IFZA · Dubai Silicon Oasis · Updated September 2026
IFZA Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai (2026 Guide)
IFZA is Dubai’s most popular budget free zone and the lowest-cost route to a Dubai trade licence. Licences in 2–5 business days, no physical office needed, and packages from AED 12,900 — roughly half the price of the next cheapest Dubai zone.
IFZA works only through accredited partners such as A&A Associate, so partner pricing is below the published rates. This guide covers 2026 costs, licence types, activities, visas, banking, the process and documents.
IFZA Licence Cost 2026: Packages & Pricing
IFZA prices its licences by the number of visa allocations you need. Every package includes a flexi-desk (which satisfies the office requirement), a lease agreement for visa purposes and up to three business activities from the same group. The table shows IFZA’s published rates; A&A partner pricing is lower — request a written quote for your exact configuration.
| Package | Licence fee | Visas | Office | Year-1 total (est.) | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Visa Package 3-year saves ~15%, 5-year ~30% | AED 12,900 | 0 | Flexi desk | AED 12,900 | AED 12,900 |
| 1 Visa Package 2-year saves ~15% | AED 14,900 | 1 | Flexi desk | AED 28,790 | AED 24,400 |
| 2 Visa Package | AED 16,900 | 2 | Flexi desk | AED 36,380 | AED 27,400 |
| 3 Visa Package | AED 18,900 | 3 | Flexi desk | AED 43,970 | AED 29,400 |
Year-1 totals include licence, establishment card, e-channel registration, visa, medical and Emirates ID at IFZA list prices. Extra activities beyond three: AED 1,000 each. Multi-year licences carry 15–30% discounts. Figures are planning estimates as at September 2026; your A&A quote is fixed and itemised.
What is included in every package
- Trade licence (professional, commercial, general trading or holding)
- Flexi-desk / shared workstation — meets the office requirement
- Up to 3 business activities from one group (7 max, AED 1,000 each extra)
- Lease agreement and establishment card eligibility
- 100% foreign ownership, zero paid-up share capital
- Access to IFZA banking team and partner banks
Typical add-on costs to budget for
| Establishment card | AED 2,000 |
| E-channel registration | AED 2,200 + deposit |
| Employment visa (2 years) | AED 3,750 |
| Investor / partner visa (2 years) | AED 4,750 |
| Medical (standard / VIP) | AED 450 / 850 |
| Emirates ID typing | AED 390 |
| In-country status change | AED 1,600 |
| Dependent visa | AED 4,500 |
IFZA Licence Types
IFZA issues one licence per company, selected to match your activity group. You can hold up to seven activities on a single licence (three included), as long as they belong to compatible groups.
IFZA Business Activities List
IFZA publishes more than 2,000 approved activities across professional, commercial, general trading and holding categories. The first three activities from one group are included in your licence; additional activities cost AED 1,000 each, up to seven per licence. These are the activities A&A registers most often:
Professional & consultancy
Commercial & trading
Not available at IFZA: crypto exchange or custody, banking and insurance, oil and gas, and activities that require a physical warehouse. Crypto consulting and advisory are possible. Send us your activity and we’ll confirm eligibility and the licence type the same day.
IFZA Visa Options & Costs
Standard packages come with 0–6 visa allocations; with a physical office upgrade the quota can be increased to 15. Visas are valid for two years and can be processed without you being in the UAE until the medical and biometrics stage.
Visa types available
- Investor / partner visa — for shareholders; AED 4,750
- Employment visa — for staff, including yourself as manager; AED 3,750
- Dependent visa — spouse, children and parents sponsored by the resident
- Golden Visa route — eligible IFZA investors can apply separately; see our Golden Visa guide
Visa process (3–4 weeks end to end)
- Entry permitIssued in 3–5 working days after the establishment card.
- Status change or entryIn-country change (AED 1,600) or enter the UAE on the permit.
- Medical & biometricsStandard AED 450 or VIP AED 850; Emirates ID typing AED 390.
- Visa stamping & Emirates IDResidence visa issued; Emirates ID card delivered.
How to Set Up an IFZA Company: Step-by-Step
With documents ready, A&A typically has your IFZA licence issued within 2–5 business days. You only need to be in Dubai for the visa medical and biometrics.
