DAFZA Company Setup in Dubai
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DAFZA company setup gives you a 100%-owned company in the Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), right beside Dubai International Airport (DXB) — with residence visas, 0% tax on qualifying income, and on-site offices and warehouses for high-value trade.
From licence choice to visas and banking, Legarithm handles the full DAFZA formation and keeps you compliant afterwards.
Why run your DAFZA company setup with Legarithm
A premium free zone rewards the right setup and punishes the wrong one: the licence type, activity list, facility and dual-licence choice all shape your cost, your tax position and your access to the UAE market. The value isn’t the paperwork — it’s matching DAFZA’s aviation-and-trade strengths to what your business actually does, and getting the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions right from day one.
As a licensed UAE corporate services provider, we select your licence and activities, arrange the office or warehouse, process visas and the establishment card, and set up corporate-tax registration — one team, one clear quote. We’ll also tell you honestly when a cheaper free zone such as IFZA or RAKEZ fits better than a premium DAFZA address.
DAFZA Company Setup: key benefits
DAFZA company setup combines 100% ownership, an airport-side location, 0% tax on qualifying income and full visa eligibility.
Who DAFZA suits
DAFZA company setup suits businesses that value airport adjacency, premium facilities and UAE-plus-export reach.
Logistics & freight forwarders
Operators that need on-airport cargo access and fast customs clearance.
Aviation & aerospace suppliers
Parts, MRO and service providers tied to the airport ecosystem.
High-value traders
Electronics, pharmaceuticals, jewellery and luxury goods needing secure storage.
IT & professional services
Consultancies and tech firms scaling from a prestige Dubai address.
Regional HQs & distributors
Groups needing UAE-market reach via a dual licence plus export logistics.
DAFZA license types
Your DAFZA company setup is built around one of these licence types, matched to your activities.
Trade license
Import, export, distribution and storage of specified goods.
Service license
Consultancy, IT, professional and other service activities.
Industrial license
Light manufacturing, processing and assembly inside the free zone.
General Trading license
Trade a broad range of goods under a single licence.
Dual license (DET)
Hold a mainland DET licence alongside your DAFZA licence for UAE-market access.
Not sure which licence fits?
Tell us your activities and we’ll map them to the right DAFZA licence.
DAFZA vs IFZA vs Mainland
See where DAFZA company setup sits against a low-cost free zone and a mainland licence.
| Feature | DAFZA | IFZA (free zone) | Mainland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Airport logistics & premium trade | Cost-effective general setup | Full UAE-market business |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| UAE market trade | Via dual licence / distributor | Via distributor | Direct |
| Residence visas | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Facility | On-site office / warehouse | Flexi-desk options | Office required |
| Location | Beside DXB airport | Dubai (Meydan) | Anywhere in the emirate |
| Corporate tax | 0% qualifying (QFZP), else 9% | 0% qualifying, else 9% | 9% |
| Setup time | 14–21 working days | A few days | 1–4 weeks |
| Relative cost | Higher (premium) | Lower | Mid–high |
Start your DAFZA company setup with a licensed UAE partner.
We manage the licence, facility, visas and corporate-tax registration end to end.
DAFZA eligibility & documents
What individuals and corporate shareholders need, plus licensing and compliance rules.
- Valid passport copy (all shareholders and directors)
- UAE entry stamp or visa page (if applicable)
- Recent passport-size photograph on a white background
- Proof of residential address
- UBO declaration
How DAFZA setup works
Here is how DAFZA company setup runs — five steps with realistic timelines.
DAFZA company setup cost
DAFZA company setup cost depends on licence, facility and visas; the table shows official DAFZA/government fees only.
| Item | Official fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Trade / Service / Industrial licence (annual) | AED 15,000 |
| General Trading licence (annual) | AED 50,000 |
| Company registration (one-time, from) | AED 12,000 |
| Establishment (immigration) card | Official fee, varies |
| Residence visa (per visa, government portion) | Official fee, varies |
* Official DAFZA/government fees only. They exclude office or warehouse rent, per-visa medical/Emirates ID costs and Legarithm’s service fee. The real first-year total typically runs AED 40,000–150,000+ depending on licence, facility and number of visas. Legarithm provides a transparent all-in quote on request.
DAFZA Company Setup: FAQ
Still have questions?
How long does DAFZA company setup take?
Typically 14–21 working days for the licence once documents are ready; visas and bank-account opening add two to six weeks and run in parallel.
What licence types can I choose?
Trade, service, industrial and general trading licences, plus a DET dual licence for mainland access. We match the licence to your activities.
Can a DAFZA company sell in the UAE mainland market?
Not directly from the free zone. You either appoint a local distributor or add a mainland DET dual licence for unrestricted UAE trade.
Does DAFZA grant residence visas?
Yes. You can sponsor visas for yourself and staff; the quota depends on your facility and package.
Is a DAFZA company really 0% tax?
Qualifying income is taxed at 0% if you meet all Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions, including substance and audited accounts; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%.
Can one person own 100%, and are corporate shareholders allowed?
Yes to both — a single individual can own the company outright, and corporate shareholders are permitted.
What is the DAFZA dual licence?
It lets your DAFZA company also hold a mainland DET licence, so you reach the UAE market without renting a separate mainland office.
Which activities suit DAFZA best?
Aviation and aerospace, logistics and freight, high-value trade (electronics, pharma, jewellery) and IT or professional services.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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