WhatsApp quoteJAFZA combines world's largest port-adjacent free zone with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, and for that reason it suits both first-time company owners and established groups. 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. Ukrainian IT outsourcing firms and grain traders increasingly operate through UAE free zone companies, which gives Ukrainian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their JAFZA licence is granted. Ukrainians are a large and growing community, with many IT firms and traders relocating to Dubai since 2022, so the JAFZA authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Ukrainian applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why JAFZA
Popular activities in JAFZA include import/export, logistics, manufacturing, commodities and retail, and most of them can be combined on a single licence. JAFZA is located in Jebel Ali Port area, Dubai — adjacent to Jebel Ali Port (world's 9th busiest), and the licensing authority's processing time for a standard file is around 10 working days.
How JAFZA works with GoldenKey
Step 1Consultation and activity selection
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in JAFZA, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder in real time.
Step 2Name reservation and initial approval
We submit your preferred trade names to JAFZA and secure initial approval, normally within a day or two of submission.
Step 3Document submission and payment
You sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested papers and the licence fee is paid to the licensing authority. For opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
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.
Documents required
For opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder the issuing authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A police clearance certificate from Ukraine if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport issued by Ukraine with at least six months' validity
- A bank statement from your Ukraine bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
In practice, the figures below for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the issuing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder.
Why GoldenKey
To be clear, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which paperwork each of them will ask for on a JAFZA file. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder happen the same day they are ready. From day one, our quotations for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
If you would like a written quotation for opening an import-export business in the UAE as a Ukrainian founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the JAFZA licence take?
As we tell every client, once your documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 10 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in JAFZA?
Put simply, most JAFZA licences can be issued remotely with scanned papers and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is handled.
Can I add more activities to my JAFZA licence later?
Yes. 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 import & export allowed in JAFZA?
Absolutely. Ukrainians can own 100% of an import-export business in the UAE. {brand} recommends JAFZA for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Ukrainians need a UAE visa before applying for JAFZA?
No — You can apply for the licence from Ukraine with scanned paperwork, and the investor UAE residence visa is processed afterwards.
