Full foreign ownership
A DAFZ Freezone Company can have full foreign ownership, allowing international founders and corporate shareholders to establish a Dubai free-zone entity.
Dubai Airport Freezone Business Setup
DAFZA Company Formation in Dubai
Establish your business in Dubai Airport Freezone with practical support across activity and licence selection, company structure, workspace, documentation, authority submissions and the steps required after incorporation.
100% foreign ownership
Beside Dubai International Airport
Office and industrial facilities
Existing customer review ratings
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Understanding the free zone
What is DAFZA?
Dubai Airport Freezone is a Dubai free zone located beside Dubai International Airport. The authority currently uses the abbreviation DAFZ, while DAFZA remains widely used when referring to Dubai Airport Freezone Authority and company formation in the zone.
It supports businesses across trading, services, industry, e-commerce and specialist activities. The right setup depends on what your company will do, its shareholders, premises, visa requirements and where it expects to operate.
First Elite Global helps you work through those decisions before the application is submitted and can then assist with documentation, authority coordination and relevant post-formation requirements.
01
100% foreign ownership
A DAFZ Freezone Company can be established without requiring a UAE national shareholder.
02
Airport-side location
DAFZ is positioned beside Dubai International Airport, making location an important consideration for internationally focused businesses.
03
Licence, entity and space are separate decisions
Your activity determines the licence you need, while your ownership structure and operational requirements influence the entity and facility you select.
Why businesses consider DAFZA
A Dubai free-zone base built around international business
DAFZA can be particularly relevant where airport proximity, international access, licensing choice and suitable business facilities matter to the operating model.
Strategic airport location
DAFZ's position beside Dubai International Airport can be particularly relevant to companies involved in regional trade, distribution and time-sensitive international operations.
Different licence categories
Trading, service, industrial, general trading and e-commerce routes allow the licence to reflect the business activities the company intends to perform.
Different facility options
DAFZ provides office, warehouse or industrial space and cold-storage options, allowing the premises decision to follow the company's actual operational requirements.
Licence selection
Types of DAFZA licences
Your DAFZA licence should accurately reflect what the business will do. Activity selection needs to be considered before the formation route is finalised.
Trade Licence
For specified trading activities, including permitted import, export, re-export, distribution and storage of products within the approved activity scope.
Service Licence
Used by eligible service-oriented businesses to provide the professional or commercial services stated on the licence.
Industrial Licence
Suitable for eligible light manufacturing, packaging and assembly activities carried out within the permitted scope and facilities.
General Trading Licence
Provides a wider trading scope for permitted import, export, re-export, storage and distribution activities.
E-commerce Licence
Available for eligible businesses carrying out permitted online trading of goods or services.
Other DAFZ licensing routes
Specialist routes can include the Talent Pass, family-office options and a dual-licence route. Eligibility and requirements should be checked against the proposed activity.
Company structure
Choose the right DAFZA entity
Licence type determines what the company is licensed to do. The company structure determines the legal form through which those activities are carried out.
Freezone Company
A company incorporated directly within Dubai Airport Freezone.
- 1–50 shareholders
- Individual or non-individual shareholders
- DAFZ states a minimum share capital of AED 1
Branch
A route for an existing foreign company that wants to establish a DAFZ presence through a branch rather than form a separate shareholder-owned company.
- Represents an existing foreign company
- No separate share capital requirement stated by DAFZ
Public Limited Company
A limited-liability structure intended for businesses whose ownership and future plans require the characteristics of a public limited company.
- No stated limit on shareholders
- Relevant where listing or offering shares forms part of the intended structure
Facilities and premises
DAFZA office, warehouse and workspace options
Workspace should be planned alongside the licence and entity rather than treated as an afterthought. DAFZ lists office space, warehouse or industrial space and cold storage among its facility options.
Office space
Office space may suit businesses whose activities are primarily professional, administrative, commercial or service-based. The appropriate premises should be considered alongside staffing, visa and operational requirements.
