SEO, paid media, content, influencers & social media management.
Remote setup for digital businesses
E-Commerce & Online Trading
Online retail, dropshipping, digital products & marketplace operations.
Global reach without mainland overheads
Business & Management Consulting
Strategy, operations, HR & organisational development consulting.
Professional setup with premium address
Media & Content Production
Media creation, publishing, licensing & video production.
Multiple creative activities under 1 license
Education & Corporate Training
Training institutes, coaching, eLearning & corporate L&D.
Build client base within the community
Most popular IFZA licenses
Professional license
Most popular
What it covers:
900+ service activities · Multiple related activities
Best for:ConsultantsAgenciesDevelopersCoaches
Required documents & what’s included
Know exactly what you’ll need before you apply and what we provide.
Documents required
Required documents for an IFZA free zone setup
View all documents required
What’s included
Everything in your myHQ setup package
See what’s included
Other popular free zonesExplore other popular free zones
Financial capital
DIFC
From AED 39,900
Explore DIFC
Best value
Meydan
From AED 12,900
Explore Meydan
Digital First
SHAMS
From AED 5,750
Explore SHAMS
Solo Founder
RAKEZ
From AED 6,500
Explore RAKEZ
Why choose myHQ by ANAROCK?
2000+
Companies Registered
95%+
Approval Rate
0%
Service Fee
1 Hour
Response Time
India x UAE
Approval Support
Backed by ANAROCK - India’s Largest Real Estate Company
2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐
I set up my IFZA company entirely from Mumbai. Never went to Dubai once. myHQ handled the apostille on my Indian documents, submitted the application, and my licence arrived by courier. Total cost AED 14,500 all-in.
RM
Rahul Mahajan
Runs IT consulting business
From DECISION to DONE
Let’s get your IFZA setup moving
Personalised guidance
End-to-end support
Zero myHQ service fee
Talk to an IFZA setup expert
Complete your setup with expert guidance tailored for you
Reply in 1 hourNo spam
Frequently Asked Questions
What does IFZA stand for?
IFZA stands for International Free Zone Authority. It is a UAE-licensed free zone authority established in 2018, located at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) in Dubai. The full name is often shortened to IFZA or IFZA Dubai. Companies incorporated here carry a Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai address on their trade license.
How much does IFZA license cost?
With myHQ, an IFZA setup starts at AED 12,900/year for the Free Zone Starter package: licence, flexi-desk and digital bank account opening, with zero myHQ service fee. The Free Zone Standard package, at AED 19,900/year, adds one residence visa, Emirates ID, medical test, establishment card and standard bank account opening.
Where is IFZA located in Dubai?
IFZA is located at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) - Dubai's government-backed technology free zone and smart city district, situated off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). The postal address on an IFZA trade license is Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, UAE. DSO is home to the UAE's largest cluster of technology companies and innovation labs.
Can I set up an IFZA company without visiting Dubai?
Yes. The entire IFZA license application is remote. You submit scanned passport copies and digitally signed documents through myHQ's IFZA partner portal. The trade license PDF is delivered within 3–5 business days. No UAE visit is needed for the license. The investor visa requires a 2–3 day UAE trip for medical test and Emirates ID biometrics - the only step requiring physical presence.
Does IFZA require apostille for Indian founders?
No apostille is required for individual Indian shareholders at IFZA. You submit a scanned passport copy and a signed shareholder declaration - no government certification or notarisation of personal documents. This is different from DMCC and JAFZA, which require apostilled MOAs. If an Indian company (rather than an individual) is the IFZA shareholder, corporate documents must be apostilled.
How many visas can I get with an IFZA license?
Standard IFZA packages offer 1, 2, or 3 visa allocations in addition to a no-visa option. The visa count reflects the investor and employee visas the company is eligible to sponsor. Additional visas can be added at renewal. The visa count is linked to the package type, not the company's activity or activity count.
Is IFZA good for Indian founders?
IFZA is one of the most popular choices for Indian founders for three specific reasons: no apostille required for individual shareholders (unlike DMCC and JAFZA), the entire setup is remote (no UAE visit required for the license), and the all-in cost is among the lowest for a genuine Dubai address. The FEMA compliance requirements (Form ODI-1, annual FLA Return) apply to all UAE company ownership by Indian residents and are standard disclosures - not prohibitive.
What is the IFZA license renewal cost?
