IFZA business setup

Yes. IFZA allows full remote incorporation with e-signatures.

In most cases, yes. UAE banks typically require a physical visit for onboarding.

Yes, within permitted combinations. It’s one of IFZA’s strengths.

Budget roughly AED 14,900 for the license package, plus Establishment Card and visa costs, and your chosen office solution.

No. The company registration itself is fully remote — documents can be submitted electronically or via courier. You only need to visit Dubai if you are applying for an investor visa (to complete biometrics and the Emirates ID process). That visit is typically 1–2 days and we coordinate everything in advance.

5–7 business days from complete document submission to issued trade license. Name reservation: 1–2 business days. If documents require attestation (corporate shareholders, certain nationalities), allow 1–2 weeks for the attestation process before submission.

Yes. IFZA allows up to 3 activities per license at no additional cost. This is one of IFZA’s genuine competitive advantages — most free zones charge per activity. If you need more than 3 activities, additional activities can be added for a supplemental fee, or you can discuss whether a general trading license covers your needs.

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.

A flexi-desk is a shared coworking space at Dubai Silicon Oasis — included in all IFZA base packages. It gives you a registered business address and access to hot desks and meeting rooms when in Dubai. A private office is a dedicated, lockable space — additional cost of AED 12,000–25,000+/year depending on size. Most IFZA clients use the flexi-desk arrangement successfully. The exception: some banks ask for physical office evidence during KYC — in those cases, upgrading to a private office or using an EMI is the practical solution.

The UAE introduced a 9% corporate tax effective June 2023. Free zone companies that qualify as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) pay 0% on qualifying income. Broadly, qualifying income includes income from transactions with other free zone entities and certain passive income. Income from UAE mainland operations or non-qualifying income may be subject to 9%. Most straightforward IFZA businesses — consulting, IT, holding — qualify for the 0% rate, but we recommend an annual confirmation from a UAE-qualified tax advisor to ensure your model stays compliant.

Yes. With an IFZA investor visa and Emirates ID, you can sponsor dependents — spouse, children under 18 (and daughters up to marriage, sons up to 25 in some cases), and parents. Sponsorship requires proof of adequate income (typically AED 4,000/month minimum) and a suitable tenancy contract in Dubai. We advise on the full family visa process.

No. IFZA does not require paid-up share capital to be deposited in a bank account as a condition of registration. The share capital is stated in the memorandum of association (typically AED 10,000–50,000 for most businesses) but does not need to be physically deposited. This reduces your upfront cash requirement significantly compared to some other jurisdictions.

Technically, free zone companies need a licensed distributor or commercial agent for direct mainland retail sales. In practice, most B2B free zone companies operate across UAE without restriction — invoicing UAE mainland clients is common and widely done. For B2C retail, physical product sales to UAE consumers, or tendering for federal/local government contracts, a mainland company is the correct structure. We assess your specific situation and advise accordingly.

Late renewal incurs penalties — IFZA charges daily fines for overdue renewals. More seriously, a suspended license blocks visa renewals (your visa status becomes irregular if not renewed) and can restrict banking access. IFZA gives 60–90 days advance notice before renewal deadlines. We track this for all clients on our renewal management service and ensure you never miss a deadline.