IFZA Free Zone Business Setup in Dubai

IFZA Company Formation in Dubai Made Simple

Looking to start a company in Dubai, UAE?

Zounder helps you set up your IFZA Free Zone company with a fully guided, remote-first process — from licence to visa to bank account.

IFZA Company Formation • IFZA Business Licence • IFZA Visa • IFZA Bank Account • IFZA Company Setup

Start your IFZA company formation today.

Why Choose IFZA Free Zone?

• 100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor or UAE national partner required

• Remote incorporation — complete initial setup from anywhere in the world without travelling to Dubai

• Low-cost formation — licences from AED 12,900 for a zero-visa package

• Multi-activity licences — up to 3 activities under one licence; additional activities can be added

• Fast setup — licences issued in 3–7 working days

• Generous visa allocation — up to 6 visas on a flexi-desk package

• 100% profit repatriation — no restrictions on moving profits out of the UAE

• Strategic location — Dubai Silicon Oasis, 10 minutes from DXB Airport

• Multi-year discounts — save 15–30% on 2–3 year licence packages

• No paid-up capital requirement for most licence types

IFZA Licence Cost 2026 — Full Breakdown

IFZA licence cost depends on your visa package, activity type, and office option. Here are the current published rates:

Licence Packages

• Zero-visa licence: AED 12,900

• Licence + 1 residence visa: AED 17,700

• Licence + 2 residence visas: AED 24,250

• Licence + 3 residence visas: AED 28,800

Additional Costs to Budget For

• Establishment card: AED 1,800–2,200 (required before visa processing)

• Investor visa processing: AED 3,500–7,000 (medical, Emirates ID, visa stamping)

• Health insurance (mandatory): ~AED 1,500 per visa holder

• Corporate tax filing: AED 2,000–3,500

• Flexi-desk (if not bundled): AED 0–2,500 (often included)

• Document attestation (corporate shareholders only): AED 500–3,000

Realistic Year 1 Total for a Solo Founder: AED 18,000–24,000

Minimum Share Capital: AED 10,000 recommended, but no paid-up capital deposit is required for most licences.

IFZA does not sell directly — applications must go through an authorised partner like Zounder. The same licence can be quoted at different prices depending on the agent's markup and bundled add-ons.

Get your personalised IFZA licence cost quote from Zounder.

IFZA Company Setup Process — Step by Step

Zounder makes IFZA company setup simple, for founders in the UAE and internationally:

1. Consultation & proposal — share your activity, visa needs, and business structure

2. Document preparation — passport copy, digital passport photo, application form with UBO information, and Emirates ID/visa copy for UAE residents

3. Application submission — IFZA registers your documents on the registration portal

4. E-legal forms signed — digitally signed before incorporation

5. MOA/AOA e-signature — digital Memorandum and Articles of Association sent for e-signatures

6. Licence issuance — soft copy by email; original available for collection upon request

7. Visa processing — residence visa, Emirates ID, and medical

8. Bank account opening — guided corporate account application

Timeline: 3–7 working days for the licence; most of the process handled remotely

Documents Required for Corporate Shareholders: Passport copies, digital photos, application form with UBO, Emirates ID/visa copies for UAE residents, Board Resolution, MOA/AOA of the corporate shareholder, valid trade licence, and certificate of incorporation.

IFZA Visa — UAE Residence Visa Support

An IFZA visa gives you the right to live and work in the UAE. Zounder helps with:

• Shareholder/partner visa — self-sponsored through your IFZA company

• Employee visa — for staff hired under your IFZA entity

• Family dependant visa — spouse and children

• Emirates ID — mandatory for all UAE residents

• Medical fitness test — required for visa stamping

• Visa quota guidance — IFZA flexi-desk packages allow up to 6 visas

IFZA visa cost: approx. AED 3,500–7,000 for investor visa processing, plus establishment card (~AED 2,000) and health insurance (~AED 1,500).

Visa eligibility, quota, and costs depend on your licence package and current UAE rules.

IFZA Bank Account — Corporate Banking Support

Opening a UAE corporate bank account is essential for receiving payments, paying suppliers, and building credibility.

Zounder supports your IFZA bank account application with:

• Bank selection guidance — Wio, Mashreq, Emirates NBD, and more

• Document preparation — passports, trade licence, MOA, lease agreement

• KYC and compliance support

• Coordination with the bank

• Remote application support where the bank allows

IFZA has dedicated banking experts and partnerships with Wio Bank, Mashreq, and other UAE banks to streamline account opening. Bank account opening typically takes 7–10 working days.

