IFZA Business Setup
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IFZA business setup gives you a company in one of Dubai’s well-established free zones — the International Free Zone Authority, based in Dubai Silicon Oasis — with 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, up to three activities on one licence and a fully remote process, with the trade licence typically issued within 5–7 working days, subject to your documents. It suits consultants, digital and trading businesses that want a recognised Dubai address without a premium free-zone price. Legarithm handles the whole setup as a UAE-registered corporate services provider — licence, activities, visas, tax and bank-account introductions — not a middleman. Comparing zones? Consider RAKEZ business setup or see the wider Business Services in Dubai hub, with ongoing corporate tax and accounting support.
Why set up your IFZA company with Legarithm
An IFZA licence is quick to get and easy to get wrong. The value is not the 5–7 day setup — it is what sits under it: activities matched to your invoices, a clean company structure, UBO and ESR obligations handled, and a 0% QFZP corporate-tax position that actually holds up. That is where a registered adviser earns their fee.
As a UAE-registered corporate-services provider with direct IFZA access, we handle your licence, visas, banking and tax as one team — no sub-agents, a single all-in quote — and we will tell you honestly if another structure fits you better. We are not a bank or an auditor; where a statutory audit or a bank decision is involved, we prepare your file and liaise, and the outcome rests with that institution.
Key benefits of an IFZA business setup
These are the outcomes founders open an IFZA company for.
Who IFZA Is Best For
IFZA suits a wide range of businesses — expand the profile below that sounds most like you.
Consultant, agency or professional-services firm
You want a credible Dubai address, a professional licence and residency, with up to 3 related activities on one licence.
Digital, SaaS, marketing or media business
You sell services internationally and want Dubai credibility for clients and banks, set up fully remotely.
Trader or e-commerce business
You need commercial or general-trading activities and a Dubai address that banks recognise for cross-border invoicing.
Startup or solo founder on a budget
You want a Dubai free zone at a reasonable cost, no paid-up capital, and a fast remote launch.
International company expanding to Dubai
You want a foreign branch or a new FZCO to enter the Dubai market without a heavy footprint.
Blockchain & Web3 founder
Development, Web3 tooling and NFT infrastructure sit outside VARA’s scope on an IFZA trade licence; client-facing crypto needs VARA (see the licence types below).
IFZA licence types
Choose the IFZA licence that matches your activities — the five options below cover most businesses; we map yours precisely on a call.
Professional
For service providers and consultants — tech, management, design, marketing and specialised training.
Commercial & General Trading
For trading, import/export, distribution and e-commerce; General Trading lets you trade multiple, unrelated product categories under one licence.
Industrial
For light manufacturing, assembly and processing activities permitted in the zone (industrial scope at IFZA is limited).
Foreign Branch
Expand an existing UAE or foreign company into Dubai without creating a separate subsidiary.
Crypto & Web3
IFZA suits blockchain, Web3, NFT and consulting activities outside VARA’s scope. Proprietary trading requires a VARA NOC; regulated activities require a VARA VASP licence.
Not sure which licence fits?
Tell us your activities and we will map them to the right IFZA licence — and flag if a VARA route applies.
IFZA vs other UAE free zones
The most common question is “IFZA or RAKEZ?” — and how IFZA compares with premium Dubai zones. Here is how they line up; the right pick depends on your address needs and activity.
| Factor | IFZA (Dubai) | RAKEZ | Premium Dubai (DMCC/DIFC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Ras Al Khaimah | Central Dubai (JLT / DIFC) |
| Relative cost | Mid — Dubai on a budget | Lower | Higher |
| Address prestige | High (Dubai) | Good | Highest |
| Investor visa | 2 years | up to 3 years | 2–3 years |
| Activities | Up to 3 on one licence | Combine on one licence | Often per-activity |
| Industrial / warehousing | Limited | Yes — dedicated zones | Limited |
If a Dubai address matters to your clients or bank and you do not need heavy industry, IFZA is often the practical choice. If cost is the priority or you need warehousing or industrial land, RAKEZ often fits better. For a central-Dubai financial address, compare DMCC company formation.
Start your IFZA business setup
Our experts guide you through the whole process — licence, visas, banking and tax — so your IFZA company is compliant and ready to operate.
Eligibility Criteria & Papers
Setup can start once we have your identity, activity and package preference. The exact list depends on the shareholder type.
