Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) is one of the UAE's most established free zones, strategically located adjacent to Dubai International Airport. Home to global brands like Boeing, Rolls Royce, Roche, and Chanel, DAFZA is a premium choice for trading, logistics, aviation, pharma, and tech companies that value direct airport access and strong infrastructure. Setup costs are higher than budget free zones, but the location, facilities, and 24-hour customs clearance justify the premium for import/export-heavy businesses.
From
AED 22,040
Established
1996
Companies
2,500
Max Visas
20
Banking
Moderate
DAFZA Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Visa Flexi Desk Package | AED 15,020 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 22,040 | AED 21,870 |
| Smart Desk Package (1 Visa) | AED 15,020 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 36,790 | AED 32,690 |
| Smart Desk Package (2 Visas) | AED 15,020 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 41,540 | AED 33,490 |
| Private Office Package (3 Visas) | AED 15,020 | 3 | Private Office | AED 73,290 | AED 62,290 |
| General Trading License + Office | AED 50,000 | 5 | Private Office | AED 168,270 | AED 148,370 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Strategic location next to Dubai International Airport with 24-hour customs and logistics services
- Strong brand signal — home to Boeing, Rolls Royce, Roche, Chanel, and 2,500+ companies from 20+ sectors
- 190,000 sqm of office, warehouse, and event space within a self-contained business campus
- Dual licensing with Dubai DED — operate in both the free zone and mainland from a single location
- Dedicated e-commerce zone (Dubai CommerCity) spanning 2.1 million sqft with fulfilment infrastructure
- Good banking credibility — 30-year track record means banks are familiar with DAFZA licenses
- Smart Desk packages from AED 41,790 Year 1 all-in with 1 visa for cost-conscious startups
- LEED Gold-certified facilities and Emirates Energy Award winner for sustainability
- 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation
Watch out for
- Higher setup costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 23,000+ for a zero-visa package, AED 41,790+ with 1 visa
- Physical office or smart desk mandatory — no virtual office option available
- General trading license requires 50 sqm office and AED 500,000 share capital — a significant commitment
- Annual audit mandatory for all companies with 90-day submission deadline after financial year-end
- Office lease agreements are 1-3 years with limited short-term flexibility
- Smart desk packages limited to 2 years before upgrade to standard office is required
- FZE entities require AED 1,000,000 minimum share capital — among the highest in UAE free zones
- Less suited for freelancers and solopreneurs due to minimum cost threshold
Visa Information
Max Quota
20 visas
Visa quota depends on office size and facility type. Smart desk: 1-2. Private office: 3-6+. Larger offices and warehouses support higher quotas.
Processing Time
10 days
Renewal Cost
AED 3,000
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 4,000
Dependent visa costs vary by type: spouse ~AED 3,500-4,500, children ~AED 2,500-3,500.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,110
Investor Visa
AED 3,110
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
7-10 working days for visa processing with complete documents. Full setup including medical and Emirates ID: 2-4 weeks.
Banking
Partner Banks
DAFZA's established reputation means banks are familiar with the license type. Expect 2-4 weeks for corporate account opening with standard KYC. Emirates NBD and Mashreq are the most common choices. On-site banking services available within the free zone campus.
Features
Mainland Trading
Dual licensing with Dubai DED available — operate in both free zone and mainland from DAFZA premises.
Physical Office Required
Smart desk, private office, or warehouse required. No virtual office option.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
No DAFZA-specific crypto license. Crypto consultancy and blockchain R&D possible under standard licenses. DAFZA has an agreement with SCA for crypto-related commercial activities.
Shared Ownership
FZCO allows 1-50 shareholders. 100% foreign ownership.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
DAFZA online portal for license applications, renewals, and visa processing.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Annual audited financial statements mandatory. Must be submitted within 90 days of financial year-end by a DAFZA-approved auditor (IFRS compliant). Budget AED 5,000-15,000/year.
Share Capital Requirement
FZCO: AED 1,000 per shareholder. FZE: AED 1,000,000. General Trading: AED 500,000.
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- Dec 2025: AWOT Global Logistics (world top-10 air freight) opened its first regional headquarters in DAFZA
- 2025: DAFZA earned LEED Gold certification for Building 8W within DAFZA Square
- 2025: Dubai CommerCity e-commerce zone continued expansion with new fulfilment and warehousing tenants
- 2024: Awarded Emirates Energy Award in the Golden Category by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy
- 2024: Continued investment in smart desk packages to attract startups and SMEs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a DAFZA license cost in 2026?
DAFZA trade, service, and industrial licenses start at AED 15,020/year. General trading licenses cost AED 50,000/year. Total Year 1 with a smart desk and 1 visa is approximately AED 37,000-42,000.
Does DAFZA require a physical office?
Yes. A smart desk, private office, or warehouse is required. Smart desks start at approximately AED 15,000/year for a 6 sqm furnished workspace. Private office rents range AED 1,850-1,950/sqm/year.
How many visas can I get with a DAFZA license?
Visa quota depends on office size. Smart desks support 1-2 visas. Private offices support 3-6+ depending on floor area. Warehouses and larger facilities can support 10-20+ visas.
What is the DAFZA general trading license cost?
The general trading license costs AED 50,000/year and requires a minimum 50 sqm office and AED 500,000 share capital deposit. Total Year 1 cost exceeds AED 165,000 including office and visas.
How easy is banking with a DAFZA license?
Moderately easy. DAFZA's 30-year track record means banks are familiar with the license. Emirates NBD and Mashreq are common choices with on-site banking available. Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Can a DAFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?
Yes. DAFZA offers dual licensing with Dubai DED, allowing companies to operate in both the free zone and mainland from DAFZA premises. This is a key advantage over many other free zones.
What is DAFZA's share capital requirement?
FZCO entities require AED 1,000 per shareholder. FZE entities require AED 1,000,000 minimum. General trading licenses require AED 500,000 share capital. Confirm current requirements directly with DAFZA.
What is the DAFZA annual renewal cost?
License renewal starts at AED 15,020/year. Add office rent, establishment card renewal (AED 1,870), insurance, and any visa renewals. Total annual renewal for a smart desk with 1 visa: approximately AED 33,000.
Ready to set up with DAFZA?
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Starting From
AED 22,040 /yr