Corporate Solutions 
Resources
Read our latest Insights
Set Up Your Business in JAFZA. Dubai's Largest Free Trade Zone
JAFZA offers strong connectivity, 100% foreign ownership, and a setup built for international trade. IMC supports your JAFZA entry from company formation to ongoing compliance.
Who We’ve Worked With
JAFZA: Dubai’s Gateway to Global Business Opportunities
Established in 1985, JAFZA is Dubai’s first and most prominent free trade zone, offering top-tier infrastructure, value-added services, and investor-friendly policies. Its strategic location near major airports, seaports, and the upcoming Etihad Rail makes it a powerful logistics hub. With access to a market of over two billion people across the Middle East, JAFZA creates wide-ranging opportunities for international business expansion. Businesses planning cross-border structures can also consider a DIFC and JAFZA dual zone strategy to separate holding and operational activities efficiently.
How It Works
Before finalising your setup, it is important to assess your business model and expected revenue streams. This includes evaluating free zone mainland access in the UAE and how your company will engage with customers within Dubai and across the UAE.
Define business activity and structure
Select the right license type, legal structure, and activity based on your operations and future plans.
Name approval and initial application
Reserve your company name and submit initial details to start the registration process.
Documentation and
approvals
approvals
Prepare and submit shareholder documents, passport copies, and required forms for authority approval.
License issuance and facility selection
Obtain your business license and choose office, warehouse, or flexi-desk options within JAFZA.
Visa processing and bank account setup
Apply for visas and complete corporate bank account opening to start operations.
Key Benefits of Setting Up in JAFZA
We provide comprehensive accounting solutions tailored to meet business needs across all stages of growth.
1. Full Foreign Ownership & Capital Freedom
Enjoy 100% foreign ownership with no restrictions on profit or capital repatriation.
2. Visa & Talent Flexibility
Apply for UAE residency visas with no limitations on hiring international talent.
3. Tax & Duty Exemptions
Benefit from zero personal income tax, no import/export duties, and no currency restrictions.
4. Strategic Business Infrastructure
Access ready-to-use offices, warehouses, and factories in a modern, secure environment near retail hubs.
5. Seamless Customs Support
Onsite customs facilities ensure fast and efficient cargo clearance.
6. Flexible Shareholding Structure
No cap on the number of shareholders, subject to approval by the relevant authority.
Which are the Licenses Available for Company Formation in JAFZA?
Trading License – For Product Movement Across Borders
A Trading License lets you import, export, store, and distribute specific items. For more flexibility, consider a General Trading License to cover a wider product range.
Service License – For Professional or Sector-Specific Services
A Service License enables you to deliver approved services within the free zone. For logistics activities, a specialized Logistics License covers cargo handling, warehousing, packing, and distribution.
Industrial License – For Manufacturing & Export Needs
An Industrial License permits the import of raw materials, production of goods, and export. If you have at least 51% AGCC ownership, a National Industrial License gives you the same benefits as a local company.
Documents Required for Setting Up a Company in JAFZA
- Passport Copy (Shareholders and Manager)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (Shareholders and Manager)
- Original Bank Reference Letter (For each shareholder)
- 6-Month Bank Statement or Annual Financial Report (For existing shareholders; not needed for new incorporations)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) (If manager is under UAE employment visa)
- Initial Approvals (From relevant authorities for specific activities)
- Application Form & Letter of Intent (For company formation)
- Business Plan (Detailed proposal for the new company)
- Company Brochure (If available)
- Legal Representative Appointment Document (If applicable)
JAFZA Company Formation: Steps, Timeline and Fees Involved
01
Step 1
Define activity and structure
Choose FZE, FZCo or branch, plus a trading, service or industrial licence
02
Step 2
Name approval and application
Reserve the name and submit the application
03
Step 3
Documents and approvals
Passports, CVs, bank reference letters, business plan, activity approvals
04
Step 4
Licence issuance and facility
Pay the registration and licence fees; sign the flexi-desk, office or warehouse lease
05
Step 5
Visas and bank account
Establishment card, residence visas, Emirates ID, corporate account
What makes up your JAFZA setup cost
| Cost component | When you pay | What it covers | What affects it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | One-time | Processing your application with JAFZA | Fixed by JAFZA; non-refundable |
| Registration fee | One-time | Incorporating the entity | Entity type (FZE, FZCo or branch) |
| Licence fee | Annual | Your right to operate the chosen activities | Number and type of activities; trading and industrial licences cost more than narrow service licences |
| Facility lease (mandatory) | Annual | Flexi-desk, office or warehouse in JAFZA | Space type and size; also sets your visa quota |
| Residence visas | Per person, on issue and renewal | Visa, medical test, Emirates ID | Number of employees and shareholders |
| Professional and compliance support | Ongoing | Accounting, VAT and corporate tax filings, licence renewals | Transaction volume and reporting scope |
JAFZA Company Formation: Steps, Timeline and Fees Involved
| Setup profile | Typical facility | Typical visas | Relative cost level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consulting or service company | Flexi-desk | 1–2 | Lower |
| Trading company with a small team | Office | 3–6 | Moderate |
| Logistics, distribution or manufacturing | Warehouse or industrial unit | 6+ | Higher |
Why Choose IMC for Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) Company Formation?