IFZA licences renew every year. With myHQ, renewal follows your package price: AED 12,900/year for Starter and AED 19,900/year for Standard, with zero myHQ service fee. Visa renewal adds AED 2,500–3,500 per visa every 2 years. Renewal must be completed before the license expiry date - late renewal incurs a penalty of AED 1,500/month. myHQ sends renewal reminders 60 days before expiry.
IFZA Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai: Complete Guide (2026)
IFZA, the International Free Zone Authority, is one of the UAE’s largest and fastest growing free zones. Established in 2018 and operated at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), it has become a popular choice for Indian founders, digital entrepreneurs and international service businesses seeking a Dubai company at a budget friendly price point, one of several established options across Dubai’s free zone landscape. As of 2026, IFZA hosts over 50,000 active licensed companies, one of the highest entity counts among Dubai free zones.
What sets IFZA apart from other budget free zones is the combination of address quality, activity breadth and documentation simplicity. The Dubai Silicon Oasis address places a company’s registered address in the heart of Dubai’s government backed technology district, and the activity list covers 2,000+ permitted categories, among the broadest available in the AED 12,000 to 15,000 per year licence fee range.
For Indian individual shareholders, the licence application requires no apostille, just a scanned passport and a signed declaration.
What is IFZA? Full Form, Location and Authority
IFZA full form: International Free Zone Authority. IFZA is a UAE licensed free zone regulator, established in 2018 and headquartered at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the same district that gives IFZA incorporated companies their registered address.
IFZA is not an emirate level authority like DMCC or JAFZA. It operates as a licensed free zone authority within the Dubai Silicon Oasis special development zone. Companies registered with IFZA are IFZA Free Zone Establishments (FZE) for single shareholders, or IFZA Free Zone Companies (FZ-CO) for multiple shareholders.
The IFZA address on trade licences and company documents reads: Dubai Silicon Oasis, PO Box (assigned at registration), Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The PO Box is unique to each entity and assigned upon registration.
IFZA Dubai Silicon Oasis: What the DSO Address Means
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a dedicated technology free zone established by the Government of Dubai under the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA). DSO spans over 7.2 square kilometres off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and hosts the UAE’s largest concentration of semiconductor companies, electronics manufacturers and technology startups.
For IFZA companies, the DSO address places the company within a recognised technology district rather than a generic business park, a distinction that matters for client facing service businesses, IT companies and consulting firms where address credibility influences client perception, particularly for the Indian founder segment billing international clients.
Who Should Set Up at IFZA? Best Business Types and Use Cases
IFZA for IT and Software Businesses
IFZA’s location at Dubai Silicon Oasis makes it a natural choice for technology founders. The professional licence covers software development, mobile application development, IT consulting, managed IT services, cloud computing consulting, cybersecurity advisory, SaaS business models, data analytics and AI consulting.
An Indian software founder setting up a Dubai entity for international USD invoicing will find IFZA’s 2,000+ activity list covers every standard IT service category without custom activity additions, and the DSO address is a more credible claim in client conversations than a generic free zone address.
IFZA for Digital Marketing and Creative Agencies
Digital marketing is the second highest volume activity category at IFZA. The professional licence covers SEO, performance marketing, paid media, social media marketing, content creation, graphic design, branding and video production. Indian digital marketing founders invoicing UAE and GCC based brand clients particularly benefit, since a Dubai address on invoices signals local presence to enterprise clients who prefer UAE registered vendors.
IFZA for E-Commerce Businesses
IFZA’s e-commerce licence category covers online retail, dropshipping, digital product sales and marketplace operations. For Indian founders operating direct-to-consumer businesses targeting GCC markets, an IFZA e-commerce entity enables invoicing from a UAE entity and UAE payment gateway integration. The GCC e-commerce market reached $50B+ in 2024, with the UAE the highest per-capita online spending market in the region.
Goods physically warehoused in the UAE require a separate storage arrangement, the licence itself is a virtual licence.
IFZA for Business Consultants and Advisors
Management consulting, HR consulting, strategy consulting and operational advisory are among the most commonly licensed IFZA activities. UAE based corporate clients (banks, developers, government entities, hospitals) increasingly prefer UAE registered vendors for procurement, so an IFZA professional licence positions an Indian consulting firm as a UAE based entity for client procurement processes, even where the team remains India based.