Warehouse and industrial space
Warehouse and industrial facilities may be relevant for eligible trading, distribution, storage, assembly and light-industrial operations where the activity requires more than a conventional office.
Cold-storage requirements?
DAFZ also lists cold storage as a facility option. The activity, product type, required approvals and operational requirements should be reviewed before the company structure is finalised.
Is DAFZA right for you?
Start with how the business will actually operate
- You expect to trade internationally or across regional markets.
- You want a Dubai free-zone company with foreign ownership.
- Your planned activity fits an available DAFZA licence category.
- Proximity to Dubai International Airport matters to your operating model.
- You require office, warehouse, industrial or specialist facility options.
- You want company formation considered together with visas, PRO and banking preparation.
Formation process
How DAFZA company formation works
DAFZ's core setup decisions are the licence, company type and space. The wider formation process then brings those choices together with the application documents and operational requirements.
Confirm your business activity
Define what the company will actually do, the products or services involved and any activity-specific requirements.
Choose the licence
Match the proposed activities to the appropriate DAFZA licence category and approved activity scope.
Select the company type
Determine whether a Freezone Company, Branch or another available structure matches the ownership and business plan.
Choose the workspace
Plan the office, warehouse, industrial or other facility requirement before the application is finalised.
Prepare the application
Compile shareholder, corporate, business and supporting documentation required for the selected structure.
Submit and complete authority requirements
Submit the formation application and respond to any further information, approval or documentation requirements relevant to the activity.
Complete incorporation and licensing
Finalise the applicable establishment, lease and licensing requirements once the application has progressed through the relevant approvals.
Move from licence to operation
Proceed with visas, Emirates ID, PRO requirements and corporate banking preparation where relevant to the company.
Budget planning
DAFZA company formation cost
There is no meaningful single DAFZA company setup cost for every business because the final requirement changes with the licence, activities, entity, shareholders, premises, visas and any additional approvals or post-formation services.
A DAFZA licence fee should therefore be considered as one component of the overall setup rather than the complete cost of establishing an operational company.
| Cost component | What affects it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Licence and activities | Licence category and the activities the company needs to carry out. | The activity scope forms the foundation of the company setup. |
| Company structure | Freezone Company, Branch or another applicable entity structure. | The legal structure affects the formation and documentation requirements. |
| Workspace | Office, warehouse, industrial space, cold storage or other facility requirements. | Premises can form a substantial part of the overall setup requirement. |
| Visas and immigration | The number and type of residence or employment requirements connected to the company. | Visa planning should be considered before the structure and premises are finalised. |
| Additional approvals | Activity-specific or regulated-business requirements where applicable. | Some activities require additional steps beyond standard incorporation. |
| Post-formation support | PRO assistance, banking preparation and other operational support required after licensing. | The licence is only one stage in getting the business ready to operate. |
For a useful DAFZA cost estimate
Provide your intended business activities, shareholder structure, required visa count and workspace needs. That allows the setup to be priced around what the company actually requires rather than a headline licence figure.
Preparing the application
Documents commonly needed for DAFZA company setup
The exact documentation depends on the shareholders, legal structure, licence, activity and whether an existing corporate entity is involved.
Individual shareholder information
Core requirements can include completed application information, shareholder passport documentation, relevant visa information and other identification or compliance information requested for the application.
Business information
The application may require details of the proposed activities, company structure, intended premises and business-plan information where applicable.
Corporate shareholder documents
Where an existing company will be a shareholder or is establishing a branch, additional incorporation, ownership, authorisation and corporate documentation may be required.
Activity-specific information
Certain activities may require further documentation or approvals. These should be identified before submission so they can be incorporated into the formation plan.
Choose the support you need
DAFZA formation support from registration to operation
Instead of forcing every business into a generic package tier, the scope can follow the parts of the formation and post-incorporation process you actually need assistance with.
DAFZA company registration support
For businesses that primarily need help getting the company structure and formation application organised.
