IFZA company setup cost (2026)
| Item | Government cost |
|---|---|
| Zero-visa licence (government cost) | ≈ AED 12,900 |
| With one residence visa | ≈ AED 21,450 |
| Additional residence visa | ≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each (visa, medical, Emirates ID) |
Headline: From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa (government fees as published, July 2026).
Year-one budget: AED 21,000–35,000 with one to two visas.
Not included: professional-service fees, residence visas beyond the package, office upgrades, bank minimum balances, and external approvals for regulated activities.
Benefits of the IFZA licence
- Among the lowest-priced Dubai-issued free zone licences
- Wide list of permitted business activities, including several that stricter zones restrict
- Fully digital incorporation — most founders never visit a licensing office
- Dual-licence pathway for onshore Dubai work (subject to activity and approvals)
- Multi-year packages that reduce the per-year cost
Who is IFZA best for?
- Consultants and freelancers
- E-commerce and digital businesses
- Holding and investment companies
Typical permitted activities
- Consulting and advisory
- E-commerce and online retail
- General and specialised trading
- Marketing, media and IT services
Always check your exact activity against the zone’s permitted list. Regulated activities need separate approvals.
What to watch out for
- Some banks ask for more documentation than they do for DMCC or DIFC entities
- A residence visa still requires you to be in the UAE for medical testing and biometrics
How to set up a company in IFZA
- Choose the zone and activityMatch your business activity to the zone’s permitted list and your budget. Check whether you need physical space or a specific licence type.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit two or three name options; zones typically approve within one to three working days.
- Submit documents and applicationPassport copies, photos, proof of address and shareholder details. Corporate shareholders provide attested documents.
- Pay fees and sign the incorporation documentsFees are paid to the free zone authority; sign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person.
- Receive your licence and certificatesYou receive the trade licence, certificate of incorporation and a desk or lease agreement.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDGet the immigration card, then entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID for each visa holder.
- Open the bank account and register for taxApply for a corporate bank account, and register for corporate tax and, if required, VAT.
IFZA compared with similar UAE free zones
| IFZA | Meydan | DMCC | Ajman Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai | Dubai | Ajman |
| Best for | SME, startup & holding companies | Digital, e-commerce & SME | Commodities, crypto & multi-sector | Multi-sector, trading & industrial |
| Licence cost | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa | From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa | From AED 46,780 (one-visa package) | From AED 5,565 (zero-visa) · AED 13,141 with one visa |
| Setup time | 3–7 working days | Within days; fully digital | 1–3 weeks | About one week |
| Banking ease | Good | Good | High | Moderate |
| Fee data | Published | Published | Published | Published |
FAQs: IFZA Free Zone company formation
IFZA or Meydan — which is cheaper?
Published government licence costs are within a few hundred dirhams of each other (Meydan from about AED 12,500, IFZA about AED 12,900). Compare the whole package — visa allocation, desk type and renewal — rather than the headline licence fee.
How much does it cost to set up a company in IFZA Free Zone?
Indicative cost: From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa. Government fees as published in July 2026; Year-one totals: AED 21,000–35,000 with one to two visas. Residence visas, office upgrades, professional-service fees, bank minimums and renewals are extra.
How long does IFZA company setup take?
Typically 3–7 working days once documents are complete. Residence visa stamping (medical test, Emirates ID) adds further working days and requires you to be in the UAE.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in IFZA?
Yes. UAE free zones allow up to 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation of profits and capital. You do not need a UAE national partner or local sponsor.
Can companies licensed in IFZA trade in the UAE mainland?
Not freely. A free zone company generally cannot sell directly to mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, compare with a mainland licence.
Do I need a physical office in IFZA?
Many packages include a flexi-desk or smart desk. Larger visa quotas, industrial activity, warehousing, or regulated activities usually need a dedicated office or unit — confirm for your activity and visa count.
Are IFZA companies eligible for 0% corporate tax?
The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can access 0% on qualifying income, but only if strict conditions are met, and it is not automatic. Only some zones are also VAT Designated Zones. Get tax advice for your structure.
Can I open a corporate bank account for my company in IFZA?
UAE banks assess each application on the shareholders, business model and documents — not only on the zone. Our banking-ease view for IFZA is “Good”. No zone or consultant can guarantee an account.
What documents are required to set up in IFZA?
Typically: colour passport copies of shareholders and directors, passport photos, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities and zones. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents. Regulated activities need approvals from the relevant authority.
Who is IFZA best for?
Consultants and freelancers; E-commerce and digital businesses; Holding and investment companies.
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