How long does JAFZA formation usually take?

Most setups finish in 1–2 weeks after full documents and payment. Banking and visas can extend the overall timeline.

Can a JAFZA company sell to UAE mainland customers?

Yes, but you must use a distributor or obtain the proper mainland permits and apply the correct VAT and customs treatment.

Do I qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate in JAFZA?

A company may access 0% on qualifying income if it meets QFZP rules and tests. A review of activity, transactions, and nexus is required.

Do I need audited financial statements in JAFZA?

Some licenses and authorities require audits. Even where optional, an audit supports banking and compliance credibility.

What documents do banks ask for when I open an account?

Banks request incorporation papers, MoA/AoA, UBO data, a business plan, sample contracts or invoices, and a clear source-of-funds note.

JAFZA Company Formation Services in Dubai 🥇

Company Formation Services in Jebel Ali Free Zone

Jebel Ali Free Zone sits in Dubai with a clear mission. The zone connects a company to the world with speed. The port beside the zone moves cargo with scale. The roads and air links support regional reach with ease. The regulator builds a simple path for setup and growth. The market rewards a firm that plans early and executes well.

The free zone started in 1985. The community grew into thousands of firms across trade, logistics, manufacturing, and services. A founder chooses JAFZA for access to ships, warehouses, utilities, and global carriers. A team launches operations near a world-class port. A supply chain moves goods across GCC, Africa, and South Asia with low friction.

This guide explains benefits, structures, licenses, steps, documents, costs, timelines, compliance, and practical tips. The tone uses 7th–8th class grammar and stays direct. Each sentence carries a clear subject, verb, and object. The goal is to help you act with confidence and to scale with control.

Why choose JAFZA for company formation

A business selects JAFZA for location, infrastructure, and policy. The zone gives strong incentives with predictable rules.

Foreign ownership: You hold 100% equity without a local partner.
Profit repatriation: You move capital and profits abroad without limits.
Customs efficiency: You import and re-export with simplified procedures.
Facility choice: You lease desks, offices, warehouses, and plots.
Visa capacity: You secure investor and employee visas with quotas tied to space.
Cluster benefits: You co-locate with logistics, 3PLs, and manufacturers.
Digital services: You complete many steps online with secure portals.

JAFZA also sits within a corporate tax framework that recognizes qualifying free zones. A company may access a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions and ongoing tests. A firm should assess activity scope, nexus rules, and transaction routing before it claims any benefit. A firm should also plan for non-qualifying income at standard rates where applicable.

Entity types available in JAFZA

You choose a legal form that matches ownership, risk, and scale.

Free Zone Establishment (FZE): One shareholder controls the company. Liability stays limited to capital.
Free Zone Company (FZCO / FZC): Two to fifty shareholders hold equity. Governance uses an MoA and share register.
Branch office: A foreign or UAE parent expands into JAFZA. The branch mirrors parent activities and holds no separate share capital.
Representative office: A non-trading presence promotes the parent. The office does not invoice or earn revenue.

Your selection affects banking, visas, audits, and board control. You align the form with ownership needs and exit plans.

License categories in JAFZA

A license defines permission to operate. You match activities to a precise license title.

Trade / Commercial License: You buy, sell, import, export, and distribute listed goods.
Industrial License: You manufacture, assemble, blend, or process items inside approved facilities.
Service / Professional License: You provide services such as logistics management, maintenance, IT, or consultancy.
E-commerce add-ons or special permits: You enable online sales or regulated activities when allowed.

Some sub-activities need external clearances. Health, environment, food, chemical, and medical categories often require extra approvals.

Step-by-step: JAFZA company setup

1) Define activity and structure
You select the activity list and the legal form. You confirm HS codes or service scope where relevant.

2) Reserve trade name
You submit candidate names. You follow naming rules and avoid restricted words.

3) Obtain initial approval
You file owners’ KYC, a simple plan, and a facility intent. The authority screens the application.

4) Choose a facility
You pick a flexi-desk, an office, a warehouse, or land. Space size influences visa quota and utility needs.

5) Prepare incorporation documents
You sign the MoA/AoA, board resolutions, specimen signatures, and UBO forms. You attach passports and proof of address.

6) Execute lease and pay fees
You sign the lease. You pay registration and license fees and any deposits.

7) Receive license and incorporation
You obtain the license, the incorporation certificate, and establishment numbers.

