By Sakanihomes

JAFZA Area Guide (2025): Licenses, costs, and setup tips

JAFZA Area Guide (2025): Licenses, costs, and setup tips

If you're in logistics, manufacturing, or global trade, few places in the region offer the scale, infrastructure, and strategic positioning of JAFZA, the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, JAFZA is Dubai's largest free zone and a gateway for companies looking to reach the GCC, Africa, and Asia.

This guide covers everything you need to know in 2025: license types, property options, activity eligibility, and what to expect when leasing or setting up a business in JAFZA.

What is JAFZA?

Established in 1985, JAFZA is one of the oldest and most prominent free zones in the UAE. It operates under the Dubai Ports (DP World) umbrella and supports more than 9,000 companies — including Fortune 500s, multinationals, and regional SMEs.

JAFZA offers:

  • 100% foreign ownership

  • No import/export duties

  • Long-term land leases (up to 50 years)

  • Direct access to Jebel Ali Port and logistics corridors

  • Visa and corporate banking eligibility

  • Industrial-scale infrastructure (power, telecom, logistics)

It’s an ideal zone for companies involved in heavy operations, large-scale distribution, and cross-border trade.

What types of businesses thrive in JAFZA?

JAFZA is best suited for:

  • Logistics and supply chain companies

  • Manufacturing and assembly operations

  • Import/export and re-export businesses

  • Warehousing and distribution hubs

  • Construction materials and equipment suppliers

  • Oil & gas and energy-related enterprises

  • E-commerce fulfillment companies that need bulk storage

JAFZA also hosts companies in sectors like automotive, FMCG, industrial services, and maritime trade.

License types available in JAFZA

JAFZA offers several types of licenses depending on your activity:

  • Trading license – for import/export, distribution, and wholesaling

  • Industrial license – for manufacturing, processing, and assembly

  • Service license – for logistics, consulting, freight forwarding, etc.

  • E-commerce license – for digital trading and fulfillment

  • Innovation license – for R&D and IP-based activities

  • Offshore company setup – for holding structures and asset management (JAFZA Offshore)

You can also opt for dual-activity or combine compatible services under one license, subject to approval.

Mainland access: Can you operate outside JAFZA?

By default, JAFZA companies are licensed to operate within the free zone and globally.

If you want to serve clients in mainland Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, you'll need to:

  • Appoint a local distributor, or

  • Open a mainland branch, or

  • Obtain a DET permit for certain activities (depending on scope)

Sakani always recommends confirming your operational scope before signing a property lease.

Property types and leasing options in JAFZA

JAFZA offers one of the most diverse ranges of commercial and industrial real estate in Dubai:

  • Warehouses – ready-built or custom-built units with high ceilings, loading docks, and industrial permits

  • Light industrial units – ideal for assembly or packaging operations

  • Office buildings – standard or executive office spaces, often in low-rise business parks

  • Land plots – for custom factory or logistics facility development

  • Showrooms – for businesses that need visibility plus warehouse access

Leases are long-term (up to 25–50 years) and usually handled directly by JAFZA.

Business setup steps in JAFZA (2025)

  1. Choose your business activity and license type

  2. Reserve a trade name and get initial approval

  3. Select your property (warehouse, office, land, etc.)

  4. Submit documentation (passport, application, business plan if needed)

  5. Pay license and lease fees

  6. Receive your trade license and registration certificate

  7. Open a corporate bank account and apply for visas

Setup typically takes 1–2 weeks for straightforward cases.

Costs to expect in JAFZA

Here’s a general estimate (2025 ranges):

  • License fee: AED 10,000 – 15,000/year

  • Office lease: AED 25,000 – 60,000/year (depending on size and fit-out)

  • Warehouse lease: AED 35 – 55/sqft/year (base rent, plus service charges)

  • Visa package: AED 3,000 – 5,000 per visa (processing only)

  • Land plots: Custom pricing depending on location and usage

Always factor in service charges, deposit, and utility setup fees when budgeting.

Pros of setting up in JAFZA

  • Access to both sea and air logistics hubs

  • Large plot availability for scaling operations

  • No customs duties on goods inside the zone

  • Industrial zoning, flexible infrastructure, and high ceilings

  • Direct DP World support and integration with port systems

  • Long-term leases for stability and strategic planning

Things to consider

  • You can’t sell directly into the mainland without approvals

  • Office units are limited compared to newer free zones — better suited for operational businesses

  • Some license combinations require external authority approvals (e.g. food handling, medical devices, etc.)

  • Custom warehouses require time to build and approval cycles

Sakani tip: Don’t sign a warehouse lease without confirming license compatibility

Many businesses rush into leasing a space before checking whether their activity is approved in JAFZA, or whether the warehouse is built to industrial spec. On Sakani, listings in and around JAFZA are tagged by license type, zoning, and infrastructure specs, helping you avoid costly mistakes.

Final thoughts

JAFZA remains one of Dubai’s most powerful zones for businesses that move goods, build at scale, or rely on global logistics. With the right setup, it gives you unmatched access to shipping routes, land availability, and trade infrastructure.

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