2 zones compared in Dubai
Dubai dominates the UAE free zone market with 20+ zones ranging from ultra-premium (DIFC) to budget-friendly (IFZA, Meydan). We compared 2 Dubai free zones for manufacturing — Year 1 costs range from AED 19,000 to AED 40,211 with one visa. Here is how they stack up.
Top Pick: Dubai South — Dubai manufacturing on a budget
AED 19,000 Year 1 with 1 visa
Runner-Up: JAFZA — large-scale export manufacturing
AED 40,211 Year 1 with 1 visa
| Free Zone | Year 1 (1 visa) | Renewal | Max Visas | Banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai South Top pick | AED 19,000 | AED 12,500 | 10 | Moderate |
| JAFZA | AED 40,211 | AED 32,910 | 50 | Easy |
AED 19,000
Year 1
Manufacturers who need a Dubai address without JAFZA pricing land at Dubai South. At AED 12,500 in Year 1 with one visa, it costs less than a third of JAFZA while sitting between Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport — dual logistics access that no other Dubai zone matches at this price.
View full Dubai South profile →AED 40,211
Year 1
For manufacturers producing goods destined for international markets, JAFZA remains the benchmark. Adjacent to Jebel Ali Port — the Middle East's largest container port handling 15 million TEUs annually — your finished goods move from factory floor to shipping container without leaving the zone.
View full JAFZA profile →Get a free quote from our verified partners. No spam, no obligations — just honest pricing for your setup.
Dubai South offers the lowest Year 1 cost at AED 19,000 with one visa. This includes license, visa processing, and mandatory government fees.
We evaluated 2 free zones in Dubai that offer licensing for manufacturing activities. Prices range from AED 19,000 to AED 40,211 for Year 1 with one visa.
Dubai South is our top pick for manufacturing in Dubai, offering the best balance of cost, banking access, and activity flexibility. JAFZA is a strong runner-up.
Most Dubai free zones offer virtual office or flexi-desk options for manufacturing licenses. Physical office requirements vary by zone — check individual zone profiles for package details.
Yes. All 2 free zones we evaluated in Dubai offer at least one residence visa with their manufacturing packages. Visa quotas range from 10 to 50.
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