entities to public listing structures.
| Entity | Shareholders | Min. Share Capital | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZE (Free Zone Establishment) | 1 | AED 100,000 | Solo founders and single-owner businesses |
| FZCo (Free Zone Company) | 2–50 | AED 100,000 | Partnerships and multi-shareholder companies |
| PLC (Public Listed Company) | 2–50 | Confirm with Wise Cat | Larger companies structuring toward a public listing |
| Branch Office | N/A — 100% parent-owned | None required | Extending an existing UAE or overseas company into JAFZA |
| Offshore Company | Varies | Confirm with Wise Cat | Holding structures without a physical JAFZA presence |
How Wise Cat Sets Up Your JAFZA Company
One point of contact, from your first consultation through to your visa and bank account.
Free Consultation & Activity Selection
We review your business model and identify the right licence, activities and legal entity.
Entity & Facility Selection
We guide you through share capital, entity structure and the right facility (workstation, office, warehouse or land) for your visa needs.
Application & Document Preparation
We prepare and check every document before submission, so nothing gets delayed in review.
Submission & Licence Issuance
We submit your application to JAFZA and manage all follow-up on your behalf.
Establishment Card & Visa Processing
We handle entry permits, status changes, medical testing coordination and Emirates ID applications.
Bank Account Support
We guide you through corporate bank account opening once your licence is issued.
Most of this process can be completed without visiting Dubai — a personal visit is generally only required later, for medical testing, biometrics and final bank account steps.
JAFZA Costs — What to Expect
Reference figures below are compiled from published UAE free zone cost data and are indicative starting points, not a live Wise Cat quote — always confirm current figures with us before you commit.
Licence Fees
| Licence Type | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|
| Trading Type 1 / Service / Industrial (up to 7 activities) | from AED 5,500 |
| Trading Type 2 (up to 12 activities) | from AED 9,000 |
| General Trading / Logistics / E-Commerce | from AED 15,000 |
Other Standard Fees
| Fee | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | AED 5,000 |
| Additional business activity | AED 500 per activity |
| Smallest office (~27 sqm) | from AED 53,670/year |
| Warehouse leasing | from AED 400/sqm |
Visa Costs (per visa)
| Visa Type | Fee | Medical | Emirates ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor | AED 4,000 | AED 760 | AED 390 |
| Employee | AED 4,000 | AED 760 | AED 390 |
A typical starter package (licence + registration + smallest facility) lands around AED 50,000+ in year one — higher than most flexi-desk free zones, which reflects JAFZA's facility-first model. Wise Cat builds an exact, fixed quote once your activity and visa needs are confirmed.
Documents You'll Need
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy
- Passport-size photo
- Recent utility bill as proof of address
- NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your sponsor, if you're an existing UAE visa holder
- Proposed company name options and a short business description
Corporate Shareholders
- Shareholder resolution approving the JAFZA company
- Existing trade licence or certificate of registration
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Certificate of good standing
Exact requirements vary by activity and entity type — Wise Cat confirms your full document list at the consultation stage.
Facilities for Every Stage of Growth
JAFZA's facility range goes beyond the flexi-desk model most free zones are built around.
-
Warehouses
From AED 400/sqm, built for storage and light industrial use
-
Plots of Land
For custom-built and heavy industrial facilities
-
Office Space
Standard and executive options, priced per square metre
-
Showrooms & Retail Outlets
For businesses that sell directly on-site
-
Co-Working & Workstations
From a shared workstation (minimum 2 visas) upward
-
Workers' Residence
On-site staff accommodation for labour-heavy operations
-
Customised Development
Bespoke, built-to-suit facilities for larger operations
A lease agreement within JAFZA is mandatory for company setup, and your visa allocation is tied directly to the floor space you lease — roughly 1 visa per 10 sqm of office space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Set Up Your JAFZA Company?
Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the right licence, entity and facility — no obligation.
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