How long does it take to register a company in JAFZA?

Most setups complete in 30-45 days after complete documents are submitted, depending on formation type and licence/activity category. The timeline depends on the facility availability in JAFZA.

What’s the difference between formation type and business licence?

Formation type is your legal structure (FZE/FZCO/branch). The business licence defines what the company is allowed to do (trade/service/industrial/logistics).

What is the minimum share capital to register in JAFZA?

JAFZA does not prescribe a minimum share capital for FZE or FZCO, but expects share capital that is sufficient for the licensed activities.

Which JAFZA licence is best for import/export?

Usually a Trading licence (or General Trading if you need multiple activity groups across product categories).

How much is a JAFZA trading licence per year?

It depends on activities/groups. Common structures include AED 5,000/year, AED 8,500/year, or AED 15,000/year for General Trading (subject to JAFZA changes).

Do I need an office or warehouse to register in JAFZA?

Yes, you will need a minimum of flex-desk for trading license and minimum warehouse for an industrial license.

Can a corporate shareholder own a JAFZA company?

Yes—JAFZA supports corporate shareholding structures (subject to documentation/KYC).

Can I get visas under a JAFZA company?

Yes, visa eligibility depends on your package and facility/lease structure. We align the setup with your staffing plan

Is JAFZA good for logistics and supply chain businesses?

Yes—JAFZA offers a dedicated Logistics licence and is commonly used for 3PL, forwarding, clearing-related, storage and distribution operations.

Can Consultrio handle banking/EMI onboarding after setup?

Yes—once your company is formed and licensed, we support bank/EMI onboarding with the right documentation and operating narrative.

How long does it take to register a company in JAFZA?

Typical timelines are 3 to 14 business days after complete documents are submitted, depending on formation type, licence type, and activity category.

What’s the difference between formation type and business licence in JAFZA?

Formation type is the legal structure of the company (e.g., FZE, FZCO, branch). The business licence defines what the company is allowed to do (e.g., trading, service, industrial, logistics) and lists the approved business activities.

What is the minimum share capital to register a company in JAFZA?

JAFZA does not prescribe a minimum share capital for FZE or FZCO, but requires share capital that is sufficient for the licensed activities.

Which licence do I need for import/export and trading in JAFZA?

A Trading licence is typically used for buying/selling goods, import/export and holding inventory. If you need multiple product activity groups, a General Trading structure may be more suitable.

How much does a JAFZA trading licence cost per year?

The annual fee depends on the number of activities and activity groups. Common structures include AED 5,000/year (single group up to 7 activities), AED 8,500/year (two groups up to 6 activities each), or AED 15,000/year for general trading (more than two groups), subject to JAFZA updates.

Do I need a lease to register a company in JAFZA?

Facility requirements depend on the licence and operating model, but a lease arrangement is commonly required as part of the setup process.

What is a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) for corporate tax?

A Free Zone company that meets the conditions to be considered a QFZP can be subject to 0% corporate tax on qualifying income and 9% on taxable income that is not qualifying income, subject to meeting the required conditions.

Can Consultrio support bank or EMI onboarding after JAFZA setup?

Yes. We support post-setup onboarding with banks/EMIs by preparing the required documentation and a clear operating narrative aligned to your licence and business model.

Dubai’s flagship free zone for trade, logistics & industrial set-ups

Register Company in JAFZA
(Jebel Ali Free Zone)

If you’re looking to register a company in JAFZA, you’re choosing one of Dubai’s most established ecosystems for import/export, logistics, warehousing, distribution, and industrial operations—anchored next to Jebel Ali Port.

Consultrio supports you A–Z: activity selection, company formation, licensing, facility/lease coordination, visas, corporate tax readiness, and bank/EMI onboarding—so you can launch fast and stay compliant.

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Why register in JAFZA?

DMCC positions itself as a leading global business hub and highlights sector ecosystems (including tech, crypto, gaming, commodities). DMCC also states it drives a meaningful share of Dubai’s foreign direct investment.

1) Built for trade + logistics (not just “paper” setup)

JAFZA is designed for companies that need real operational capabilities—warehousing, distribution, freight-related services, and industrial workflows—particularly where proximity to port infrastructure matters.

2) Facility options that match your operating model

From offices and showrooms to warehouses and plots of land, your facility selection can be aligned to your licence and practical business needs (inventory, staffing, inspections, HSE, etc.).

3) Clear licence categories (easier renewals and compliance planning)

JAFZA licensing is structured around the big operating categories (trading / service / industrial / logistics), which makes renewals and operational scope easier to plan—especially if you’re scaling.

4) Strong fit for regional expansion

For many founders, registering in JAFZA is a strategic base to service UAE and broader MENA/GCC trade routes with a reputable operational footprint.

