Set up next to Dubai International Airport with 100% foreign ownership. PROXPAT plans the company type, space and visas, and prepares the ownership filings DAFZ asks for.
Page last updated: . Requirements, government fees and processing times are set by the relevant UAE authority and can change.
DAFZA Company Formation in Dubai Airport Freezone
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), long known as DAFZA, sits next to Dubai International Airport, close to Terminal 2. DAFZ points out that it is not part of the airport itself. It is a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), and says it hosts more than 3,400 registered businesses from over 20 sectors, with more than 20,000 professionals.
Companies in DAFZ are formed under the DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023, the same rulebook used in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The regulations set out the company forms, share capital, audit and ownership filings, so this page leans on them as well as on what DAFZ publishes.
PROXPAT helps you choose the company type and space, check whether your activity needs an outside approval, prepare the ownership documents, and handle visas once the licence is issued.
DAFZ at a Glance
| Topic | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Next to Dubai International Airport, near Terminal 2; not part of the airport | DAFZ |
| Authority | Member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) | DAFZ |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership; no UAE national partner needed | DAFZ |
| Shareholders | Minimum one, maximum 50 | DAFZ |
| Minimum share capital | AED 1 | DAFZ; DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023 |
| Bank capital letter | Required if share capital is above AED 150,000 | DAFZ |
| Activities | Trading activities are allowed as long as they are not hazardous or illegal; some activities need an NOC from an outside government entity | DAFZ |
| Space | Offices, Smart Desk, light industrial units, retail space and warehousing | DAFZ |
Company Types Under the DIEZA 2023 Regulations
The regulations recognise two company forms and a branch. An FZE registered earlier is treated as an FZCO.
| FZCO | Branch of a foreign company | PLC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal personality | Separate from its shareholders | None; part of the parent company | Separate from its shareholders |
| Liability | Limited to capital paid plus any unpaid amount on shares | The parent is responsible for all branch liabilities | Limited |
| Shareholders | One or more | None | Can invite the public to subscribe under markets laws |
| Minimum share capital | AED 1 | Not applicable | AED 250,000 issued and allotted |
| Licence scope | Operations in the free zone; outside it, the laws of that jurisdiction apply | Same | Same |
Most founders choose an FZCO. A branch suits an overseas company that wants its existing name and balance sheet to stand behind the Dubai operation. See UAE company types.
How DAFZ Setup Works
Step 1: Choose your licence type, based on the activities you will carry out.
Step 2: Choose your company type: a new company or a branch of an existing one.
Step 3: Choose your space: office, Smart Desk, industrial unit, retail or warehouse.
Step 4: Confirm the facility with the DAFZ sales team.
Step 5: The Authorized Manager signs the lease agreement.
Step 6: Pay according to the agreed payment plan and collect the office keys.
Step 7: Apply for outside NOCs where your activity needs them.
Step 8: Open the establishment card and start visas.
DAFZ reviews the lease and legal documents alongside the application, so the space decision is part of the licence process rather than something to arrange afterwards.
Share Capital: What the Rules Require
- AED 1 minimum for an FZCO, under Regulation 23.2 of the DIEZA Implementing Regulations 2023, matching DAFZ's own FAQ.
- At least 25% paid up. An FZCO may not allot a share unless at least a quarter of its value is paid.
- A bank letter above AED 150,000. DAFZ asks for a bank share capital letter when capital exceeds this amount.
- No bearer or fractional shares, and an FZCO may not hold treasury shares.
A low legal minimum does not mean a low sensible figure. Banks, landlords and trading partners look at capital, so we set it against how the company will actually operate.
