IFZA: the generalist free zone built for solo founders & lean teams
IFZA is one of Dubai's most accessible generalist free zones. Based at Dubai Digital Park (Dubai Silicon Oasis), it issues licenses from AED 12,900, supports the dual-license (services + commercial), keeps 100% foreign ownership, and lets you incorporate fully remotely in 5 to 7 working days.
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Why IFZA matters in Dubai's free-zone landscape
IFZA (the International Free Zone Authority) is the federal free-zone operator behind one of the UAE's fastest-growing licensing programmes. Originally founded in Fujairah in 2018, it relocated its operations to Dubai Digital Park in 2020. A strategic move that placed it inside the country's most active tech corridor.
Today IFZA is the preferred entry point for solo founders, consultants, e-commerce operators and small agencies who want a recognised Dubai address without the overhead of a DIFC or DMCC structure. Its agent-partner model (where formation is handled by approved firms rather than the regulator's own counters) is what keeps incorporation fast and the cost predictable.
What you can run under an IFZA license
Most founders fall into one of five use-case clusters. Each one maps to the right license type. We'll match yours during the consultation.
Consulting & advisory
Management, strategy, HR, finance, legal and engineering consulting. Issued under a Professional license.
E-commerce & trading
Online retail, FBA, dropshipping, B2B distribution and import/export. Commercial license required.
Marketing, creative & media
Agencies, content studios, advertising, PR, video production, influencer management. Professional license.
Tech & software services
Software development, SaaS operations, IT services, cybersecurity and AI consulting. Neighbours include IBM and Microsoft.
Holding & investment
Asset-holding entities, family-office structures, IP holding companies. Subject to the standard substance rules.
What you actually get with IFZA
The practical entitlements that come with every IFZA license. What the brochure rarely spells out.
100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor required.
100% repatriation of capital and profits.
No currency restrictions on inbound or outbound transfers.
Visa quota starting at 1 visa, expandable with each desk package.
Flexi-desk address included, no separate office lease required to start.
Bank account referrals to UAE retail and digital banks.
Audited financials accepted in English; no Arabic translation required.
License renewal handled annually with the same partner.
Activity additions and amendments processed in 2 to 3 working days.
0% corporate tax on qualifying free-zone income, subject to substance.
Pick the license that matches your model
Three license families cover almost every founder profile. Pricing scales with the number of activities and visa quota.
Commercial
For trading, distribution and physical-goods businesses.
- Import / export
- E-commerce and FBA
- Wholesale and retail trade
- Up to 7 commercial activities per license
Most picked
Professional + Dual-license
The most-picked option for founders who consult and sell.
- Consulting, marketing, IT services
- Dual-license: add 1 commercial activity
- Ideal for hybrid agency / SaaS models
- Flexi-desk included
- Multi-year rebates apply
Industrial & Holding
For light manufacturing and asset-holding structures.
- Light assembly and packaging
- Holding company for UAE / GCC assets
- IP and brand holding
- Subject to substance requirements
Notable names established at IFZA
IFZA mainly hosts SMEs, consultants and digital natives. Here are some representative names from the ecosystem operating around Dubai Digital Park.
Tech Hub
DTEC
Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, IFZA's immediate neighbour at DSO and one of the region's largest tech incubators.
Software
SAP MENA
Regional presence of the German enterprise-software publisher in the DSO ecosystem.
Software
Oracle
Regional hub of the American database and cloud publisher.
Tech
Microsoft
Regional presence inside the Dubai Silicon Oasis tech corridor.
E-commerce
Talabat
Regional delivery marketplace anchoring the local digital ecosystem.
Mobility
Careem
Regional mobility pioneer, acquired by Uber, based at DSO.
Media
Anghami
Leading audio streaming platform in the Middle East.
SaaS
Bayzat
HR & payroll SaaS, representative of the local tech SME scene.
Inside Dubai Digital Park: IFZA's home in DSO
IFZA's registered address sits inside Dubai Digital Park, a master-planned tech campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Your neighbours are who you'd expect.
- 25 min to Downtown Dubai
- 20 min to DXB International Airport
- Co-located with DTEC (Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus)
- Notable neighbours: IBM, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, du Innovation
Flexi-desk
Included with every package
Meeting rooms
Bookable on the campus app
Retail & F&B
On-site, no commute for lunch
Residences
Walk-to-work apartments inside DSO
How we incorporate your IFZA company in 5–7 working days
Six steps from first call to issued license. We handle four of them; you only act on two.
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Scope activities with us
30-minute call to confirm your business model and pick the right activity combination.
Pick the legal form
FZCO (one or several shareholders), FZE (single shareholder), or branch of an existing company. We recommend based on shareholder count and substance plans.
Reserve trade name & package
We submit name approval and lock the package (visa quota, license term, dual-license toggle).
KYC & document collection
You send passport, address proof and bank reference. We compile the application file in English.
Sign the MoA electronically
We share the Memorandum of Association via secure e-sign. No notary visit required.
Pay & receive license
Final invoice is settled, IFZA issues the trade license and incorporation pack within 5–7 working days.