8) Open a corporate bank account
You submit a KYC pack with contracts, invoices, and a source-of-funds note. You attend a bank meeting if required.

9) Build immigration file and process visas
You obtain the establishment card. You apply for investor and employee visas, medicals, and Emirates IDs.

10) Go live with compliance controls
You issue invoices, collect payments, and keep records. You schedule renewals, audits, and tax filings on time.

Document checklist for JAFZA formation

Application form and activity summary.
Passport copies for shareholders, directors, and the GM.
Passport-size photos for signatories.
Proof of address for owners and the GM.
Board resolution for formation or for a branch.
Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Specimen signatures for authorized signatories.
UBO declaration and KYC forms.
Lease agreement or desk contract inside JAFZA.
EHS forms for industrial or sensitive activities (if required).

A clean file reduces queries and speeds issuance.

Facilities and infrastructure

JAFZA offers space that matches each model.

Flexi-desk and smart office: A cost-effective base for startups and service providers.
Standard offices: Private suites near port operations and service centers.
Warehouses and LIUs: High-bay storage, loading docks, and racking options.
Land plots: Build-to-suit facilities for manufacturing at scale.
Cold chain and special storage: Temperature-controlled options for food and pharma.

You align space with activity, inventory turns, and visa targets. You plan for HSE fit-out and insurance before you start production.

Timelines, costs, and practical tips

Indicative timelines

Name and initial approval: 2–5 working days.
License issuance after full file: 3–7 working days.
Visas after medical and ID: 5–15 working days.
Banking: 1–4 weeks based on KYC evidence.

Indicative costs

Registration and license: commonly AED 12,000–25,000 yearly, by activity and facility.
Office or flexi-desk: AED 8,000–40,000+ yearly, by size and location.
Warehouse lease: by sqm, with fit-out and utilities extra.
Establishment card and immigration: per authority schedule.
Visas: ~AED 3,000–6,000 per person, by category and insurance.
Audit (if required): based on turnover and complexity.

Practical tips

Keep activity wording exact and narrow.
Size your lease to match visa quota needs.
Prepare a one-year sales pipeline for bank KYC.
Track renewals 30 days before due dates.
Store contracts, statements, and customs docs in one secure folder.

Compliance after incorporation

A JAFZA company must follow UAE corporate rules and free-zone policies.

Corporate tax: You assess QFZP status and income classification. You register and file when due.
VAT: You register when thresholds or activity rules apply. You file returns and keep evidence.
ESR: You file notifications and reports for relevant activities. You maintain substance if required.
AML / KYC: You apply controls when activities fall under AML scope.
Accounting and audit: You keep books. You submit audited financials if the license or activity mandates audits.
Economic and customs records: You preserve import, re-export, and inventory records for inspections.

Sound controls protect licenses and banking relationships.

Common challenges and how to solve them

Choosing the right license

Issue: Overbroad scope triggers extra approvals.
Fix: Map SKUs or service lines to exact activity codes.

Bank account delays

Issue: Insufficient KYC evidence slows onboarding.
Fix: Provide contracts, invoices, forecasts, and supplier letters.

Facility misalignment

Issue: Space is too small for the visa plan or inventory.
Fix: Match sqm and mezzanine options to operational needs.

Customs and HS code errors

Issue: Mismatched codes cause clearance delays.
Fix: Validate HS codes and duty status before shipment.

Renewal oversight

Issue: Lapses lead to penalties and portal holds.
Fix: Use a compliance calendar and assign ownership.

Sector snapshots: how firms use JAFZA

Trading company
The team imports containers, stores pallets, and re-exports to GCC buyers. The firm tracks serials and batch dates. The ERP connects to customs data.

Contract manufacturer
The company leases an LIU, installs lines, and files EHS permits. The plant blends inputs and prints barcodes for outbound control.

3PL provider
The operator manages multi-client space and returns. The warehouse integrates WMS with clients’ carts. The firm offers VAS like kitting and labeling.

E-commerce brand
The brand runs online sales with 3PL support. The company issues COD and prepaid shipments. The returns flow uses an RMA portal.

Each model picks a license, space, and process that fit its constraints.

What Can Help – Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing

Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing guides investors through each step with clarity. Our team sets a compliant plan, drafts accurate files, and coordinates with JAFZA and banks. We reduce rework, shorten timelines, and strengthen audit trails.