Set Up Your Company in IFZA Dubai.
From AED 12,900.

IFZA stands for International Free Zone Authority. It is a UAE free zone located in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a technology and innovation district along the Dubai–Al Ain Road in Dubai. IFZA was originally established in Fujairah but relocated to Dubai Silicon Oasis, significantly strengthening its market positioning and banking access. It operates on a B2B model through a network of authorised Professional Partners who process applications on behalf of clients, rather than accepting applications directly from end users. IFZA has grown to become one of the most popular free zone jurisdictions in Dubai for startups, SMEs, freelancers, and international investors.

IFZA company formation starts from approximately AED 12,900 per year for a zero-visa package with a registered Dubai Silicon Oasis address and up to three business activities. A one-visa package begins from AED 14,900, and a two-visa package from approximately AED 16,900 to AED 18,500. Packages with three to five visas start from AED 20,000 and above. Multi-year packages (2, 3, or 5 years) offer discounts of up to 30%, significantly reducing the annualised cost. Additional costs include the Establishment Card (AED 2,000 first year, AED 2,200 renewal), investor or employee visa fees from AED 3,500 to AED 5,000, and medical and Emirates ID fees of approximately AED 2,250. KDHA PRIVE provides a fixed written quote before any payment is made.

IFZA offers discounts of up to 30% when you commit to a 2, 3, or 5-year licence package instead of paying annually. This is one of the few multi-year discount structures available in UAE free zones and represents a significant cost saving for businesses planning long-term UAE operations. For example, a 3-year one-visa package typically costs approximately AED 35,800 instead of the equivalent AED 44,700 if paid annually over three years — a saving of approximately AED 8,900. KDHA PRIVE can provide a side-by-side comparison of annual versus multi-year costs for your specific package.

IFZA company formation typically takes between 2 and 5 working days from the date of complete document submission. Initial approval is often granted within 24 to 48 hours for standard applications, after which the licence fee is paid and the digital trade licence is issued. The residence visa process, once the licence is active, takes approximately 10 to 20 working days including medical screening, Emirates ID biometrics, and visa stamping.

Yes. The IFZA company registration process is fully digital and can be completed remotely without visiting the UAE. Documents are submitted electronically through IFZA’s authorised partner portal, and the trade licence is delivered digitally. Physical presence in the UAE is required only for visa-related steps such as the Emirates ID biometrics appointment and the mandatory medical screening, which are necessary if you wish to obtain a UAE residence visa through your company. Bank account opening at most UAE banks also typically requires an in-person visit.

IFZA permits more than 2,000 approved business activities across a wide range of categories including professional and consulting services, general trading, import and export, technology and software development, digital marketing, e-commerce, media, financial advisory, holding company structures, and industrial activities. A key differentiator for IFZA is that activities can be combined across different categories under a single licence at no additional cost — for example, an e-commerce trading activity can be combined with a digital marketing consulting activity on the same licence. Up to three activity groups are included in the standard licence fee.

The IFZA General Trading licence is widely recognised as the most competitively priced General Trading licence available in Dubai. It permits the holder to trade a wide range of goods and products — both within the UAE free zone environment and internationally — without restricting trading to specific product categories as standard trading licences do. This breadth of permitted trade, combined with IFZA’s competitive pricing, makes the General Trading licence particularly attractive for import/export businesses, commodity traders, and entrepreneurs who need flexibility across multiple product types.

Yes. Like all UAE free zones, IFZA permits 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for a local Emirati sponsor, partner, or agent. You retain complete ownership and control of your company. There is no personal income tax in the UAE, and profits and capital can be fully repatriated without restriction. IFZA companies may also qualify for a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income under the UAE Corporate Tax Law if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person criteria.

IFZA offers three legal structures. An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) is a single-shareholder entity suitable for solo founders or individual investors. An FZCO (Free Zone Company) accommodates multiple shareholders and is suitable for partnerships or small corporate groups. A Subsidiary allows an existing foreign company to establish a locally registered IFZA entity owned by the parent company. Each structure has different documentation requirements. KDHA PRIVE advises on the most appropriate structure based on your ownership, operational, and tax planning requirements.

IFZA does not impose a mandatory paid-up capital requirement for standard licence types. There is no requirement to deposit share capital in a bank account at the time of incorporation. A nominal share capital amount is declared in the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, but this does not need to be funded. This makes IFZA particularly accessible for entrepreneurs and startups operating with limited initial capital.

Yes. IFZA licence holders are eligible to apply for UAE investor and employee residence visas, typically valid for two years and renewable. The number of visa allocations available depends on the licence package and office solution selected. Investor visas cost from approximately AED 4,000 and employee visas from AED 3,500, with medical and Emirates ID fees of approximately AED 2,250 charged separately. Once your investor visa is issued, you can also sponsor UAE residence visas for eligible family members including a spouse, children, and parents.

