DAFZ Company Formation
Establish your company in Dubai Airport Freezone — a premium business and trade hub beside Dubai International Airport, offering international investors 100% ownership, flexible licensing, offices and industrial facilities, and exceptional connectivity for companies serving regional and global markets.
When Dubai Airport Freezone Is a Strong Choice
DAFZ is particularly attractive to established international businesses and growth-focused companies that value airport access, premium facilities, trade connectivity and a recognised Dubai corporate environment.
International Trading
Import, export, re-export, distribution and storage businesses can benefit from DAFZ's airport-adjacent trade location and commercial infrastructure.
Strong fitAviation & Airport-Linked Business
Suitable for companies whose customers, executives, goods or operations benefit from immediate access to Dubai International Airport.
Location advantageTechnology & E-Commerce
DAFZ offers dedicated e-commerce licensing and supports technology and digital businesses within its multi-sector ecosystem.
Digital businessRegional Offices & Groups
International companies can establish a Free Zone company or branch and operate from premium offices close to Dubai's international transport network.
Corporate profileSix DAFZ Licence Pathways
DAFZ's current setup guide lists six licence categories. Selecting the correct licence depends on the actual activity, products, service scope and intended UAE market access.
Trade Licence
For approved trading activities including import, export, re-export, distribution and storage of specified products.
Service Licence
For service-oriented companies providing the professional or commercial services specifically listed on the licence.
Industrial Licence
For approved light manufacturing, industrial activities, packaging and assembling, with the required facility and regulatory conditions.
E-Commerce Licence
For trading approved goods and services through electronic networks and online commercial channels.
General Trading Licence
For broader general trading scope including import, export, re-export, storage and distribution, subject to DAFZ activity approval.
Dual Licence with DET
DAFZ's current guide provides a Dual Licence route enabling eligible DAFZ companies to apply for a Dubai mainland licence without maintaining separate mainland office space, subject to the applicable conditions and approvals.
Free Zone Company or Branch
DAFZ currently provides two principal company-setup structures: an incorporated Free Zone Company and a branch of an existing company.
Free Zone Company — FZCO / FZ-LLC
An incorporated DAFZ entity can currently have between 1 and 50 shareholders, including individual and non-individual/corporate shareholders. DAFZ's current guide states a minimum share capital of USD 273, approximately AED 1,000.
Separate legal entityBranch of an Existing Company
An existing company can establish a DAFZ branch. The branch operates as an extension of the parent company and DAFZ's current guide states that no share capital is required for the branch structure.
Parent-company extensionDAFZ's Location Is Part of the Business Model
DAFZ sits beside Dubai International Airport and positions itself as a gateway connecting businesses with the Middle East, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East.
DXB Connectivity
Useful for businesses with frequent international executive travel, time-sensitive shipments, high-value goods or airport-dependent commercial activity.
Cargo & Trade Efficiency
DAFZ highlights rapid clearance and cargo-handling infrastructure as part of its proposition for international trade-oriented companies.
Established Corporate Community
More than 3,400 registered businesses and 20,000+ professionals create a mature multi-sector environment rather than a licence-only ecosystem.
Office, Warehouse and Industrial Space
DAFZ asks investors to choose the licence, company type and space as part of the setup journey. This makes facility planning an important part of structuring the company.
Office Space
Premium furnished, ready-to-move and customisable office solutions are available for businesses requiring a dedicated corporate presence.
Warehouse Space
Warehousing supports trading, distribution and storage businesses that require physical inventory and operational facilities.
Industrial Space
Industrial facilities support approved light manufacturing, assembling, packaging and related operational activities.
Cold Storage
DAFZ's current setup guide also lists cold-storage facilities for businesses whose approved goods require temperature-controlled storage.
Government and Business Services Inside the Ecosystem
DAFZ operates an integrated-service model designed to reduce the number of external touchpoints required after company formation.
Government Service Access
DAFZ states that representatives of government entities and other essential service providers are available within its integrated business-services environment.
Smart Services
DAFZ's service portal provides a broad range of post-registration and operational services through digital channels.
Employment & Visa Services
Company formation can be followed by immigration, employment-visa and related administrative services according to the selected structure and facility.
