DMCC or DAFZA
Compare DMCC's trading and commodities district in Jumeirah Lakes Towers with DAFZA's airport-adjacent zone for air freight, trading and light assembly. Both are in Dubai; location and logistics needs separate them.
Your situation
Answer for the default situation: one visa. Change an answer above to update it.
Ajman Free Zone fits your answers, and it is not in this comparison.
Choose Dubai Mainland if you will sell or work onshore.
No like-for-like starting price is published for Dubai Airport Freezone, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Read from the same published figures as the table. Activity eligibility, approvals and the full first year still decide the route.
Side by side
Package figures cover their stated inclusions only. Activity eligibility, the full first-year cost and renewal still need confirmation for your case.
| Metric | DMCCFree zone | Dubai Airport FreezoneFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | DMCC AED 43,780 12 months · published package | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Lowest package price | DMCC AED 35,484 12 months · published package | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Licence issued in | DMCC 2 weeks Company setup is described as usually taking about two weeks. | Dubai Airport Freezone 10–15 business days Talent Pass only: 10–15 working days after approval |
| Residency visa in | DMCC 0–20 business days The employee visa guide allows up to 20 working days. | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Renewal price | DMCC AED 20,265 Trading or service licence renewal for one year is AED 20,265. | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Licence types | DMCC Trading, Service, Industrial | Dubai Airport Freezone Trading, Service, Logistics |
| Facility options | DMCC Flexi desk, Office, Retail | Dubai Airport Freezone Office, Warehouse, Showroom |
| Visa options | DMCC Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Remote paperwork | DMCC No | Dubai Airport Freezone No |
| Activity guides catalogued | DMCC Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Next step | Explore DMCC | Explore Dubai Airport Freezone |
Check before choosing
Dubai Airport Freezone
Confirm activity restrictions, premises and visa requirements for your case.
Read the Dubai Airport Freezone guideAsk an assistant about this page: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity
FAQ
Does airport access matter for my business?
DAFZA suits goods moving by air and businesses that need to be beside Dubai International Airport. DMCC suits trading and services run from offices in JLT.
How are the prices compared?
Only package prices at the same visa count and term are ranked against each other. A calculator output, a licence-only estimate or a product flagged as not like for like is shown in the table but never used to name a cheaper side.
Which costs less on published figures, DMCC or Dubai Airport Freezone?
No like-for-like starting price is published for Dubai Airport Freezone, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Still torn?
Explore the full guides to compare package costs, visa requirements and how you plan to trade.