IFZA Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai
Low-cost, package-based Dubai company formation
In short
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a popular Dubai free zone in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It publishes no rate card — licences are quoted per application through its Professional Partner network, typically as multi-year packages with flexi-desk access included. Visa allocation scales from 0 up to roughly 6, and you can bundle up to 7 activities from 2,000+ options. Best for consultants, service firms, holding and trading companies wanting a flexible Dubai setup — insist on a written, itemised quote.
Licence from
Quote-based
quote-based — IFZA publishes no rate card; licences are proposed per application through its Professional Partner network, typically as multi-year packages with flexi-desk access included. Confirm every figure in a written quote
Emirate
Dubai
Dubai Silicon Oasis / Dubai Digital Park
Visas
Package-based
IFZA uses a package-based visa quota. You select how many visas you need at setup — from 0 up to around 6 on a standard flexi-desk package. A zero-visa licence is the cheapest entry point. Higher visa counts (and dedicated office space) are available but increase cost. Each visa requires an establishment/immigration card, medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance.
Activities
Wide range
IFZA offers more than 2,000 business activities across professional, commercial, consulting, trading, media, IT and general-trading categories. You can typically bundle up to 7 compatible activities on one licence at no extra activity fee, which suits multi-service businesses.
Why IFZA?
- Package-based licensing quoted per application — IFZA publishes no rate card; multi-year packages typically include flexi-desk access.
- Flexible visa allocation: choose 0 visas to scale up to around 6 as you hire.
- Bundle up to 7 business activities on a single licence from a list of 2,000+ activities.
- Flexi-desk access is included in the base package — no separate office mandatory for low visa counts.
- 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and remote setup possible without visiting the UAE.
- Multi-year licences carry meaningful discounts versus paying year by year.
Best for
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
Less ideal for
Businesses that must sell directly to the UAE mainland (retail shops, restaurants, clinics), need a large physical office or warehouse, or require a prestige financial-district address (DIFC/ADGM). Companies needing many visas may find dedicated-office requirements push costs above the headline figure.
IFZA setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
Trade licence (zero-visa, base package)
IFZA publishes no licence prices — packages are proposed per application via its Professional Partner network; confirm in writing
Quote-based
Establishment / immigration (e-channel) card
Required once you take any visa
AED 2,000 (approx)
Residence visa processing (per visa)
Inside-country processing; varies by visa type
AED 3,500–4,500
Flexi-desk / office
Flexi-desk access included; dedicated office AED 5,000–20,000+/yr
Included (base)
Company name reservation & initial approval
Typically bundled in the licence package
Included
Medical test + Emirates ID (per visa)
Medical ~AED 350–400, Emirates ID ~AED 370; health insurance extra (AED 600+)
AED 700–800
UAE corporate tax registration
Federal Tax Authority registration is free; 9% tax applies on profit above AED 375,000. Advisor/filing fees separate
Government fee: AED 0
Realistic first-year total (1 visa)
Approx — licence, card, one visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance combined
≈ AED 21,000–26,000 (market-reported)
How we set you up
- 1
Pick activities & package
Choose your business activities (up to 7) and the visa count you need. This sets your package and price.
- 2
Reserve name & initial approval
Submit your proposed company name and shareholder details for IFZA name reservation and initial approval.
- 3
Submit documents
Provide passport copies, photos and any KYC documents for each shareholder and manager. No notarised paperwork is usually required.
- 4
Pay & receive licence
After payment, IFZA issues the trade licence, certificate of formation and share certificate — often within a few working days.
- 5
Establishment card & immigration
If you are taking visas, IFZA opens your establishment/e-channel card so the company can sponsor residence visas.
- 6
Residence visa, medical & Emirates ID
Apply for entry permit, complete the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID, then stamp the residence visa.
- 7
Bank account & corporate tax
Open a UAE business bank account and register with the Federal Tax Authority for corporate tax (and VAT if applicable).
Pros
- Among the lowest-cost Dubai free-zone licences, with a true zero-visa entry point.
- Very flexible — scale visas and activities up or down without changing free zone.
- Fast, paperwork-light setup with remote (no-visit) formation possible.
- 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of capital and profits.
- Wide activity list (2,000+) and up to 7 activities bundled on one licence.
- Multi-year licences reduce the effective annual cost.
Things to weigh
- IFZA publishes no prices, so you cannot budget from its website — every figure needs a quote, and the real first-year total with a visa, cards, medical and insurance lands well above any headline package number.
- No direct mainland trade — selling to the UAE mainland needs a distributor, dual licence or extra approvals.
- Higher visa counts can trigger dedicated-office requirements that raise cost.
- Not a prestige financial-district address — DIFC/ADGM carry more weight for regulated finance.
