IFZA business setup in Dubai
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IFZA (the International Free Zone Authority) is one of Dubai's fastest-growing, most cost-effective free zones — based in Dubai Silicon Oasis, with a Dubai address that banks and clients recognise. You get 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, up to 3 business activities on one licence, and a fully remote setup with your trade licence in 5–7 days.
Legarithm handles the whole setup end to end — licence, activities, documents, visas and bank-account introductions — as a UAE-registered corporate services provider, not a middleman.
Why set up your IFZA company with Legarithm
At Legarithm, we pair legal expertise with commercial judgment to launch your IFZA company — and keep it compliant. We handle what founders underestimate: activity selection (matching your licence to your invoices), company structure, UBO and ESR obligations, corporate-tax classification, and the contract and governance groundwork that service, digital and trading businesses run into.
Setting up in Dubai Silicon Oasis is a chance to build in one of Dubai’s most cost-effective free zones — 100% ownership, 0% personal tax, up to 3 activities on one licence and a fully remote 5–7 day setup, with no paid-up share capital. Whether you’re a non-resident entering the market or expanding an existing company into Dubai, we register your IFZA company — professional, commercial, general trading or branch — quickly and in full compliance. As a registered UAE corporate services provider with local consultants and direct IFZA access, we structure your licence, visas and banking so they actually hold up. Advanced infrastructure, real tax advantages and streamlined procedures — start building your business in Dubai with professional support behind you.
We are a trusted corporate services partner in the UAE
A registered UAE corporate services provider. No intermediaries — direct IFZA processing and professional help at every stage.
Local expertise, offices in the UAE
Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
Direct partnerships with free zones
Fast, reliable, compliant setup
Key benefits of an IFZA business setup
Who IFZA Is Best For
From consultants to traders, digital founders and companies expanding to Dubai, IFZA fits 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.
We'll set up your IFZA company efficiently and in full legal compliance.
Our experts guide you through the whole process — licence, visas, banking and tax — so your IFZA company is compliant and ready to operate from day one.
IFZA licence types
Choose the right IFZA licence for your business activities.
Professional
For service providers and consultants — tech, management, design, marketing and specialised training.
Commercial
For trading, import/export, distribution and e-commerce ventures.
General Trading
A premium option to trade multiple, unrelated product categories under one unified licence.
Industrial
For light manufacturing, assembly and processing activities permitted in the zone.
Foreign Branch
Expand an existing UAE or foreign company into Dubai without creating a separate subsidiary.
Not sure which licence?
Tell us your activities and we’ll map them to the right IFZA licence.
Eligibility Criteria & Papers
- 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
IFZA vs other UAE free zones
The most common question is ‘IFZA or RAKEZ?’ — and how IFZA compares to premium Dubai zones.
| 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 | Lowest | Highest |
| 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 don’t need heavy industry, IFZA is the rational choice — Dubai credibility at a mid price. If cost is the priority or you need warehousing/industrial land, RAKEZ usually wins.
Step-by-step IFZA setup roadmap
The official process is straightforward, and you can complete most of it remotely. The quality of your prep—activity selection, documents, and naming—decides how smooth it is.
IFZA business setup packages
IFZA is priced by number of activities, visa quota and office. Choose a package — we give a flat, all-in quote after a 20-minute intake call.
Professional or commercial licence, up to 3 activities, flexi-desk address, no visa quota — holding or remote use.
Licence + flexi-desk + 1 investor-visa quota + establishment card.
Larger visa quota, multi-activity licence, private-office upgrade when banking needs it.
Licence in 5–7 Days
That's how fast your IFZA trade licence can be issued when you start now with the Legarithm team — company ready to trade and bank in days, not weeks.
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 tax, up to 3 activities on one licence and fully remote setup — a popular, cost-effective way to get a credible Dubai address.
Is IFZA a legitimate free zone?
Yes. IFZA is an official UAE free zone authority operating through licensed Professional Partners. Companies registered with IFZA are fully legitimate UAE entities with a valid trade licence, establishment card and access to UAE residency 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; a private office increases the quota. You can start with one investor visa and add more as you grow.
What is the IFZA establishment card and do I need it?
The establishment card opens your company’s immigration file and is required before you can apply for investor or employee visas. If you take any visa you need it; a zero-visa holding company does not.
Can I add more activities or visas to my IFZA licence later?
Yes. You can add activities (a small fee applies beyond the first 3), increase your visa quota, or upgrade to a private office as your business grows — no need to re-incorporate.
How much does one visa cost?
Budget around AED 14,900 for the license package, Establishment Card and visa costs, and your chosen office solution.
Can an IFZA company be used as a holding company?
Yes. A zero-visa IFZA company works well as a holding vehicle for shares, IP or assets, with 100% ownership and 0% personal tax. We structure holding setups so they stay within the QFZP 0% corporate-tax rules.
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 product sales to consumers, or government tenders, a mainland company or a licensed distributor is the correct route. We assess your case and advise.
Is IFZA suitable for a UAE bank account?
More suitable than most free zones. IFZA’s Dubai Silicon Oasis address is well-recognized by UAE banks. Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, and RAK Bank all open accounts for IFZA companies. Success depends heavily on your business profile, nationality, source of funds, and the specific banker you work with. We prepare clients thoroughly and make targeted introductions — our success rate for bank account opening is high, but we do not guarantee outcomes as banks make independent decisions.
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 or EMI is the practical fix.
What happens if I don't renew my IFZA licence on time?
Late renewal incurs daily fines, and a suspended licence blocks visa renewals and can restrict banking. IFZA gives 60–90 days’ notice; we track renewals for all clients so you never miss a deadline.
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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