JAFZA vs DAFZA
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) (Dubai) or Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) (Dubai)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose JAFZA for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 1,030 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Room for more visas (up to 25 vs 10)
- Popular with importers and exporters
- Popular with logistics companies
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) is Dubai's oldest and largest free zone, next to Jebel Ali Port and owned by DP World. It is built for importers, re-exporters, logistics companies and manufacturers that need offices, warehouses or land plots. A small flexi-desk company with one visa typically costs AED 40,000 to 55,000 in the first year, and incorporation usually takes one to three weeks after documents are complete.
Choose DAFZA for…
- A similar overall offer; the decision comes down to location and activity fit
- Popular with air-freight traders
- Popular with tech and electronics companies
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ, often still called DAFZA) sits right beside Dubai International Airport and is part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority. It suits air-freight traders, electronics, pharma and luxury goods distributors and regional head offices. A small flexi-desk company with one visa usually costs somewhere between AED 25,000 and 45,000 in year one, and setup typically takes two to four weeks.
JAFZA vs DAFZA side by side
| JAFZA | DAFZA | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Packages from | AED 16,480 | AED 17,510 |
| Renewal from | AED 15,450 | AED 16,480 |
| Visa quota | Up to 25 | Up to 10 |
| Typical setup | ~10 working days | ~10 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 5 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Private office, Warehouse | Flexi-desk, Private office, Warehouse |
| Activity areas | Trading, Industrial, Logistics, Holding / SPV, Consultancy | Trading, Logistics, Tech & IT, Consultancy, E-commerce, Healthcare |
| Crypto / Web3 | No | No |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 1985 | 1996 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
JAFZA in brief
Jebel Ali Free Zone opened in 1985 with a handful of companies beside a new deep-water port. Forty years later it hosts more than 11,000 businesses, including regional distribution centres for many of the world's best-known manufacturers and retailers. In the first four months of 2026 alone, DP World reported over AED 850 million of new investment commitments in the zone.
Strengths
- Direct link to Jebel Ali Port and close to Al Maktoum Airport
- Warehouses, industrial units and land plots in one zone
- VAT Designated Zone for qualifying goods movements
- High visa capacity with larger facilities
Watch out for
- Expensive for service-only businesses
- Every company must lease a real facility; there is no virtual option for onshore companies
- Far from central Dubai and Dubai International Airport
DAFZA in brief
Most free zones sell you a location. Dubai Airport Freezone sells you a runway. The zone was founded in 1996 on land bordering Dubai International Airport, so cargo flown into DXB can reach a DAFZ warehouse in a short drive without leaving customs control. For goods that are light, valuable or urgent, that speed is the whole business case.
Strengths
- Direct access to Dubai International Airport cargo
- On the Green Line metro with its own station
- VAT Designated Zone for goods held for re-export
- Strong reputation with multinationals and banks
Watch out for
- More expensive than package-based Dubai zones
- High occupancy means limited availability of offices
- Flexi-desk visa allocation is small
JAFZA vs DAFZA: common questions
Which is cheaper, JAFZA or DAFZA?
On our current packages, JAFZA starts lower at around AED 16,480, against AED 17,510 for DAFZA. Compare renewal too: JAFZA renews from about AED 15,450 and DAFZA from about AED 16,480. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, JAFZA or DAFZA?
JAFZA allows up to 25 visas, depending on the office you lease. DAFZA allows up to 10.
Which is faster to set up, JAFZA or DAFZA?
JAFZA is typically quicker at around 10 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a JAFZA licence valid for business in the rest of the UAE?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from JAFZA to DAFZA later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
JAFZA or DAFZA? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place