Trading License
For import, export, distribution, and storage of specified goods.
- Import and export operations
- Wholesale distribution
- Commodity and product trading
- Storage and warehousing
- Re-export to regional markets
Dubai Airport Free Zone Company Formation
DAFZA sits beside Dubai International Airport. Your company gets airport-side logistics, 24/7 customs clearance, and an address banks and global partners recognize. License from AED 15,000, with a first-year total of AED 55,000 upward.
Excellent
1,600+ Registered Companies
24/7 Customs Services
Airport-Adjacent Location
Excellent
Free Zone Overview
What Is Dubai Airport Freezone?
DAFZA was established in 1996 next to Dubai International Airport. It serves businesses that depend on cargo speed, global reach, and a premium Dubai address that banks and partners recognize on sight.
Over 1,600 companies operate here across 20 sectors, with 1,500 approved activities. DAFZA competes on position, not price. The address shortens deal cycles and smooths bank onboarding, and you pay for both.
DAFZA offers a Dual License with DET, letting your free zone company trade on the Dubai mainland without a separate office or entity. Few Dubai free zones can match that.
Business Benefits
Why Do Businesses Choose Dubai Airport Freezone?
DAFZA is built for companies that value logistics speed, credibility, and airport-side infrastructure over low entry cost. If price is your first filter, this is the wrong zone.
- Airport-adjacent location with direct access to DXB cargo terminals
- 24/7 customs clearance through a dedicated DAFZA logistics center
- 100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor required
- Full repatriation of capital and profits, zero currency restrictions
- Zero personal income tax and 0% corporate tax on qualifying income
- Dual License option for mainland Dubai market access
- Over 1,500 approved activities across trade, services, and industrial
- Flexible workspace from smart desks to cold storage warehouses
Setup Includes
What Does Your DAFZA Company Setup Include?
Every DAFZA formation delivers the documents, registrations, and access you need to trade from day one. Here is what you get and what each item is for.
DAFZA Trade License
Your official license issued by DAFZA Authority. Covers up to 3 activities under the same category at no extra cost. Valid one year, renewable.
Registered Business Address
A DAFZA address for banking applications, contracts, invoices, and all regulatory filings. Recognized by financial institutions globally.
Establishment Card
Your company's immigration identity within UAE government systems. Required for processing residence visas for shareholders and employees.
MOA and Corporate Documents
Memorandum of Association, share certificates, and official company seal for governance, contracts, and legal agreements.
Visa Quota Allocation
Linked to your workspace type. Smart desks support 2 to 3 visas. Physical offices and warehouses unlock higher quotas for larger teams.
Office or Workspace Access
Smart desks, serviced offices, warehouses, or cold storage units within DAFZA Business Park and Industrial Park. Lease included in setup.
Customs and Logistics Access
Direct connection to DAFZA's 24/7 customs services, bonded warehouses, and cargo clearance facilities at DXB Airport.
Corporate Banking Introduction
Riz & Mona prepares your banking file, matches your profile to the right UAE bank, and provides a formal introduction for account opening.
License Categories
DAFZA Trade License Types Available
DAFZA offers six license categories. Your choice sets your office requirement, visa allocation, share capital, and how a bank reads your application.
Dual License with DET
Mainland market access from your DAFZA office.
- Sell to mainland UAE clients directly
- No separate mainland office needed
- DET license issued alongside DAFZA
- Available for FZCO entities only
- DAFZA issues NOC for DET application
Talent Pass License
For freelancers in media, technology, and education.
- Individual freelance professionals
- Media, tech, and education sectors
- UAE residency visa included
- No corporate entity needed
- Flexible independent work model
Legal Structures
DAFZA Company Structure Options
2026 Pricing
How Much Does a DAFZA Setup Cost?
DAFZA is a premium free zone. The price reflects the airport-side location, the logistics infrastructure, and the weight the address carries with banks. Cheaper zones suit some businesses better.
Service or Trade License
AED 55,000 to AED 85,000
Year one for a basic FZCO with one visa. The lower end assumes a smart desk, the upper end a serviced office. Covers license, registration, and visas.
General Trading License
AED 95,000 to AED 150,000
Requires a 50 sqm minimum office and an AED 500,000 share capital deposit, on top of a higher base license fee. Built for multi-product import and export.
Warehouse or Industrial Setup
AED 215,000 to AED 342,000+
Warehouse or cold storage lease, multiple visas, and industrial licensing. Excludes fit-out and specialized equipment, which are usually the larger number.
What Affects Your Total Cost
License Type
Trade and service licenses from AED 15,000 per year. General trading from AED 50,000. Industrial licenses from AED 20,000.
Office or Workspace
Smart desks from AED 15,000 per year. Physical offices AED 40,000 to AED 80,000. Warehouse space priced per sqm in Industrial Park.
Visa Processing
Each visa costs AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 in government fees. Medical and Emirates ID add AED 1,200 to AED 2,000 per person.
Registration Fees
One-time registration and establishment card charges range from AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 depending on entity type.
Share Capital
General trading requires AED 500,000 deposit. Standard trade and service licenses have flexible or lower capital requirements.
Lease Duration
3-year leases at AED 1,850 per sqm. 1-year leases at AED 1,950 per sqm plus 12.5% annual service charge.
Activity Count
Up to 3 activities under one license category at no extra cost. Each additional activity approximately AED 1,000.
Important Note
Figures are indicative for 2026. Riz & Mona provides an itemized quote against your exact activity, workspace, and visa count, at no obligation.
Setup Process
How to Register a Company in DAFZA
Your DAFZA company can be operational in 7 to 15 days provided documents are complete and your structure is confirmed. Here is each stage.
