Dubai Airport Free Zone
Establishing a business in the Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) offers a gateway to the dynamic market of Dubai and beyond. DAFZA provides a strategic location for companies looking to benefit from world-class infrastructure, proximity to Dubai International Airport, and access to a global business hub. Setting up your company in DAFZA ensures streamlined procedures, 100% foreign ownership, and zero percent corporate tax, making it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs and businesses seeking growth opportunities.
Flexible office solutions including serviced offices, virtual offices, and customized office spaces.
State-of-the-art warehousing facilities for efficient storage and distribution.
Prime locations for retail businesses seeking high foot traffic and visibility.
Access to administrative support, IT services, and more.
For businesses engaged in trading goods and services.
For manufacturing and industrial activities.
For businesses providing professional or consultancy services.
For businesses operating online and engaging in digital transactions.
Ideal for small to medium-sized enterprises with up to 5 shareholders.
Suitable for single-shareholder companies.
Allows companies to operate a branch of their existing business within the free zone.
Based on the type of business license.
Rental costs vary depending on the size and location of the office.
Costs for services like visa processing, insurance, and administrative support.
Includes a business license and minimal office space.
Includes a business license, office space, and additional services.
Offers comprehensive services including larger office spaces, enhanced support services, and multiple licenses.
Thousands of people choose Decisive Zone to set up their business in Dubai and across the UAE. We take great pride in our exceptional services and our clients’ testaments keep us going!
No. DAFZA allows 100% foreign ownership, so you don't need a UAE national sponsor, partner, or local service agent. You keep full control of your company and full repatriation of capital and profits.
This applies across DAFZA's structures, whether you set up a Free Zone Company with multiple shareholders, a single-shareholder entity, or a branch of an existing business. We can advise which structure fits your plans.
Yes. DAFZA's Talent Pass is a freelance licence that lets you work in your own name as an independent professional, without forming a full company. It covers fields such as media, technology, education, marketing, consultancy, and the arts.
The Talent Pass includes eligibility for a three-year UAE residence visa and the option to lease a smart office. A few things to know: the licence is issued in your name only, you can't sponsor employees on it (though you can sponsor family), and no annual audit is required. It's one of the more cost-effective routes to a formal UAE presence for solo professionals. We can handle the licence and visa together.
Yes, with the Dual Licence. A standard free zone licence doesn't allow direct mainland sales, but DAFZA's Dual Licence arrangement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) lets your DAFZA company also hold a mainland licence, without renting a separate office on the mainland.
This means you can sell directly to UAE mainland customers, B2B or B2C, while continuing to operate from DAFZA and keeping your free zone benefits. Without it, free zone companies can only reach mainland clients through a distributor. One tax point: mainland revenue is taxed at 9%, so keeping separate records helps protect the 0% rate on your qualifying free zone income. We can set up both licences together.
The three serve different purposes.
DAFZA is a trade and logistics free zone next to Dubai International Airport, ideal for import and export, re-export, aviation, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and companies that value airport adjacency and customs efficiency.
DIFC is a financial free zone operating under English Common Law with its own regulator, built for banking, asset management, fintech, and legal firms.
DMCC is a commodities-focused free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, strong for gold, diamonds, crypto, and general trading, with a large business community.
In short: choose DAFZA for airport-linked trade and logistics, DIFC for regulated finance, and DMCC for commodities and crypto. We can match the zone to your activity and budget.
For most activities, a DAFZA licence is issued within roughly 5 to 10 working days once your documents are in order. A Talent Pass freelance licence typically takes around 10 to 15 working days.
The main variable is external approvals: some activities, such as health-related ones, need a No Objection Certificate from another government body, which can add time. We prepare your application to keep things moving and flag any approvals early.
DAFZA offers real tax advantages: 0% personal income tax, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, and 0% corporate tax on qualifying income for a Qualifying Free Zone Person, plus customs duty benefits on goods within the zone.
To be candid, ""completely tax-free"" is no longer the full picture. Under UAE Corporate Tax, only qualifying income keeps the 0% rate; non-qualifying income, such as direct mainland sales, is taxed at 9%. VAT of 5% also applies to relevant supplies, and every company must register with the Federal Tax Authority. The benefits are genuine, but they depend on how your business is structured. Our tax team helps you keep the 0% rate where it applies.
