How much does DAFZA company setup cost in 2026?
Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) sets its fees, and we show them apart from ours. The table lists what you pay to the authorities and what Startex charges. Our service fee is quoted in writing before you pay anything.
| Item | Government fee (paid to) | Startex service fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual license fee | About AED 10,000 to 50,000, depending on the license type and activity (DAFZA) | Quoted per activity |
| Entry package, year one | About AED 23,000 to 50,000, depending on the package (DAFZA) | Quoted per activity |
| Office packages, year one | From about AED 40,000, rising with office size and visas (DAFZA) | Quoted per activity |
| Residence visas | Priced per visa, with the quota tied to the space you lease (DAFZA and GDRFA Dubai) | Quoted per activity |
| Company closure | About AED 9,800 on one published schedule (DAFZA) | Quoted per activity |
Ranges at the time of writing, October 2026, checked against DAFZA's published information and current package schedules. Packages change, so we confirm the live figure before we quote.
What does a DAFZA package include?
- An airport-linked address next to Dubai International, useful for cargo, aviation and high-value goods.
- License types covering trade, service, industrial, general trading and e-commerce.
- A visa quota tied to your space. The ratio of visas to area differs between sources, so confirm it in writing before you lease.
- Itemised quotes. Because DAFZA publishes no fee schedule, we ask for the authority fee, space cost, per-visa cost and year-two renewal in writing.
DAFZA licenses cover trade, service, industrial, general trading and e-commerce, with a large activity list that includes air cargo, logistics, customs brokerage and aircraft parts. Goods businesses whose cargo arrives by air benefit most from the zone's customs and logistics setup.
What are the DAFZA visa and office rules?
DAFZA companies lease space inside the free zone, from desks to offices, warehouses and cargo units. The visa quota depends on the area leased, and published ratios of area per visa vary, so ask DAFZA to confirm the ratio in writing. Space is the largest cost line, so size it to the visas you need this year.
For the full range of visa costs and quotas by route, see our business setup cost guide and the PRO services we use to file them.
Who does DAFZA suit, and who should look elsewhere?
DAFZA suits:
- Air cargo, logistics, aviation and aircraft parts companies.
- Traders of high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals and electronics that arrive by air.
- Companies that want a Dubai airport address and storage close to the terminal.
DAFZA is a weaker fit for:
- Service firms such as consultants, marketing and IT companies, which can pay far less in other zones.
- Sea freight and bulk businesses, which may fit a port-linked zone better.
- Price-driven founders, because other Dubai zones offer a Dubai address for less.
How long does DAFZA setup take?
| Step | Typical time | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Application and trade name | 1 week | DAFZA |
| License issued | 10 working days to 4 weeks, DAFZA gives no guarantee | DAFZA |
| Attestation of parent company papers | Often the slowest step | Your documents |
| Establishment card and visas | 2 to 4 weeks on a clean file | DAFZA and GDRFA Dubai |
| Corporate bank account | Several weeks | The bank |
What are the steps to set up a DAFZA company?
- Choose the activities you will list, so the license matches what you sell.
- Pick the package that fits your visas and office, and confirm what DAFZA includes.
- Send the documents: passport copies, photographs and, for company shareholders, attested papers.
- Sign and pay the DAFZA application and receive the license.
- Apply for the establishment card, visas and bank account.
How does DAFZA compare with other free zones?
| Zone | License cost from | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DAFZA | AED 23,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Air cargo, logistics, aviation, electronics and pharmaceutical traders that need an airport-linked address. |
| IFZA | AED 12,400 to 12,900 | Consultants, traders and online businesses that want a Dubai license at a low entry price. |
| DMCC | AED 35,000 to 50,000 in the first year | Commodities, gold, tea, coffee, crypto and tech companies that want a premium address and banking reputation. |
| Meydan | AED 12,500 | Startups and solo founders that want a Dubai government free zone with a flexi desk and instant licensing. |
Not sure which zone fits? Read free zone vs mainland vs offshore, or compare all seven on the free zone setup cost page.
Fee ranges are for Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and were checked in October 2026. Official sources: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and GDRFA Dubai. Startex Hub is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with DAFZA.