IFZA for Crypto and Blockchain Businesses
Blockchain consulting sits within IFZA’s IT activity cluster alongside software development and cloud consulting, making the professional licence a workable route for blockchain advisory, Web3 development and crypto adjacent consulting services.
Regulated activity such as running a crypto exchange or securities style token offering falls outside a standard IFZA licence and would require separate approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) or Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the same restriction that applies to regulated financial services generally.
IFZA for Indian Founders Doing Remote UAE Setup
IFZA is one of the most popular choices for Indian founders who want a UAE entity without relocating. The application is fully remote, no apostille is required for individual shareholders, and a digital bank account (Wio Bank) can be opened without a UAE visit.
IFZA for Freelancers Transitioning to a Corporate Structure
Indian freelancers on international platforms who want to invoice through a corporate entity rather than as individuals find IFZA’s no-visa professional licence (AED 12,900 to 14,500 all-in) a practical entry point.
Compliance under India’s Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), overseen by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is required, and if primary clients are Indian companies, place-of-supply rules may affect the expected tax outcome.
IFZA Business Activities: What’s Covered Under an IFZA Licence
IFZA maintains one of the broadest activity lists among Dubai free zones, with 2,000+ permitted activities spanning:
Professional Services (consulting, advisory)
Information Technology (software, cloud, cybersecurity)
Digital Marketing and Media
E-Commerce and Online Trading
Trading and General Trading
Education and Training
Financial Consulting (non-regulated)
Healthcare and Wellness Consulting (clinical practice needs separate DHA licensing)
Real Estate Consulting (active brokerage needs a separate RERA licence)
A single licence can hold multiple activities within the same cluster; activities across clusters may carry a small incremental fee.
IFZA Licence Types: Professional, Commercial and E-Commerce
Licence Type
Best For
Cost
Professional
Knowledge economy and service businesses
From AED 12,900/year
Commercial
Trading in physical goods
AED 13,500–14,000/year
E-Commerce
Online-first businesses
AED 13,000–13,500/year
IFZA Professional Licence
The most commonly issued IFZA licence type, covering knowledge economy and service businesses. Permits 900+ individual activity categories within the professional services umbrella, with multiple related activities held on one licence within the same cluster at no additional fee. Adding activities from a separate cluster carries an AED 500 to 1,500 incremental fee per cluster.
IFZA Commercial Licence
For businesses trading in physical goods: import, export, wholesale distribution, re-export, general trading. For goods physically stored in the UAE, a warehouse lease or 3PL arrangement is required alongside the licence.
IFZA E-Commerce Licence
Purpose built for online-first businesses, explicitly covering online retail transactions, digital product sales and marketplace-based selling. Increasingly popular with Indian founders running dropshipping or DTC operations targeting GCC consumers. Companies with activities spanning multiple clusters can request a multi-activity licence at setup or renewal, subject to the incremental fee noted above.
IFZA Free Zone Packages: Cost Breakdown (2026)
The IFZA licence fee is the foundational cost, but not the all-in cost. The table below shows the complete cost breakdown for 2026.
IFZA Licence Cost
Cost Item
Amount (AED)
Notes
IFZA trade licence (professional)
12,900
Annual fee
IFZA trade licence (commercial)
13,500–14,000
Annual fee
IFZA trade licence (e-commerce)
13,000–13,500
Annual fee
IFZA establishment card
1,500
Annual, mandatory
E-channel registration
2,200
Per company, required for visa activities
Investor visa, government fees
3,500–4,500
Entry permit + biometrics + stamping
Emirates ID
370
Per person
Medical fitness test
320–500
Per person, location dependent
No-Visa Package (all-in)
14,500–16,000
Licence + establishment card, no visa
1-Visa Package (all-in)
20,000–23,000
Licence + est. card + e-channel + visa
2-Visa Package (all-in)
25,500–29,000
All above × 2 visas
3-Visa Package (all-in)
30,500–35,000
All above × 3 visas
Year 2 Renewal (no visa, no changes)
14,400–16,000
Licence renewal + est. card renewal
Year 2 Renewal (with visa renewal)
17,000–20,000
Licence + est. card + visa renewal
IFZA Cost vs Competitors
Free Zone
No-Visa Licence (base)
1-Visa All-In
Address
IFZA
AED 12,900
AED 20,000–23,000
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Meydan
AED 12,500
AED 19,500–22,000
Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
DMCC
AED 18,500+
AED 30,000–40,000
JLT, Dubai
SHAMS
AED 5,750
AED 12,500–15,000
Sharjah
RAKEZ
AED 14,000+
AED 20,000–24,000
Ras Al Khaimah
SHAMS is significantly cheaper on the base licence, the practical trade-off is a Sharjah business setup address versus IFZA’s Dubai Silicon Oasis one. For client-facing professional services, the Dubai address typically justifies the premium.
