Free Zone Comparison
KIZAD vs JAFZA
KIZAD starts at AED 9,450. JAFZA starts at AED 40,211. That's a fourfold difference for two zones that both offer deep-water port access and industrial infrastructure. JAFZA's 40-year logistics network justifies the premium — but only if you need it.
KIZAD
Abu Dhabi
AED 9,450
Year 1 from
CheaperJAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose KIZAD if cost is your priority — AED 30,761 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose JAFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose KIZAD for overall quality — rated 4.6/5
- ● Choose KIZAD for faster setup — 14 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
KIZAD at AED 9,450 delivers Khalifa Port adjacency at less than a quarter of JAFZA's AED 40,211 entry. Both offer deep-water port access, industrial infrastructure, and warehousing — but JAFZA's 40-year network at Jebel Ali Port handles vastly more container traffic. KIZAD's Metal Park, launched January 2026 at AED 430 million in value, shows Abu Dhabi's industrial ambitions catching up.
Banking separates the two clearly. JAFZA rates 'Easy' with six partners — the strongest banking position of any logistics zone. KIZAD rates 'Moderate' with six partners. Both scale to large teams: JAFZA supports 50 visas on warehouse operations; KIZAD caps at 4 on incubation hub packages but offers industrial facility leases for larger teams. KIZAD's AED 150,000 minimum share capital is higher than JAFZA's practical requirements for basic packages. Both require audits. For manufacturers routing through Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA's established network and banking ease justify the fourfold premium. For Abu Dhabi-based industrial operations, KIZAD delivers comparable port infrastructure at a fraction.
KIZAD vs JAFZA at a Glance
| Metric | KIZAD | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 40,211 |
| Renewal From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 32,910 |
| Rating | ★ 4.6/5 🏆 | ★ 4.0/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 50 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 14 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 2012 | 1985 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 11,000+ |
Year 1 From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
JAFZA
AED 40,211
Renewal From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
JAFZA
AED 32,910
Rating
KIZAD
4.6/5
JAFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
KIZAD
4
JAFZA
50
Processing
KIZAD
14 days
JAFZA
21 days
Banking
KIZAD
Moderate
JAFZA
Easy
Package Pricing Breakdown
KIZAD Packages
Abu Dhabi · 4 packages
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 9,450
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,088
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 19,426
Year 1
Renewal: AED 11,150/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 30,102
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,550/yr
JAFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
Service License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
General Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 49,329
Year 1
Renewal: AED 39,710/yr
General Trading + Showroom/Office
Up to 5 visas · Private Office
AED 102,565
Year 1
Renewal: AED 79,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | KIZAD | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose KIZAD if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing & light industrial
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export & trading
- ✓ Want smes & startups (incubation hub)
- ✓ Want industrial service providers
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 30,761 less)
Choose JAFZA if you...
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial
- ✓ Want large enterprises
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
Pros & Cons
KIZAD
Pros
- ✓ Published SME startup packages from AED 9,450 (1 visa) to AED 14,550 (4 visas) — among the most competitive in Abu Dhabi.
- ✓ Packages bundle the license and workspace (shared workstation or dedicated office) into one price — no separate desk fee.
- ✓ License issued in under 24 hours after approvals, per the official brochure.
- ✓ Optional dual licence from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development enables a mainland activity pathway.
Cons
- ✗ Location is industrial and car-dependent — not ideal for consumer-facing or retail businesses seeking central-city footfall.
- ✗ Activity scope is strongest for industrial, logistics, and trade-aligned sectors; general consultancy firms may find more flexibility in Dubai or Sharjah free zones.
- ✗ Some tariff line items show zero zone service fees but exclude federal immigration, medical, and Emirates ID costs — budget the real government charges separately.
- ✗ Abu Dhabi health insurance (Daman Basic Plan) can be materially higher than Dubai's EBP, with significant age-band pricing.
JAFZA
Pros
- ✓ UAE's first and most established free zone — nearly 40 years of track record with 10,000+ companies
- ✓ Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, for seamless import/export
- ✓ Strong banking credibility — well-known to all major UAE banks with typical account opening in 2-4 weeks
- ✓ Wide range of facility types: flexi desks, offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units
Cons
- ✗ Higher Year 1 costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 30,000+ for a basic trading license with 1 visa
- ✗ Physical office or facility mandatory — no virtual office option available
- ✗ Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai — inconvenient for client-facing service businesses
- ✗ Setup process slower than newer free zones — 2-4 weeks typical for license issuance
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KIZAD or JAFZA?
KIZAD is cheaper by AED 30,761 in Year 1. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between KIZAD and JAFZA?
KIZAD is based in Abu Dhabi and is best for Manufacturing & Light Industrial, Logistics & Warehousing, Import/Export & Trading. JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211.
Which has easier banking, KIZAD or JAFZA?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). KIZAD is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with KIZAD vs JAFZA?
KIZAD supports up to 4 visas, while JAFZA supports up to 50 visas. JAFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is KIZAD or JAFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose KIZAD if you want manufacturing & light industrial focus and lower costs. Choose JAFZA if you need trading & import/export support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.