- Activity and licence planning
- Entity selection
- Document preparation support
- Application coordination
Company setup with visa support
For founders who need the formation process connected to relevant UAE residence and company visa requirements.
- Formation support
- Visa process assistance
- Emirates ID-related support where applicable
- PRO coordination
Broader business setup support
For companies that want formation coordinated with some of the practical requirements that follow incorporation.
- Company formation
- Visa and PRO support
- Corporate banking preparation
- Ongoing business support where required
After incorporation
Getting from licensed to operational
Company formation is one part of establishing a working UAE business. The practical steps that follow should be considered while the company is being structured.
UAE visa support
Assistance with applicable residency and company visa processes connected to the setup.
Explore UAE visa servicesPRO services
Support with relevant administrative and government-related company requirements after formation.
Explore PRO servicesCorporate banking support
Guidance on preparing the company and documentation for a UAE corporate bank account application.
Explore corporate banking support
First Elite Global
Business setup support beyond the application form
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Questions about DAFZA
Frequently asked questions
Key points to understand before establishing a company in Dubai Airport Freezone.
What is DAFZA company formation?
DAFZA company formation is the process of establishing and licensing a business in Dubai Airport Freezone. It involves selecting the business activity, licence, company structure and suitable workspace before completing the relevant incorporation requirements.
Is DAFZA the same as DAFZ?
Dubai Airport Freezone currently uses DAFZ as its abbreviated name. DAFZA is still widely used when referring to Dubai Airport Freezone Authority and when describing company formation in the free zone.
How much does DAFZA company formation cost?
The total cost depends on the licence and activities, company structure, shareholders, workspace, visa requirements, additional approvals and any post-formation services required. For that reason, a useful DAFZA setup estimate should be based on your actual business requirements rather than only the licence fee.
What licence types are available in DAFZA?
DAFZ provides licence routes including Trade, Service, Industrial, General Trading and E-commerce, together with specialist licensing options. The correct route depends on the activities the company intends to perform.
Can a foreign investor own 100% of a DAFZA company?
Yes. A DAFZ Freezone Company can be established with full foreign ownership. The company structure and application still need to reflect the shareholders and intended activities.
How many shareholders can a DAFZ Freezone Company have?
DAFZ states that a Freezone Company may be formed with between 1 and 50 shareholders, which may be individual or non-individual shareholders.
What is the minimum share capital for a DAFZA Freezone Company?
DAFZ currently states a minimum share capital of AED 1 for a Freezone Company. The wider formation and operational requirements still depend on the selected structure and activity.
Does DAFZA offer warehouses and industrial space?
Yes. DAFZ lists office space, warehouse or industrial space and cold-storage facilities among its available space options. The suitable facility depends on the licensed activity and operating requirements.
Can a DAFZA company operate in the Dubai mainland?
The appropriate route depends on the activity and how the company intends to operate. DAFZ provides a dual-licence route for eligible circumstances, while some businesses may be better suited to a mainland structure. The operating model should therefore be checked before incorporation.
Does a DAFZA company automatically pay 0% Corporate Tax?
No. Free-zone incorporation alone does not automatically produce a 0% Corporate Tax rate on all income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person may benefit from 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income where the relevant legal conditions are satisfied.
How long does DAFZA company formation take?
The timeframe depends on the activity, legal structure, shareholder documentation, premises and whether additional approvals are required. A more specific timeline can be established once the proposed setup has been reviewed.
What documents are required for DAFZA company formation?
Requirements vary according to the applicant and structure. Core information can include application details, shareholder passport documentation, relevant visa information and additional business or corporate documentation where required.
Can First Elite Global help after the DAFZA company is incorporated?
Yes. First Elite Global's existing service includes support beyond formation, including applicable visa processes, PRO requirements and corporate bank account setup assistance where relevant to the business.
Plan your DAFZA setup
Know the licence, structure, workspace and costs before you apply
Tell First Elite Global what your business will do, who the shareholders are, how many visas you expect to need and what type of premises you require. The team can help you map the appropriate next steps for your DAFZA company formation.