Bank approval is always subject to the bank's own KYC, compliance, and business profile checks.

IFZA Company Setup from India — Complete Guide

Setting up an IFZA company from India is fully possible with a guided process.

Documents Required for Indian Founders:

• Passport copy (6+ months validity)

• Digital passport photograph

• Address proof (Aadhaar, bank statement, or utility bill)

• Business activity details

• Name options (3–5 alternatives)

• KYC and application forms

India-Specific Considerations:

• FEMA / ODI compliance — Indian residents investing abroad must file Form ODI through their bank

• DTAA benefits — India–UAE tax treaty reduces withholding taxes

• POEM risk — if management stays in India, the company could be treated as Indian tax resident

• Document attestation — corporate shareholder documents must be attested by Indian Notary, MEA, and UAE Embassy

Zounder helps Indian founders manage time zones, documentation, and UAE formalities smoothly.

IFZA Licence Types — Complete Guide

IFZA Free Zone offers multiple licence categories to suit different business needs:

Commercial Licence — for trading, import/export, wholesale and retail trading, general trading, and e-commerce activities.

Professional Licence — for consultants, IT services, marketing, design, education, and professional activities.

Branch Registration — for companies already registered outside the UAE.

Multi-activity licences allow up to 3 activities under one licence, with additional activities available without extra cost in many cases.

IFZA vs Mainland Dubai — Which Is Right for You?

Licence cost from: IFZA Free Zone AED 12,900 vs Dubai Mainland AED 20,000–35,000

Setup time: IFZA 3–7 working days vs Mainland 10–15 working days

Market access: IFZA free zone + international vs Mainland full UAE market + government contracts

Visa allocation: IFZA up to 6 on flexi-desk vs Mainland based on office space

Best for: IFZA consultants, SMEs, e-commerce, service exporters vs Mainland businesses selling directly to UAE consumers

IFZA is 30–50% cheaper than mainland and ideal for founders who want a Dubai address without the overhead.

Compare more on our Dubai free zone comparison page.

IFZA vs Meydan vs DMCC — Free Zone Comparison

Starting cost: IFZA AED 12,900 vs Meydan AED 12,500 vs DMCC AED 19,500+

Visa allocation: IFZA up to 6 vs Meydan 1–3 vs DMCC based on office

Best for: IFZA consultants, agencies, e-commerce, light trading vs Meydan solo founders wanting speed vs DMCC trading, commodities, physical goods

Brand recognition: IFZA growing vs Meydan moderate vs DMCC high

IFZA is the flexible default for first-time founders. DMCC is premium for trading and commodities.

IFZA vs RAKEZ vs Meydan — Budget Free Zone Comparison

Zero-visa licence: IFZA AED 12,900 vs RAKEZ AED 5,500–6,000 vs Meydan AED 12,500

One-visa package: IFZA AED 17,600 vs RAKEZ AED 14,320 vs Meydan AED 24,450

Setup speed: IFZA 2–5 days vs RAKEZ 3–7 days vs Meydan same-day options available

Activity range: IFZA 800+ activities vs RAKEZ broad including industrial vs Meydan narrower, service-focused

Best for: IFZA consultancy, trading, holding vs RAKEZ trading, industrial, warehousing, budget setups vs Meydan lean service companies wanting a Dubai address

IFZA offers the best balance of Dubai address, low cost, and flexibility. RAKEZ is cheaper but located in Ras Al Khaimah. Meydan is fastest but has fewer activities.

IFZA Corporate Tax — What You Need to Know

IFZA is a non-qualifying free zone for UAE corporate tax purposes, meaning the 9% standard rate may apply — not 0%.

Current UAE Corporate Tax Rates:

• Taxable income up to AED 375,000: 0%

• Taxable income above AED 375,000: 9%

Key Tax Points:

• 0% personal income tax

• 100% profit repatriation

• Duty-free imports/exports within free zone

• All IFZA companies must register for UAE Corporate Tax

• Annual Corporate Tax return must be filed within 9 months from the end of the financial year

Small Business Relief: Available until December 2026 for businesses with revenue under AED 3 million, effectively reducing the rate to 0%. No audited financial statements required for this relief.

Always consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

Ready to Start Your IFZA Company?
 

IFZA licence cost starts from AED 12,900 for a zero-visa package, or AED 17,700 with one residence visa. A realistic one-visa setup lands near AED 21,000 all in.