JAFZA License Types & Business Activities

Below are the most common licence types founders choose when they register a company in JAFZA.

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Trading licence (incl. General Trading)

Best for businesses that buy/sell goods, import/export, and hold inventory for resale.

Typical fit: FMCG, spare parts, electronics, machinery, commodities, wholesale trading, import/export.

Industrial licence

Best for businesses that manufacture, assemble, process, or package goods.
This typically requires an appropriate production facility and warehouse aligned to your industrial activity.

Service licence

Best for companies providing professional / non-trading services (consulting, IT services, marketing, management, etc.)

Logistics licence

Best for businesses focused on logistics and supply chain services (storage, distribution, forwarding, clearing, order and inventory management, etc.).

Requirements to register a JAFZA company

1. Corporate and KYC Requirements

Shareholder(s), Director(s) and UBO details (KYC)
Passport copies (and visa/Emirates ID if applicable)
Corporate documents (if a corporate shareholder is used)
Proposed company names (for availability checks)
Defined business activities + licence type selection

2. Office & facility requirement

In order to obtain a business license in JAFZA, you would be required to lease a facility within Jebel Ali Free Zone and minimum flexi desk priced at 39,000 AED per annum
Due to high volume of demand for facility spaces in JAFZA, the wait list can reach up to 2 months for flexi-desk and 8 months for a prebuilt warehouses.

3. Capital Requirements

There is no minimum paid up capital requirement to register a company in JAFZA
The recommended authorised capital per each shareholder is 100,000 AED

Process

Process to register your DMCC company (4 steps)

Step 1 — Strategy & eligibility check

Confirm your business model and the correct licence type
Select business activities that are accurate and bank-friendly
Choose the right legal form (FZE vs FZCO vs branch)

Step 2 — Document collection & application pack

KYC/UBO pack + corporate shareholder documents (if applicable)
Draft and prepare formation documents / resolutions as required
Validate facility requirements based on licence (office/warehouse/etc.)

Step 3 — Submission, approvals, licensing

File the application with correct activity grouping
Coordinate payments and issuance steps
Support lease coordination where needed and align timing to issuance

Step 4 — Post-setup: visas, tax readiness, banking

Establishment/immigration sequencing (if applicable)
Corporate tax readiness and compliance setup
Bank/EMI onboarding support (narrative, documents, operating model clarity)

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Costs to register a company in JAFZA

To keep your cost predictable, we structure the setup to match your operating model without over-licensing and without selecting activities that create unnecessary compliance/banking friction.

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One time set up fees

Registration fee for FZE (1 shareholder): AED 5,000
Registration fees for FZCO (2 or more shareholders): AED 5,000

Annual fees

Annual Trading or Industrial License fees with up to 7 activities, can go up to 17 with add-ons: AED 5,000
Annual Trading or Industrial license fees with up to 12 activities total; typically 6 per group, max 2 groups: AED 8,500
Additional activities: AED 500 per additional activity beyond the included limit
General Trading fees: AED 15,000
Logistics license fees: AED 15,000
Holding license fees: AED 30,000
Flex-desk annual rent fees: 39,023 AED

Corporate Tax in JAFZA (QFZP Overview)

Corporate Tax applies in the UAE, including to Free Zone entities. Free Zone companies need to comply with registration and filing requirements.

A Free Zone Person that qualifies as a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) may benefit from:

0% on Qualifying Income, and
9% on Taxable Income that is not Qualifying Income, subject to meeting the required conditions.

We don’t just “register the company”—we help you structure the setup so your company is operationally clean, bank-ready, and prepared for ongoing compliance.

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How Consultrio supports you from A to Z

End-to-end support

1. Strategy & structure setup

Select structure: FZE / FZCO / Branch
Confirm license type + activities (aligned & bankable)
Choose facility/lease option based on visas and operations
Set share capital and any supporting proofs (if needed)

2. Application preparation

Compile corporate docs + KYC/UBO pack
Draft clear activity descriptions and rationale
Prepare bank-ready profile (model, ownership, source of funds)
Final QA to avoid delays and resubmissions

3. Approval, licensing & post-setup

Manage approvals and license issuance end-to-end
Collect corporate docs + confirm facility allocation
Open immigration file and coordinate visas (if needed)
Support bank/EMI onboarding and tax readiness steps

Register a Company in JAFZA—Fast, Compliant, Bank-Ready

We help founders and international groups register a company in JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) end-to-end: the right entity (FZE/FZCO/Branch), correct license activities, smooth approvals, facility/lease coordination, visas, and a bank-ready onboarding pack. Clear process, transparent costs, and a structure built to scale.

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