International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
IFZA is one of Dubai's fastest-growing and most affordable free zones, located in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Originally founded in Fujairah in 2018, it relocated to DSO in 2020 and has become the go-to choice for freelancers, startups, and SMEs seeking low-cost Dubai business setup. IFZA operates a B2B model through Professional Partners, meaning setup through agents is typically 20–70% cheaper than direct pricing.
From
AED 12,900
Established
2018
Companies
5,000
Max Visas
6
Banking
Moderate
IFZA Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Visa Package 3-year saves ~15%. 5-year saves ~30%. | AED 12,900 | 0 | Flexi Desk | AED 12,900 | AED 12,900 |
| 1 Visa Package 2-year saves ~15%. 3-year 1-visa package: AED 37,600–43,700 total. | AED 14,900 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 28,790 | AED 24,400 |
| 2 Visa Package | AED 16,900 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 36,380 | AED 27,400 |
| 3 Visa Package | AED 18,900 | 3 | Flexi Desk | AED 43,970 | AED 29,400 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — Year 1 with 1 visa achievable under AED 25,000 through agents
- No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
- Fast license issuance: 2–5 business days
- Up to 7 business activities per license (first 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each)
- Strong multi-year discounts: 15% (2-year) to 30% (5-year)
- Remote company setup available — no need to visit Dubai initially
- No minimum capital requirement
- Improving banking relationships — Wio Bank, Mashreq, CBD partnerships
- Mastercard AI-driven registration partnership launched August 2025
Watch out for
- B2B-only model — must work through intermediary agents, direct pricing significantly inflated
- Relatively young (Dubai presence since 2020) with weaker brand recognition than DMCC
- Only ~5,000 companies — smaller networking ecosystem
- Limited crypto licensing (no exchange/custody activities)
- Mandatory financial statement submission for renewals from September 2025
- DSO location is not central Dubai — may matter for client meetings
- No warehouse or industrial facilities
- Some reports of slow direct communication during peak periods
Visa Information
Max Quota
6 visas
Processing Time
21 days
Renewal Cost
AED 4,000
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 4,500
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,750
Investor Visa
AED 4,750
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical V I P
AED 850
Emirates Id Typing
AED 390
In Country Status Change
AED 1,600
3–4 weeks end-to-end including medical, EID, and stamping
Banking
Partner Banks
Formal partnerships with Wio, Mashreq, and CBD. In-house banking team (banking@ifza.com). Realistic: 2–6 weeks. Wio Bank fastest for solopreneurs. High-risk sectors face AED 25,000–100,000 minimum balances. Significantly improved since 2022–2023.
Features
Mainland Trading
Via agent only. Mainland branch now possible under Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (AED 5,000 permit).
Physical Office Required
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
Partial — no exchange/custody. Consulting/advisory possible.
Shared Ownership
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Mandatory from Sep 2025. Small (≤AED 3M): simplified. Medium (3M–50M): IFRS-SME. Large (>50M): full IFRS.
Share Capital Requirement
None required
Recent Developments
- Sep 2025: Mandatory financial statements for all license renewals
- Aug 2025: Mastercard AI-driven digital registration partnership
- Aug 2025: IFZA Panama launched — first Latin American free zone
- Oct 2025: Representative office opened in China
- Scale360 accelerator with Plug and Play for AI/sustainability startups
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an IFZA license cost in 2026?
IFZA packages start from AED 12,900/year (zero-visa). A 1-visa package is AED 14,900 license, with total Year 1 around AED 28,790 including all fees. Through agents, Year 1 all-in can be AED 20,000–25,000.
Should I set up through IFZA directly or use an agent?
Always use a registered Professional Partner. IFZA's B2B model means direct pricing is 20–70% higher than agent pricing. Agents like Virtuzone and Creative Zone offer significantly better all-in packages.
How long does IFZA company setup take?
License issued in 2–5 business days. Full process including visa, medical, and Emirates ID: approximately 3–4 weeks.
Is it easy to open a bank account with an IFZA license?
Moderate. Partnerships with Wio Bank, Mashreq, and CBD. Realistic timeline: 2–6 weeks. Wio offers fastest digital onboarding. High-risk sectors face additional requirements.
Does IFZA require an audit?
Yes, since September 2025. Small companies (under AED 3M turnover, under 9 staff) submit simplified reports. Medium and large companies need formal audits. Budget AED 3,000–15,000/year for accounting.
Can an IFZA company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly, but Resolution No. 11 of 2025 allows free zone companies to obtain a mainland branch permit (AED 5,000, up to 6 months). Mainland revenue is subject to 9% corporate tax.
How many business activities can I have with IFZA?
Up to 7 per license. First 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each. General trading add-on: AED 10,000. Total: 800+ permitted activities.
What is the IFZA license renewal cost?
License renewal from AED 12,900 + AED 2,200 establishment card + AED 6,300 flexi desk. Total annual renewal with 1 visa: ~AED 22,400–26,400. Multi-year discounts: 15–30%.
Ready to set up with IFZA?
Get a personalised quote for your IFZA business setup. Compare packages and find the best deal.
Starting From
AED 12,900 /yr