Four realities first-time founders miss
Setup timeline
License in 5–7 working days. Residence visa adds 2–3 weeks (medical, Emirates ID, stamping). Budget 4–6 weeks end-to-end if visa is in scope.
Office requirements
Flexi-desk is included and accepted as registered address. A private office at Dubai Digital Park is available as a paid upgrade for teams that want a dedicated space, and is mandatory once you exceed 6 visas or operate a regulated activity.
Corporate tax 9% trigger
UAE corporate tax kicks in at 9% on net profit above AED 375,000. Below that the effective rate is 0%. Free-zone "qualifying income" can stay at 0% with substance.
Audit requirements
IFZA requires audited financial statements for license renewal from year 2 onward. Plan AED 4,000–8,000/year for a licensed UAE auditor.
What's inside our IFZA all-in-one package
One transparent fee covers company formation, residence visa and UAE banking. From AED 22,900: 1 year, 1 visa, dual-license option included.
Company formation
- Trade name reservation
- License issuance (Professional or Commercial)
- Memorandum of Association drafting + e-signature
- Flexi-desk address at Dubai Digital Park
- Establishment card
- Corporate Tax registration & initial compliance filing
- Activity selection (up to 3 included)
Residence visa
- Entry permit issuance
- Medical fitness test coordination
- Emirates ID application & biometrics
- Visa stamping inside passport
- Status change inside the UAE
- Valid 2 years, renewable
Banking
- Business and personal account introductions
- Document pack prepared to bank-ready standard
- Follow-up support until account is opened
- Backup option with a UAE digital bank
DIY vs working with us
On your own
Compare 45+ providers
Rules, prices and procedures all over the place
Check trade-name availability
Submit the request and wait for approval
Fill admin forms & files
Errors = delays or fines
Gather supporting documents
Missing or incorrect = rejection or fines
Chase extra approvals
Miss one and you trigger penalties or delays
Shop prices and locations
Hidden costs likely
Handle the payments
Procedural errors = fines or delays
Run the visa process
Strict steps and timelines, fine risk
Shop UAE banks cold
High rejection risk
Track compliance yourself
VAT & renewals → penalties if missed
Time sink
Stress, errors, financial risk
Recommended
With us
An optimal structure
Tailored to your goals
Trade name reserved
Fast and approved
Dedicated personal support
By your side at every step
Compliant, validated file
Optimised to pass first time
Easier networking
Targeted introductions
Optimised investment
No unnecessary costs
End-to-end support
Fast and stress-free
Single point of contact
Clear, personalised follow-up
Bank account opening
Fast and simplified
Zero stress, total peace of mind
We look after everything
100% business focus
We handle the rest
Teams we've set up at IFZA
"We were completely satisfied with Créer Société Dubaï. From the outset, we benefited from direct, clear, and highly professional support. We particularly appreciated the speed and efficiency of the process — we obtained our Emirates IDs and opened our bank accounts in just 13 days, which is remarkable. A special mention goes to Joïca, who was extremely kind, very attentive, and always available, even when we were still in France. She answered all our questions patiently and professionally, which made our experience very reassuring."
"The service was incredible. No hidden fees like with many agencies I'd heard about. The service was truly top-notch. I didn't have to manage a single thing. I highly recommend them!"
"Everything happened at an impressive speed, from the visa to the creation of the company, including medical procedures and opening a bank account. Each step was smooth, stress-free, and professionally supported from start to finish. Special mention goes to Simon Samba, who combined responsiveness, clarity, and kindness throughout the process. A 5-star experience that I would recommend without hesitation!"
IFZA: frequently asked questions
License pricing starts at AED 12,900 without visa. The total varies with activity count, visa quota, and license term. IFZA applies rebates of up to 30% on 2-, 3- or 5-year packages.
- 1-year, no visa: from AED 12,900
- 1-year + 1 visa: typically AED 17,000–22,000
- Dual-license (services + commercial): modest surcharge
Yes. Incorporation is 100% remote through an approved IFZA agent partner. The MoA is signed electronically and the license is issued in 5 to 7 working days.
You only need to travel for the residence visa (medical, Emirates ID, stamping). A 5 to 7 day trip is enough.
The dual-license lets you combine professional (consulting, IT, marketing) and commercial (trading, e-commerce) activities under a single entity. It pays off as soon as your model mixes services and product sales.
All three are generalist, affordable free zones:
- IFZA: dual-license, tech-cluster address, multi-year rebates
- Meydan: freelancer-first, very simple process
- SHAMS: Sharjah-based, popular with creators and media
For hybrid services + e-commerce, IFZA usually wins on TCO.
No. A flexi-desk at Dubai Digital Park is included and is accepted as your registered address. A dedicated office is only needed once you exceed 6 visas or operate a regulated activity.
Plan 3 to 6 weeks after the license is issued. We prepare a clean, bank-ready document pack and introduce you to 2 pre-qualified banks.
Other free zones worth considering
Each free zone serves a different model. If IFZA isn't quite the right fit, these are the closest alternatives.
Book your free 30-minute consultation
We'll tell you within 30 minutes whether IFZA is the right free zone for your model, and if it isn't, which one is.