- Passport copy (all shareholders and directors)
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of residential address
- UAE entry stamp / visa page if you are in the UAE
- Brief business plan / activity description
Step‑by‑step IFZA setup
The process is mostly remote; preparation, documents and activity selection affect the timeline. Dates are typical and depend on your documents and bank.
How much IFZA business setup costs
IFZA is priced by the number of activities, visa quota and office — the table below shows the official 2026 fee layers, with our service fee quoted after a short intake call rather than a fixed list price.
| Item | IFZA (official 2026, indicative) |
|---|---|
| Trade licence (up to 3 activities) | from ~AED 12,500–14,900/yr |
| Flexi-desk address | included in base packages |
| Establishment card | ~AED 2,000 |
| Investor visa (per person) | ~AED 4,000–6,000 |
| Additional activity (beyond 3) | small fee per activity |
| Corporate-tax & VAT registration | Individual · after a consultation |
| Service fee | Quoted after a free consultation, based on the scope above |
IFZA fees follow the official 2026 rates and may change; the final cost depends on activities, visas and office. Corporate tax and VAT registration may apply, with bookkeeping available through our UAE accounting services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
What is IFZA?
IFZA (the International Free Zone Authority) is a Dubai free zone based in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). It offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, up to 3 activities on one licence and a fully remote setup — a cost-effective way to get a recognised Dubai address.
Is IFZA a legitimate free zone?
Yes. IFZA is an official UAE free-zone authority operating through licensed professional partners. A company registered with IFZA is a fully legitimate UAE entity with a valid trade licence, establishment card and access to UAE residence visas.
How many visas can I get with an IFZA licence?
Your visa quota depends on your package and office type: a flexi-desk supports a small number of visas, and a private office increases the quota. You can start with one investor visa and add more as you grow, once your establishment card is issued.
Can I add more activities or visas to my IFZA licence later?
Yes. You can add activities (a fee usually applies beyond the first three), increase your visa quota or upgrade to a private office as your business grows — without re-incorporating.
How much does one visa cost?
The investor-visa component is only part of the cost. As a rough guide, a starter package bundling the licence, establishment card, one visa and a flexi-desk starts from around AED 14,900, with the visa itself a smaller portion of that. The exact figure depends on your package, office and visa count, and we confirm it in a flat quote after a short intake call.
Can I get a crypto licence through IFZA?
Partly. IFZA issues trade licences for blockchain development, Web3 tooling, NFT infrastructure and consulting, which sit outside VARA’s scope, so no regulator application is required. Trading your own capital also needs a VARA No-Objection Certificate (NOC); an exchange, custody, brokerage or token issuance requires a full VARA VASP licence rather than an IFZA licence. The exact position depends on your activity and is confirmed on review.
IFZA or VARA — which do I need for a crypto business?
It depends on whether you touch client funds or assets. If you build technology or trade your own capital, an IFZA trade licence is usually enough and involves no regulator application (a VARA NOC may still be needed for proprietary trading). If you hold or handle third-party assets, or issue tokens, you need VARA. Compare both routes.
Can an IFZA company be used as a holding company?
Yes. A zero-visa IFZA company can work well as a holding vehicle for shares, IP or assets, with 100% ownership and 0% personal tax. We structure holding setups to stay within the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) 0% corporate-tax rules — see our UAE tax services.
Can an IFZA company sell to mainland UAE customers?
B2B invoicing to UAE mainland clients is common and widely done. For direct B2C retail, physical sales to consumers or government tenders, a mainland company or a licensed distributor is usually the right route — or, in some cases, a DET dual-licence permit under the 2025 reform. We assess your case and advise.
Is IFZA suitable for a UAE bank account?
IFZA’s Dubai Silicon Oasis address is well recognised by UAE banks, which can make onboarding smoother than with many free zones. Several major banks work with IFZA companies, but approval always depends on your business profile, nationality, source of funds and the individual banker. We prepare your file carefully and make targeted introductions; the decision rests with the bank.
Flexi-desk or private office — which do I need?
A flexi-desk (shared coworking at DSO) is included in base packages and works for most clients. A private office sends a stronger signal to banks and clients, and some banks ask for physical-office evidence during KYC — then an office is the practical fix.
What happens if I don’t renew my IFZA licence on time?
Late renewal can incur daily fines, and a suspended licence can block visa renewals and restrict banking. IFZA usually gives 60–90 days’ notice; we track renewal dates for our clients and remind you ahead of time, so deadlines aren’t missed.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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