Talent Pass: Freelancing From DAFZ
DAFZ's Talent Pass is a licence for individuals rather than companies:
| Topic | What DAFZ publishes |
|---|---|
| Sectors | Arts, culture, education, media, marketing, consultancy and technology |
| Licence price | AED 7,500, non-refundable; visa costs are separate |
| Visa | Includes a residency visa for new applicants; existing visa holders can keep their current sponsorship |
| What it allows | Freelancing in your personal capacity, signing contracts with UAE companies and serving mainland clients without an NOC |
| Limits | Cannot hire employees or trade under a company name |
| Workspace | Smart Office lease available but not mandatory |
| Validity | Renewable every year |
| Documents | Passport and visa copies, portfolio or degree, proof of prior experience and an updated CV; technology roles need a relevant degree, an experience letter or training certificates |
Ownership Documents DAFZ Asks For
Every DAFZ entity files ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) information. DAFZ lists:
- The UBO declaration form.
- Certified copies of each beneficial owner's passport or national identity card, with an English translation where required.
- Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or lease, not more than three months old.
- A corporate structure chart up to the ultimate parent or holding company.
- A notarised and attested copy of the ultimate parent's shareholder register, or its latest audited annual report listing senior management.
The regulations require the UBO declaration every year and at each licence renewal, and any change in beneficial owners must be notified within 14 days. See attestation for parent company documents.
Keeping a DAFZ Company in Good Standing
| Obligation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Licence | Must be valid at all times; the Registrar may wind up a company, or de-register a branch, without one |
| Accounts | An FZCO keeps records, prepares accounts and has them audited |
| Auditor | Appointed within six months after the end of the financial year |
| Record keeping | Records kept for at least six years |
| UBO | Declaration filed annually and at each renewal; changes notified within 14 days |
| Inactivity | The Registrar may wind up a company that does not start business within a year of incorporation, or suspends activity for more than a year |
| Pausing | A company can ask, by special resolution, to suspend its licence for up to 12 months |
Visa transactions also need a current establishment card. ICP lists renewal at AED 100 per year and a fine of AED 100 per month once it is more than 30 days late, up to AED 1,000. See establishment card.
Working With Mainland Clients
The regulations say a free zone licence covers operations in the free zone, and work elsewhere follows the laws of that jurisdiction. Two published routes help DAFZ businesses reach the Dubai mainland:
- Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit. For Dubai free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence, at AED 5,000 per six months, initially for non-regulated sectors. See the permit guide.
- Talent Pass. DAFZ says holders can serve mainland clients without an NOC.
DAFZ Compared With Other Dubai Free Zones
| Zone | Published points | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Airport Freezone | Airport location; 1 to 50 shareholders; AED 1 minimum capital; offices, light industrial and retail space | This page |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Technology park under the same DIEZA regulations; flexi desks with up to 2 visas | DSO guide |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone | Port location; licences from AED 5,000 | JAFZA guide |
| Meydan Free Zone | Base setup from AED 12,500 | Meydan guide |
| DMCC | Basic Biz package AED 35,484 | DMCC guide |
Budgeting? Compare published prices in our business setup cost calculator.
How PROXPAT Helps
Company type and activity planning
Outside NOC checks for regulated activities
UBO document pack and attestation
Share capital and bank letter planning
Space selection and lease coordination
Establishment card and visas
Talent Pass applications
Renewals, audits and UBO updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Build your company around the airport.
Explore connected PROXPAT services that support the same client journey.
The licence is the start of the government work, not the end of it
Once the trade licence is issued, the sequence that actually lets you operate begins: the establishment card, the MOHRE and immigration files, your employee quota, then employee visas and work permits. After that it repeats every year — renewals, cancellations when people leave, and licence renewal and amendments.
Companies that would rather not build that function in-house put it on a monthly PRO retainer from AED 700, or use it per transaction. Government fees stay separate and itemised either way.
The first six months after incorporation
- Establishment card issued through immigration
- MOHRE file opened and e-signature completed
- Employee quota checked before hiring
- Offer letters, work permits and entry permits
- Medical, Emirates ID and visa stamping
- Corporate tax and VAT registration where they apply
More in Free Zones
Set Up Your Company in Dubai Airport Freezone
PROXPAT plans the company type and space, prepares the UBO and parent company documents, and handles visas and renewals after the licence.