JAFZA Company Setup in Dubai
Set up your trading, logistics or industrial company next to the region’s biggest port. Aspira handles your JAFZA company setup from license and facility to visas and bank account.
What Is JAFZA?
JAFZA company setup is the first choice for many traders, distributors, logistics firms and manufacturers in the UAE. JAFZA, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, opened in 1985 and is the oldest free zone in the UAE. It is owned by DP World and sits right next to Jebel Ali Port and close to Al Maktoum International Airport.
Today JAFZA is home to more than 10,000 companies from over 150 countries, including many of the world’s biggest brands. Its warehouses, offices, land and logistics links make it one of the strongest bases in the region for moving goods across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
At Aspira Business Setup Services, we handle your JAFZA company setup from start to finish. Our team has 12+ years of experience and has formed 5,000+ companies for 4,500+ clients across all UAE free zones. We choose the right license and facility, prepare your documents, follow up with JAFZA and arrange your visas and bank account help.
Benefits of JAFZA Company Setup
A JAFZA company setup gives your business world-class infrastructure:
100% foreign ownership
No local partner or sponsor needed.
Next to Jebel Ali Port
Direct access to one of the world’s busiest ports.
Close to the airport
Near Al Maktoum International Airport for air freight.
Warehouses and land
Offices, warehouses, industrial units and land for every size of business.
Strong reputation
A well-known address that banks, suppliers and clients trust.
Customs advantages
Goods can be stored and re-exported within the free zone.
Many company types
FZE, FZCO, branch and offshore companies.
Global network
Over 10,000 companies from more than 150 countries.
Types of JAFZA Licenses
Trading License
For importing, exporting, storing and distributing goods, including general trading.
Service License
For consultancy, IT, marketing and other professional services.
Industrial License
For manufacturing, assembly and processing, with a warehouse or production facility in JAFZA.
Logistics and E-Commerce
For logistics companies and online businesses that ship goods across the region.
JAFZA also offers offshore companies for holding assets. Our team will recommend the right license for your JAFZA company setup.
JAFZA Company Setup Cost in 2026
JAFZA is a premium free zone, so a JAFZA company setup usually costs more than smaller free zones. Your cost is made up of:
| Cost item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| License fee | Depends on license type and number of activities |
| Registration fee | One-time fee to register your company |
| Facility | A workstation, office, warehouse or land lease is required |
| Visas | Government visa, medical test and Emirates ID per person |
| Establishment card and immigration | Needed before you can apply for visas |
JAFZA fees depend on your license, activities and facility, and they can change. Contact Aspira for an exact, up-to-date quote.
Your final JAFZA company setup cost depends on:
- Your license type and activities
- The type and size of your facility
- The number of visas you need
- Whether you need customs, logistics or industrial approvals
If your budget is the main priority, other free zones start from AED 5,565. Compare prices with our business setup cost calculator.
JAFZA Company Setup Process: Step by Step
Here is how a JAFZA company setup works with Aspira:
- Free consultation: we discuss your business, activities, facility needs and budget.
- Choose your company type and license: FZE, FZCO, branch or offshore, and the right license.
- Reserve your company name: we check your name against the naming rules and reserve it.
- Submit your application: we prepare and submit your application and documents.
- Choose your facility: workstation, office, warehouse or land.
- Sign the lease and pay the fees: you sign your facility lease and pay the registration and license fees.
- Receive your license: JAFZA issues your license once everything is complete.
- Establishment card and visas: we apply for your establishment card and residence visas.
- Bank account and tax: we help you open a corporate bank account and register for corporate tax and VAT.
Documents Required for JAFZA Company Setup
- Passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-size photo with a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you live in the UAE
- Proof of residential address
- Business plan, for some activities
For a branch or corporate shareholder, you will also need the parent company’s certificate of incorporation, articles of association, board resolution and good standing certificate. Most of these need to be attested.
JAFZA Company Types
- FZE: a free zone establishment with one shareholder
- FZCO: a free zone company with two or more shareholders
- Branch: a branch of a UAE or foreign company
- JAFZA Offshore: for holding shares, assets and property, with no office in the free zone
Our team will help you choose the right structure for your JAFZA company setup.