IFZA is approximately 40 to 50% cheaper than DMCC on an annual all-in basis, and DMCC’s paid-up capital deposit of AED 50,000 does not apply at IFZA. For most professional service and IT businesses, IFZA delivers equivalent legal standing at a fraction of DMCC’s cost.
How to Register a Company at IFZA: Step by Step (2026)
Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation (Day 0 to 1)
Determine licence type, business activities, company name (3 options in preference order), shareholder count and visa requirement. myHQ’s IFZA partner desk conducts a pre-screening call to confirm activity eligibility and name availability before initiating the application.
Step 2: Document Collection (Day 1)
Individual shareholders need:
Colour passport scan
Passport size photo
Completed application form (myHQ provides)
Signed shareholder declaration (myHQ provides)
No apostille or attested documents required.
Corporate shareholders need Certificate of Incorporation, MOA and Board Resolution, apostilled and attested from the country of incorporation, plan 3 to 4 extra weeks for attestation.
Step 3: Application Submission via IFZA Partner Portal (Day 1 to 2)
myHQ submits through IFZA’s licensed partner portal, which receives a dedicated processing queue. Initial Approval Letter issued within 24 to 48 hours of complete submission.
Step 4: Fee Payment and Licence Issuance (Day 2 to 5)
After Initial Approval, the licence fee is paid and IFZA issues the trade licence PDF within 3 to 5 business days, delivered via the MyIFZA portal and email.
Step 5: Post-Licence Visa Application (Week 1 to 4)
Investor visa filed with IFZA: entry permit issued, medical fitness test in the UAE, Emirates ID biometrics, visa stamping. Timeline from entry permit to visa stamp: 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 6: Bank Account Opening (Week 1 to 6)
Wio Bank: 3 to 5 business days, fully remote
Mashreq Neo: 5 to 10 days
RAKBank: 2 to 4 weeks
Emirates NBD: 3 to 6 weeks
myHQ provides a bank introduction letter and business profile review before application.
Step 7: Regulatory Registrations (Month 1)
UAE corporate tax registration (mandatory, free) with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Value Added Tax (VAT) registration mandatory if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000/year, voluntary from AED 187,500/year. Bookkeeping arrangement required under UAE corporate tax rules.
IFZA vs DMCC: Detailed Comparison
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is the UAE’s largest free zone by company count (26,000+).
Cost: IFZA licence starts at AED 12,900 versus DMCC from AED 18,500+, with Year 1 all-in (one visa) running AED 20,000 to 23,000 at IFZA versus AED 30,000 to 40,000 at DMCC. DMCC additionally requires a paid-up capital deposit of AED 50,000.
Address: IFZA sits in the Dubai Silicon Oasis tech district, DMCC in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, arguably the more prestigious address for non-tech businesses.
Physical office: DMCC requires a leased physical unit, there is no fully virtual licence option, while IFZA is virtual with no office lease required.
DFSA access: DMCC entities are eligible to apply for DFSA licensing for regulated financial services, IFZA entities are not.
For most professional service and IT founders, IFZA is the more cost-effective choice; for commodities traders, regulated fintech and prestige-sensitive businesses, DMCC’s premium is often worth it.
IFZA vs Meydan Free Zone: Detailed Comparison
Meydan Free Zone is IFZA’s closest competitor in the Dubai budget free zone segment. Both launched between 2018 and 2019, both are virtual-licence zones, and both price no-visa licences below AED 15,000.
Address: IFZA sits in the tech-associated Dubai Silicon Oasis, Meydan in Nad Al Sheba, tied to the Meydan Group’s real estate and racing brand.
Activity list: IFZA covers 2,000+ activities versus Meydan’s 1,500+, relevant mainly for businesses spanning multiple activity clusters.
Price: Meydan’s base licence at AED 12,500 versus IFZA’s AED 12,900 is a negligible AED 400 difference at the all-in level.
