Jebel Ali Freezone Business Set up

12+ Years Experience

Jebel Ali Freezone Business Set up

Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) was set up in 1985 and is the oldest free zone set up in the country. The free zone is the home to more than 9500 international and local companies. Jebel Ali Free Zone is located in close proximity to the Jebel Ali Port and the Maktoum International Airport. It is one of the best places for shipping, logistics and international trading companies, mainly because of the ease of import and export. JAFZA is also a primary free zone of DP World, one of the major logistics and port management companies.

Some of the benefits of having your business setup in JAFZA are as follows:

  • Being the oldest free zone in the UAE, the companies being set up can take full advantage of all the facilities already in place along with the recognition and reputation.

  • Facility of addition of upto 12 categories into one license

  • Biggest UAE seaport within the free zone.

  • Abundant warehouses and plots of land to set up.

  • Ability to set up retail locations outside of the free zone.

Business setup

Exploring Business Setup Options and Licensing in JAFZA Free Zone

The JAFZA offers various options for a company set-up like flexi-desks, office space, business parks, land, warehouses, retail outlets and residences. The freezone offers 100% ownership of its activities and has no restrictions for foreign ownership. JAFZA provides five types of licenses, depending upon the industry and activity type. They are as below:

Free Zone Company

Free zone limited liability company (LLC) formed by multiple shareholders which may include both individuals and companies.

Free Zone Establishment

An LLC with a single shareholder who can be either an individual or company.

Public Listed Company

An entity type that resembles an LLC with two or more shareholders and a public offering of its shares on the stock exchange market.

Branch

Asubsidiary office opened by a parent company within JAFZA with 100% ownership by the parent company and subject to its name and activities.

Offshore company

Company that conducts business outside of the company’s location or registered jurisdiction. It has to have at least one shareholder with no limit to their maximum number and may include both individuals and companies.

License types

License Categories and Requirements in JAFZA Free Zone

Each of the licenses have their own list of requirements and procedures. In JAFZA, the following are the categories that licenses are issued:

Trading

E-Commerce License

Industrial set-up

Service

General Trading

Logistics

Requirements for Obtaining a JAFZA Free Zone License

It is mandatory to have a rented space inside of the JAFZA premises, as a prerequisite for the licensing. Even though the licensing can be arranged without physical presence of the owner, it is best to be present for fast tracking an application. The basic documentation required to start license are as follows:

  • Application form, duly filled with all details

  • Brief project summary

  • Passport copy of the investor(s)

  • Company name – more than 1 option is better to be provided

  • Business activities to be included in the license

The cost of the whole process depends upon a number of factors like the license, the operation facility, etc. Our exports at Fimkin will do the needful to ensure that the process goes smoothly. We will do all the coordination between the departments so that you need to be present only when it matters the most.