Start your IT business in the UAE’s growing market, whether it’s software development or IT consulting.
52,636 AED
2 weeks
Guaranteed
2 years
Setting up a business in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) typically takes between 3 to 14 working days from the time all required documents are submitted. The timeline may vary depending on the chosen business activities and the type of leased premises.
While the company registration process can be initiated remotely, a personal visit to the free zone is required once your company documents are ready for collection.
Identify the specific business activities your company will engage in and select the appropriate license type accordingly. This step is crucial to ensure a smooth company formation process. Selecting the wrong activities or license can lead to registration issues, difficulties in opening a corporate bank account, and potential complications when applying for residence visas for you and your team.
Define the legal status of your company when setting up in JAFZA. The free zone offers several entity types to choose from:
FZE (Free Zone Establishment): A company with a single shareholder
FZC (Free Zone Company): A company with 2 to 50 shareholders
PLC (Publicly Listed Company): A limited liability company listed on a stock exchange
Branch: An extension of an existing local or foreign company
Offshore Company: No restrictions on the number of shareholders
Choosing the right legal entity is essential for aligning with your business goals and operational needs.
To register your company in JAFZA, you’ll need to complete the application form and provide the following documents:
Valid passport
Passport-size photo
Recent utility bill as proof of residential address
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current sponsor (for UAE visa holders)
A list of proposed company names
A brief business description
A detailed list of intended business activities
Ensuring all documents are accurate and complete will help streamline the registration process
Receive your license and registration documents, including:
Collect the establishment card containing information about your company and visa quotes.
Submit your application for an entry permit as part of the visa process.
If you are outside the UAE when the entry permit is issued, you must travel to the UAE within 60 days to complete your medical examination and biometric procedures for the residency visa.
If you are already in the UAE, your visa status will be updated through an internal status change from your current tourist or residency visa to the new one linked to your business.
Undergo a medical checkup and submit the necessary documents for your residence visa. The number of visas available for company owners and employees may vary depending on the registration package you select.
Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card.
Submit an application to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. Once your account is set up and you receive the account details, you can begin operating your business.
Here is the list of JAFZA licenses and associated fees:
| LICENSE TYPE | COST |
|---|---|
| Trading license type 1/Services/Industrial (7 categories of products) | 5,500 AED |
| Trading license type 2 (12 categories of products) | 9,000 AED |
| General Trading license/Logistics/E-Commerce | 15,000 AED |
Other fees associated with company registration at JAFZA include:
| FEE | COST |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | 5,000 AED |
| Additional business activity | 500 AED per activity |
In addition to the license cost, there are other fees you will need to cover, including:
Company name approval fee
Document attestation fee
Establishment card fee
Office rental costs
Visa fees
Medical checkup fee
Emirates ID fee
The most affordable company registration package in JAFZA is approximately AED 52,636. While the overall setup costs may be higher than those in other free zones, the advantages and opportunities provided by JAFZA make it a valuable option for businesses.
Yes
Already have a medium or large operation, especially in manufacturing, assembly, trading, import/export, or logistics.
Require large production spaces, warehouses, transport hubs, or land plots. While the setup cost in JAFZA is relatively high, the extensive advantages it offers for industry-focused companies make it worthwhile.
Prefer a free zone with highly developed infrastructure, including a variety of modern offices, commercial spaces, and exhibition halls. JAFZA also features an in-house customs area for cheaper and faster cargo clearance.
Need access to sea and port operations, as Jebel Ali Port is one of the largest and busiest ports in the UAE, serving as a major transportation hub.
Alternatively, RAKEZ could be a suitable option for manufacturing and logistics businesses, offering similar facilities (land plots, warehouses, sea port) at a lower setup cost.
No
You have a small company or startup due to the relatively high registration costs and the limited availability of small office spaces and coworking options (flexi-desks). For smaller businesses, consider other free zones like IFZA or DMCC.
The type of license you choose will depend on your business setup in the UAE. JAFZA company formation is especially recommended for those involved in international trading, distribution, or the logistics sector.
Below is a table outlining the various licenses offered by JAFZA:
Start your IT business in the UAE’s growing market, whether it’s software development or IT consulting.
A Commercial License enables you to start a business in retail, wholesale, or import-export, providing access to both local and international markets.
With a Professional License, you can offer specialized services in fields like consulting, management, education, real estate, and more.
Offer professional services in sectors like consulting, marketing, or IT with a hassle-free setup process.
Gold is always a profitable investment. Buy and sell gold and precious metals with a Gold Trading License in the highly lucrative UAE market.
Trade multiple products across various industries with a single license, offering maximum business flexibility.
Have you always dreamed of opening your own bakery and delighting the community with the aroma of fresh pastries? The UAE loves coffee and sweets.
Document processing services are in high demand in the UAE due to the large expat population. Open your Typing Center and help people with paperwork.
Provide financial services, including accounting, auditing, and tax consulting.
Opening a good coffee shop or tea house in busy areas or shopping malls is a great business idea, as the UAE is full of coffee and dessert lovers.
Quality food is in ever-growing demand in the UAE. A Foodstuff Trading License will allow you to import, distribute, and sell food products.
Provide a wide range of technical services in the UAE, from equipment installation and maintenance to repairs and construction.
Offer educational services, private tutoring, or professional training in one of the world’s fastest-growing learning hubs.
Start a travel agency, tour operator, or adventure tourism business in the UAE’s booming tourism sector.
Become a registered real estate professional in Dubai and legally buy, sell, or lease properties in a lucrative market.
