JAFZA — the Jebel Ali Free Zone — is a gated free zone, and every entry runs through one of its numbered gates. Gate 3 serves the northern side of the zone near Sheikh Zayed Road, and it is the gate most visitors use when coming from Dubai’s main highway.
Related: JAFZA Gate 4 guide — the fastest entry for the head office and North Zone — and JAFZA Gate 7 guide for the port side and South Zone.
This driver guide covers exactly where JAFZA Gate 3 is, what sits near it, how to reach it, and the entry rules you need to follow in 2026.
Where Is JAFZA Gate 3?
Gate 3 is on the northern side of Jebel Ali Free Zone, accessed from the Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) corridor. Useful reference points:
- Danube Metro Station (Red Line) is about 1.25 km southeast of the gate — the nearest metro stop.
- The gate sits in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area cluster, near the immigration and police facilities that serve the zone.
- If you are heading to the JAFZA head office area (Jafza Building No. 15), note that Jafza itself advises Gate 4 as the fastest entry for its headquarters — Gate 3 serves the surrounding industrial blocks.
| Detail | JAFZA Gate 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern side of Jebel Ali Free Zone, off Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) |
| Nearest metro | Danube station (Red Line), about 1.25 km southeast — a short taxi ride |
| Jafza head office | Use Gate 4 — Jafza advises it as the fastest entry for the headquarters |
| Entry requirement | A valid Tasreeh gate pass is required for every entry |
What Is Near JAFZA Gate 3?
The area immediately around Gate 3 is a practical service hub for drivers and visitors:
- DNRD Jebel Ali branch (Immigration) — the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs office, right by the gate.
- Jebel Ali Police Station — adjacent to the gate area.
- Banks: Emirates NBD’s Jebel Ali branch on Sheikh Zayed Road near Gate 3, Habib Bank AG Zurich’s Jebel Ali branch just outside Gate 3, and HSBC nearby.
- Belhasa Driving Centre and the Wall Street Exchange Centre — both used as landmarks for the gate.
- Sterling Auto Centre — car wash, oil change, and tyre services just outside Gate 3, minutes from Ibn Battuta Mall and Discovery Gardens.
- Food: budget restaurants such as Pathan Darbar near the gate serve the area’s drivers and workers.
How to Reach JAFZA Gate 3
By car
From Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), take the Jebel Ali / JAFZA exits and follow signs for Gate 3. From Ibn Battuta Mall or Discovery Gardens it is only a few minutes’ drive.
By metro + taxi
Take the Red Line to Danube station, then a short taxi ride (about 1.25 km) to the gate. RTA buses 91, 91A, 99, F54, and X91 also serve the wider JAFZA area.
Entry Rules: What Drivers Need
JAFZA is a customs-bonded, gated zone — you cannot enter without a valid gate pass. The essentials:
- A Tasreeh gate pass — the electronic pass system run by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). Day passes, weekly, monthly, and annual passes are available.
- Drivers need their own driver pass plus a copy of their driving licence for day-pass applications.
- Visitors can ask the host company inside JAFZA to arrange a pass, or apply themselves via the Tasreeh portal.
- Keep your Emirates ID and vehicle registration with you — security checks them at the gate.
For the full application process, pass types, fees, and documents, see our step-by-step guide: How to Apply for a JAFZA Gate Pass Online (2026).
Driver Tips for Gate 3
- Have your pass ready before you reach the barrier — fumbling for documents holds up the queue behind you.
- Truck drivers heading to the port should note that DP World has moved to mandatory truck appointment windows — book your slot before arriving.
- Peak hours around shift changes see the longest queues; plan accordingly.
- Fuel and services are easier outside the gate (Sterling Auto Centre, petrol stations on E11) than inside.
- Visiting a different part of the zone? JAFZA Gate 11 serves the southern side near EGA and the Jebel Ali–Lahbab Road corridor.
