Dubai · DIEZ Authority · Est. 1996
Located adjacent to Dubai International Airport, DAFZA is a premium free zone housing global leaders in aviation, logistics, trade, and pharmaceuticals. Packages start from AED 22,040, supporting up to 20 visa allocations with moderate corporate banking access. Key advantages include 24-hour customs processing, dedicated cold-storage and logistics facilities, and direct air-cargo access, making it highly suitable for high-value import/export operations.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: DIEZ Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 22,040
Year 1
Quick facts
Zero Visa Flexi Desk Package
AED 22,040
Trade/Service license · Flexi Desk · 0 visas
Renews at AED 21,870
Smart Desk Package (1 Visa)
AED 36,790
Trade/Service license · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 32,690
Smart Desk Package (2 Visas)
AED 41,540
Trade/Service license · Flexi Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 33,490
Private Office Package (3 Visas)
AED 73,290
Trade/Service license · Private Office · 3 visas
Renews at AED 62,290
Estimated
General Trading License + Office
AED 168,270
General Trading license · Private Office · 5 visas
Renews at AED 148,370
Advisory Estimate
AED 25,200
— · 0 visas
Renews at AED 18,000
Estimated
No virtual office option — a smart desk, private office, or warehouse is mandatory for all entities.
DAFZA suits trading, tech and media businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.
Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics · IT & Media · Professional & Technical Services
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
High
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
7/10
High-Velocity Logistics Node; Bonded-Warehouse Specialist.
DAFZA functions as a critical Designated Zone where forensic focus centers on high-value aviation and electronics trade. The primary compliance challenge involves 'Bonded Warehouse Movements'; if inventory data does not map with mathematical precision to Customs records, the entity risks immediate VAT leakage and Corporate Tax non-compliance during the 2026 enforcement cycle.
As a Designated Zone, DAFZA allows for the movement of goods in a VAT-suspended state. However, 'Qualifying Income' for Corporate Tax purposes is strictly contingent on the nature of these movements and the physical storage protocols maintained within the zone.
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Tax and compliance
DAFZA tax status and QFZP rules →
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Activities
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How much does it cost to set up in DAFZA?
The cheapest published package for Dubai Airport Free Zone is Zero Visa Flexi Desk Package at AED 22,040 for Year 1, renewing at AED 21,870. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
Is banking easy to set up with a DAFZA licence?
Banking difficulty for DAFZA is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, ADCB, FAB, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD).
How many visas can I get with a DAFZA licence, and what do they cost?
DAFZA allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 5 visas (General Trading License + Office, AED 168,270 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 4,000.
How much is the DAFZA licence renewal each year?
Annual renewal runs from AED 10,000 to AED 18,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.
What is the minimum share capital in DAFZA?
DAFZA sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.
Do I need a physical office in DAFZA?
No virtual office option — a smart desk, private office, or warehouse is mandatory for all entities. The smallest office we hold for DAFZA is 18 sq m.
Can a DAFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A DAFZA company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.