Deep Expertise in JAFZA Regulations
Our team has extensive experience navigating JAFZA’s legal and procedural framework for smooth company setup.
End-to-End Support
From name reservation to license issuance, we manage the entire process for you.
Tailored Business Structuring
We advise on the most suitable entity type and license based on your industry and goals.
Fast & Efficient Setup
IMC ensures timely documentation, coordination, and follow-ups to expedite your business registration.
Post-Incorporation Assistance
We offer continued support, including visa processing, renewals, bank account setup, and compliance.
Transparent Pricing & Trusted Advisory
Clear fee structure with no hidden charges, backed by reliable advice from experienced professionals.
Your Vision, Our Mission. Let's Discuss
FAQs
Your cost depends on three things: your licence type, the facility you lease and the number of visas you need. A consulting company on a flexi-desk sits at the lower end, while a warehouse-based logistics or trading business sits at the higher end. IMC provides an itemised quote covering government fees, facility and visas.
Ongoing costs include licence and facility renewal, visa and Emirates ID renewals, health insurance, accounting, and VAT and corporate tax compliance. IMC can handle these under a single compliance package.
Yes. Every JAFZA company must lease a facility, whether a flexi-desk, office or warehouse. Your facility choice also determines how many visas you can hold.
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is one of Dubai’s major free zones, strategically positioned to facilitate global trade and connect businesses to regional and international markets.
A free zone company offers 100% foreign ownership, eligibility for residence visas, and access to international markets. It also provides flexible setup options, such as flexi desks, making it suitable for businesses seeking an operational presence in the UAE.
JAFZA company registration typically takes 7–15 working days, depending on the business activity, documentation readiness, and approval timelines. The overall setup process may take 2–4 weeks, including visa and banking arrangements.
Yes, JAFZA allows businesses to establish multiple companies within the free zone, with each entity operating independently under its own registration.
An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) is designed for a single shareholder, while an FZCo (Free Zone Company) accommodates multiple shareholders. Both structures offer limited liability, subject to applicable JAFZA regulations.
The minimum capital requirement depends on the company structure and applicable JAFZA regulations. The required capital and any deposit obligations should be confirmed based on the selected entity type and business activity.
Common documents include passport copies of shareholders, a completed application form, shareholder details, and a business plan. Corporate documents may also be required when a shareholder is a company. Additional requirements depend on the business structure and activity.
UAE corporate tax applies to free zone companies too. A company that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income, while other income is taxed at 9%. Qualification depends on meeting conditions such as economic substance, so get advice before assuming eligibility.
JAFZA suits trading, logistics and manufacturing businesses that need port and warehouse access. Consultancy and digital businesses that don’t need those often find other free zones cheaper. Our guide to free zone vs mainland vs offshore structures compares them in detail.
Yes. Many groups hold assets or IP in DIFC and run operations from JAFZA. See our DIFC and JAFZA dual-zone guide for how the two structures work together.
Yes, a JAFZA company may access the UAE mainland market through permitted arrangements, such as an authorised local distributor or an appropriately licensed mainland entity. Direct trading is subject to applicable licensing, customs, and regulatory requirements.
Business owners and eligible employees can apply for UAE residence visas after the company is established, subject to immigration requirements. Visa eligibility and the number of visas available depend on the selected facility, office space, and applicable regulations.
After company registration, eligible applicants can initiate the residence visa process by completing the required application, medical fitness test, Emirates ID procedures, and other applicable immigration formalities. The number of visas available depends on the company’s facility and applicable requirements.
Yes, a foreign company can establish a branch in JAFZA to expand its UAE presence. The branch remains legally linked to its parent company rather than operating as a separate legal entity, subject to applicable registration requirements.
A JAFZA company must register for UAE VAT if it meets the mandatory registration threshold of AED 375,000 in taxable supplies and imports, subject to applicable rules. The standard VAT rate is 5% on taxable supplies, while certain transactions may qualify for zero-rating or exemption depending on the circumstances.
Starting a business in a Dubai free zone involves selecting a suitable jurisdiction and business activity, choosing a legal structure, submitting the required documents, obtaining the necessary licence, and arranging office space and visas if needed. Benefits may include 100% foreign ownership, flexible setup options, and access to international markets, subject to applicable regulations.
Yes, many Dubai free zones allow 100% foreign ownership without requiring a local sponsor. The applicable conditions depend on the chosen free zone, business activity, and legal structure.
Resources
Catch up on our latest articles, newsletters, and practical views on global operations, regulatory updates, and client-focused topics.
IMC