Apostille: Neither zone requires apostille for individual Indian shareholders.
For activities within Meydan’s list, it’s a legitimate lower-cost alternative; for IT and tech businesses where the DSO address is relevant, or for the broader activity list, IFZA is the stronger choice.
IFZA Visa Options: Investor, Employee and Golden Visa (2026)
IFZA Investor Visa
Issued to shareholders named on the trade licence, grants UAE residency and the ability to sponsor dependents and acquire UAE tax residency (183+ days/year).
Cost:
Government fees: AED 3,500–4,500
Emirates ID: AED 370
Medical fitness test: AED 320–500
Total: AED 4,190–5,370, in addition to licence fees and the AED 2,200 e-channel registration
Process:
Entry permit: 1 to 3 days
Medical fitness test: in-person
Emirates ID biometrics
Visa stamping: 2 to 5 days
Total timeline from entry permit to visa stamp: 2 to 4 weeks.
IFZA Employee Visa
Issued to employees of an IFZA-licensed company, subject to Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) labour regulations, with an employment contract registered before applying.
IFZA Dependent Visa
Investor and employee visa holders can sponsor dependants. For a spouse and children under 18, the sponsor’s monthly income must meet an AED 4,000+ threshold (AED 10,000+ for some banks and schools).
Golden Visa for IFZA Company Owners
A 5 or 10 year residency option requiring a qualifying investment of AED 500,000 in eligible assets (paid-up capital, real estate, or approved financial instruments). Applications are processed directly through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), independent of IFZA, and the visa does not expire alongside the trade licence.
UAE Corporate Tax for IFZA Companies
As of 1 June 2023, the UAE levies a 9% Corporate Income Tax (CIT) on taxable profits above AED 375,000 per financial year, and all IFZA companies must register regardless of revenue.
Companies with annual revenue below AED 3,000,000 can typically elect Small Business Relief and pay 0% CIT for financial years ending on or before 31 December 2026. Qualifying Free Zone Person status, offering 0% CIT on qualifying income, is available to companies that meet specific substance and income conditions.
For the full corporate tax picture across free zones and mainland structures, see myHQ’s company formation in the UAE guide.
Registering a Company at IFZA from India: What Indian Founders Must File
Indian residents who own or co-own an IFZA company are making an Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) under RBI/FEMA regulations, the same filing obligations that apply across business setup in Dubai from India more broadly.
Form ODI-1: filed with your Indian authorised dealer bank within 30 days of incorporation, reporting entity details, investment amount and activity.
Annual FLA Return: the Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets, filed annually by 15 July with RBI, required every year even without changes.
Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC): all fund remittances to the IFZA company should go through authorised bank wire transfer to generate FIRC documentation, avoid informal payment methods.
Indian Income Tax: income received from the UAE company as salary, director’s fees or dividends is taxable in India under the relevant head. The India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) provides relief against full double taxation, with treatment depending on the nature of income.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) consideration: if your IFZA company’s services are primarily consumed by Indian clients, Indian GST place-of-supply rules may apply regardless of the UAE entity structure. UAE setup does not automatically shield India-origin revenue from Indian GST, a nuanced point requiring Indian CA input.
IFZA Reviews: What Founders Say
IFZA reviews across business setup forums and founder communities consistently highlight:
Fast setup timelines (licence in 5 to 7 days)
Competitive pricing
Digital-first operations, no physical office visits required
Breadth of the activity list (2,000+)
Common criticisms include slow bank account opening at traditional banks (a UAE-wide banking challenge, not IFZA-specific) and renewal reminders that can be inconsistent for solo operators. Among Indian founder communities specifically, the no-apostille requirement for individual shareholders comes up most often as the practical differentiator.
IFZA Licence Renewal: Annual Requirements and Compliance
IFZA trade licences renew annually and must be completed before expiry. Late renewal carries an AED 1,500 penalty per month, plus visa status complications. IFZA sends a renewal notice via the MyIFZA portal approximately 60 days before expiry; the updated licence PDF is issued within 3 to 5 business days of renewal payment.
Licence validity can be verified at any time through the MyIFZA portal using the licence number, the standard due diligence check used by banks and UAE authorities.
Annual renewal items:
Establishment card: AED 1,500
E-channel registration: AED 2,200
Investor/employee visas: renew every 2 years, AED 2,500–3,500 per visa, requiring an active licence, new entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID (2 to 3 week cycle)
UAE law also requires all companies to maintain an up to date Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register, with ownership changes reported promptly.
