# Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) > DAFZ does not publish package prices on its own channels, offers up to 6 visas in a published package and requires at least a flexi-desk (checked 2026-10-24). Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) is a general business, logistics and industrial free zone in Dubai, licensed by Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA, brand DIEZ), established in 1996. - Emirate: Dubai - Licensing authority: Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA, brand DIEZ) - Official website: https://www.dafz.ae/en - Also known as: DAFZA (Dubai Airport Freezone) - Last checked: 2026-10-24 - Page: https://freezoneguide.com/uae/dubai/dafza ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Solo, no visa (year 1): one founder, no residence visa, no office beyond a desk or virtual address, one activity | Not published | | Founder + 1 visa (year 1): one founder with one residence visa, flexi-desk or virtual office | Not published | | Team, 3 visas (year 1): three residence visas, flexi-desk or small office | Not published | | Lowest package of any size, without stated conditions (year 1) | Not published | | Lowest licence fee | Not published | | Largest visa quota in a package | 6 | | Minimum office | Flexi-desk | | Licence types | Trading, E-commerce, Services / consultancy, Industrial, General trading, Freelancer, Other | | Minimum share capital | AED 1 | | Incorporation time (stated) | — | | On the FTA VAT Designated Zone list | Yes | ## Packages | Package | Year 1 | Renewal | Visa quota | Office | Includes | Excludes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Smart Office / Smart Office Plus | — | — | 1 | Flexi-desk | Business licence; Desk space (Smart Office Plus: semi-private desk); 1 employment visa (asterisked on site); Wi-Fi | | | Business Boutique Office | — | — | 2 | Serviced office | Closed office 9-23 sq.m with desk; Fully furnished; Business licence; 2 employment visas; Wi-Fi | | | Premium Office | — | — | 3 | Serviced office | Fully furnished office (25 sq.m in one listing, 50 sq.m in another on the same page); Business licence; 3 employment visas | | | Premium Plus Office | — | — | 6 | Serviced office | 50 sq.m fully furnished and fitted office; Business licence; 6 employment visas | | | Standard Office (lease) | — | — | 2 | Private office | 25 sq.m office, own fit-out/turnkey option; Minimum 2 employment visas | | | Talent Pass permit, 2-year visa package (freelance) | AED 13,596 | — | 1 | No office | Talent Pass permit AED 7,500 (recurring annually); Establishment card AED 2,000 (recurring annually); Visa fee AED 4,096 (2-year visa) | Additional activity AED 550 each (max 3 activities); Termination AED 665; Activity amendment AED 1,425; Optional Smart Office lease | | Talent Pass 5-year package with Golden Visa (freelance) | AED 58,580 | — | 1 | No office | Permit fee AED 50,000 one-time for 5 years (AED 10,000/yr), paid in year 1; Establishment card AED 2,000 (recurring annually); Golden Visa and NOC fees AED 6,580 | Additional activity, termination and amendment fees | ## Identity and legal basis - Official name (Arabic): المنطقة الحرة بمطار دبي - Former, merged or alternative names: DAFZA (Dubai Airport Freezone) - Licensing / regulating authority: Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA, brand DIEZ) - Parent group / government body: Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA), wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) - Zone type: General business, Logistics, Industrial - Year established: 1996 - Official website: https://www.dafz.ae/en - Online application portal: https://www.dafz.ae/login/ - Listed on the Ministry of Economy and Tourism register of free-zone company registrars: Yes Physical locations / campuses: Main DAFZ campus next to Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 (Al Quds Street / Damascus Street intersection); DAFZ Industrial Park, Al Qusais (DIEZA Resolution 1/2022: 'DAFZA Industrial Park', Plot 2480438). [1] Public contact email: saleslmt@dafz.ae. [1] Public contact phone: +971 600 532 392. [1] Number of registered companies: 3,300. [2] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/contact-us/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/corporate/why-dafz/) ## Business activities - Official approved activity list: https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=1a545a415a5aebde50212e95706de210134920df - Licence types offered: Trading, E-commerce, Services / consultancy, Industrial, General trading, Freelancer, Other - General trading licence available: Yes Activity categories offered: Trade; E-commerce; Service; Industrial; General Trading; Single-Family Office (SFO); Multi-Family Office (MFO); Dual Licence with DET; Talent Pass (freelance: arts, culture, education, media, marketing, consultancy, technology). [1] Restricted activities: Trading in hazardous products; Illegal activities. [1] Conditions for general trading: 2018 DAFZ news: share capital requirement for new general trading licences halved from AED 1,000,000 to AED 500,000. No current official condition found. [2] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-setup/process/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/dafza-reduces-free-zone-business-set-up-fees-by-up-to-65/) ## Cost - year one Establishment / immigration card fee: AED 2,000. [1] Visa fees: Talent Pass 2-year visa package: visa fee AED 4,096 (Talent Pass brochure); 5-year Golden Visa and NOC fees AED 6,580. [1] Extras included: Rental office packages: licensing, registration and insurance; fully furnished offices; IT services and equipment; housekeeping; reserved parking; Talent Pass: access to Hayyak rewards programme and DAFZ Enablement Agency (DENA) listing. [2] Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=8f2a8950fb022ad1ecddeb99d6bc74e2d07323d1) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-space/rental-office-space/) ## Cost - ongoing Visa validity: 2 years. [1] Lease escalation policy: Leases auto-renew for the same term unless the tenant gives notice 3 months before expiry (6 months for plots); renewal rent is to be agreed but may not be lower than the expiring rent; failing to give notice of non-renewal incurs a penalty of 3 months' rent. [2] Multi-year licence discounts: Talent Pass offers a 5-year permit at AED 50,000 paid up front (AED 10,000/yr equivalent) versus AED 7,500/yr for the annual permit. No multi-year discount found for company licences. [1] Current promotions and expiry: . [3] Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=8f2a8950fb022ad1ecddeb99d6bc74e2d07323d1) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=f2ddbae534f422c216ff8473c68555428a0c31e2) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-space/rental-office-space/) ## Visas and residency Visa quota rule: Fixed per package: Smart Office desk 1 visa; Business Boutique (9-23 sq.m) 2; Standard office (25 sq.m) minimum 2; Premium 3; Premium Plus (50 sq.m) 6; Light Industrial Unit (~350 sq.m) 20; DAFZ Industrial Park 20 visas for spaces up to 350 sq.m and 30 above 350 sq.m. [1] Max visas without dedicated office: 1. [1] Investor / partner visa available: yes. [2] Employee visa available: yes. [2] Dependant / family visa sponsorship allowed: yes. [2] Golden Visa support: Talent Pass 5-year package bundles a Golden Visa (Golden Visa and NOC fees AED 6,580), subject to approval. [3] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-space/rental-office-space/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-setup-services-dubai/) · [3] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=8f2a8950fb022ad1ecddeb99d6bc74e2d07323d1) ## Office and facilities - Minimum facility requirement: Flexi-desk - Office / facility types: Flexi-desk, Serviced office, Private office, Warehouse, Light industrial unit, Retail unit, Land plot - Warehouse available: Yes Warehouse sizes: Industrial Park: 33 warehouses, average 312 sq.m, average office 117 sq.m per warehouse (Blocks C & D), height 7.9-11.1 m; Light Industrial Units about 350 sq.m with 90 sq.m ground and mezzanine offices. [1] Cold storage available: yes. [1] Bonded facilities: yes. [1] Land plots for build-to-suit: yes. [2] Meeting rooms, co-working, amenities: Meeting rooms and boardrooms; Function rooms and auditorium; Video/audio conferencing; Complimentary Wi-Fi and hot beverages; Free parking; Food court and retail centre; Regus by DAFZ; Government service centre; Smart police station. [3] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-space/dafz-industrial-park/) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=f2ddbae534f422c216ff8473c68555428a0c31e2) · [3] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/facilities/dafz-square-business-centre-dubai/) ## Legal structure and ownership - Entity types available: FZCO (several shareholders), Branch of a foreign company, Other, Freelancer permit - Legal system: UAE civil law - Minimum share capital: AED 1 Minimum shareholders: 1. [1] Maximum shareholders: 50. [1] Corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [2] Foreign corporate shareholders allowed: yes. [3] Share capital must be paid in: no. [2] Nominee directors or shareholders: yes. [3] Courts and arbitration: Dubai Courts. [3] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/faqs/) · [2] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-setup/process/) · [3] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=b54c0e9ae262145d7ee509c1306daf11b85317d4) ## Market access and customs - Physical operations on the mainland allowed without an extra licence: No Dual licence cost: AED 10,000. [1] Can open mainland branch: yes. [1] Customs duty in the zone: Goods brought into, stored, used or made in the Free Zone are exempt from customs duty, as are exports outside the UAE; goods moved from the Free Zone into the Emirate's customs area are treated as imports and customs duty applies. [2] Customs duty exemption details: Exemption for goods brought into, stored, used or produced in the Free Zone and for re-exports; duty applies when goods enter the local market (Law 16/2021 Art. 16). [2] Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2025/Executive%20Council%20Resolution%20No.%20(11)%20of%202025%20Regulating%20the%20Conduct%20of%20Free%20Zone%20Establishments%E2%80%99%20Activities.html) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2021/Law%20No.%20(16)%20of%202021.html) ## Tax status - VAT Designated Zone (per the FTA list): Yes Which areas of zone are designated: Dubai Airport Free Zone and DAFZA Industrial Park Free Zone - Al Qusais are listed separately, both from 01/01/2018. FTA notes Designated Zone treatment requires the fenced area to meet Article 51 VAT Executive Regulation conditions. [1] The zone states that its companies can qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person: yes. [2] Corporate-tax statements above come from the zone or from general FTA guidance. The schedule of Free Zones under Cabinet Resolution 54/2023 was not available to this research, and the FTA advises taxpayers to confirm their Free Zone or Designated Zone status with the Free Zone authority. The 0% rate applies only to the Qualifying Income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets all conditions; other income is taxed at the standard rate. Sources: [1] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://tax.gov.ae/DataFolder/Files/Legislation/Designated%20Zones%20-%2021%2009%202021%20sep21.pdf) · [2] [Government source (opened 2026-10-24)](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2021/Law%20No.