ZONE · UAE
Jebel Ali Free Zone: Licenses, Costs & Activities (2026)
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) accounts for 256 license combinations in the September 2026 snapshot, spread over 41 of the 52 activity clusters tracked on the platform. The strongest cluster here is Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading with 36 packages, followed by Building Materials Trading (30 packages).
Entry packages start at AED 5,171*, the median combination runs from AED 10,000*, and the fullest configurations in the catalog reach AED 10,000*. Filed setup timelines range from 10 to 14 days depending on the activity mix, visa quota and office option.
Jafza is Jebel Ali Free Zone, established in 1985 around the region's largest seaport and part of the DP World network. This guide breaks the zone down by activity: the strongest clusters below, then the visa, establishment-card and bank-account steps that come bundled with Jebel Ali Free Zone licenses — all figures from the same market snapshot.
- Activity combinations
- 256 41 of 52 clusters
- Median package
- from AED 10,000* market benchmark
- Price range
- AED 5,171 – 10,000* min–max in snapshot
- Setup time
- 10–14 days fastest → slowest filed
Activities
Top activity clusters at Jafza
| Activity cluster | Packages at Jafza | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading | 36 | from AED 10,000* |
| Building Materials Trading | 30 | from AED 10,000* |
| General Trading | 22 | from AED 10,000* |
| Auto Parts & Accessories Trading | 22 | from AED 10,000* |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles Trading | 20 | from AED 10,000* |
| Furniture & Home Goods Trading | 18 | from AED 10,000* |
| Events & Entertainment | 10 | from AED 10,000* |
| Media Production & Broadcasting | 8 | from AED 10,000* |
* Market reference as of September 2026, exact quote on request. Market data, Sep 2026.
Visas & banking
Visa, establishment-card and bank steps at Jafza
- Establishment card
- 255 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 10,000*
- Corporate bank account
- 255 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 10,000*
- Investor visa
- 256 packages in the zone's catalog, from AED 5,171*
The typical Jafza sequence files the license, then the establishment card, then residence visas and the corporate bank account — the same order the platform's catalog records across Dubai jurisdictions.
FAQ
Jafza: questions
How much does a Jafza license cost in 2026?
In the September 2026 snapshot, 256 combinations are tracked, starting from AED 5,171*. The median package runs from AED 10,000* and the range stretches to AED 10,000*. The spread reflects activity type, visa quota and office option. Every figure on this page is a market reference; the exact quote is confirmed on request.
How long does company setup at Jafza take?
Filed packages at Jafza complete in 10 to 14 days in the snapshot. License-only setups sit near the fast end; adding establishment card, residence visas and bank account moves the timeline toward the upper bound because banking KYC runs on the bank's schedule.
Which activities can a Jafza license cover?
The catalog maps 256 Jafza combinations onto 41 activity clusters. The strongest are Industrial Equipment & Machinery Trading; Building Materials Trading; General Trading. Each cluster in the table above links to the cross-zone license breakdown for that activity.
Where is Jafza located and who is it for?
Jebel Ali Free Zone is based in Dubai — Jebel Ali Free Zone, established in 1985 around the region's largest seaport and part of the DP World network. As a free zone jurisdiction it suits founders who need that licensing regime specifically; the free-zone-vs-mainland comparison on this site covers when a free zone beats the mainland and vice versa.
Related breakdowns
Setting up in Jafza?
We match the license package to your activity and visa plan — priced against the same market snapshot shown above.