Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance purposes only. UAE government requirements are subject to change without prior notice. We recommend consulting with our business setup specialists or contacting IFZA directly for the most current information and personalized advice specific to your business needs.
For all foreign investors looking to set up an IFZA Dubai Free Zone company, the IFZA is one of the most popular and cost-effective options. The authority office is in Dubai Silicon Oasis, where it moved in 2018 from Fujairah. It provides a flexible and attractive environment for new businesses, with multiple packages offered.
IFZA offers a Visa for Life (VFL) promotion for companies incorporated during eligible months. This promotional offer covers the basic visa fee of AED 3,750 for the first visa and all its renewals, providing long-term cost savings for your business.
Contact IFZA Professional Partners to confirm current month eligibility for this promotion.
In the International Free Zone Authority, company incorporation and business license issuance take around five working days. A personal presence is not required for business setup, which can be completed remotely.
You must decide the business activities of your future company and, hence, correspond to the license type. This is a vital aspect of business setup, as choosing the wrong activity and license can lead to problems during the company’s registration.
This can lead to issues with opening a bank account. This can even make opening such a bank account impossible. IFZA allows seven activities under one single license.
In IFZA, you must specify the legal status of your business. Available company formation types in IFZA include FZCO, a free zone company, or a branch of an existing company registered outside or within the UAE.
FZCO companies also operate as LLCs. Although the suffix attached to the names of companies registered in IFZA is FZCO.
Submit all required documents after preparation. IFZA needs a minimal package of documentation. Registration can be completed without physical presence and takes 5-7 working days. This step further involves the payment of processing and registration fees.
These documents include:
You will receive the establishment card containing information about your visa quota and company. The time frame for issuance of your establishment card is around 3-5 working days.
If you’re outside of the UAE during the entry permit process, you must come to the country when the issuance of the documents is under process for the next 60 days.
During that time, you must complete your biometrics and medical test for your visa. If you’re in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, a status change from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one will be undergone.
You must undergo a medical checkup and submit all related documents for a residence visa. Varying registration packages may provide for a different number of visas available for company employees and owners.
Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residence visas issued or renewed from January 1, 2025, onwards. Employers must purchase health insurance as a prerequisite for visa processing. IFZA Life offers competitive health insurance packages designed specifically for free zone companies, or companies may use the government’s basic scheme starting at AED 320 per year.
Once your visa has been issued, you must secure your Emirates ID card. The post-processing issuance of an Emirates ID and visa usually takes 5-7 working days after the visa is approved.
Apply to any bank in the UAE to open a corporate bank account. IFZA is a reputable free zone recognized by UAE banks, making the process of account opening much smoother. Once you receive your account details, you can start running your business.
Office 2505, 25th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE P.O Box 27614
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com
IFZA license fees start from AED 12,900 for a no-residency visa and a license. This package includes the registration of 3 business activities, which can either be a service or a trading activity.
Packages with visas start from AED 14,900. The low license fees and the absence of capital requirements make this zone really cost-effective. One of the cheapest licenses in Dubai is the IFZA’s General Trading license. Furthermore, IFZA offers multi-year license discounts of up to 30% for 2-3 years and 5-year packages.
| TYPE OF LICENSE | COST IN AED |
|---|---|
|
Zero-visa services/trading and consultancy license |
12,900 |
|
1: visa trading/service and consultancy license |
14,900 |
|
2: visa trading/services and consultancy license |
16,900 |
|
3: visa trading/services and consultancy license |
18,900 |
|
4: visa trading/services and consultancy license |
20,900 |
In the International Free Zone Authority, a wide range of business activities can be undertaken. Under one license, seven activities can be included, with three of them being free of charge, and the rest will be at additional costs.
The below list provides the various business licenses and their descriptions:
Professional License
You can offer specialized services in fields like real estate, education, management, consulting, and many more.
E-Trader License
You can sell services and goods online in the UAE with an E-trader license, ideal for businesses through online platforms or social media.
Oil Trading License
An oil trading license allows you to access profitable operations and international partnerships in a strategically important region.
SIRA License
With a SIRA license, you can offer security services in the UAE.
Audit and Accounting License: You can provide financial services, including tax consulting, auditing, and accounting.
Consultancy License
You can offer professional advice to companies and individuals in areas like finance, marketing, or business.
Typing Center License
Due to the large expat population, document processing services are in high demand in the UAE.
Foodstuff Trading License
This license allows you to sell, distribute, and import food products in the UAE.
IT License
You can start your business in the UAE, be it in IT consulting or software development.
Media License
You can create and distribute content with a media license, covering fields like marketing, PR, media, and advertising.
Commercial License
You can open a business in import-export, wholesale, and retail with access to global and local markets.
