JAFZA Free Zone Company Formation
Jebel Ali Free Zone sits beside Jebel Ali Port, the region’s largest port. It is the natural home for logistics, distribution and industrial companies serving the Middle East and beyond.
- Jebel Ali, DubaiLocation
- 1985Founded
- 100%Ownership
- Port and logisticsStrength
About JAFZA
JAFZA opened in 1985 and is run by DP World. Its location next to Jebel Ali Port and close to Al Maktoum International Airport gives companies sea, air and road links in one place. JAFZA hosts thousands of companies, from global brands to regional distributors.
Facilities range from offices to warehouses, land and factories. JAFZA also offers an offshore company option for holding assets.
Authority
Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
Best suited to
Logistics and distribution; Manufacturing and assembly; Regional warehouses; Large trading groups.
Benefits of JAFZA
Port access
Next to Jebel Ali Port.
Multimodal links
Sea, air and road.
Facilities
Warehouses, land and offices.
Customs
Goods duty suspended in the zone.
Ownership
100%.
Offshore option
JAFZA Offshore for holding.
Licence types available
Trading licence
Trading named goods.
General trading licence
Wide range of goods.
Industrial licence
Manufacturing.
Service licence
Services.
Logistics licence
Logistics activities.
National industrial licence
For industrial projects meeting national criteria.
Legal forms, visas and office
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal forms | Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Free Zone Company (FZCO), Branch |
| Visa allocation | Visa quota depends on facility size. |
| Office | Offices, warehouses and land. |
How setup works
Activity and package
We match your activities to the zone’s list and choose a package and visa count.
Name and application
Trade name reserved and application filed with shareholder documents.
Licence issue
Initial approval, signing of incorporation documents and licence issued.
Establishment card and visas
Immigration card, entry permits, medicals and Emirates ID.
Bank, VAT and corporate tax
Bank account support, corporate tax registration and VAT where needed.
Documents required
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport size photographs on a white background
- Visa or entry stamp copy for UAE residents, or a visit visa page
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement)
- Short business plan or activity description (some zones)
- For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, board resolution and good standing, attested
JAFZA packages
Starter, 0 visa
AED 14,999 indicative
- Business setup consultation
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- MOA drafting and attestation
- Commercial trade licence issuance
- Up to 3 business activities on one licence
- Government fee guidance included
Growth, 1 visa
AED 18,999 indicative
- Everything in the Starter package
- Professional licence issuance
- 1 investor/employee visa (Emirates ID and medical fees included)
- Dedicated relationship manager
- 1 free tax/VAT consultation session
Premium, 2 visas
AED 24,999 indicative
- Everything in the Growth package
- Industrial licence issuance
- Facility and site approval coordination
- 2 investor/employee visas (Emirates ID and medical fees included)
- Regulatory and environmental approval support
- Priority processing with dedicated relationship manager
Indicative Balance Brite package prices. Government fees change during the year, so we confirm everything in a written quote before you pay. Prices exclude 5% VAT where it applies.
Tax after setup
Free zone companies must register for corporate tax and file a return every year. If the company meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions (adequate substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited accounts, transfer pricing compliance and non qualifying revenue below 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower) it pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on the rest. VAT applies as normal unless the zone is a designated zone for goods. Corporate tax registration and VAT registration can be added to any package.
JAFZA questions
Is JAFZA good for trading?
Yes, especially when goods move through Jebel Ali Port.
Can JAFZA goods be sold in the UAE mainland?
Yes, through customs with duty and import VAT, usually via a mainland distributor.
Can a free zone company trade with mainland customers?
It can sell to mainland customers through a distributor or agent, or by registering a branch or obtaining a mainland permit where available. Services to mainland clients are possible in many cases. Rules differ by zone and activity.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up?
Many free zones allow remote setup. You will need to be in the UAE for the visa medical and Emirates ID biometrics.
Speak to our setup manager about JAFZA
Hassam Abbasi manages company setup at Balance Brite. Share your activity, the visas you need and where your customers are, and he will recommend a jurisdiction and give you a written quote.