JAFZA or DAFZA
Compare Dubai's two logistics-led free zones: JAFZA beside Jebel Ali port for sea freight, manufacturing and heavy trading, and DAFZA beside Dubai International Airport for air freight, aviation-adjacent trading and light assembly.
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 Jebel Ali Free Zone and 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 | Jebel Ali Free ZoneFree zone | Dubai Airport FreezoneFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Lowest package price | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Licence issued in | Jebel Ali Free Zone 3–14 business days Fastest | Dubai Airport Freezone 10–15 business days Talent Pass only: 10–15 working days after approval |
| Residency visa in | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Renewal price | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Licence types | Jebel Ali Free Zone Trading, Industrial, Service, Logistics | Dubai Airport Freezone Trading, Service, Logistics |
| Facility options | Jebel Ali Free Zone Office, Warehouse, Plot, Onshore logistics facilities | Dubai Airport Freezone Office, Warehouse, Showroom |
| Visa options | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Remote paperwork | Jebel Ali Free Zone No | Dubai Airport Freezone No |
| Activity guides catalogued | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai Airport Freezone Not published: Not published |
| Next step | Explore Jebel Ali Free Zone | Explore Dubai Airport Freezone |
Check before choosing
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Confirm activity restrictions, premises and visa requirements for your case.
Read the Jebel Ali Free Zone guideDubai 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
Sea freight or air freight?
JAFZA is port-adjacent and suits bulky goods moving by sea. DAFZA is airport-adjacent and suits high-value or time-sensitive goods moving by air. Match the zone to how your goods travel.
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, Jebel Ali Free Zone or Dubai Airport Freezone?
No like-for-like starting price is published for Jebel Ali Free Zone and 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.