The UAE has plenty of men who care about their appearance. Open a barbershop with a Gents Salon License, offering haircuts and grooming services
A professional license that allows you to provide health-related professional services, for example medical consultancy, dental services, or physical
Set up your own production facility in the UAE and benefit from advanced infrastructure and global market access.
Open a beauty salon and cater to the UAE’s high demand for personal care and grooming services.
A Project Management License allows you to help companies effectively complete complex tasks.
Start a car rental or leasing business and serve both residents and tourists in a country with high demand for mobility.
Open a grocery store in a residential or commercial area and provide daily essentials to the local community.
The Trading license in JAFZA is available in three types, each offering different numbers of activities:
Type 1: Allows up to 7 activities within the same group.
Type 2: Allows up to 12 activities across two groups.
Type 3: No restrictions on the number of activities across 3 or more groups, essentially a General Trading license.
If you wish to add an additional activity to any license type, it will cost AED 500.
JAFZA offers a wide range of licenses for various business activities, with a list of 335 activity groups categorized by license type. It’s important to note that the Industrial license requires a warehouse and production plant within JAFZA for setup.
Company formation in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is ideal for a wide range of business types and activities, thanks to the extensive facilities available. JAFZA offers ready-to-use or customizable premises for office space, storage, staff accommodations, and land plots suitable for development, as well as logistics facilities for cargo shipping.
It is mandatory to have a premise within the free zone, and a lease agreement must be in place at the time of company setup. The smallest available office is 26.88 sq. m., with an annual rent of AED 53,670.
The number of visas a company can obtain is directly linked to the floor space of the leased premises.
A facility for companies needing storage space for goods and materials, often equipped for light industrial use.
A space where businesses can construct their own facilities according to their specific needs, often with freehold or long-term lease options.
Housing facilities within the free zone for staff or executives, providing convenience and proximity to the workplace.
Fully equipped office space with furniture and essentials, allowing you to move in and start working immediately.
Please note that the minimum facility available for setting up a company in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is a workstation (ranging from 5 to 7 sq. m.), which allows for up to 2 visa allocations. If you’re planning to establish your business here, it’s advisable to consider a larger office space from the outset.
JAFZA offers the following types of workspace solutions:
Workstation: The most compact option, offered subject to availability. It supports the sponsorship of up to 2 employee visas.
Office Spaces: Available in various sizes, with the smallest starting at 27 sq. m.. Office rental rates are calculated based on the size and location of the premises.
As with other Dubai free zones, JAFZA allows company owners and employees to obtain UAE residence visas. The visa eligibility is based on the size of your office space—1 resident visa is granted for every 10 sq. m. of leased space.
| VISA TYPE | JAFZA FEE | MEDICAL CHECKUP | EMIRATES ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor | 4,000 AED | 760 AED | 390 AED |
| Employee | 4,000 AED | 760 AED | 390 AED |
Visas issued in JAFZA are valid for 2 years. To obtain a visa, health insurance is mandatory within this free zone.
The most affordable health insurance packages range from AED 600 to AED 800 per year, and must be renewed annually to maintain visa validity.
To renew a company in JAFZA, the following payments are required:
License renewal fee
Office (facility) rental fee
Establishment card fee
The cost of renewal is equivalent to the original company registration cost. The entire renewal process can typically be completed remotely, without visiting the free zone in person.
As part of the renewal, you must submit your company’s audit report, which should be prepared by a licensed and accredited auditing firm in the UAE.
For companies with land plots or sublease facilities, licenses can be renewed for up to 3 years.
Most company amendments can be processed without a personal visit, including:
Changing the company name
Amending the business activity
Changing the manager or director
However, transferring shares requires the presence of the company owner at the free zone, unless the process is handled by someone with a notarized Power of Attorney.
To liquidate a company in JAFZA, either the owner must be present, or a Power of Attorney holder can act on their behalf. The process involves:
Returning original company documents
Paying the liquidation fee
Cancelling any existing visas and establishment card
The entire liquidation process takes approximately 1 month. Upon completion, JAFZA will issue an official certificate of liquidation.
| SERVICE | COST |
|---|---|
| JAFZA license de-registration | 2,000 AED |
Business setup consultants in JAFZA can manage the entire company liquidation process on your behalf, making the procedure much simpler and more efficient.
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), established in 1985, is the UAE’s oldest and one of Dubai’s largest and most influential free zones. It has become a magnet for foreign investment and is now home to over 9,500 local and international companies. These include manufacturing units, logistics firms, and trading companies, collectively generating an annual trade volume exceeding $100 billion.
Strategically located, JAFZA offers direct access to Port Jebel Ali — one of the world’s busiest seaports — and Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), enhancing its status as a global logistics and business hub. Operated by DP World, a leading global logistics provider, JAFZA benefits from a streamlined single customs area, significantly reducing the time and cost of cargo clearance.
The free zone is a preferred destination for businesses in shipping, logistics, trade, manufacturing, and assembly. Its strategic logistic corridor supports:
Sea freight: Port Jebel Ali serves over 150 shipping lines and handles more than 19 million containers annually.
Air freight: Al Maktoum International Airport is one of the world’s largest cargo airports.
Land transport: A well-developed road network facilitates fast, safe movement of goods across Dubai and other emirates.
Rail connectivity: Once completed, Stage 2 of the Etihad Rail project will connect JAFZA with the entire Arabian Peninsula, boosting regional trade even further.
Whether you’re expanding an existing enterprise or launching a large-scale industrial operation, JAFZA provides the infrastructure, connectivity, and services needed for success.
The brand name Visa Kings Global is used under licence by Visa Success Limited. Visa Success Limited is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Visa Success Limited does not give financial, legal or tax advice.
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