JAFZA Company Setup: Visas
A JAFZA company can sponsor residence visas for its owners, employees and their families. The number of visas depends on the size of your facility, so a bigger office or warehouse allows more visas. Aspira manages the full visa process for you.
Facilities in JAFZA
- Workstations and business centre offices for small teams
- Offices of different sizes
- Warehouses and light industrial units
- Land for building your own facility
Your facility is one of the biggest parts of your JAFZA company setup cost, so we help you choose the right size from day one.
Who Should Choose JAFZA Company Setup?
- Importers, exporters and distributors
- Logistics and freight companies
- Manufacturers and industrial companies
- Large companies opening a regional office
- E-commerce businesses that hold stock
If you are a consultant or small service business, a lower-cost free zone such as IFZA, Meydan or RAKEZ may suit you better. We will give you an honest comparison.
JAFZA vs Other Dubai Free Zones
| Feature | JAFZA | IFZA / Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Next to Jebel Ali Port | Dubai Silicon Oasis / Meydan |
| Best for | Trading, logistics, industrial | Consultants, services, start-ups |
| Facilities | Offices, warehouses, land | Mainly flexi-desks and offices |
| Starting cost | Higher | Lower |
| Port access | Direct | No |
Opening a Bank Account for Your JAFZA Company
Banks know JAFZA well, which can help your application. Banks usually ask for your license, company documents, lease agreement, shareholder passports and visas, and a description of your business and expected transactions. Aspira helps you prepare a complete file and introduces you to banks that suit trading and logistics companies.
Corporate Tax and VAT for JAFZA Companies
Every JAFZA company must register for UAE corporate tax. Corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000. A company that meets the rules of a Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on qualifying income, such as certain trading, manufacturing and logistics activities. VAT registration is required once your taxable sales pass AED 375,000 a year, and JAFZA is a Designated Zone, which can affect the VAT treatment of some goods. Read our guide on corporate tax registration in Dubai to learn more.
JAFZA License Renewal
Your JAFZA license and facility lease must be renewed every year. Visas are renewed separately when they expire. Aspira reminds you before your renewal date and handles everything.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a facility that’s too small: your visa quota depends on your space.
- Picking the wrong license type: trading, service and industrial licenses cover different activities.
- Underestimating the budget: plan for the facility and registration fees, not only the license.
- Missing corporate tax registration: every free zone company must register.
- Selling directly to mainland customers without the right setup: free zone companies may need a distributor or mainland license.
Why Choose Aspira for Your JAFZA Company Setup?
- 12+ years of experience in UAE business setup
- 5,000+ companies formed for 4,500+ clients
- Company setup in all UAE free zones, Dubai mainland and offshore
- Honest advice on whether JAFZA or another zone suits your budget
- One team for your license, visas, PRO services, bank account help and tax registration
- Support after setup, including renewals
Related Organizations
- Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA): issues your license
- DP World: owns JAFZA and Jebel Ali Port
- Dubai Customs: customs clearance for your goods
- Federal Tax Authority (FTA): corporate tax and VAT registration
Frequently Asked Questions
A: JAFZA is a premium free zone. Your cost includes the license, registration fee, facility lease and visas. Contact Aspira for an exact quote based on your activity and facility.
A: Usually a few working days to two weeks once your documents are complete, depending on your activity and facility.
A: Yes. JAFZA allows 100% foreign ownership.
A: Yes. Every JAFZA company needs a facility, from a workstation to a warehouse or land.
A: It depends on the size of your facility. A bigger office or warehouse allows more visas.
A: An offshore company registered in JAFZA, used to hold shares, assets and property. It can’t trade in the UAE or sponsor visas.
A: Yes. Its location next to Jebel Ali Port makes it one of the best free zones for trading and logistics.
A: Free zone companies mainly trade within the free zone and abroad. To sell on the mainland, you usually need a distributor or a mainland license. We will explain the best option.
Get Started with Your JAFZA Company Setup
Ready to start your JAFZA company setup? Contact Aspira for a free consultation and a clear quote.