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UAE Free Zone (DAFZA) · via DAFZA (Dubai Airport)·🇻🇳Founder profile

Incorporating a DAFZA Free Zone LLC for Vietnamese Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$20,000

The Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) offers a specialized environment for businesses requiring proximity to international logistics hubs. Vietnamese freelance developers may establish a Free Zone LLC to operate within the UAE regulatory framework.

Founders must account for the 9% corporate tax rate on profits above AED 375,000 and maintain compliance with both UAE economic substance rules and Vietnamese tax reporting obligations.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$38,000
≈ $1,583/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupDAFZA (Dubai Airport) setup
    $20,000
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $18,000
Total$38,000
§ 02Tax residency · Vietnamese Freelance Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 applies a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.

Home-country rule

Circular 111/2013 on foreign-source income; USD conversion rules

Editorial verdict

DAFZA is ideal for aviation or tech-heavy services near DXB; ensure your Vietnamese tax residency status is documented to manage Circular 111/2013 filings.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE economic substance regulations compliance
  • 02Vietnamese foreign-source income reporting requirements
  • 03High minimum capital and operational overhead
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingDAFZA (Dubai Airport) submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (DAFZA) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (DAFZA)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,578
$102.00
Annual
$1,578
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; aviation and light industry near DXB
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Yes, DAFZA mandates a physical office lease within the free zone to maintain a valid trade license. Virtual offices are not permitted for this jurisdiction.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (DAFZA)
Vietnamese Freelance Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with DAFZA (Dubai Airport)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Claim on DAFZA (Dubai Airport)