DAFZ (Dubai Airport Freezone) at a glance
DAFZA, beside Dubai International Airport since 1996, is a premium free zone with a strong reputation among banks and corporates. It suits aviation, logistics, technology and trading firms that want a prestigious airport-side address and are comfortable with a higher cost base.
Who is DAFZ suitable for?
- Aviation and aerospace suppliers
- Air-freight and logistics operators
- Corporates that want a premium airport address
Industries commonly considered
Trading, General Trading, Logistics, IT Services. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
DAFZ company formation cost
Indicative band Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.
| Item | Government cost |
|---|---|
| Service or trade licence, year one (smart desk + 1 visa) | ≈ AED 55,000–85,000 |
| General trading licence, year one | ≈ AED 95,000–150,000 (larger office and share-capital deposit apply) |
| Warehouse or industrial setup | ≈ AED 215,000–342,000+ |
Year-one budget: AED 55,000–85,000 for a basic service or trade setup. Renewal: Licence, office and establishment card renew annually.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at DAFZ
The authority (Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ)) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with DAFZ and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Trading and general trading | Trading licence |
| Aviation and aerospace services | Aviation-related services licence |
| Logistics and freight forwarding | Logistics / warehousing licence |
| Technology and consulting | Service / professional licence |
Company structures
Typically a free zone establishment (FZE) for one shareholder, a free zone company (FZ-LLC) for two or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company. Names and rules differ by zone — confirm the options with the authority.
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use DAFZ’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in DAFZ
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against DAFZ’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at DAFZ: 2–4 weeks, subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
Office requirements at DAFZ depend on the licence type and how many visas you need. Packages commonly bundle a flexi-desk or shared desk for smaller set-ups, while larger teams and trading activity usually need a dedicated office — confirm the current options.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At DAFZ: Tied to office type and size. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally high in their familiarity with DAFZ entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
UAE corporate tax applies to free zone companies too: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, unless the entity is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, which can access 0% on qualifying income if strict conditions are met and 9% on the rest. Every free zone entity must register for corporate tax. Whether DAFZ income qualifies depends on your activity, customers and substance. Our tax guide explains the tests.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Licence, office and establishment card renew annually. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Established address with strong recognition among banks and corporates
- Airport-side location with air-cargo and logistics connectivity
- Smart-desk, office and warehouse options
- Licence categories covering trading, services, e-commerce and industrial activity
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- One of the most expensive free zones per year
- General trading licences carry a large office and share-capital requirement
DAFZ vs mainland
A DAFZ licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| DAFZ | JAFZA | DMCC | Dubai South | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai |
| Best for | Aviation, logistics & premium trading | Logistics, trading & industrial | Commodities, crypto & multi-sector | Aviation, logistics & e-commerce |
| Licence cost | Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa) | Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra | Official packages from AED 29,185; licence typically AED 20,000–50,000 a year (DMCC, Apr 2026) | Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packages |
| Setup time | 2–4 weeks | 1–3 weeks | About 2 weeks, fully digital (DMCC) | 1–2 weeks |
| Banking ease (editorial) | High | Good | High | Moderate |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Indicative band | Published fees | Indicative band |
JAFZA · DMCC · Dubai South · DIFC · Compare any zones
DAFZ company formation: FAQs
What is DAFZ company formation?
DAFZ company formation means registering a company under DAFZ (Dubai Airport Freezone)'s rules in Dubai. DAFZA, beside Dubai International Airport since 1996, is a premium free zone with a strong reputation among banks and corporates. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ)) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in DAFZ?
Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa). This is an indicative planning band rather than the authority's price list — request a written quote for your activity.
Can foreigners own 100% of a DAFZ company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with DAFZ's authority.
What licences are available in DAFZ?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For DAFZ the activities most associated with it include trading and general trading, aviation and aerospace services, logistics and freight forwarding; these typically map to: Aviation-related services licence; Logistics / warehousing licence; Service / professional licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through DAFZ?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at DAFZ: Tied to office type and size.
What documents are required for DAFZ company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does DAFZ require an office?
Office requirements at DAFZ depend on the licence type and how many visas you need. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a DAFZ company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of DAFZ?
Established address with strong recognition among banks and corporates; Airport-side location with air-cargo and logistics connectivity; Smart-desk, office and warehouse options. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in DAFZ?
Choose your activity and check it against DAFZ's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: 2–4 weeks, subject to the authority.
How much does a DAFZA licence cost?
A basic service or trade setup with a smart desk and one visa typically totals AED 55,000–85,000 in year one according to published market guides. General trading and warehouse setups cost considerably more. Request a written quote for your exact activity.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | dafz.ae |
| Licensing / operating authority | Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ) |
| Fee data status | Indicative band — Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa) — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for DAFZ
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.