DAFZ: Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Company setup from AED 15,020
- Bank account Guaranteed
- Residence visas for 2 years
About DAFZ
In the year 1996, the Dubai Airport Free Zone was established as a part of the Dubai International Airport. This makes the free zone one of the primary choices for setting up business activities related to operations and logistics. Businesses in this free zone can focus on importing and exporting their finished products locally and internationally as well.
DAFZ has a lot to offer. This includes government centers offering various services related to:
- immigration
- security
- customs
- healthcare
- the DAFZ retail center
- the DAFZ business center
- the Halal trade and marketing center
- notaries
- banks, and telecom providers
Ensure if Company Formation in DAFZ is right for you
— Yes If
- As DAFZ was built as a part of the DXB or Dubai International Airport, your business organization specializing in logistics and trade would be greatly aided as the airport provided great in-house custom services along with good logistical opportunities.
- If your preference includes a free zone with highly developed infrastructure, DAFZ would be perfect for you since it offers various fitted-out warehouses and offices, along with banks, notaries, and a dedicated logistics center.
- If you’re looking for a free zone that has provisions regarding dual licensing with the DED for running operations on the mainland.
- If you’re looking for a reputable and bank-friendly free zone, this free zone is perfect for you, as DAFZ is highly recognised by banks. This allows easier operations related to banks, such as opening an account.
- Other alternative solutions, such as business set up in JAFZA or SAIF, can also be considered.
— No If
- DAFZ is not one of the affordable free zones in Dubai, so if you’re looking for a cheap business setup solution for the formation of your company, DAFZ is not the right pick for you.
- If you’re planning to engage in business activities related to IT or media, we recommend free zones like the Dubai Media City or Dubai Silicon Oasis.
- It is mandatory to rent physical offices in DAFZ, so if you’re looking for a virtual office set up, DAFZ isn’t meant for you.
How to Start with Company Formation in DAFZ?
Assistance from a business setup consultant in Dubai can be opted for during setting up your business organization in the Dubai Airport free zone. The formation of your company takes around 2-4 weeks. Without renting an office, a DAFZ business license cannot be issued.
Step 1: Choose your license type and business activity
You must determine the business activity your future company is going to be involved in and the corresponding type of license. For a successful business setup, this is a vital step since choosing the wrong license type and activity can cause mistakes during registration of the company.
This can also lead to problems with obtaining residency visas for your employees and for yourself or with opening a bank account.
Step 2: Determine the legal entity of your business
The legal status of the business in Dubai Airport Free Zone must be specified. The possible company formations typed in DAFZ include a PLC, or a public limited company; a FZCO, or free zone company; or a branch of an already existing foreign or local company.
FZCO shareholders can be corporate entities, individuals, or a combination of both. At DAFZ, such companies have two specifications:
- Minimum share capital must be 1AED
- 1-50 shareholders (corporate, individual, or both)
A PLC is focused on business owners willing to offer or list the shares of the company on a securities market. This type of entity comes with an unlimited number of shareholders and limited liability.
Company branches opened in the DAFZ include no share capital or have to:
- be fully owned by the parent company
- Share the activities with the parent company
- Share the name with the parent company
Step 3: Prepare and file the required documentation
Preparation and submission of all necessary documents must be carried out together with the application form. For free zone company formation in Dubai, DAFZ requires the following documents:
- six-month personal bank statement
- original bank reference letter
- business plan
- NOC from a local partner
- latest utility bill as address proof
- passport copies of all shareholders
- passport-size photo
- passport
- this step also involved paying all the processing and registration fees
Step 4: Collect the registration and license documents
The various documents you will be receiving regarding the license and registration of the company would include:
- lease agreement
- share certificate
- investment service agreement
- articles of association and memorandum
- business license
- certificate of incorporation
Step 5: Secure your card of establishment
Receive the visa quotes and the establishment card containing all information about your company.
Step 6: Apply for an entry permit
If you’re not present in the UAE during processing of the entry permit, you will need to come to the country when the document is issued within the next 60 days in order to complete the biometrics and medical test for the visa.
If you’re in the UAE when the permit is issued, a change of status will be done from your previous residency visa for a UAE tourist visa to the new one.
Step 7: Take the medical test and submit visa documents
Undergo a medical checkup and submit all necessary documents for the residency visa. A varying number of visas may be available for employees of the company and for owners through different registration packages.
Step 8: Collect your Emirates ID
Once the visa has been collected, you must secure your Emirates ID card
Step 9: Open a bank account
To open a corporate account, apply to any bank in the UAE. Fortunately, DAFZ is highly appreciated by banks in the UAE and has several of their offices within the territory.
Hence, you should have no issues regarding opening an account. Once your account details are received, you are free to start running your business organization.
Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity!
We'd Love To Hear From You
contact us
Find us Here
Office 2505, 25th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE P.O Box 27614
Get In touch
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com
Send Your Inquiry
What is the Cost of a DAFZ license?
