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Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109
Ownership
100% foreign
Licence issued
2–5 working days
Activities per licence
Up to 5
Minimum share capital
None required
Physical office
Not required for base licence
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income
About International Free Zone Authority, Dubai
IFZA has become the default choice for founders who want a Dubai address without the cost of a DMCC or DIFC licence. It permits over a thousand business activities, allows up to five activities on a single licence, and does not require you to lease physical space unless you need visas beyond the base allocation.
The zone is popular precisely because it is uncomplicated: no share-capital deposit, no mandatory audit for most activities, and a licence that can be issued within a few working days once your documents are in order. For consultancies, e-commerce businesses and general trading companies selling outside the UAE, it is usually the strongest value in Dubai.
The trade-off is that IFZA is a free-zone licence, so selling directly to the UAE mainland market requires either a local distributor or a dual licence. If most of your revenue will come from UAE-based customers, mainland is likely the better structure.
Good fit for
- Consultants and professional service firms
- E-commerce and online businesses
- General trading companies exporting or re-exporting
- Founders who want a Dubai address at free-zone cost
- Businesses needing several activities on one licence
Consider alternatives if
- Retail or F&B needing a physical shopfront in Dubai
- Companies whose customers are mostly UAE government entities
- Businesses requiring a large warehouse or industrial facility
What it costs
The figures below cover the IFZA licence and the related government fees. The biggest variable is visa count — each residence visa adds both an allocation cost on the licence and a per-person processing cost.
| Item | From |
|---|---|
| Licence only, no visa allocationAnnual renewal at a similar rate | AED 12,500 |
| Licence with 1 visa allocation | AED 16,500 |
| Licence with 2 visa allocations | AED 20,500 |
| Establishment cardRequired before any visa application | AED 1,200 |
| Residence visa, per personIncludes medical, Emirates ID and stamping | AED 3,800 |
| Additional activity beyond 5 | AED 1,500 |
These are indicative 2026 market ranges, shown so you can budget realistically. Government fees change and every case differs — we send a fixed written quote covering your exact activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.
Facility options and visa allowance
Flexi desk
Up to 3 visasA shared workspace allocation. Satisfies the licence requirement without a dedicated office.
Private office
Depends on size visasA dedicated room in an IFZA building. Visa allocation scales with square metres.
Warehouse
Varies visasFor trading businesses holding stock in Dubai.
Popular activities
A selection of what IFZA permits. The full list runs to hundreds of activities — ask us about yours.
- Management and business consultancy
- IT services and software development
- General trading
- E-commerce and online retail
- Marketing and advertising services
- Engineering consultancy
- Event management
- Import and export of goods
How long it takes
Typical timings with complete documents. Regulated activities needing external approval take longer.
Trade name reservation
1 working dayWe submit three name options and confirm which is approved.
Application and initial approval
1–2 working daysShareholder documents submitted to IFZA for review.
Payment and licence issuance
1–2 working daysOnce fees clear, the trade licence and incorporation certificate are issued.
Establishment card
2–3 working daysNeeded before any residence visa can be applied for.
Residence visa
7–12 working daysEntry permit, status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and visa stamping.
What you need to provide
Everything on this list, for each shareholder and director.
- Passport copy for every shareholder and director (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photograph against a white background
- Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business plan — required for financial, consultancy and regulated activities
- Existing UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are already in the country
- No Objection Certificate from your current sponsor, if you hold a UAE residence visa
IFZA questions
Can an IFZA company sell to customers inside the UAE?
Not directly. A free-zone company can sell into the mainland market through a licensed distributor or agent, or by obtaining a dual licence. If most of your revenue will come from UAE-based customers, a mainland licence is usually more straightforward.
Do I need to be in Dubai to set up?
No. IFZA formation can be completed remotely. You will need to travel to the UAE once for your medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and visa stamping, which can normally be completed within a single week.
Is IFZA affected by UAE corporate tax?
IFZA companies can qualify for the 0% free-zone rate on qualifying income, provided they meet the substance requirements and do not earn excluded mainland income. Registration for corporate tax is mandatory regardless of the rate you end up paying.
How many visas can I get?
The base licence includes a set allocation, typically zero to two. More visas require a larger facility — a flexi desk supports up to three, and private offices scale from there.
Compare other free zones
Ready to set up in IFZA?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We'll send a fixed written quote with every government fee itemised.
Or call Jaleel +971 52 432 9060 or Mis Shabi +971 50 314 9109