You choose a formation type and a licence type, then submit the documents that Jafza lists for that combination. Jafza offers a single-shareholder establishment (FZE), a multi-shareholder company (FZCO), a public listed company and a branch of an existing company.
Jafza says setup is completed in 3 to 14 business days once all required documents are submitted. NXTSTAR prepares the application and the facility request with you.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
Who Jafza suits
Jafza is built around trade and industry. It fits importers and exporters, distributors, logistics operators and manufacturers that need warehouses, plots or light industrial units next to Jebel Ali Port.
A solo consultant or online business that only needs a desk will usually find a lighter free zone a better fit.
Company structures
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): one shareholder, who can be an individual or a company.
- Free Zone Company (FZCO): two to fifty shareholders, individuals or companies.
- Public Listed Company (PLC): two or more shareholders, able to list its shares.
- Branch: a legal extension of a parent company established outside Jafza.
Licences and activities
- Trading licence, the most common type, for buying and selling products.
- Service licence, for service businesses.
- Industrial licence, for manufacturing, assembly and related sales and support.
- Logistics licence, for storage, transport, distribution, forwarding and clearing.
Documents
- Jafza application form
- Environment, health and safety application form
- Project summary or business plan
- Know-your-customer form
- Passport copy of the shareholder, manager and secretary
- For a branch: the parent company's attested trade licence and memorandum, and a board resolution to open the branch
The process, step by step
- Decide the formation type and the licence type together, because the document list depends on both.
- Choose the facility: office, warehouse or plot.
- Submit the application and documents.
- Receive the licence and move on to visas and bank account.
What is particular to Jafza
Every application includes an environment, health and safety form, because many Jafza businesses handle goods. Expect questions about what you will store or make, and plan the facility before you apply.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
- We help you choose the structure, licence and activities.
- We prepare and submit the application.
- We handle the visa and bank account steps afterwards.
- We do not decide approvals. The authority does, and banks decide on accounts.
- We are an independent consultancy and are not part of Jafza.
Common questions
How long does Jafza setup take?
Jafza estimates 3 to 14 business days from the time all required documents are submitted, depending on the formation type, licence and business category.
Can one person own a Jafza company?
Yes. An FZE has a single shareholder, who can be an individual or a company.
Can my overseas company open in Jafza without a new company?
Yes, as a branch. Jafza treats a branch as a legal entity of its parent and asks for the parent's attested documents.
How much does Jafza setup cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote that separates authority fees from our service fee.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 7 October 2026.
Talk to NXTSTAR about Jafza
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.