Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) is one of the world’s largest free zones, spanning over 140 km² co-located with Jebel Ali Port — the Middle East’s busiest container port and the 9th busiest in the world.
JAFZA’s Strategic Position
JAFZA is uniquely positioned as the world’s most connected industrial free zone: direct sea access via Jebel Ali Port (9th busiest globally), 15 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport (future world’s largest airport), direct rail connection to Etihad Rail network (GCC-wide freight rail), and 50 km from Dubai International Airport. JAFZA handles USD 100 billion+ in annual trade, representing 24% of the UAE’s total non-oil trade.
Who Should Choose JAFZA?
JAFZA is ideal for: manufacturers importing raw materials and exporting finished goods, third-party logistics (3PL) and freight forwarding companies, commodity traders needing bonded warehouse storage, pharmaceutical and food companies needing temperature-controlled storage, and e-commerce companies needing proximity to both sea and air freight.
JAFZA Company Types
JAFZA FZE/FZCO: Standard free zone company (1 or more shareholders). Liability limited to company assets. JAFZA LLC: UAE LLC registered within JAFZA — allows mainland operations alongside free zone benefits. JAFZA Branch of a Foreign Company: Branch of a non-UAE parent. Most commonly used by multinationals establishing UAE logistics operations.
JAFZA Facility Options
Warehouse units: 500–100,000 sqm, AED 30–60 per sqft per year. Factory units: customisable, available with power, water, and gas connections. Offices: flexi desk to private floors. Open storage yards: available for heavy equipment and vehicle storage. Cold storage: purpose-built temperature-controlled warehouses.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAFZA | FZCo registration and service licence components | AED 40,000-55,000 planning range (licence component priced separately; mandatory physical facility lease AED 25,000-40,000 + establishment card AED 1,975 + 1 visa AED 3,518 + medical/Emirates ID) Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 5,000 annual service licence renewal component before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 20,000 3-year registration plus service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price |
Visa access depends on the selected facility; immigration fees are separate | A workstation, office, warehouse, showroom or other qualifying facility is required and priced separately | Verified official price | Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components | No material public conflict recorded | July 2026 |
| What is included | The current official guide lists AED 5,000 one-time FZCo registration and AED 5,000 annual service licence fees. The three-year component total is the registration fee plus three published annual licence periods. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Workstation, office, warehouse or other facility, security deposit, establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, customs, activity approvals and advisory support. |
| Hidden-cost risk | AED 10,000 is not a complete JAFZA setup invoice. Facility choice and annual related charges materially change Year 1, renewal and three-year outlay; trading, logistics and industrial licences also use different official fee lines. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.