Company in IFZA Free Zone: 2026 guide & costs
A complete guide to IFZA (International Free Zone Authority): licences, real first-year costs, visas, office and tax. Dubai’s generalist free zone with the best cost-to-agility ratio. LorcaBase acts as a registered agent and files your application directly with IFZA.
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IFZA is Dubai’s agile, generalist free zone.
International Free Zone Authority, based in Dubai Digital Park (Dubai Silicon Oasis), has become one of the most used free zones for consultants, digital services and SMEs: fast setup, clear packages and a contained entry cost without leaving Dubai.
FZCO
A free-zone company with 100% foreign ownership, one or more shareholders and no demanding paid-up capital requirement.
Combinable activities
A single licence can group several compatible service, trade or consulting activities.
Package with flexi desk
The business address (flexi desk) is included in the package, with visas according to the chosen plan.
Which businesses fit IFZA.
Professional services
Consultants and advisers with international clients who need a company and residence in Dubai.
Online services and marketing
Agencies, software, marketing and digital businesses invoicing outside the UAE.
General trading
Import and export under a commercial licence with a contained recurring cost.
Growing professionals
The natural step when a freelancer needs a company, visas or staff.
Online sales
Online stores and dropshipping with payment gateways and a light structure.
Simple ownership
Holding shares when the brand of a financial jurisdiction is not required.
IFZA versus DMCC and RAKEZ.
All three are serious options with different profiles: IFZA optimises cost and speed within Dubai, DMCC buys reputation and ecosystem, RAKEZ optimises total cost from Ras Al Khaimah.
| Free zone | Main difference | Practical advantage | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | A generalist Dubai free zone focused on agile packages and a contained entry cost. | Fast setup, first employee-visa government fee included for life and a flexi desk within the package. | Consulting, digital services, freelancers scaling into a company and budget-conscious SMEs. |
| DMCC | A premium Government of Dubai authority in JLT, with AED 50,000 reference capital and a mandatory annual audit. | Reputation with banks and counterparties, a broad catalogue and commodities and crypto ecosystems. | International trading, commodities, crypto and branded professional services. |
| RAKEZ | A multi-sector Ras Al Khaimah authority with all-inclusive packages and industrial options. | Lower total cost with ancillary services included, and scaling to warehouses or industrial land. | Services, trade, e-commerce, light manufacturing and inventory-based operations. |
The exact government costs for all three zones, with 0 to 3 visas, are in our cost calculator. Fees and promotions change: confirm before signing.
When IFZA tends to fit.
IFZA is the default option for many service projects: simple, in Dubai and with the recurring cost under control.
Founder with residence
One shareholder, one visa (government fee included) and a minimum viable structure in Dubai.
International invoicing
Clients outside the UAE, with no need for commercial premises.
Low cost in Dubai
For those who want a Dubai jurisdiction without paying the DMCC or DIFC level.
Setup in days
Projects that need an operating licence and visas without long processes.
Up to 3 visas
The package flexi desk covers small teams; more visas require an office.
Investor visa
IFZA offers an investor visa (+AED 1,000/2 years) with yearly instead of half-yearly entry.
Agility also has fine print.
IFZA fits most service projects; it stops fitting when the business requires premium reputation, regulated activity or facilities.
It may fit less well if the bank or the clients expect a heavier jurisdiction (DMCC, DIFC), if the activity is regulated, or if you need warehousing or industry (RAKEZ, Hamriyah). Ancillary services (status change AED 1,600, medical and Emirates ID ~AED 900 per visa) are billed separately: always compare the total cost, not the package price.
Compare options →What a real IFZA budget includes.
Licence and package
Government cost from AED 12,900 in year 1 with no visas (AED 31,300 with 3), flexi desk included.
Annual renewal
From AED 12,900 with no visas to ~AED 21,100 with 3; no mandatory audit to renew.
Visas
First employee-visa government fee included for life; establishment card AED 2,200; medical and Emirates ID ~AED 900 per visa.
Common extras
Status change AED 1,600 if processed inside the UAE and investor visa +AED 1,000 every 2 years.
How to set up your IFZA company step by step.
The licence is one phase; banking, residence and compliance are handled through separate processes.
- 01
Define activity and model
Specify what is sold, to whom and what the bank will require when reviewing the operation.
- 02
Validate that IFZA pays off
Compare with DMCC, RAKEZ or other zones on total cost, banking and activity.
- 03
Choose package and visas
Number of visas, legal form and compatible activities within the licence.
- 04
Reserve name and activity
The authority validates the name, activities and shareholding structure.
- 05
Prepare KYC and UBO
Passports, structure, source of funds and ultimate beneficial owner declaration.
- 06
Sign and pay
Forms, corporate documents and the fees of the chosen package.
