Workstation – 2 Visa Quota (6 Sqm, Licence + Registration + Cic)
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 56,210
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · DUBAI
JAFZA Company Formation for Kenyans
Guide for Kenyan founders · around 5 hours from Nairobi
5–7 daysSetup time100%Ownership2 (workstation) · 1 per 9 sqm officeVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Trading · Service · Industrial · GT · HoldingLicence type
- Workstation · Office · Warehouse · PlotOffice / facility
- 2 (workstation) · 1 per 9 sqm officeVisa eligibility
- Standard · NOC for regulated goodsApprovals needed
- From AED 46,310Renewal cost
About JAFZA
Why JAFZA
JAFZA is Jebel Ali — the world's largest free zone and gateway to global trade, and it has become one of the most practical choices for founders who want a UAE licence without a large upfront budget. GoldenKey has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs through JAFZA company formation, from name reservation to the moment the licence PDF lands in their inbox. Dubai is a key re-export and sourcing hub for East African traders, and the UAE-Kenya CEPA is deepening those links, which gives Kenyan entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their JAFZA licence is released. The most common businesses Kenyans open through GoldenKey are in agricultural exports, tea and coffee trading, logistics and tourism, although JAFZA supports almost any activity.
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is Dubai's flagship free zone, built around Jebel Ali Port and next to Al Maktoum International Airport. It is the natural home for trading, logistics, light industry and regional headquarters that move goods in and out of the UAE. Companies are formed as an FZE (one shareholder), an FZCO (two or more shareholders) or a Branch, with 100% foreign ownership. Facilities range from a 6 sqm workstation to offices from 27 sqm, warehouses from 313 sqm, showrooms and plots of land — the facility you lease decides your visa quota. GoldenKey handles the full JAFZA application for you: name, licence type, activity selection, facility choice, registration, Computer Immigration Card and visas.
In practice, office options in JAFZA range from office suite, showroom, warehouse, factory, bulk liquid facility or open yard, so you only pay for the space your visa quota actually needs. Just as important, home to 9,500+ companies including Fortune 500 brands. In our experience, for Kenyans, the practical advantages of JAFZA are the ease of travel between Kenya and the UAE, English and Swahili speakers find the UAE easy to navigate, and a banking system that processes Kenyan shilling (KES) transfers daily.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
In our experience, pricing for JAFZA company formation for Kenyans depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. The figures below for JAFZA company formation for Kenyans are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
Office 27 Sqm – 3 Visa Quota (licence + Registration + Cic)
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 95,535
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Warehouse 556 Sqm – 25 Visa Quota (licence + Registration + Cic)
25 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 390,258
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 25 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 4,950
Annual renewalAED 46,310
Bank account assistanceAED 1,650
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-27.
Business activities
Explore 1,429 business activities in JAFZA
JAFZA lets you combine related activities on one licence. Search by what your business does — in English or Arabic — and quote the GK code when you ask for a quotation.
Popular choices · 1,429 activities availableAll 1,429 JAFZA activities
Required documents
Documents required
In our experience, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of JAFZA company formation for Kenyans.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Passport copy of every shareholder, manager and directorValid for at least 6 months
- Applicant details: full name, mobile number, e-mail address and nationalityJAFZA sends the application link to this e-mail
- Proposed company name (3 options), formation type (FZE / FZCO / Branch), licence type(s), main industry and facility type & sizeGoldenKey prepares this with you
- Passport copy and passport-size photograph for each employment visaMedical and Emirates ID done after entry permit
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copyOnly if already a UAE residentif applicable
- No Objection Certificate from the relevant ministry or authority for regulated goods or servicesPharma, agriculture, media, food and similar activitiesif applicable
- Signed General Trading licence conditions acknowledgementOnly for a General Trading licenceif applicable
For companies
- Parent company trade licence / certificate of incorporation, Memorandum & Articles and board resolutionAttested as required by JAFZA
Our process
How JAFZA works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
In the first call we check that JAFZA lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need. Your portal shows the status of this step for JAFZA company formation for Kenyans in real time.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the JAFZA authority and obtains initial approval, usually within one to two working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested documents and the licence fee is paid to the licensing authority. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for JAFZA company formation for Kenyans.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Put simply, your JAFZA licence, certificate of incorporation and lease are granted, and we move straight on to the establishment card, visas and bank introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about JAFZA. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in JAFZA?
Most JAFZA licences can be released remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residency visa is processed.
Can a JAFZA company do business on the UAE mainland?
A JAFZA company can sell to mainland customers through a mainland distributor, invoice services to mainland clients in most cases, and apply for a dual-licence arrangement where the emirate offers one. Direct retail or on-site contracting on the mainland needs a mainland licence.
How many visas can I get with a JAFZA licence?
Visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. JAFZA packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
Can a Kenyan citizen own 100% of a company in JAFZA?
It can. Kenyans can own the full share capital of a JAFZA company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Can my family from Kenya join me?
As we tell every client, once your investor visa is issued you can sponsor your spouse and children, and GoldenKey processes their visas alongside yours.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in JAFZA?
On the ground, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss JAFZA company formation for Kenyans.
Good to know
More about JAFZA
Why the UAE
Crucially, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so JAFZA company formation for Kenyans no longer requires a local partner. Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of JAFZA company formation for Kenyans predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled JAFZA company formation for Kenyans for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. For most clients, after your JAFZA licence is released, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. As we tell every client, every JAFZA package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end.
