IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
Dubai's high-volume, low-cost gateway for service and trading companies.
What IFZA is actually known for
IFZA is the volume player. It moved from Fujairah to Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2021 and built its model around a registered-agent channel rather than direct sales: in practice you buy an IFZA licence through an approved partner, not from a counter. That structure is why IFZA can support one of the widest activity lists in the country and price aggressively for consultants, agencies and small trading firms — and also why two quotes for the same company can differ, because the agent's fee sits on top of the authority's.
IFZA is one of Dubai's most cost-competitive and popular free zones, built around a network of registered agents rather than direct sales. It's designed for SMEs, startups, consultants, traders and holding companies that want a fast, affordable licence without a mandatory physical office — which has made it a default entry point for first-time entrepreneurs in Dubai.
Key benefits
- 100% foreign ownership with full repatriation of capital and profits
- Among the lowest-cost credible Dubai free zone packages
- 1,500+ approved activities, with up to 3 activities on one licence
- No mandatory physical office for basic packages (flexi-desk / digital)
- Fast digital setup — often 3–5 working days
- 0% personal income tax; 0% corporate tax on qualifying income
Business activities & licenses
IFZA supports a range of license types and activities, including:
- Commercial / trading
- Professional & consulting services
- E-commerce
- General trading
- Holding companies
- Technology & media
The clusters that exist here
Activity lists look similar across every free zone. What differs is which industries have genuinely concentrated in one — the counterparties, the suppliers and the people you end up sitting next to.
- Consultancy and professional services
- Management consultancy, marketing, IT services and similar advisory activities make up the bulk of IFZA registrations. The activity list is granular enough that most niche advisory work maps to an existing code.
- General and specialised trading
- IFZA general trading licences cover broad import/export without the commodity-specific infrastructure of DMCC — suited to firms whose goods move through third-party logistics rather than their own warehouse.
- Holding structures
- Cost-efficient holding companies for shareholders who want a Dubai entity above operating businesses elsewhere.
- E-commerce and digital
- Online retail, digital products and platform businesses that need a licence and visas but no physical footprint.
Infrastructure and institutions
The things IFZA has that a competing zone would have to build from scratch:
- IFZA Business Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis — the registered address for most licences
- Approved-agent network handling submission, amendments and renewals
- Flexi-desk and serviced office options within the park
- Integration with DSO's wider tech community and Dtec next door
Ownership & visas
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
Visa quota is tied to your package and workspace. Zero-visa packages exist, scaling to 6+ visas with a flexi-desk or office upgrade.
Cost & timeline
IFZA does not publish a complete current public tariff. We obtain a written quote from the authority for your specific activity, visa allocation and workspace.
Important: IFZA's official setup pages describe professional, commercial and branch licences but do not publish a complete current general tariff. Pricing is quotation-based and depends on activity, visa allocation, shareholder structure and workspace.
Source: ifza.com
Get a written quoteTypical timeline: License in ~3–5 working days (fast-track available).
Is IFZA right for you?
Cost-conscious startups, solo consultants, freelancers going corporate, and trading or e-commerce SMEs that prioritise low upfront cost and speed over a prestige address.
Choose IFZA if
- You want a Dubai licence with a wide choice of activities at a competitive total cost
- You are comfortable working through a registered agent rather than dealing with the authority directly
- You need visa capacity without leasing a full office
- Your business is service-based and doesn't need warehousing or a prestige address
Look elsewhere if
- You want to deal with the free zone authority directly and control every step yourself
- You need heavy logistics, industrial space or port access
- You are in a regulated financial activity — that belongs in DIFC or ADGM
What people get wrong about IFZA
The things that surprise founders after they have already signed — worth knowing before you do.
- Quotes vary between agents
- Because IFZA sells through partners, the same package can be priced differently depending on who you ask and what they bundle. Always get the breakdown in writing: authority fees, agent fee, visa costs and establishment card separately.
- Visa quota is tied to your package
- Entry packages are frequently zero-visa. Adding visa allocation changes the price materially, so decide your headcount before comparing packages.
- Activity grouping rules
- Multiple activities on one licence are allowed within limits, and mixing across groups can trigger extra charges. Confirm your full activity list up front rather than amending later.
What makes IFZA different
- Operates almost entirely through a registered-agent channel — pricing is package-driven.
- One of the highest-volume free zones by new registrations in Dubai.
Compare alternatives
How IFZA compares
| Free zone | Emirate | License from* | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA This page | Dubai | Quote required | License in ~3–5 working days (fast-track available) | Consultants · E-commerce |
| Meydan → | Dubai | AED 12,500/yr | A few days to ~1 week (digital process) | Agencies · Consultants |
| DMCC → | Dubai | AED 20,285/yr | ~1–4 weeks depending on activity and workspace | Commodities · General trading |
| RAKEZ → | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000/yr | Registration as fast as 1 day; full setup with visas ~1–3 weeks | Low budget · Industrial |
* Published entry prices from each authority, verified 1 August 2026 — not quotes, and not directly comparable products. Compare all 17 zones
IFZA — frequently asked questions
01How much does it cost to set up in IFZA?＋
IFZA does not publish a complete current public tariff, so pricing is quotation-based and depends on your activity, visa allocation, shareholder structure and workspace. Incorporate Dubai obtains a written quote from the authority rather than quoting an unverified starting price.
02Can I own 100% of my IFZA company?＋
100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor required.
03How many visas can I get with IFZA?＋
Visa quota is tied to your package and workspace. Zero-visa packages exist, scaling to 6+ visas with a flexi-desk or office upgrade.
04How long does IFZA setup take?＋
License in ~3–5 working days (fast-track available). Timelines depend on document readiness, visa processing and bank onboarding.
05Who is IFZA best for?＋
Cost-conscious startups, solo consultants, freelancers going corporate, and trading or e-commerce SMEs that prioritise low upfront cost and speed over a prestige address.
06Why does IFZA pricing differ between consultants?＋
IFZA operates through registered agents rather than selling directly, so the price you see is the authority's fee plus that agent's service charge and whatever they've bundled — visas, establishment card, medical, Emirates ID. Ask for a line-by-line breakdown from each quote and compare like for like.
07Is IFZA still in Fujairah?＋
No. IFZA relocated to Dubai and its licences are issued as Dubai free zone licences, with the registered address at IFZA Business Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Older online material referring to IFZA as a Fujairah zone is out of date.
08Can an IFZA company open a UAE bank account?＋
Yes, though IFZA licences face the same scrutiny as any flexi-desk company. Banks weigh the business model, shareholder profile, expected transaction flows and substance. A clear business plan, a genuine operating history and a resident visa holder as signatory all improve the odds.