Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

BUSINESS

COMPANY REGISTRATION

free zone

IN THIS ARTICLE:

JAFZA is one of the oldest and largest free zones, incorporating thousands of companies, including manufacturing and exporting goods. It is noted that JAFZA accounts for around 24% of total foreign direct investment flows into Dubai.

01

Free zone features

JAFZA Freezone is located in Jebel Ali in the Emirate of Dubai. JAFZA’s popularity is due in part to its location, as it is close to the port of Jebel Ali and close to Al Maktoum International Airport.

Industries prevalent in JAFZA’s Freezone include logistics, e-commerce, petrochemicals, food processing, automobiles and spare parts, retail, electronics and electrical engineering.

Goods import and export are exempt from VAT as JAFZA is a designated free zone.
A large number of activities to choose from.
Opportunity to use port infrastructure.
The availability of warehouses and logistics solutions in the free zone creates additional convenience for traders.

02

What types of licenses are available in the JAFZA Freezone?

Trading license, including a General Trading License.
Industrial license.
Service license.
E-commerce license.
Logistics license.

03

The following types of companies can be registered in the JAFZA Freezone:

Free Zone Establishment (FZE) — 1 shareholder (can be an individual or a legal entity).
Free Zone Company (FZC) — 2−50 shareholders (can be individuals or entities, or a combination of both).
Public Listed Company (PLC) – 2−50 shareholders.
A branch of a company.
Offshore Company (from 1 and up to unlimited number of shareholders).

What are the share capital requirements?

Jafza no longer imposes a minimum share capital for FZE or FZC, but requires that the company has a share capital sufficient for the activities for which it is licensed.

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

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04

What documents are required to register a company?

The founder is an individual

Statement.
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) application form.
A project summary or business plan.
Know Your Customer (KYC) form.
Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) form.
Letter of appointment of director / manager / secretary.
Copy of passport of shareholder, manager and secretary. Passport must be valid for at least six months. The director/manager/secretary must be at least 21 years old.
A no objection letter on company letterhead, signed by the local sponsor, must be attached if the shareholder, manager or secretary already has a visa to stay in the UAE. A copy of a valid visa should also be attached.
Shareholder Business Profile.

The founder is a legal entity

Original certificate of incorporation or original certificate of good standing in respect of the shareholder legal entity.
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the shareholder company, duly notarised.
Power of Attorney (POA).
Resolution of the shareholder/director/board of directors of the promoter-legal entity indicating:

Establishment of a subsidiary in JAFZA;
details of the allocated share capital;
appointment of director / manager / secretary;
appointment of a legal representative (if any).

Branch opening

Application.
Trading License of the company outside the free zone (if any).
Memorandum of Association.
Share certificate (if any).
Certificate of Chamber of Commerce (if any).
Resolution of the board of directors duly signed and stamped by the directors of the company indicating the establishment of a branch of the company in the Free Zone and guaranteeing full financial commitment, and a power of attorney.
A letter from the company in the form of a certificate of no objection stating that the company has no objection to the establishment of a branch in the Free Zone.
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) application form.
Know Your Customer (KYC) form, which must be completed and submitted with the application.
A copy of each company shareholder’s passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months. The director/manager/secretary must be at least 21 years old.
Copy of UAE resident visa page (if applicable).
Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) form.
Letter of appointment of manager/secretary.
Copy of passport of appointed manager/secretary