DAFZ’s 1-year licenses and packages:
Additional costs apart from the license fee include:
- Emirates ID
- Medical checkup
- DAFZ Establishment Card
- DAFZ rent costs
- Innovation fee
- Knowledge fee
- PO box fee
- DAFZ registration fee
- DAFZ visa fees
Company formation in DAFZ is not among the cheapest ones, but it has a variety of packages on offer.
| License | Cost, AED |
|---|---|
|
1 year trading or service or industrial license |
15,000 |
|
Standard office package (27 sq. m. office + 3 visa quotas) |
84,630 |
|
Standard office package (54 sq. m. office + 6 visa quotas) |
141,985 |
|
Standard office package (100 sq. m. office + 12 visa quotas) |
245,664 |
|
Premium office package (27 sq. m. office +3 visa quotas) |
92,570 |
|
Premium Plus office package (54 sq. m. office + 6 visa quotas) |
160,070 |
Know about DAFZ licenses and business activities
The list of business activities available at the Dubai Airport Free Zone is very broad, and the activities are spread across various industries, such as:
- Chemical
- Waste Trading
- Equipment & Machine Parts
- Metals & Metal ore
- Building Materials
- Business and Management consulting Services
- Architectural and Engineering Activities and Related Technical Consultancy
- Transport, Shipping and Storage
- Petrol/Crude Petrol, Oil & Natural Gas
- Legal Services
- Travel Agent
- Motor Vehicles & Auto Spare
- Investment
- Insurance
- Aircraft and Spacecraft
DAFZ facilities
Dubai Airport Free Zone offers various warehouses and offices suited for any business type supported by specific licenses. Offices are fully fitted and ready to move in. One parking space is included as well. The below list describes the office packages available at DAFZ:
| Facility Type | Description |
|---|---|
|
Standard Office |
customizable offices ranging from 27 to 53 and 100 sq. m. of space with 3, 6, and 10 visa quotas, respectively. |
|
Premium Office |
turnkey office with 27 sq. m. of space + 3 visa quotas. |
|
Premium Plus Office |
turnkey office with 54 sq. m. of space + 6 visa quotas. |
The facilities available at DAFZ include:
- Offices: fitted-out spaces with IT equipment and furniture ranging from 27 to 100 sq. meters in floor space
- Warehouses in DAFZ industrial park—high-quality storage, warehouses, and other operations with an average area of 312 sq. meters and 117 sq. meters of office area per warehouse.
The rental office fee may seem a little higher at DAFZ than on the mainland. However, the fees include utilities, which is why this free zone is a top preferred location of many industrial companies due to low rates of electricity.
DAFZ Residence Visas
A varying number of UAE residence visa quotes are found for DAFZ companies on the basis of the size of the rented space and office packages.
The offer starts from 1 visa quote as part of the smart office packages to 30 visas in case of a leased warehouse with over 350 sq. m. in size. All visas allocated through DAFZ are valid for 2 years.
| DAFZ FEES INCLUDING MEDICAL CHECK AND EMIRATES ID, AED | SALARY GUARANTEE | HEALTH INSURANCE | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Applicant outside UAE |
2,596 (normal) 3,207 (express) |
Required |
Required |
|
Applicant inside UAE |
4,096 (normal) 4,707 (express) |
Required |
Required |
What to Know About DAFZ Company License Renewal?
Any company in the DAFZ must be renewed on a yearly basis. Some costs, such as office rent and license fees, will be repeated in the process of renewal. Also, the financial audit of the company must be carried out. It costs around 15,000 AED for DAFZ service or industrial or trading license renewal.
To renew the business license, an application form must be submitted with the required documents to the authorities of the free zone. The next steps include signing of the renewed lease agreement, paying the renewal fees, and awaiting the license renewal. The required documents include audit report, PO Box renewal receipt, and business license.
DAFZ company amendments and regulations
The common amendments requested include:
- Change of manager or director
- Transfer of shares
- Changes in business activity
- Changing of the company name
The presence of the owner is not required for most of these changes and can be done through consultants who are specialized in setting up businesses in the UAE.
DAFZ company liquidation
The process of liquidation of a company in the DAFZ consists of the following steps:
Provision of the following necessary documents:
- audit report
- auditor liquidation certificate
- customs clearance letter
- Business incorporation documents
- Deregistration documentation
- board resolution signed by the shareholders
Clearance from the following departments is necessary:
- DAFZ Finance Department
- DAFZ government services department
- DAFZ compliance health and security department
- DAFZ digital intelligence department
- Emirates post
- Dubai customs in DAFZ
- DEWA
- Payment of cancellation fees and settlement of other payments. This initiates the process of liquidation.
- All residence visas issued under the company need to be cancelled, along with the cancellation of immigration-related documents.
- On the completion of the liquidation process, you will be notified and receive the corresponding documents.
- The closure of the company needs to be advertised in the newspaper.
Conclusion
With JSB Incorporation, the esteemed employees of this company can aid you in the process of setting up your business. They will be right by your side from the beginning of the process till your company is up and running. In case of liquidation requirements, our company is experienced in helping you liquidate your business organization.
FAQs
A personal visit to the UAE is required as per the regulations of the Central Bank of the UAE. However, some banks allow remote account opening.
For a company to be eligible for resident visas, a flex desk is mandatory. It serves as the minimum physical office space that a company with individuals under its visa must have.
VAT obligations depend mostly on the place of registration along with where the business activities take place. Paying VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reached AED 375,000
UAE is free from personal income tax. However, there is a 5% import tax on goods brought into the country and a 5% VAT on trading or service transactions that occur within the UAE.
While we strive to make the account opening process as smooth as possible, we cannot guarantee the approval as it ultimately depends on the bank.
Each case goes through several bank departments for approval, and the bank may contact you directly for clarifications.
Don't miss out on this limited-time opportunity!
We'd Love To Hear From You
contact us
Find us Here
Office 2505, 25th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE P.O Box 27614
Get In touch
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com