At AED 10,800, Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)'s business license sits 6% below the UAE freezone average of AED 11,504. This covers your company registration, legal documentation, and regulatory compliance for the first year. Visa sponsorship costs AED 2,800 per person—3% below the UAE average of AED 2,884.
If you're hiring employees immediately, budget accordingly; this scales linearly. Office space runs AED 0 annually for a Warehouse, Office, Virtual Address, which is 100% below comparable facilities across the UAE (AED 2,338). Don't overlook hidden costs: medical examinations (AED 330), Emirates ID (AED 370), and establishment cards (AED 300) add AED 1,000 to your budget.
Altogether, expect AED 14,600 in your first year setup. For solo freelancers, you might skip visa sponsorship and reduce this significantly.
Year 1 Setup Cost
Year 2+ Renewal
Quick Facts
Setup Time
6 Working Days
Bank Approval
High
Max Shareholders
Unlimited
Office Type
Warehouse, Office, Virtual Address
How to Set Up a Company in DAFZA
Setting up in Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) follows a structured process that typically takes 6 working days. Start by choosing your business activity — DAFZA supports Air Cargo, Customs Brokerage, International Trading, and 1 more categories. Your license fee starts at AED 10,800.
Next, reserve your trade name. Names must comply with UAE naming conventions — no offensive terms, no names identical to existing registered companies. Name reservation typically completes within 1-2 business days.
Submit your application with passport copies, proof of address, business plan, and NOC (if currently employed in UAE). DAFZA processes applications through their portal. Select your workspace: warehouse, office, virtual address.
Office costs AED 0 annually. Pay your license fee (AED 10,800) and office deposit to proceed. Once approved, DAFZA issues your trade license within 6 working days.
Your license is valid for one year from the date of issue. With your license in hand, apply for residence visas (AED 2,800 per person) and begin bank account opening. Banking approval is straightforward here — expect 2-4 weeks.
Office Options at DAFZA
DAFZA offers warehouse, office, virtual address options. Your choice of office space directly impacts your total setup cost and the number of visas you can sponsor. Warehouse: Workspace option available at DAFZA.
Contact the freezone authority for specific pricing and visa allocation details. Office: A private office space with dedicated infrastructure. Higher visa quota (typically 5-15+ depending on size), professional reception, and full office amenities.
Best for teams and client-facing businesses that need a permanent physical presence. Virtual Address: A registered address without physical presence. Lowest cost option, suitable for businesses that operate remotely.
Typically allows 1-3 visa sponsorships. Includes mail handling and use of meeting rooms on a per-hour basis. Base price of AED 0/year covers the warehouse option.
Upgrades are available at additional cost.
Banking & Account Opening at DAFZA
DAFZA has one of the strongest banking relationships among UAE freezones. Companies licensed here typically experience smooth account opening with major banks including Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, and ADCB. Approval timelines average 2-4 weeks with standard documentation.
DAFZA has high bank approval (89%) — established logistics zone. Processing takes 1–2 weeks. All major banks have DAFZA cargo teams.
Bring air freight documents, airline partnerships, or handling agreements. Banks fast-track established cargo operators. You will need: completed bank application form, trade license copy, passport copies of all shareholders and signatories, proof of address, business plan, initial deposit (typically AED 5,000-50,000), and board resolution appointing authorized signatories.
Why Choose DAFZA?
DAFZA is the top choice for air cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies operating from Dubai International Airport. Choose DAFZA if you handle air freight, manage bonded warehouses, or clear international shipments.
Direct access to Dubai International Airport — prime cargo location
High bank approval (89%) — 28-year track record
Unlimited shareholders for large logistics networks
Customs-bonded warehouse facilities included
Virtual address option for small operations
Integrated with air cargo terminals and freight forwarders
Visit the official DAFZA website at www.dafza.ae for the latest fee schedules and application forms.
When DAFZA Is Not the Right Choice
No freezone is perfect for every business. Here are situations where DAFZA may not be your best option. License (AED 10,800) + warehouse rental significant cost.
Airport location requires customs knowledge and clearance. Licensing tied to specific cargo/logistics activities. Warehouse space competitive during peak seasons.
Air freight documentation requirements complex. Evaluate your specific needs against these limitations before committing.
Ongoing Compliance & Renewals
Mark your renewal date—typically before your license anniversary—and budget AED 9,720 for license renewal. Starting renewal paperwork 45 days before expiration prevents last-minute complications. Maintain monthly accounting records and file annual audited accounts.
Most freezones mandate dual-language financial statements (Arabic/English). Engage a local accounting firm early; DIY accounting often creates compliance gaps that trigger audit penalties. Banking relationships here are straightforward, but account maintenance requires consistent transaction activity.
Dormant accounts risk closure; maintain minimum monthly activity. Common pitfalls: underselling expected revenues (triggers audit escalation), missing visa renewal deadlines (visa cancellation), and failing to update shareholder records. Track shareholder changes immediately—limits are Unlimited shareholders; exceeding triggers reclassification.
Specific to Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA): License approval takes 6 working days. Customs clearance and ground handling licenses required — handled by DAFZA administration. IATA certifications for cargo handlers recommended.
Hazmat (dangerous goods) handling requires additional MOT (Ministry of Transportation) approvals. Annual compliance costs typically run 5-8% of license fees for accounting and audit services.
Documents Required for DAFZA Setup
Prepare these documents before starting your DAFZA application. Having everything ready upfront avoids delays — incomplete applications are the most common reason for setups exceeding the 6 working days standard timeline. You will need: a valid passport (at least 6 months validity remaining) for all shareholders and managers; two recent passport-size photos per applicant on a white background; proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement from your home country dated within the last 3 months.
A brief business plan describing your activities, target market, and projected revenue is required. If you are currently employed in the UAE, you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer — this is not required for new entrants. For companies with multiple shareholders, prepare a board resolution appointing managers and signatories, and a shareholder agreement defining ownership percentages and rights.
A bank reference letter from your existing bank confirming good standing and account history will be needed for the bank account opening process. All documents must be in English or Arabic. Non-English documents require attested translation.
Some documents may need UAE embassy attestation depending on your country of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
First-year costs include one-time items: business license issuance, office setup, initial visa sponsorship, and administrative registrations. Renewal years skip these and cost approximately AED 9,720 annually. Many startups budget 50-70% less in year two than year one.