%20(16)%20of%202021.html) ## Compliance and reporting - Annual audited financial statements required by the zone: Yes - Beneficial-owner register filing required: Yes Audit exemption threshold or conditions: No exemption threshold found; audit applies to all companies. Talent Pass freelancers do not need an annual audit. [1] Audit submission deadline: 2021 Regulations as written: FZCO accounts to be prepared and audited within 30 days after the financial year end (Reg 67.5) and filed with the Registrar within 30 days after the audit (Reg 67.6); PLC accounts within 6 months (Reg 67.4). [2] Annual return and renewal documents: Audited financial statements by a DAFZ-approved auditor; UBO declaration and supporting documents. [1] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/download/) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=b54c0e9ae262145d7ee509c1306daf11b85317d4) ## Banking - Zone offers bank-account facilitation: Yes ## Setup process and speed - Direct application without an agent: Yes Refund policy if rejected: Talent Pass fees are non-refundable; no company policy found. [1] Sources: [1] [Zone website (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/talent-pass/) ## Operations, ecosystem and flexibility Moving a company in or out (re-domiciliation): yes. [1] Multi-year licence options: Talent Pass 5-year package (freelance). [2] Sources: [1] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=b54c0e9ae262145d7ee509c1306daf11b85317d4) · [2] [Zone document (opened 2026-10-24)](https://www.dafz.ae/en/?jet_download=8f2a8950fb022ad1ecddeb99d6bc74e2d07323d1) ## Freelancer and solo founder - Freelancer permit available: Yes ## Notes and history - **History (1996):** According to the zone's About page, Dubai Airport Freezone was established by the Government of Dubai in 1996 under Law No. 2 of 1996. [source](https://www.dafz.ae/en/corporate/) - **History (2017-09):** In September 2017 the zone signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai's Department of Economic Development allowing companies in the zone to obtain dual licences to operate across Dubai, with the free zone's approval required first. The zone's business setup page lists this as the 'Dual Licence with DET'. [source](https://www.dafz.ae/en/dafza-enables-customers-to-obtain-dual-licenses-to-operate-across-dubai/) [source](https://www.dafz.ae/en/business-setup/process/) - **Legal basis (2022-01-01):** Since 1 January 2022 the zone has been supervised by the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA), set up by Dubai Law No. 16 of 2021 (issued 14 September 2021) and wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. The same law made DIEZA the legal successor of the former Dubai International Airport Free Zone Authority and repealed Law No. 25 of 2009, which previously governed the zone. [source](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2021/Law%20No.%20(16)%20of%202021.html) - **Names:** In Dubai legislation the zone's legal name is 'Dubai International Airport Free Zone'; 'Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)' is the brand used on the zone's website. The acronym DAFZA comes from the former Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, whose functions passed to DIEZA in 2022. [source](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2021/Law%20No.%20(16)%20of%202021.html) [source](https://www.dafz.ae/en/corporate/) - **Good to know (2022-01-07):** DIEZA Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (issued 7 January 2022) approves two separate plots linked to this zone, the Dubai International Airport Free Zone and the DAFZA Industrial Park, each with its own boundaries. [source](https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2022/Resolution%20No.%20(1)%20of%202022%20Approving%20the%20Names,%20Locations,%20Area,%20and%20Boundaries%20of%20Free%20Zone.html) ## FAQ ### Does DAFZ require a physical office? The minimum facility DAFZ states is: flexi-desk. Facility types offered: flexi-desk, serviced office, private office, warehouse, light industrial unit, retail unit, land plot. ### How many visas come with a DAFZ package? The largest visa quota in a package DAFZ publishes is 6. Larger quotas usually need more office space; ask the zone for the rule that applies to you. ### Can I get a general trading licence in DAFZ? Yes, DAFZ offers a general trading licence. ### Is DAFZ a VAT Designated Zone? DAFZ appears on the Federal Tax Authority's list of VAT Designated Zones. Often only some areas of a zone are designated; see the tax section and confirm with the zone. ### What is the minimum share capital in DAFZ? DAFZ states a minimum share capital of AED 1. ## Compare with - [DAFZ vs DCC](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=dafza&z=dubai-commercity) - [DAFZ vs Jafza](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/dafza-vs-jafza) - [DAFZ vs Meydan Free Zone](https://freezoneguide.com/uae/compare/custom?z=dafza&z=meydan) Rules that apply to every zone: [corporate tax](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/qualifying-free-zone-person-corporate-tax.md), [VAT Designated Zones](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/vat-designated-zones.md), [mainland access](https://freezoneguide.com/guides/free-zone-vs-mainland.md) --- Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice. --- Source: FreezoneGuide (https://freezoneguide.com/). AED, as published by each zone on its official channels. Information collected from free-zone authorities and UAE government sources on the dates shown. Fees and rules change; the zone's current schedule prevails. Not legal, tax or financial advice.