- Free consultation & activity selectionDay 0We confirm your activities, licence type, visa count and give you a fixed, itemised quote.
- Trade-name reservationDay 1Three name options checked and reserved with IFZA.
- Document collectionDay 1–2Passport copies, photos, address proof and signed application forms (remote signing accepted).
- Application submission & paymentDay 2A&A submits through the IFZA partner portal.
- Licence issuanceDay 3–5Trade licence, certificate of incorporation, MOA and lease agreement issued.
- Establishment card & e-channelWeek 2Immigration establishment card and e-channel registration (needed for visas).
- Visa processingWeeks 2–4Entry permit, medical, biometrics, residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Bank account openingWeeks 3–8We prepare your file and introduce you to Wio, Mashreq or CBD.
Documents Required for IFZA Company Formation
Individual shareholder (UAE resident)
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- UAE residence visa & Emirates ID copy
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- NOC from current sponsor (if employed)
- Signed application forms
Non-resident shareholder
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of home address (utility bill / bank statement, <3 months)
- Entry stamp or visa copy if in the UAE
- Signed application forms (remote signing accepted)
Corporate shareholder
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution appointing the manager
- Certificate of good standing / incumbency
- Passport copies of directors & UBOs
Bank Account Opening for IFZA Companies
Banking is the one area where IFZA needs managing. It has formal partnerships with Wio Bank and Mashreq, plus working relationships with CBD, and an in-house banking team. Realistic opening time is 2–6 weeks; Wio is fastest for solo founders and consultancies. High-risk sectors (crypto, precious metals, general trading with overseas suppliers) can face minimum balances of AED 25,000–100,000.
A&A prepares a bank-ready file — business plan, invoices or contracts, source-of-funds and CV — before you apply, which is what shortens the timeline. More on UAE business bank accounts.
Banking snapshot
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Partner banks | Wio Bank, Mashreq (+ CBD) |
| Typical timeline | 2–6 weeks |
| Fastest option | Wio digital onboarding |
| High-risk sectors | AED 25k–100k minimum balance |
IFZA Features at a Glance
IFZA Pros & Cons: An Honest Assessment
What we like
- Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — year one with one visa is achievable under AED 25,000 through a partner
- No physical office requirement; virtual and flexi-desk options
- Fast licence issuance: 2–5 business days
- Up to 7 activities per licence (first 3 free, extras AED 1,000)
- Strong multi-year discounts: 15% (2-year) to 30% (5-year)
- Remote company setup — no need to visit Dubai initially
- No minimum capital requirement
- Improving banking: Wio Bank, Mashreq and CBD relationships
- Mastercard AI-driven digital registration (August 2025)
Watch out for
- Partner-only model — you must use an accredited agent; direct pricing is much higher
- Younger brand than DMCC (Dubai presence since 2020) with a smaller network of ~5,000 companies
- Limited crypto licensing — no exchange or custody activities
- Mandatory financial statements for renewals from September 2025
- DSO location is outside central Dubai — matters if clients visit often
- No warehouse or industrial facilities
- Occasional slow direct communication in peak periods (your partner handles this)
IFZA vs Other Dubai Free Zones
| Free zone | From (AED/yr) | Visas per package | Office required | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA (Dubai Silicon Oasis) | 12,900 | 0–6 (up to 15) | No — flexi desk | Consultancies, freelancers, e-commerce, holding companies on a budget |
| Meydan Free Zone | 12,500 | 0–6 | No | Multi-activity licences, remote founders — Meydan guide |
| DMCC (JLT) | ~35,000+ | 1–6+ | Flexi desk minimum | Commodities, trading, prestige address |
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | ~5,750 | 0–6 | No | Media, creative, very low cost outside Dubai |
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | ~6,000 | 0–6+ | No | Industrial, warehousing, budget trading |
| Dubai South | 12,500 | 0–6 | No | Logistics, aviation, Expo City proximity |
Comparison prices are published starting rates for zero-visa packages and change frequently; see our full list of UAE free zones.
Corporate Tax & Accounting for IFZA Companies
IFZA companies are subject to UAE Corporate Tax law. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income above AED 375,000; transacting mainly with UAE mainland customers can affect QFZP status. Every IFZA company must register for Corporate Tax within three months of incorporation and file annually.