Yes. IFZA is well-recognised by UAE banks and international financial institutions for corporate account opening. Mainstream UAE banks including Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, and Standard Chartered accept IFZA licences. Neo-banks such as Wio Bank offer corporate accounts with no minimum balance requirement, which can be particularly useful for startups and non-residents. Standard UAE bank accounts typically require a minimum monthly balance of AED 25,000 to AED 50,000. KDHA PRIVE introduces clients to appropriate banking partners and assists with the full account opening documentation to improve approval rates.

The UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000. IFZA is a designated free zone under UAE Corporate Tax Law, and IFZA companies that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income. To qualify, a company must earn qualifying income primarily from international transactions or other free zone companies, maintain adequate economic substance in IFZA, comply with transfer pricing rules, and file annual corporate tax returns with audited financial statements. Non-qualifying income from UAE mainland clients must remain below the de minimis threshold of 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower. VAT at 5% applies once a business crosses the mandatory registration threshold. KDHA PRIVE manages corporate tax and VAT registration and ongoing compliance.

For a standard IFZA FZE or FZCO registration, the core documents required are a valid passport copy for each shareholder and director, a recent passport-sized photograph, and a completed application form. UAE residents should provide a copy of their UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. For corporate shareholders, additional documents are required including a Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Incumbency (issued within the last three months), Memorandum and Articles of Association, and an Ultimate Beneficial Owner Declaration. All foreign-language documents must be translated into English or Arabic. KDHA PRIVE confirms your specific document checklist before you begin and manages all submission and verification steps.

IFZA operates a B2B model where company formation applications are processed exclusively through its network of authorised Professional Partners — formally approved business setup consultants who have direct access to IFZA’s systems and dedicated account management. This model ensures that every client receives guided, expert support throughout the formation process rather than navigating the system independently. As an authorised IFZA Professional Partner, KDHA PRIVE has direct portal access, partner-level pricing, and a dedicated IFZA relationship manager — enabling faster processing and better pricing than applying directly through IFZA’s public channels.

IFZA free zone companies are generally restricted to trading within the free zone or internationally. Direct selling of goods or services to UAE mainland businesses typically requires either a UAE mainland company licence, a distributor or local agent arrangement on the mainland, or a dual licence structure. However, IFZA companies can legally receive payments from and invoice UAE mainland clients for services delivered remotely or internationally. KDHA PRIVE can advise on the most appropriate structure depending on your specific mainland trading requirements.

IFZA and Meydan Free Zone are closely comparable in price, both starting from approximately AED 12,500 to AED 12,900 for a zero-visa package. IFZA’s key advantages are its multi-year discount of up to 30% — which Meydan does not offer — and its well-established brand recognition among UAE banks. Meydan’s key advantage is its location closer to Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport, and its slightly wider activity list of 2,500+ versus IFZA’s 2,000+. For most startups and SMEs, the choice between IFZA and Meydan comes down to whether multi-year cost savings or central Dubai location matters more. KDHA PRIVE advises on which is more suitable for your specific business model.

IFZA annual licence renewal costs are typically comparable to the original licence fee, starting from approximately AED 12,900 for a zero-visa standard package. The Establishment Card renewal costs approximately AED 2,200 per year. Visa renewals are charged separately per applicant. Businesses that opted for a multi-year package benefit from locked-in pricing at a discount for the duration of their package term. Renewal documents generally include updated passport copies and UBO declarations. KDHA PRIVE manages the full renewal process on behalf of clients to ensure no lapses in compliance or licence validity.

Yes. IFZA supports e-commerce businesses through its General Trading licence and service licences, which permit online selling of goods and services locally and internationally. An IFZA e-commerce company can operate online stores, sell through UAE and international platforms, and conduct cross-border digital commerce. The licence includes the registered Dubai Silicon Oasis address required for compliance. Businesses selling physical goods into the UAE mainland market through third-party logistics or fulfilment centres should discuss their specific model with KDHA PRIVE to confirm any additional licences or permits required.

Yes, company migration to IFZA from another UAE free zone or mainland jurisdiction is possible, though it typically requires incorporating a new entity in IFZA and closing the existing company rather than a direct licence transfer between authorities. The cost and timeline of migration depend on the complexity of the existing business, outstanding obligations, and asset or contract transfer requirements. For businesses considering migration to take advantage of IFZA’s pricing or multi-year discounts, KDHA PRIVE advises on the most efficient approach and manages the full transition process to minimise disruption to operations.