Quick answer: JAFZA’s realistic Year 1 cost for a 1-visa company is a planning range of AED 40,000–55,000, dominated by the mandatory physical facility lease (AED 25,000–40,000). JAFZA publishes no standard renewal figure and no verified 3-year total exists in our data — we show Year 1 honestly and label the rest “requires verification” rather than guessing.
JAFZA Year 1 Cost Breakdown
| Component | Year 1 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory physical facility lease | AED 25,000–40,000 | JAFZA requires real office or warehouse space — no virtual option |
| Establishment card | AED 1,975 | Annual |
| 1 residence visa | AED 3,518 | Government and processing fees |
| Medical + Emirates ID | Per person | Standard federal charges |
| Licence component | Priced separately by activity | The advertised “from AED 18,000” reflects the entry licence component, not the full setup |
| Year 1 planning range (1-visa) | AED 40,000–55,000 | Indicative — confirm with JAFZA directly |
3-Year Total
Not calculable from published data. Renewal is quote-based because the facility lease dominates and varies by unit size and type; no standard JAFZA renewal figure is published across the sources we track. In line with our methodology, we do not invent a 3-year total for JAFZA — request a written 3-year schedule from JAFZA or a licensed advisor.
Assumptions behind these numbers
- The AED 40,000–55,000 Year 1 range assumes a 1-visa trading or service configuration with the minimum mandatory facility.
- Warehouse and larger industrial facilities push costs well above this range.
- The licence component is priced separately by activity; advertised starting figures exclude facility, card and visa costs.
Our verdict
JAFZA is a logistics and industrial decision, not a budget decision. If your business needs Jebel Ali port access, heavy-industry infrastructure or the JAFZA ecosystem, the facility-driven cost structure is the price of entry and can be excellent value at scale. If you are a lean services or e-commerce company, zones like IFZA, Meydan or RAKEZ deliver a 3-year total at a fraction of JAFZA’s Year 1. See the full JAFZA profile.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no JAFZA 3-year total on this page?
Because no verified renewal figure is published and the facility lease dominates renewal costs. Our methodology forbids presenting an estimate as a verified total, so we show the Year 1 range and label the renewal “requires verification”.
What does JAFZA’s advertised “from AED 18,000” actually cover?
It reflects the entry-level licence component only. JAFZA mandates physical facility space, so a real 1-visa Year 1 runs AED 40,000–55,000 on current evidence.
Who should choose JAFZA despite the higher cost?
Trading, logistics, manufacturing and commodities businesses that benefit from Jebel Ali port connectivity, industrial land and warehousing, and the JAFZA ecosystem of 9,000+ companies.
Does JAFZA offer flexi-desk or virtual packages?
No. A physical facility (office or warehouse) is mandatory, which is the structural reason JAFZA’s costs exceed virtual-friendly zones.
How do JAFZA renewal costs behave?
Renewal is quote-based and facility-dominated: expect the lease plus licence renewal and card fees each year, with visa renewals on their own cycle.
How confident are these figures?
Indicative. The Year 1 range is a planning estimate assembled from multiple public sources; obtain an itemised written quote before paying.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Planning figures — JAFZA requires a direct quote; request an itemised written schedule before paying. Related: JAFZA profile · All cost guides · Cost calculator · How we verify prices.