Since September 2025 IFZA also requires annual financial statements for licence renewal: simplified statements for small companies (revenue ≤ AED 3M), IFRS for SMEs for medium (AED 3M–50M) and full IFRS above AED 50M. A&A’s accounting team handles bookkeeping, VAT and Corporate Tax for IFZA companies from AED 999 per month.
Compliance calendar
- Corporate Tax registration — within 3 months of licence
- VAT registration — when taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000
- Financial statements — at each licence renewal (annual)
- Corporate Tax return — within 9 months of financial year end
- ESR / UBO declarations — as applicable to your activity
Recent IFZA Developments
Why Set Up Your IFZA Company with A&A Associate
A&A Associate is an accredited IFZA Professional Partner and has formed 500+ IFZA companies since the zone moved to Dubai. Because IFZA only sells through partners, working with us costs less than going direct — and you get one team for licence, visas, bank account, accounting and Corporate Tax. Rated 4.6 on Google (2,400+ reviews) and 4.7 on Trustpilot; certified Great Place To Work 2025.
IFZA Free Zone: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an IFZA licence cost in 2026?
IFZA packages start from AED 12,900 per year for a zero-visa licence. A 1-visa package is AED 14,900 for the licence, with a year-one total of around AED 28,790 at list price once establishment card, e-channel, visa, medical and Emirates ID are included. Through an accredited partner such as A&A, year-one all-in is typically lower — ask for an itemised quote.
Can I set up with IFZA directly, or do I need an agent?
IFZA operates a partner-only model: applications go through accredited Professional Partners. Direct enquiries are referred to partners, and partner pricing is lower than published rates.
How long does IFZA company setup take?
The trade licence is issued in 2–5 business days once documents are submitted. The full process including establishment card, visa, medical and Emirates ID takes about 3–4 weeks.
Do I need a physical office for an IFZA licence?
No. Every package includes a flexi desk, which satisfies the office requirement for the licence and for visas. Physical offices are available if you need a larger visa quota (up to 15).
How many business activities can I have on one IFZA licence?
Up to seven. The first three activities from the same group are included; each additional activity costs AED 1,000.
How many visas can I get with an IFZA company?
Standard packages provide up to six visa allocations. With a physical office upgrade the quota can increase to 15. Investor, employment, partner and dependent visas are all available, each valid for two years.
Is it easy to open a bank account with an IFZA licence?
Moderate. IFZA has formal partnerships with Wio Bank and Mashreq and works with CBD. Expect 2–6 weeks; Wio is fastest for consultancies and solo founders. A prepared file (business plan, contracts, source of funds) makes the biggest difference.
Can an IFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?
Directly, no. You can sell to the mainland through a registered distributor, or open a Dubai mainland branch of your IFZA company under Resolution No. 11 of 2025 for an AED 5,000 permit.
Does IFZA require an audit?
Since September 2025 all IFZA companies must submit annual financial statements at licence renewal: simplified statements for revenue up to AED 3M, IFRS for SMEs from AED 3M–50M, and full IFRS audited statements above AED 50M.
Is IFZA tax-free?
IFZA companies fall under UAE Corporate Tax. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income above AED 375,000. There is no personal income tax in the UAE.
Can I set up an IFZA company without visiting Dubai?
Yes. Licence, establishment card and bank introductions can be completed remotely with digitally signed documents. You only need to be in the UAE for the visa medical and biometrics.
What is the IFZA licence renewal cost?
Renewal is AED 12,900 for a zero-visa licence, AED 24,400 for 1-visa, AED 27,400 for 2-visa and AED 29,400 for 3-visa packages at list price; visas renew separately every two years (about AED 4,000).
Where is IFZA located?
IFZA Business Park is in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), around 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport. IFZA was founded in Fujairah in 2018 and relocated to DSO in 2020.
Does IFZA offer crypto licences?
Partially. Crypto consulting and advisory activities are possible; exchange, custody and proprietary trading activities are not licensed at IFZA (those require VARA or ADGM/DIFC).
Get your fixed IFZA quote in 30 minutes
Tell us your activity and visa count. We’ll send an itemised partner quote for the licence, visas, establishment card and bank account — no hidden fees.
Included with A&A
- Free consultation & activity check
- Trade-name reservation
- Licence, establishment card, e-channel
- Visa & Emirates ID processing
- Bank-ready file & introductions
- Corporate Tax registration