A Premium Free Zone Address Helps the Profile — Not the Approval Decision
DAFZ's established corporate environment can support a strong commercial profile, but corporate bank-account approval always remains with the bank after its own KYC, AML and risk assessment.
Commercial Substance
Office, activity, contracts, expected turnover, customers, suppliers and transaction geography should tell a coherent commercial story.
UBO & Source of Funds
Banks may assess ownership, management, source of wealth and funds, counterparties, transaction flows and jurisdictional risk.
Higher-Risk Sectors
Precious metals, certain commodities and other sensitive activities can require enhanced AML documentation, approvals and banking due diligence.
DAFZ Is a Free Zone — But 0% Corporate Tax Is Conditional
Current UAE Corporate Tax rules apply to Free Zone entities. A company does not receive 0% merely because its licence was issued by DAFZ.
Qualifying Free Zone Person
A Free Zone entity that satisfies the statutory QFZP conditions can benefit from 0% Corporate Tax on its Qualifying Income.
Other Taxable Income
Where the preferential Free Zone treatment does not apply, UAE Corporate Tax rules — including the standard 9% rate above the applicable taxable-income threshold — must be considered.
VAT Is Separate
VAT registration and transaction treatment depend on the nature and value of taxable supplies and the applicable UAE VAT rules. Free Zone status alone does not remove VAT obligations.
Licence, Structure and Space — Then Launch
Assess
Confirm activities, shareholders, market access, visas and facility needs.
Licence
Select Trade, Service, Industrial, E-Commerce, General Trading or eligible Dual Licence route.
Structure
Choose a Free Zone Company or branch of an existing company.
Space
Select the office, warehouse, industrial or other suitable DAFZ facility.
Approval
Submit documents and complete DAFZ compliance and any external approvals.
Operate
Proceed with visas, banking, tax and operational registrations as required.
When DAFZ Has the Edge — and When Another Zone May Be Better
Choose DAFZ When...
Airport proximity, international travel, premium office infrastructure, cargo connectivity, corporate profile or a Dubai International Airport-linked business model creates real commercial value.
Compare Other Free Zones When...
Your main objective is the lowest-cost virtual setup, or when another Free Zone offers a more specialised ecosystem for your exact industry or physical-operation requirement.
Assess Mainland / Dual Licence When...
Your business needs substantial direct mainland operations. Depending on the activity, DAFZ's Dual Licence with DET may be relevant, or a standalone mainland company may provide the cleaner structure.
DAFZ Company Formation FAQs
What is DAFZ?
DAFZ is Dubai Airport Freezone, established in 1996 beside Dubai International Airport. It is part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority and currently hosts more than 3,400 registered businesses across 20+ sectors.
Can a foreign investor own 100% of a DAFZ company?
Yes. DAFZ permits 100% foreign ownership for Free Zone companies, so a UAE national shareholder is not required.
What licences are available in DAFZ?
DAFZ's current guide lists Trade, Service, Industrial, E-Commerce, General Trading and Dual Licence with DET options, subject to the selected activities and applicable approvals.
How many shareholders can a DAFZ company have?
DAFZ currently permits an incorporated Free Zone Company to have from one to 50 shareholders, including individual and non-individual shareholders.
What is the minimum share capital?
DAFZ's current 2026 setup guide states minimum share capital of USD 273 for an FZCO/FZ-LLC, approximately AED 1,000. A branch does not require share capital.
What is the DAFZ Dual Licence with DET?
DAFZ's current setup guide describes a route through which eligible DAFZ companies can apply for a DET licence without maintaining separate mainland office space, allowing the business to operate from DAFZ. Eligibility, activities and approvals must be assessed before relying on this structure.
Does DAFZ offer warehouses?
Yes. DAFZ offers office space as well as warehouse, industrial and cold-storage solutions for businesses requiring physical operational facilities.
Does a DAFZ company automatically qualify for 0% Corporate Tax?
No. Free Zone entities are within the UAE Corporate Tax framework. 0% applies to Qualifying Income where the entity satisfies the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; the company's actual transactions and income must be reviewed.
Is DAFZ the Right Free Zone for Your Business?
Tell BizCafe your activity, shareholders, customer markets, mainland requirements, visa plan, banking profile and workspace needs. We will assess whether DAFZ — including the Dual Licence route where relevant — or another UAE jurisdiction gives your business the stronger structure.