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  1. Home
  2. ›Free zones
  3. ›Costs and visas
  4. ›JAFZA

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA): setup cost, visas and licences

Dubai · PCFC (Trakhees) · Est. 1985

Trading & Import/ExportLogistics & WarehousingManufacturingIndustrial

Established in 1985 adjacent to Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA is the UAE's largest industrial free zone, accommodating over 11,000 companies. Packages start from AED 40,211 (including flexi-desk and 2 visas) with eligibility scaling to 50+ visas. Rated 'Easy' for corporate banking due to its 40-year history and formal banking channels, JAFZA offers bonded warehouses, industrial plots, and direct port connectivity for global supply chain and manufacturing operations.

Set up in JAFZA: talk to an adviser Visa and renewal costs

Fees last checked June 2026 · Licensing authority: PCFC (Trakhees). Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.

From

AED 22,800

Year 1 (estimated)

Quick facts

Registered companies11,000+
Banking difficultyEasy
Dependent visasAllowed

Pricing packages

Trading License + Flexi Desk

AED 40,211

Trading · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 32,910

Service License + Flexi Desk

AED 40,211

Service · Flexi Desk · 2 visas

Renews at AED 32,910

General Trading License + Flexi Desk

AED 49,329

General Trading · Flexi Desk · 3 visas

Renews at AED 39,710

General Trading + Showroom/Office

AED 102,565

General Trading · Private Office · 5 visas

Renews at AED 79,910

Estimated

Advisory Estimate

AED 22,800

— · 0 visas

Renews at —

Estimated

JAFZA visa, renewal and office costs

Typical setup costAED 20,000 – AED 35,000
Annual renewalAED 14,000 – AED 28,000
Visas per desk5
Most visas in a published package5 (General Trading + Showroom/Office)
Minimum share capitalNone for a standard company
Smallest office25 sq m
Office rentabout AED 170/sq ft a year
Warehouse rentabout AED 80/sq ft a year

A physical facility (flexi desk, office, warehouse, or plot) is mandatory — JAFZA offers no virtual office option. Visa quota scales with facility type/size: flexi desk supports roughly 2-3 visas, private offices roughly 5-10+, and warehouses/land plots can scale to 50+ visas.

Business activities in JAFZA

JAFZA suits trading, industrial and logistics businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.

General TradingFood & Beverage · extra licence

Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics · Manufacturing · Construction & Contracting · Mining & Quarrying · Utilities & Energy

Features

Mainland trading

No

Dual licence allowed

Yes

Crypto-friendly

No

Shared ownership

Yes

Coworking available

No

Online portal

Yes

Audit required

Yes

Tax and compliance analysis

Substance

High

Audit risk

Moderate

Forensic ease

7/10

Industrial Powerhouse with Port-Integrated Audit Risks.

As the UAE’s oldest and most established Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) node, JAFZA requires a forensic reconciliation between Customs-bonded movements and ERP Tax data. The direct integration with Jebel Ali Port means the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) utilizes customs exit/entry bills as primary evidence during audits. Discrepancies between physical stock and digital records are the #1 trigger for intense audit friction.

Statutory basis

Governed by strict Article 18 protocols, JAFZA's status as a Designated Zone for VAT purposes adds an additional layer of complexity to Corporate Tax 'Qualifying Income' mapping.

Compliance roadmap

  1. Monthly Customs-to-ERP data reconciliation to ensure zero-discrepancy for FTA review
  2. Rigorous Designated Zone physical inventory audits to validate 'Qualifying' goods movement
  3. Transfer Pricing (Art. 34) Defense File implementation for all cross-border and inter-group trade

Common pitfalls

  • Stock discrepancies identified during unannounced physical FTA site visits
  • Inadequate documentation for goods 'deemed' to have entered the mainland

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Tax and compliance

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Want help setting up in JAFZA?

Leave your details and an adviser will call you back about setting up in Jebel Ali Free Zone. There's no charge to ask.

Common questions

How much does it cost to set up in JAFZA?

The cheapest published package for Jebel Ali Free Zone is Advisory Estimate at AED 22,800 for Year 1, renewing at —. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.

Is banking easy to set up with a JAFZA licence?

Banking difficulty for JAFZA is rated "Easy". Known banking partners include Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

How many visas can I get with a JAFZA licence, and what do they cost?

JAFZA allows 5 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 5 visas (General Trading + Showroom/Office, AED 102,565 for Year 1).

How much is the JAFZA licence renewal each year?

Annual renewal runs from AED 14,000 to AED 28,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.

What is the minimum share capital in JAFZA?

JAFZA 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 JAFZA?

A physical facility (flexi desk, office, warehouse, or plot) is mandatory — JAFZA offers no virtual office option. Visa quota scales with facility type/size: flexi desk supports roughly 2-3 visas, private offices roughly 5-10+, and warehouses/land plots can scale to 50+ visas. The smallest office we hold for JAFZA is 25 sq m.

Can a JAFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?

Yes, JAFZA offers a route to trade on the mainland, including a dual licence. Check the conditions for your activity before you rely on it.

JAFZA might be right — or your business might need something else entirely

Tell Scout what your business does and how many visas you need. It prices every zone that can license you, this one included, from the fees each publishes. Your shortlist is free.

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