The International Dubai Freezone Company Setup Authority provides a broad range of office solutions to set up your company in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis Business Park area. This free zone has the premier infrastructure to provide comprehensive customer support for corporate activities.
IFZA is an ideal platform for investors to prosper after launching in Dubai. It has versatile operational opportunities, round-the-clock accessibility, customizable lease terms, and integrated commercial and accommodation spaces.
The infrastructure provided includes:
IFZA also provides additional services through its ecosystem:
By registering your free zone company, you become entitled to UAE residency. Visas are valid for 2 years, and while the application can be submitted remotely, linked health insurance coverage is mandatory before issuance.
High-risk country individuals, such as those from Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Sudan, etc., are most welcome in this free zone. Dubai free zones have fewer immigration restrictions.
| IFZA FEE IN AED | Medical check-up cost in AED | Emirates ID cost in AED | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Owner |
4,750 |
850 |
390 |
|
Employee |
3,750 |
850 |
390 |
To bring your family to the UAE and obtain dependent visas, you must do the following:
The process of renewal of the business license offered by IFZA is much quicker and easier. The price is similar to that of first-year license registration minus the discounts accumulated plus additional costs.
During the renewal of the company, no further amendment charges are applicable. You must submit an application form with all necessary documents to the authorities of the free zone in order to renew your business license. Then you must pay the fee and await your license renewal.
| FEE | COST IN AED |
|---|---|
|
IFZA license renewal (for zero visa package) |
12,900 |
|
IFZA Establishment card renewal fee |
2,200 |
|
Late license renewal fine |
1,000 |
|
The monthly fine for working under an expired license |
100 |
Company amendments can be made anytime. For any significant changes, a resolution from the board is required. The list of company amendments supported by IFZA includes:
The company can be liquidated easily with the help of a designated representative, and it doesn’t require your physical presence. However, you must pay a liquidation fee to complete the procedure.
Compared to other UAE free zones, the liquidation of the IFZA company is one of the cheapest.
It costs around 2000 AED to liquidate the company.
Ready to Establish Your IFZA Company?
IFZA offers one of the most cost-effective and business-friendly environments in Dubai, with company setup from AED 12,900 and the 2026 Visa for Life promotion.
Our expert team provides comprehensive support throughout your business setup journey—from license selection and documentation to visa processing and bank account opening.
Get Started Today:
Contact us for a customized quote and begin your Dubai business journey within 5-7 working days.
According to the regulations of the Central Bank of the UAE, a personal visit to the UAE is required. However, some banks allow remote account opening.
A flex desk is mandatory for a company to be eligible for resident visas. It is the minimum physical office space that a company with individuals under its visa must have.
VAT obligations depend mainly on the place of registration and where the business activities occur. Paying VAT becomes applicable when the taxable turnover reaches AED 375,000.
An IFZA FZCO requires a minimum of 1 shareholder and a maximum of 50 shareholders. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities. Each company must have at least one Manager, one Secretary, and one Director—these roles can be assigned to the same person or distributed among multiple individuals.
No, IFZA has no mandatory minimum share capital requirement, making it highly accessible for startups and SMEs. However, the minimum share capital you can declare is AED 10,000, with shares issued in multiples of AED 10.
Unlike mainland companies that may require 2-100 million AED in share capital depending on business activities, IFZA offers 100% foreign ownership without capital restrictions.
Financial statement audits are mandatory only for specific categories of IFZA companies:
Most small and medium IFZA businesses are not required to conduct annual audits, unlike mainland companies, where financial audits are mandatory at the end of each fiscal year.
Yes, IFZA allows both individual and corporate shareholders. For corporate shareholders, you must provide the following notarized and attested documents:
If the corporate shareholder is registered outside the UAE, documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin.
Health insurance policies for UAE residence visa holders are valid for two years. As of January 1, 2025, employers must purchase health insurance as a mandatory prerequisite for issuing or renewing residency permits.
The UAE government's basic health insurance package costs AED 320 per year with two-year policy validity, or companies may opt for IFZA Life's specialized packages.
Corporate Tax:
The UAE implemented Federal Corporate Tax effective June 1, 2023:
Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP):
IFZA companies that meet all QFZP conditions can benefit from 0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income. To maintain QFZP status, companies must:
VAT: 5% VAT applicable when taxable annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000.
Small Business Relief (SBR): Businesses with annual revenue up to AED 3 million can elect for 0% corporate tax until December 31, 2026.
Corporate Tax Registration: All IFZA companies must register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority within 3 months of incorporation. Failure to register incurs a penalty of AED 10,000.
Office 2505, 25th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE P.O Box 27614
+971 4 824 4842
info@jsbincorporation.com