Why myHQ for IFZA Setup
myHQ is a registered IFZA Professional Partner, filing applications directly through IFZA’s licensed partner portal into its dedicated processing queue, with a direct escalation path to IFZA’s partner desk for any document query or approval delay.
myHQ’s IFZA setup service includes activity pre-screening, complete document preparation, portal submission and approval tracking, trade licence delivery management, investor visa coordination, bank account introduction (Wio Bank and Mashreq), UAE corporate tax registration and FEMA ODI-1 guidance for Indian shareholders.
myHQ is backed by ANAROCK Group, India’s largest property advisory, with an established track record supporting UAE business setups. Fixed pricing means the quote issued on Day 1 is the price on invoice day, with government charges itemised separately at cost.
Frequently Asked Questions: IFZA Free Zone
Is IFZA a good freezone?
IFZA is a strong fit for budget-conscious founders who want a genuine Dubai address, virtual operations and a broad activity list. It suits IT, digital marketing, e-commerce and consulting businesses particularly well; for regulated financial services or prestige-sensitive commodities trading, DMCC or DIFC are more appropriate.
What is IFZA and what does it stand for?
IFZA stands for International Free Zone Authority, a Dubai-licensed free zone authority established in 2018 at Dubai Silicon Oasis, one of the UAE’s largest free zones by registered company count (50,000+).
Where is the IFZA office in Dubai?
Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. The physical address for the IFZA Authority is IFZA Business Park, DSO-IFZA, PO Box 341041, Dubai, UAE. Most company formation processes are conducted digitally through the MyIFZA portal.
What is the IFZA address that appears on trade licences?
Dubai Silicon Oasis, (company-specific PO Box), Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The PO Box is unique to each company and assigned at registration.
How do I verify an IFZA licence?
Through the MyIFZA portal using the company’s trade licence number, the standard due diligence check banks, clients and UAE authorities use.
How long does IFZA company formation take?
5 to 7 business days from complete document submission to trade licence issuance, with Initial Approval typically issued within 24 to 48 hours. Total time from first enquiry to an operational bank account is 3 to 5 weeks, accounting for bank account opening.
What is the minimum cost to set up an IFZA company?
Approximately AED 14,500 to 16,000 all-in for a no-visa professional licence. Adding one investor visa brings the Year 1 all-in cost to AED 20,000 to 23,000.
Can an IFZA company have multiple shareholders?
Yes, an IFZA Free Zone Company (FZ-CO) can have 2 or more shareholders, up to 50. A single shareholder entity is structured as an IFZA Free Zone Establishment (FZE). Corporate shareholders require apostilled incorporation documents.
Is IFZA good for a trading company?
Yes, the commercial licence covers general trading, import/export, wholesale distribution and re-export at AED 13,500 to 14,000/year. For businesses trading directly with UAE mainland consumers, a Dubai mainland company setup is typically the more practical route.
Can an IFZA company operate in the UAE mainland market?
IFZA companies can transact with UAE mainland companies but cannot directly conduct retail trade or provide physical services to end consumers on the mainland without a mainland licence or approved distribution arrangement. Free zone-to-mainland B2B transactions are generally permitted.
What happens if I don’t renew my IFZA licence?
The company enters non-compliant status: AED 1,500/month late renewal fee, sponsored visas may be invalidated, and banks may freeze accounts upon licence expiry.
How does IFZA handle corporate tax compliance?
All IFZA companies must register for UAE Corporate Income Tax with the FTA regardless of revenue. Small Business Relief is available for revenue under AED 3M, Qualifying Free Zone Person status for companies with qualifying free-zone income. The annual return is due 9 months after financial year end.
Can I have a physical office at IFZA?
The standard licence is virtual with a registered address only. IFZA offers optional flexi-desk and office space upgrades within Dubai Silicon Oasis for companies that want physical workspace.
How does IFZA compare to RAKEZ for an Indian founder?
RAKEZ is typically AED 1,000 to 2,000 cheaper annually, with a Ras Al Khaimah business setup address as the trade-off against IFZA’s Dubai Silicon Oasis one. IFZA is usually preferred where client-facing address matters, RAKEZ where pure cost minimisation is the priority.
Most popular
Financial capital
Best value
Digital First
Solo Founder
