Your Ultimate Free Zone Guide: Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)

Established in 1996, Dubai Airport Free Zone is strategically located in the heart of global trade. With direct connectivity to the world’s busiest airport, this freezone is the ideal choice for electronics, engineering, logistics & cargo, aviation and pharmaceutical firms. This free zone houses more than 2300 businesses across many verticals such as aviation, logistics, pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, and more. It also houses many prominent Fortune 500 companies such as Airbus, General Electric, Rolls Royce, Roche, Boeing, and Chanel.

Benefits Of Setting Up Your Company in Dubai Airport Free Zone

Business-centric regulatory.
Swift company formation and licensing processes.
Low operational costs.
No currency restrictions.
Full repatriation of profits.
No minimum capital investment.
100% foreign ownership without the presence of a local service agent.
No personal income tax.
Exemption from corporate tax for a period of 50 years.
Investors can open domestic bank accounts and international bank accounts.
No export and import custom duties. DAFZA has an onsite customs clearance facility, which facilitating quick and efficient cargo and goods clearance process..
Liberty to hire foreign employees.
Readily available offices, warehouses, factories, convention centers and residential complexes..
Highly-equipped infrastructure and ancillary services including healthcare support, 24-hour security; housekeeping, building maintenance, etc.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Business Setup Process

Setting up a business in Dubai Airport Free Zone is as simple and it involves the following steps:

STEP 1: Choose your Company Name and Structure

Select a suitable company name and obtain approval from authority for the same. DAFZA offers mainly two company structure options, these are:

1. Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

A Free Zone LLC is incorporated as a separate legal entity, with shareholders as individuals and Corporates. It can have up to 50 shareholders.

2. Branch of a Company

Any foreign company can open its branch office in Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ), this company does not require any minimum capital requirement.

STEP 2: Select Your License

There are basically 3 types of licenses that are offered by Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), which are:

1. Trading License

This license provides permission for import raw materials, export, distribute, and store items specified to any country.

2. Service License

By obtaining this license, a business can offer services such as legal advisory, accountancy, and business consultancy specified in the license within the free zone. The selected service/business activities should match the parent company’s license, issued by the Dubai Economic Department or Free Zones or any other jurisdictions outside UAE for incorporation as a branch of local company or branch of foreign company.

3. Industrial License

If the company is planning to perform light manufacturing industrial activities, packaging and assembling, then you can go for an industrial license.

4. General Trading License

By obtaining a general trading license, the company can perform general trading activities such as import, export, storage, and distribution.

STEP 3: Choose your Space

The final step is to choose a suitable space for your company. DAFZA provides multiple options such as business centers, offices, light industrial units and co-working spaces.

STEP 4: Submit all documents

Submit all necessary documents and make payments, then you will receive your issued license so that you can start operating your business.

Documents Required for Company Formation in DAFZA with Individual ownership

Application form.
Letter of Intent.
Shareholder’s 6-month bank statement (not applicable for new registration).
Copy of the manager’s passport and CV.
Copy of shareholder(s)’ passport and CV.
Original bank reference letter for each shareholder.
No-Objection Letter by the current sponsor for the manager.
Initial approval(s) from the third-party authorities if required

Documents Required for Company Formation in DAFZA with Corporate ownership

Application form.
Letter of Intent.
Certificate of registration/ Incorporation Certificate of the parent company -duly attested and notarized by the UAE embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of foreign Affairs, UAE.
Memorandum of association and Article of Association of the parent company -duly attested and notarized by the UAE embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of foreign Affairs, UAE.
Certificate of Good standing/ Incumbency certificate of the parent company -duly attested and notarized by the UAE embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of foreign Affairs, UAE.
Board of Resolution of the parent company (template shall be provided) – duly attested and notarized by the UAE embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of foreign Affairs, UAE.
Power of Attorney (template shall be provided) – duly attested and notarized by the UAE embassy in the country of origin and Ministry of foreign Affairs, UAE
List of UBOs (ultimate beneficial owners of the parent company).
Copy of the manager’s passport and CV.
Copy of shareholder(s)’ passport and CV.
Original bank reference letter for each shareholder.
No-Objection Letter by the current sponsor for the manager.
Initial approval(s) from the third-party authorities if required.

If you require any guidance regarding company incorporation in Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), we at CORPIN can guide you. With our years of experience in business setup, we can ensure you a smooth journey in obtaining the necessary licenses, permits and setting up your company in DAFZA as soon as possible. Get in touch with us to know more.