Day 1
Activity and Structure Selection
Confirm your business activities, license type, legal structure, and workspace. Riz & Mona maps your model to the right DAFZA configuration.
Day 1-2
Trade Name Reservation
Reserve your preferred company name through DAFZA's portal. The name must meet naming regulations and cannot duplicate existing registrations.
Day 2-4
Document Submission
Submit passport copies, shareholder information, business plan if required, and all corporate paperwork to DAFZA Authority for review.
Day 4-7
License Issuance and Lease Signing
Pay the required authority fees, sign your office or workspace lease agreement, and collect your DAFZA trade license and establishment card.
Day 7-10
Corporate Documents and Company Kit
Receive your full corporate package: trade license, MOA, share certificates, and company seal. All needed for contracts and bank applications.
Week 2-4
Visa and Emirates ID Processing
Apply for UAE residence visas for shareholders and employees. Covers entry permits, medical testing, biometrics, and Emirates ID delivery.
Week 2-6
Corporate Bank Account Opening
Riz & Mona prepares your banking file, matches you to a suitable UAE bank, and provides a formal introduction to support account activation.
Documentation
Documents Required for DAFZA Company Formation
Have these ready before you start. Missing or unclear paperwork is the single most common reason free zone applications stall at review.
Individual Shareholders
- Valid passport copies (all pages, clear scan)
- Color photograph, white background
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or statement)
- Completed DAFZA application form
- Current UAE visa copy if already resident
- Business plan (required for certain activities)
- Six months personal bank statements
- CV or professional profile of the manager
Corporate Shareholders
- Attested Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (attested)
- Board resolution authorizing UAE setup
- Power of attorney for the appointed signatory
- Passport copies of all directors and signatories
- Company profile or introduction letter
- Latest audited financial statements
- Good standing certificate from home jurisdiction
Documents issued outside the UAE must be notarized, apostilled, and attested. Riz & Mona confirms what your nationality and corporate structure require before you start.
Residency
UAE Visa Options Through Your DAFZA Company
A DAFZA license lets your company sponsor UAE residence visas. How many depends on your workspace type. Riz & Mona runs the full process.
Once your trade license is issued and your office lease is signed, you can apply for residence visas for shareholders, employees, and their immediate family members under UAE immigration rules.
DAFZA processes immigration through government services inside the free zone, which avoids the delays common at zones relying on external offices. Golden Visa eligibility applies to qualifying investors.
- Investor or partner visa: 3-year renewable
- Employee work visa: 2 or 3-year terms
- Dependent visa: spouse and children
- Emirates ID for all sponsored residents
- Health insurance: mandatory for issuance
- Golden Visa: qualifying investors eligible
Important Notice
All visa decisions are made by UAE immigration authorities. Eligibility and conditions may change. Riz & Mona confirms current requirements before you apply.
Banking
Banks That Work With DAFZA Companies
UAE banks recognize a DAFZA license, and the airport-side address helps during compliance review. Approval still turns on your documentation, business model, and shareholder profile.
Banks, Timelines, and Common Pitfalls
Banks Active With DAFZA Companies
Emirates NBDWidely used for free zones
Mashreq BankStrong digital banking
RAKBANKGood for SME accounts
ADCBMulti-currency options
First Abu Dhabi BankPremium corporate
Wio BankFully digital onboarding
Typical Account Opening Timelines
UAE Resident Applicant2 to 3 weeks
Non-Resident Applicant4 to 6 weeks
High-Risk Activity Profile4 to 8 weeks
Digital Bank Alternative5 to 10 working days
- A smart desk instead of a physical office attracts extra scrutiny. Banks prefer a physical office lease on DAFZA applications.
- Unclear business plans and vague activity descriptions are the top reasons corporate accounts get rejected at the application stage.
- Multi-currency accounts require specific documentation. Confirm exact requirements with the bank before your compliance meeting.
- Every banking decision rests with the bank. Riz & Mona prepares documents and makes introductions; it cannot guarantee an outcome.
DAFZA Infrastructure
What Makes DAFZA's Logistics Ecosystem Unique?
01
Round-the-Clock Customs
24/7 Customs Clearance at DXB Airport
Customs runs continuously, so cargo clears outside business hours. That matters for perishables and anything time-critical.
02
Dedicated Facility
DAFZA Logistics Center
Purpose-built logistics hub handling cargo management, bonded storage, and distribution for all DAFZA-licensed businesses within the free zone.
03
Warehousing and Cold Storage
DAFZA Industrial Park
ISO-compliant warehouses, cold storage units, and light industrial units built for electronics, pharma, food, and fashion logistics.
04
Mainland Market Access
Dual License for Local Trade
DAFZA's agreement with DET lets FZCO entities sell on the mainland without a second office, a separate company, or a local sponsor.
05
Global Connectivity
Direct Access to 260+ Destinations
Dubai International connects your business to more than 260 destinations. No other Dubai free zone sits this close to it.
Free Zone Guide
DAFZA vs JAFZA vs IFZA: Which Fits You?
DAFZA competes with JAFZA on logistics and with IFZA on price. This shows where each one wins and where it does not.
Not Sure Which Free Zone Fits Your Business?
Riz & Mona compares your options at no cost and names the zone that fits your activity, budget, and logistics, including when that zone is not DAFZA.
Ready to Start
Launch Your DAFZA Company With Full Support
Riz & Mona handles license selection, documents, visa processing, and bank introductions. One team, itemized pricing, and the first renewal costed before you commit.
100% Foreign Ownership•Airport-Side Location•24/7 Customs Access•Expert Banking Support•Setup in 7 to 15 Days
Setup costs are indicative. Riz & Mona quotes against your actual license type and workspace.