Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
JAFZA is the UAE's oldest and largest free zone by area, strategically located next to Jebel Ali Port — the region's busiest port. It is the premier choice for trading, logistics, and manufacturing companies that need warehouse, land, or industrial facilities. JAFZA offers FZE (single shareholder) and FZCO (multi-shareholder) structures, with activity-based licensing covering trading, service, industrial, and national industrial categories. Setup costs are higher than newer free zones, reflecting the premium logistics infrastructure.
From
AED 40,211
Established
1985
Companies
10,000
Max Visas
50
Banking
Easy
JAFZA Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading License + Flexi Desk | AED 15,000 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 40,211 | AED 32,910 |
| Service License + Flexi Desk | AED 15,000 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 40,211 | AED 32,910 |
| General Trading License + Flexi Desk | AED 20,000 | 3 | Flexi Desk | AED 49,329 | AED 39,710 |
| General Trading + Showroom/Office | AED 20,000 | 5 | Private Office | AED 102,565 | AED 79,910 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- UAE's first and most established free zone — nearly 40 years of track record with 10,000+ companies
- Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, for seamless import/export
- Strong banking credibility — well-known to all major UAE banks with typical account opening in 2-4 weeks
- Wide range of facility types: flexi desks, offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units
- General trading license available — trade any permissible goods under a single license at AED 20,000/year
- High visa quotas available for warehouse and plot operations — up to 50+ depending on facility size
- Dual licensing option via Dubai DED allows mainland trading alongside free zone operations
- Robust logistics ecosystem with on-site customs, bonded warehouses, and cold storage facilities
- Well-suited for manufacturing with National Industrial License at AED 15,000/year
- Proven legal framework with international arbitration and established commercial courts
Watch out for
- Higher Year 1 costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 30,000+ for a basic trading license with 1 visa
- Physical office or facility mandatory — no virtual office option available
- Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai — inconvenient for client-facing service businesses
- Setup process slower than newer free zones — 2-4 weeks typical for license issuance
- Annual audit mandatory for all companies regardless of size
- Warehouse and plot costs can be significant — AED 60,000-300,000+/year depending on size
- Less suited for freelancers, solopreneurs, or digital-only businesses
- Customer service can be slower due to volume of companies and legacy processes
Visa Information
Max Quota
50 visas
Visa quota depends on facility size. Flexi desk: 2-3 visas. Offices: 5-10+. Warehouses and plots: up to 50+ depending on square footage.
Processing Time
21 days
Renewal Cost
AED 2,083
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 0
Dependent visa cost varies; confirm current fees with Jafza.
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 2,683
Investor Visa
AED 2,678
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
2-4 weeks typical for full visa processing including medical and Emirates ID.
Banking
Partner Banks
JAFZA's long track record and established reputation make banking straightforward. Most major UAE banks are familiar with Jafza company structures. Account opening: 2-4 weeks typical. Banks may require AED 10,000-50,000 minimum balance.
Features
Mainland Trading
Dual licensing available via Dubai DED for mainland trading operations.
Physical Office Required
Minimum flexi desk required. Options include offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units.
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
No dedicated crypto program. Standard business activities only.
Shared Ownership
FZE (single shareholder) or FZCO (2-50 shareholders) structures available.
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Applications and renewals processed via Dubai Trade Portal.
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Annual audit mandatory for all Jafza companies. Budget AED 5,000-15,000 for accounting fees.
Share Capital Requirement
Varies by entity type — confirm with Jafza
Special Ecosystems
Recent Developments
- 2025: DP World invested AED 2 billion in Jafza infrastructure expansion including new warehousing and logistics facilities
- 2024: Jafza contributed 23.8% of Dubai's total foreign trade, exceeding AED 600 billion
- 2024: Digital transformation of licensing and compliance via enhanced Dubai Trade Portal
- 2023: New flexi desk packages introduced at Jafza One to attract SMEs and startups
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a JAFZA license cost in 2026?
JAFZA trading and service licenses start at AED 15,000/year. General trading licenses cost AED 20,000/year. Total Year 1 with flexi desk and 2 visas is approximately AED 40,000.
Does JAFZA require a physical office?
Yes. A minimum flexi desk is required. Options range from flexi desks at AED 15,000/year to private offices, warehouses, and land plots depending on business needs.
How many visas can I get with a JAFZA license?
Visa quota depends on facility size. Flexi desks support 2-3 visas. Private offices support 5-10+. Warehouses and industrial plots can support up to 50+ visas based on square footage.
Is JAFZA good for trading and logistics businesses?
JAFZA is the top choice for trading and logistics. It is located next to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, with on-site customs, bonded warehouses, and cold storage. It contributes nearly 24% of Dubai's total foreign trade.
How easy is banking with a JAFZA license?
Banking is straightforward. JAFZA's 40-year track record makes it well-recognized by all major UAE banks. Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, and FAB.
What is the difference between FZE and FZCO in JAFZA?
FZE is for single-shareholder companies. FZCO allows 2-50 shareholders. Both offer 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation.
Can a JAFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?
Yes. JAFZA offers dual licensing via Dubai DED, allowing companies to operate both within the free zone and on the mainland. This is a key advantage over many other free zones.
What is the JAFZA annual renewal cost?
License renewal costs AED 12,000-15,000/year depending on license type. Add office/facility rent, establishment card renewal (AED 1,910), insurance, and any visa renewals. Total annual renewal for a basic trading setup: approximately AED 33,000.
Ready to set up with JAFZA?
Get a personalised quote for your JAFZA business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 40,211 /yr