Dubai Airport Free Zone Company Registration Process

In order to set up a company the following documents need to be submitted to DAFZA’s Sales Department:

Note:

All legal documents must be:

• Notarized by a notary public
• Attested by an embassy of UAE (country of origin)
• Attested by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following the approval of the company setup by DAFZA after 7-10 working days, the client needs to:

1. Select the appropriate type of office space
2. Decide if he/she requires DAFZA’s Interior Design Department’s services to design/furnish the office.

When the office is complete:

1. Invoice is issued
2. Invoice must be paid in two weeks
3. Lease agreement is issued and signed
4. Office keys collected

Following this, DAFZA’s licensing personnel or the client himself can submit the legal documents for an FZE company to the Lease and Licensing Department.

Finally, the client’s license is issued together with the share capital certificate.

The whole process of company registration should take less than four weeks.

Following the setup of a company, the following must be arranged in order to complete all necessary processes:

• PO Box and post code
• Establishment Card
• Manager visa
• Employees’ visas
• IT Connection for your premises (Etisalat or Du)
• Car parking space
• Insurance of the office (workmanship, fire, third-party liability)

DAFZA Rules for Company Registration

Law No. 2, 1996 and amendment No. 2, 2000, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, regarding the formation of legal establishments at DAFZA.

DAFZA’s rules and regulations state that all companies in Dubai must have a legal formation and registration, a minimum share capital, the letters FZE at the end of the company’s name, details of ownership and the owner’s declaration. Also necessary is the company’s registered office, a sign with the company’s name, company stationery, shares, proof of transfer of shares, company directors and a company secretary. It must hold directors’ meetings, have objects, a seal, contracts, accounting records, distribution channels and adequate funds.

Monitoring takes place to make sure that all companies abide by the rules and regulations.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority Services

DAFZA’s dedicated staff provide the support that clients need to set up and operate their businesses efficiently and effectively.

• Company registration
• Issuing of licenses
• Additional client support

Company Registration

DAFZA sets up two types of companies depending on the clients’ intended business activities and requirements. Each company type offers different benefits and options.

• Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
• Branch Office

Free Zone Establishment (FZE) (new DAFZA company structure)

• 1 – 50 shareholders (either physical person or company)
• Minimum share capital – AED 1000
• Value of each share – AED 1000

Branch Office

• Branch of an established foreign company
• No share capital required

Issuing of Licenses

Licenses are issued by DAFZA to enable investors to set up their company and commence their desired business activities. There are three type of DAFZA business licenses which the client can select depending on the business activities and requirements:

• Industrial License: suitable for light manufacturing, processing, packaging and assembling activities
• Trade License: suitable for export, import, storage and distribution of products which are specified on the license
• Service License: provision of services which are specified on the license

Additional Client Support

Sponsorship of staff: DAFZA provides support to its client with processing and issuing of visas, health cards, medical reports, residence permits, etc for the staff of the companies.

Sponsorship of family: dedicated personnel support the directors of the companies to process and issue visas for their family members.

Documentation: DAFZA handles the issuing of all required documents in order to open bank accounts, register vehicles, obtain driving licenses etc.

Other services:

24/7 security: provided by experienced security staff.

IT & Telecommunications: state-of-the-art IT and telecommunications systems to support all company types. Reliable, scalable systems can be built to suit each company’s individual activities and needs.

Customs and Immigration services: 24/7 customs service and fast clearance of cargo via DAFZA’s logistics department.

E-services (Tas’heel): a large selection of online services is available which facilitates the processes involved in the issuing of visas, permits, health cards etc. Clients are able to monitor the progress of the processes online.

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority Products

• Offices
• Light industrial units (LIU’s)
• Business support facilities
• Other facilities
• Special package for company setup

Offices

DAFZA provides office space in the modern Business Park in Dubai for clients to set up their businesses.

Features of DAFZA Offices:

• Wide range of office types
• Free size of offices
• High quality fittings – carpets, false ceilings, wall paper, window blinds
• Offices can be furnished according to individual taste, branding and specifications
• Minimum space of 25sqm to obtain a license
• 4 employee visas issued for every 50sqm of office space
• 1 year lease, renewable annually

Light industrial units (LIU’s)

Light industrial units are ready-made facilities available for rent which can be used as warehouses for storage and distribution of goods or for light industrial activities such as manufacturing and assembling.

Features of DAFZA light industrial units:

• Top quality purpose-built units
• Several units can be used by one company if required
• Each unit has office space on a separate floor
• Average size 350 sqm
• Thermal insulation
• Close location to Dubai International Airport’s apron facility
• 1 year lease, renewable annually

Business Support Facilities

DAFZA provides the following business support facilities to its clients:

• Meeting rooms
• Business lounge
• Lecture hall
• Screens and other equipment for presentations
• Flip charts, stationery, visualisers
• Catering service

Other Facilities

DAFZA also provides other facilities such as:

• Food court
• Car rental services
• Travel agent
• Medical clinic
• Banks
• Post office
• Spa
• Cafes
• Car parking and valet parking

Special Package for Company Setup

Two office space facility types are offered by DAFZA:

• Executive Suites package
• Business Desk packagePage Content

Features of Executive Suites Package:

• A cost effective solution
• 50sqm furnished office for one manager and 4 employees
• Package includes all expenses (registration, license, P O Box, car parking, insurance, 6 employment visas)
• Monthly rental for this package: AED 12,000

Features of the Business Desk Package:

• Ideal for start-ups – minimum cost
• Quick setup
• Package includes, 1 employment visa, desk/2 chairs/cabinet/telephone
• Monthly rent AED 4,000 or AED 45,000 yearly

Information to download:

• DAFZA Corporate Presentation
• DAFZA Brochure
• Application Forms

DAFZA Corporate Video

Dubai Airport Free Zone Map