About Jebel Ali Free Zone
Established in 1985, Jebel Ali Free Zone is the oldest free zone in the middle east. JAFZA is a truly global business hub due to its strategic location next to the largest man-made port in the Middle East. It hosts thousands of businesses from over 100 countries. Among these businesses are numerous global fortune 500 companies as well as the headquarters of many regional and international companies. JAFZA is known for specializing in a range of commercial and trade activities. It offers foreign investors numerous benefits and accounts for almost 23.9% of Dubai’s foreign direct investment.
Why choose Jebel Ali Free Zone
Strategic location for trade activities. Next to Jebel Ali port and connected to 150 shipping lines and a few minutes away from Dubai Airport.
Companies in JAFZA can mortgage their own premises
0% customs duty on imports and re-exports
100% foreign ownership and repatriation of capital
Corporate and income tax exemptions
A range of property options and office solutions including retail outlets, warehouses, and plots of lands
Provides a range of business licenses
No currency restrictions and flexibility of transferring capital
No minimum share capital for LLC but only necessary capital required to carry out business activities
Types of licenses for Jebel Ali free zone company formation
Trading – Allows the import, export, and distribution of an extensive range of products
Services – Allows companies to conduct specified professional services
Industrial – Is required for the manufacturing and production of goods
JAFZA also offers special licenses for several activities such as
E-Commerce License – Required by companies that trade goods online
Innovation License – Required by businesses whose activities involve the development and invention of new products
National Industrial License – Is required by companies where UAE national own majority share capital
Offshore License – Issued to create an offshore company in JAFA
Types of business structures
Free Zone LLC
- Can have a single or multiple shareholders (2-50)
- No minimum share capital needed
Branch of local or foreign companies
- Branch of a local or foreign company
- 100% owned by the parent company
- Name and business activity the same as the parent company
Offshore company
- 100% foreign ownership
Jebel Ali Free Zone company set up in 3 easy steps
At LegalWorks we will assist you in every step of the Jebel Ali Free Zone company formation process from the document collection for initial approval to payment of registration and license fees. We hope to make the entire process easy and straightforward for you.
1. Determine your business structure
The first step in Jebel AIi Free Zone company set up is determining business license and structure. Our team of specialists will take you step by step through the initial procedures of the incorporation process. JAFZA provides investors with a range of licenses and business structures to choose from. We will assist you in determining the type of license according to your business activity and the company structure best suited to your needs. The registration fee depends on the type of company being set up. A free zone company with two or more shareholders requires AED 15,000 registration fee, a free zone establishment with a single shareholder needs AED 10,000 and a branch company registration fee is AED 5000.
2. Submit your online application
Once the initial incorporation procedures are completed, then the license registration process can begin, and the required documents submitted. To obtain a license for JAFZA company set up businesses need to submit both application-related documents and legal documents. The required documents vary slightly with the type of company being formed. However, LegalWorks can help you in the collection and submission of the documents. A general list of documents includes Memorandum and Articles of Association, a comprehensive business plan, Emirates ID, and NOC from residency visa sponsor.
3. Payment and collection of license
Our team will assist you in the payment license fees. The cost is determined by the type of license. A trading license costs approximately AED 30,000 while a service and industrial license cost AED 8000 and AED 9000, respectively. Once the payment is processed, you will receive your license and can begin running your business
Post licensing
After receiving your license, you can begin the visa process and rent an office space for your newly formed company. JAFZA offers multiple office options to its companies. The types of working spaces include plots of land, warehouses and industrial units and are designed expressly to facilitate the business activities that JAFZA promotes. A standard office costs AED 2000 per sqm while a warehouse costs AED 350-600 per sqm. Our team can take you through all office options available and help you choose the right one for your company and number of employees.
| Type of facility | Standard office | Showrooms | Warehouse | Land | Retail |
| size | 26.00 sqm | 700 sqm and above | 300 sqm and above | 5000 sqm and above | varies |
| cost | AED 2,000 / sqm | AED 800 / sqm | AED 800 / sqm | AED 25 – 80 / sqm | AED 2,500 – 3,500 / sqm |
Cost of company set up in JAFZA
Team up with LegalWorks for Jebel Ali Free Zone company registration and experience the best the free zone has to offer.
| Application fee | AED 500 |
| Registration fee |
FZCo AED 15000 FZE AED 10,000 Branch AED 5000 |
| General trading license | AED 30,000 |
| Service license | AED 8000 |
| Employment visa | AED 4900 |
| Establishment card | AED 1890 |