- 07
Receive licence and process visas
Establishment card, entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- 08
Activate banking and compliance
Corporate account, Corporate Tax and VAT registration where applicable, and accounting.
Mistakes to avoid with IFZA.
The package is simple, but planning mistakes cost the same as in any free zone.
Comparing only the package price
Status change, medical, Emirates ID and renewals add to the real total.
Choosing the wrong activities
Contracts, website and bank flows must match the licence; adding families may require another licence.
Assuming banking is guaranteed
IFZA is accepted by banks, but each one reviews owners, markets and source of funds.
Ignoring accounting
No mandatory audit does not mean no obligations: Corporate Tax requires up-to-date books.
Assuming zero tax
QFZP treatment has strict conditions and covers qualifying income only.
Forgetting personal tax residency
Managing from another country can create personal or corporate obligations there.
Official sources on IFZA.
We cross-check licences, activities, costs and requirements against the authority’s official information and federal tax law.
IFZA: official authority portal▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: ifza.com/en
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate Tax▸
Official legislation. Original text: mof.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Federal-Decree-Law-No.-47-of-2022-EN.pdf
Federal Tax Authority: VAT▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: tax.gov.ae/en/taxes/vat.aspx
Key terms for incorporating in IFZA.
Concepts worth mastering before budgeting and signing with IFZA.
IFZA · International Free Zone Authority ▸
A generalist free zone based in Dubai Digital Park (Dubai Silicon Oasis), focused on agile packages for services, trade and digital.
Dubai Digital Park ▸
The Dubai Silicon Oasis district where IFZA is based, with offices for registered companies.
FZCO · Free Zone Company ▸
IFZA's standard legal form: a free-zone company with 100% foreign ownership and one or more shareholders.
Flexi Desk ▸
A shared desk included in the IFZA package that meets the business address requirement.
Establishment Card ▸
A mandatory government card (AED 2,200 at IFZA) that allows the company to sponsor residence visas.
Status change ▸
A fee (AED 1,600 at IFZA) to process the visa without leaving the UAE when the applicant is already in the country under another status.
QFZP · Qualifying Free Zone Person ▸
A free-zone person that can apply 0% Corporate Tax to qualifying income if it meets all the conditions.
UBO · Ultimate Beneficial Owner ▸
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls the company, declared at setup and whenever details change.
Compare before incorporating.
Free Zone in Dubai
Understand the general rules of a free-zone company and compare alternatives.
Learn more → 02Company in DMCC
The premium alternative: reputation, commodities and the Crypto Centre in JLT.
Learn more → 03Cost calculator
Compare the real government cost of IFZA, DMCC and RAKEZ with 0 to 3 visas.
Learn more → 04UAE company formation
Return to the hub to compare emirate, jurisdiction and structure.
Learn more →What clients most often ask.
How much does an IFZA company cost?
The government cost for year one starts at AED 12,900 with no visas and reaches about AED 31,300 with 3 visas, flexi desk included. Annual renewal runs from AED 12,900 to ~21,100. Fees change: confirm before signing. Compare your case in our cost calculator.
Is the first IFZA visa really free?
IFZA includes the government fee of the first employee visa for life, typically for the founder. Medical, Emirates ID (~AED 900) and, if processed inside the UAE, the status change (AED 1,600) are paid separately.
How long does IFZA incorporation take?
With complete documentation, the licence is usually issued in a few working days. Visas and the bank account follow and can add weeks depending on the case.
Which activities does IFZA allow?
A generalist catalogue of professional services, consulting, technology, marketing, trade and e-commerce. A single licence can combine several compatible activities; mixing different families may require another licence.
Do I need a physical office in IFZA?
Not to start: the flexi desk is included in the package and meets the address requirement, giving access to visas according to the plan. Larger teams can take a physical office in Dubai Digital Park.
Which is better, IFZA or DMCC?
For services, consulting and digital on a contained budget, IFZA is usually more efficient. DMCC pays off when you need maximum banking reputation, commodities or its Crypto Centre. The legal result (a 100% foreign-owned free-zone company) is equivalent.
Can I open a bank account with an IFZA company?
Yes, IFZA is accepted by UAE banks. Each bank still reviews shareholders, residence, activity, clients, source of funds and substance; the licence does not guarantee approval.
Does an IFZA company pay Corporate Tax?
It can use the QFZP regime (0% on qualifying income) if it meets all the conditions; non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. IFZA does not require an audit to renew, but Corporate Tax requires up-to-date accounting.
The trust of those already working with us
Your IFZA company, structured precisely from day one.
Tell us the activity, the clients and the visa plan. We will validate whether IFZA pays off against other zones before filing anything.
Book a consultation →Dubai Marina, UAE