JAFZA company setup cost.
JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone — is Dubai's port-adjacent logistics, manufacturing and warehousing zone. Its licence fee is low, but a mandatory leased facility pushes the realistic total up. Here is the complete 2026 JAFZA setup cost.
What you actually pay, line by line.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| JAFZA Type 1 trade licence (up to 7 activities) | from USD 1,400 | Annual |
| JAFZA registration fee | USD 2,500 – 3,500 | Year 1 |
| Smallest mandatory office (26.88 m²) | from USD 14,600 | Annual; warehouses cost more |
| ArxSetup professional fee | USD 3,500 | KYC, filing, bank introductions |
| Year-1 all-in (onshore, smallest office) | from USD 30,000 | |
| JAFZA Offshore (no office) | from USD 6,000 | Holding only; cannot invoice UAE |
Government fees are pass-through and may be revised by the regulator without notice. AED/USD conversions are indicative. ArxSetup professional fees are fixed and quoted in writing before engagement. Figures current May 2026.
Reviewed by qualified counsel within ArxSetup and our affiliated practices, Neo Legal (UAE) and Cornwalls (Australia). Figures verified against primary regulator sources. Last reviewed: May 2026. Est. 2021 · DDA Licence 107229 · direct registry filing partner. How we review →
Common questions.
The questions clients ask most before committing. Current to 2026, reviewed by counsel.
How much does it cost to set up a company in JAFZA in 2026?
From USD 30,000 all-in for year one for an onshore JAFZA company with the smallest mandatory office (26.88 m² at about USD 14,600/year), plus the licence (from USD 1,400), registration, and ArxSetup professional fee. A JAFZA Offshore holding company starts from USD 6,000.
Why is JAFZA more expensive than DMCC?
The licence is cheaper, but JAFZA requires a leased facility (office or warehouse) from about USD 14,600/year, and warehousing scales up quickly. JAFZA wins for logistics and industrial; DMCC for trading and services.
What is the difference between JAFZA onshore and offshore?
Onshore JAFZA can trade, hold visas and lease facilities; JAFZA Offshore is a no-office holding vehicle that cannot invoice UAE customers but is the only UAE offshore structure that can own Dubai freehold property.
Does JAFZA require an audit?
Yes — onshore JAFZA companies file annual audited financial statements, separate from any QFZP corporate-tax requirement.
How long does JAFZA setup take?
3–5 weeks for licence issuance after document submission; full setup including visas and bank account typically completes in 6–8 weeks.
This page is general information, reviewed May 2026 — not legal, tax or immigration advice, and it does not create a client relationship. Advice specific to your circumstances is provided only under a signed engagement letter. Government fees are set by the relevant authority and may change without notice. Where local registered agents are required, we coordinate with licensed partners and disclose their role in writing.