JAFZA Business Setup
Expert JAFZA Company Formation Consultancy
Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), established in 1985 and operated by DP World, is the UAE’s largest and longest-established free zone, built around Jebel Ali Port, one of the largest container ports in the world. Unlike most other Dubai free zones, JAFZA is physically linked to the port itself, so goods arriving by sea do not need to pass through mainland customs to reach the free zone, cutting both time and cost for trading, logistics, and manufacturing businesses.
JAFZA also connects directly to Al Maktoum International Airport through the Dubai Logistics Corridor, giving registered businesses fast multimodal transhipment from sea to air. This combination of port access, DP World’s global supply chain network, and Dubai Trade’s digital customs tools makes JAFZA the preferred base for companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to growing SMEs in import/export, distribution, and manufacturing.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we manage JAFZA company formation from legal structure and licence selection through documentation, registration, and visa processing, backed by advisory experience in the UAE since 1985.
Benefits of JAFZA Business Setup
JAFZA gives investors direct port access alongside strong, transparent regulation. Key benefits include:
- Full ownership for foreign investors
- No income tax for businesses
- Repatriation of capital allowed
- Minimal import and export duties
- No minimum share capital requirement
- Direct physical access to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport
- Quicker trade licence issuance and transparent, stable regulations
These advantages make JAFZA especially strong for trading, logistics, and manufacturing businesses.
Legal Structures for JAFZA Company Formation
The right legal structure depends on your shareholder count and business goals:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): a single-shareholder company, with liability limited to the invested capital
- Free Zone Company (FZCo): a multi-shareholder company, with two to fifty individuals or companies as shareholders
- Branch Company: an extension of a company established outside JAFZA, operating under the parent company’s name and activities
- Public Listed Company (PLC): a limited liability structure with at least two shareholders, whose shares are listed on the stock exchange under the Markets Law
We help you confirm the right structure for your ownership and growth plans before you apply.
Types of JAFZA Business Licenses
Your licence type follows from your specific business activity:
- Industrial Licence: for businesses undertaking manufacturing processes
- General Trade Licence: for companies importing and exporting to and from JAFZA
- Service Licence: allows the licence holder to carry out activities matching their professional qualifications or area of expertise
- Innovation/Incubator Licence: for businesses supporting the implementation of innovations, product development consultancy, and workspace for entrepreneurs
Licence packages, sometimes referred to as Type 1 or Type 2, cover a set number of business activities from one or more activity groups. We confirm which licence type and activity group fit your business before you apply.
Requirements for JAFZA Company Registration
Setting up a company in JAFZA requires a defined set of documents:
- Application form for free zone company setup
- Passport copies of all shareholders
- Summary of the project
- Application form and letter of undertaking from Environment, Health and Safety, where applicable
- Board resolution to set up the company
- Attested and notarized Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Bank reference of every shareholder
- Parent company profile, for branch registrations
Applicants may be asked to provide additional legal documents depending on their chosen activity and facility requirements. There is no minimum share capital requirement for a JAFZA FZE or FZCo, though your declared capital should be adequate for your business activity.
Process of JAFZA Company Formation
- Choose your business activity. This determines your licence type and activity group.
- Select your legal structure. Decide between an FZE, FZCo, branch, or PLC, depending on your shareholder count.
- Reserve your trade name. Confirm your company name meets JAFZA’s naming rules and is available.
- Prepare and submit your documents. Provide shareholder, project summary, and board resolution documentation.
- Apply for your business facility. Choose an office, warehouse, or land plot, depending on your activity.
- Receive your trade licence. Once your application and facility agreement are approved, your licence is issued.
- Apply for visas. Process residence visas for shareholders, managers, and employees.
The overall process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Support Services for JAFZA Business Setup
FAR Consulting Middle East manages the full JAFZA company formation process, so you can focus on getting your business operational. Our support includes:
- Preparation, review, and compilation of JAFZA business setup requirements, including bank references and shareholder information sheets
- Application for lease of your business facility, including drafting and review of leasing agreements
- Payment of fees to free zone authorities on your behalf
- Application for registration of your free zone enterprise or limited liability company
- Preparation and review of your parent company’s profile, for branch setups
- Drafting and review of your project summary
- Trade licence application and renewal support
We stay involved well beyond licence issuance, including ongoing compliance and renewal support.
Cost of JAFZA Business Setup
The cost of JAFZA company formation depends on several factors, including your licence type and activity group, chosen facility (office, warehouse, or land plot), and the number of visas required. General Trading and Logistics licences generally carry higher costs than standard Service or Industrial licences, given the broader activity scope involved.
Because these variables differ from one business to the next, we review your specific requirements first and then provide a clear, itemized cost estimate, with no hidden fees.
Related UAE Business Setup Services
- Business Setup in Dubai – mainland, free zone, and offshore options in Dubai
- Dubai Free Zone Business Setup – compare Dubai’s free zone options
- Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) – setup for aviation-linked and logistics businesses
- Meydan Free Zone – flexible licensing for SMEs and startups
- JAFZA Offshore Company Formation – for holding structures and property ownership without a physical presence
- UAE Free Zone Business Setup – compare free zones UAE-wide
- Company Liquidation Services – guidance if you ever need to close or restructure your JAFZA company
- PRO Services – government liaison and document clearing support
Frequently Asked Questions
JAFZA is physically linked to Jebel Ali Port, so goods arriving by sea do not need to pass through mainland customs to reach the free zone, cutting time and cost for trading and logistics businesses.
No. There is no fixed minimum share capital requirement for a JAFZA FZE or FZCo, though your declared capital should be adequate for your business activity.
An FZE has a single shareholder, while an FZCo has between two and fifty shareholders. The right structure depends on your ownership setup.
Yes. JAFZA allows full foreign ownership for investors.
The process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your business activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Yes. JAFZA Offshore is a separate route suited to holding structures and property ownership, without a physical presence or trading activity in the UAE.
Cost depends on your licence type, activity group, facility choice, and number of visas. We provide a clear, itemized estimate once we understand your specific plans.