- Some activities (e.g. regulated or specialised ones) need extra external approvals and fees.
IFZA or mainland?
IFZA wins when you serve clients internationally or work B2B/online, want the lowest setup cost, and do not need a shopfront on the UAE mainland — you keep 100% ownership with no local sponsor and a cheaper entry price. A Dubai mainland (DET) licence wins when you must trade directly with UAE customers, bid for government contracts, open retail/F&B premises, or need unrestricted local market access. Many businesses start on IFZA and add a mainland presence later via a branch or dual-licence arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an IFZA licence cost in 2026?+
IFZA does not publish licence prices — packages are quoted per application through its Professional Partner network, typically multi-year with flexi-desk access included. Ask for a written, itemised quote covering the licence, establishment card, visa, medical, Emirates ID and insurance, and compare it like-for-like against zones that publish rate cards.
How many visas can I get with IFZA?+
You choose your visa quota at setup, from 0 up to around 6 on a standard flexi-desk package. A zero-visa licence is the cheapest. Larger teams may need a dedicated office to unlock more visas, which increases cost.
Can I do business on the Dubai mainland with an IFZA licence?+
Not directly. An IFZA company can invoice mainland clients for services in many cases, but selling goods or operating premises on the mainland needs a local distributor, a branch, or a dual licence with the Department of Economy and Tourism. We can map the right structure for your activity.
Do I need a physical office with IFZA?+
No. Flexi-desk access is included in the base package, which satisfies the requirement for lower visa counts. A dedicated office is only needed for larger teams or specific activities, and costs extra (roughly AED 5,000–20,000+ per year).
How long does IFZA company formation take?+
The licence is often issued within a few working days of submitting documents and payment. Adding residence visas (entry permit, medical, biometrics, Emirates ID and stamping) typically adds one to three weeks per person.
How many business activities can I have on one IFZA licence?+
You can usually bundle up to 7 compatible activities on a single licence from IFZA's list of 2,000+ activities, with no extra fee per activity within that limit. Some regulated or specialised activities require additional external approvals.
Can I set up an IFZA company remotely without visiting the UAE?+
Yes. The licence itself can be issued remotely. You only need to enter the UAE to complete the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you are taking a residence visa; a zero-visa licence can be fully remote.
Does an IFZA company pay corporate tax?+
All UAE companies must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (registration is free). The 9% rate applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000. Qualifying free-zone income can be taxed at 0% if strict conditions are met — this needs proper structuring and advice.
Is IFZA the cheapest free zone in Dubai?+
IFZA is consistently among the cheapest Dubai free zones, especially for zero-visa and single-visa setups. A few other zones run promotions that undercut it in specific months, so the best-value choice depends on your visa count and activity. As an independent advisor, we compare options rather than push one zone.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
We are not paid by IFZA or any free zone, so our advice is to pick the best-fit jurisdiction for your activity and visa needs — not the one that pays us. ZETUP PRO gives you a transparent, all-in cost (licence, visas, bank and corporate-tax registration) with no hidden margins, and handles the whole process end to end. Want to know if IFZA is actually right for you? Message us on WhatsApp for a free PRO Health Check.
Compare with other free zones
IFZA vs Meydan
from AED 12,500
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
IFZA vs DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
IFZA vs RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
IFZA vs Shams
Quote-based
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
IFZA vs DAFZA
Quote-based
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
IFZA vs JAFZA
from AED 5,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
IFZA vs DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.
IFZA vs ADGM
from AED 5,509
Financial-services firms, asset and fund managers, VCs and fintechs regulated by the FSRA; holding companies, SPVs, family offices and foundations; and Hub71-eligible tech start-ups. The right pick when a common-law jurisdiction, a credible financial-centre address and Abu Dhabi's capital ecosystem matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
IFZA vs Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
IFZA vs SPC
from AED 5,750
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
IFZA vs UAQ FTZ
from AED 5,500
Online sellers, dropshippers and solo founders who want the cheapest credible published package in the UAE (UAQ LYTE at AED 5,500); founders who need licence-plus-visa in one transparent bundle (UAQ START at AED 12,500); and light-industrial, trading and logistics businesses using its warehouses, land and UAQ Port.
IFZA vs Innovation City
from AED 6,600
AI, Web3/blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech founders who want a specialist tech free zone with published package pricing; DAOs and token projects needing the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations; and digital-asset businesses that value an ecosystem with crypto-experienced banking and infrastructure partners.
IFZA vs Ajman FZ
from AED 5,555
Online sellers and e-commerce founders who want the one AFZ package with a published price, freelancers using the 40-category Sole Professional licence, and cost-sensitive traders and light-industrial businesses already looking at the northern emirates who are willing to request a written quote rather than compare a published rate card.