Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) Company Setup
DAFZA
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone) is a premium free zone in Dubai, located next to Dubai International Airport. Home to more than 3,400 registered businesses, it is best suited for trading, logistics, aviation, and high-value service companies. It offers 100% foreign ownership and a tax-friendly business environment.
What is DAFZA?
Established in 1996, DAFZA is one of Dubai’s leading free zones and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA). It is home to over 20,000 professionals across 20+ sectors, including IT and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, food, aviation, cosmetics, freight and logistics, and engineering.
As a strategic trading hub, DAFZA connects Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and the Far East, with direct access to air cargo services and on-site customs facilities.
DAFZA hosts both multinational corporations and SMEs and offers a wide range of facilities, including fully furnished offices of various sizes, warehouses, light industrial units, cold storage facilities, and retail outlets. It also provides the convenience of having key government authorities located on-site under one roof.
What licenses does DAFZA offer?
Dubai Airport Free Zone License is a key to start business in the UAE. There are various types of license for starting a business in DAFZA Dubai. If any foreign investors have this license; they are free to perform business activities in this ideal location. Different types of license are mentioned here.
| License type | What it allows |
|---|---|
| Trade License | Import, export, re-export, distribution and storage of specific products. An E-commerce option is available for trading goods and services online. |
| Service License | Service-oriented businesses providing the services specified in the license. |
| Industrial License | Light manufacturing, packaging and assembling. |
| General Trading License | Trade across general activities, import, export, re-export, storage and distribution. |
| Single-Family Office (SFO) License | Lets a private organization manage the finances, investments and personal affairs of one wealthy family (e.g. estate planning, tax management). |
| Multi-Family Office (MFO) License | Provides similar services to multiple wealthy families, sharing resources and costs. |
| Dual License with DET | Lets a DAFZA company hold a DET (Dubai mainland) license without needing physical mainland office space, the business operates out of DAFZA. |
| Talent Pass License | For freelancers in media, technology or education; includes a visa entitlement and the option to lease a smart office. |
What company structures can I set up in DAFZA?
DAFZA offers three company structures:
- Freezone Company (FZCO): formed with 1–50 shareholders (individuals or corporate entities). Minimum share capital of just AED 1 (USD 0.27).
- Public Limited Company (PLC): a public limited company with limited liability and no limit on the number of shareholders; suited to businesses that wish to list or offer shares (IPO) on a securities market.
- Branch: a representative office; a foreign company can set up a branch of its existing business in DAFZA, with no share capital required.
Share capital note: For a Freezone Company the minimum is AED 1. A bank share-capital letter is only required if the declared share capital is above AED 150,000.
Benefits Of A Business Set Up In DAFZA
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) presents innumerable facilities to the companies which are working under Dubai Free Zone Authority. The list of benefits is mentioned below:
- 100% foreign company ownership.
- Businesses can operate 24 hours a day
- Direct access to customs, immigration facilities etc
- Easy access to more than 100 countries through 130 airlines
- 100% income tax free
- Freedom of repatriation of capital and profits
- Outstanding infrastructure and feasibility
- Massive logistics center and multiple cargo managing facilities
- Direct link to Government for the clearance matters like immigration and custom
- Rapid and feasible approach to the world market
- Proper handling and managing services under one roof
Who is DAFZA best for?
DAFZA is particularly well suited to:
- Trading and general trading companies needing air-freight access
- Logistics, freight and cargo businesses
- Aviation and aviation-services companies
- Pharmaceuticals and food trading (with cold-storage needs)
- High-value service and consulting firms
- Family offices (single and multi-family) managing private wealth
- Freelancers in media, technology and education (via Talent Pass)
How do I set up a company in DAFZA?
DAFZA has formed an easy process for formulating companies in the free zone. The procedure is easy to comprehend. The process of registration is in three steps which are necessary.
1. Select The Entity, License And Facility
- The basic step is to choose the type of business entities i.e. a free Zone Establishment or a branch office.
- The required license is first and foremost. Your license must be according to the business activities.
- Lastly, the selection of location has the greatest importance. DAFZA offers different types of locations in this regard.
2. Submission Of Documents
For opening a company in DAFZA, following documents are submitted.
- Application Form
- Letter of Intent
- Brochure of your existing company (if available)
- 6-month bank statement of shareholder/annual financial report (not applicable for new registration)
- CV and copy of Manager’s passport
- CV and copy of shareholder’s passport
- Original bank reference letter for each shareholder
- NOC by the current sponsor for the manager
- Approval are required from the third -party authorities according to business activities, e.g. IT, pharmaceutical companies and media.
3. Collect Business License
This is the last phase of your company formation in DAFZA. This is essential before starting your business.
- Submission of fee and receiving license
- Signing at least agreement
How much does it cost to set up in DAFZA?
The cost of setting up a business in DAFZA depends on your license type, company structure, office or flexi-desk option, and the number of visas you require. Business setup packages in DAFZA start from approximately AED 24,500.
For an accurate and up-to-date quotation tailored to your business activity and visa requirements, contact RFZ for a free consultation.
How many visas can I get with DAFZA, and how long does setup take?
- Visa quota: up to 6 visas, depending on your office size, visa allocation scales with the facility you lease.
- Setup time: approximately 7–10 working days after documents are submitted and cleared; the process can be done remotely.
Visa quotas and timelines vary by package, contact RFZ to confirm your specific entitlement.
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