JAFZA or Dubai South
Compare Jebel Ali's port-adjacent logistics and manufacturing zone with Dubai South beside Al Maktoum Airport for logistics and aviation services. Both suit goods businesses; the transport link differs.
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.
Dubai South Free Zone publishes the faster licence, 1 business day against 3–14 business days for Jebel Ali Free Zone. No like-for-like starting price is published for Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai South Free Zone, so the cost side of this comparison is open.
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 South Free ZoneFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Lowest package price | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone AED 12,500 starting price |
| Licence issued in | Jebel Ali Free Zone 3–14 business days | Dubai South Free Zone 1 business day The official setup page claims licence issuance in one business day. Fastest |
| Residency visa in | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Renewal price | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Licence types | Jebel Ali Free Zone Trading, Industrial, Service, Logistics | Dubai South Free Zone Aviation, Logistics, Trading, Services |
| Facility options | Jebel Ali Free Zone Office, Warehouse, Plot, Onshore logistics facilities | Dubai South Free Zone Office, Warehouse, Logistics plots |
| Visa options | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Remote paperwork | Jebel Ali Free Zone No | Dubai South Free Zone No |
| Activity guides catalogued | Jebel Ali Free Zone Not published: Not published | Dubai South Free Zone Not published: Not published |
| Next step | Explore Jebel Ali Free Zone | Explore Dubai South Free Zone |
Check before choosing
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Confirm activity restrictions, premises and visa requirements for your case.
Read the Jebel Ali Free Zone guideDubai South Free Zone
Confirm activity restrictions, premises and visa requirements for your case.
Read the Dubai South Free Zone guideAsk an assistant about this page: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity
FAQ
Port or airport?
JAFZA is built around Jebel Ali port. Dubai South is built around Al Maktoum International Airport. Logistics businesses often choose by the mode their freight uses.
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 South Free Zone?
Dubai South Free Zone publishes the faster licence, 1 business day against 3–14 business days for Jebel Ali Free Zone. No like-for-like starting price is published for Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai South Free Zone, so the cost side of this comparison is open.
Still torn?
Explore the full guides to compare package costs, visa requirements and how you plan to trade.