WhatsApp quoteDay to day, setting up a company in JAFZA gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. JAFZA combines world's largest port-adjacent free zone with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, and that is why it suits both first-time founders and established groups. Portuguese nationals are a smaller community active in engineering, hospitality and technology, so the JAFZA authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Portuguese applications every day and process them without hesitation. In our experience, portugal and the UAE have strengthened ties through tourism, aviation and renewable energy investment, which gives Portuguese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their JAFZA licence is issued.
Why JAFZA
Put simply, established 1985 — the world's largest man-made port-based free zone. As we tell every client, one of the reasons we suggest JAFZA is its world's largest port-adjacent free zone, which matters more than most entrepreneurs realise once the business is running.
How JAFZA works with GoldenKey
Step 1Consultation 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.
Step 2Name reservation and initial approval
As a rule, we submit your preferred trade names to JAFZA and secure initial approval, normally within a day or two of submission. If the authority raises a query on opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 3Document submission and payment
Just as important, you sign the submission and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with JAFZA and the authority's licence fee is paid.
Step 4Licence issued and next steps
JAFZA issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
The document list for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A passport issued by Portugal with at least six months' validity
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A police clearance certificate from Portugal if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Educational certificates attested by the Portugal authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
Pricing
As we tell every client, use the table below to compare packages for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In short, all prices for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Why the UAE
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. To be clear, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many business owners choose it as a base for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
If you would like a written quotation for opening a logistics company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many visas can I get with a JAFZA licence?
Crucially, visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. JAFZA packages usually 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.
How long does the JAFZA licence take?
For most clients, once your documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 10 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Can I add more activities to my JAFZA licence later?
Yes, it can. JAFZA allows activity additions and changes through a licence amendment, which GoldenKey can process in a few working days for a small authority fee.
Is logistics & freight forwarding allowed in JAFZA?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own 100% of a logistics company in the UAE. {brand} recommends JAFZA for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does logistics & freight forwarding need?
Customs registration; RTA or local transport authority for vehicle operations. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
