Quick answer
IFZA Free Zone setup costs from AED 12,900 with zero corporate tax and 100% foreign ownership. β You can be operational in 3β5 business days for the license, with full setup in 4β6 weeks including visa processing.
- Standard License starts at AED 12,900 and includes up to 3 activities (trading or service)
- License + 1 Visa package costs AED 14,900 and includes 1 investor visa
- License issued within 3β5 business days; visa processing takes 3β4 weeks
Best for: SMEs, startups, and digital entrepreneurs wanting UAE base with Dubai address
If you’re looking to set up a company in Dubai with 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, and one of the fastest setup times in the UAE, IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is one of the most popular choices in 2026. Packages start from just AED 12,900 β and with Noble Core Ventures guiding you through the process, you can be operational in as little as 3β5 business days.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know: exact 2026 costs, license types, the step-by-step registration process, and how IFZA stacks up against alternatives like SHAMS and RAKEZ.
What Is IFZA Free Zone?
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is located in Dubai Silicon Oasis and is regulated by the Government of Dubai. Established to attract SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs, IFZA has become one of the fastest-growing free zones in the UAE due to its competitive pricing, flexible structures, and streamlined digital onboarding process.
Key highlights:
- β 100% foreign ownership
- β 0% corporate and personal income tax
- β No minimum share capital requirement
- β Full profit repatriation
- β Remote company registration available
- β Multiple activities under one license
- β UAE residence visa eligibility
IFZA Free Zone Setup Cost 2026 β Complete Breakdown
License-Only Packages (No Visa)
| Package | Cost (AED) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Digital License (No Visa) | 11,900 | 1 activity, digital-only |
| Standard License (No Visa) | 12,900 | Up to 3 activities (trading or service) |
| Multi-Activity License (No Visa) | 14,900 | Trading + consulting activities |
License + Visa Packages
| Package | Cost (AED) | Visas Included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter + 1 Visa | 14,900 | 1 investor visa |
| Growth + 2 Visas | 16,900 | 2 investor visas |
| Business + 3 Visas | 18,900 | 3 investor visas |
| Enterprise + 4 Visas | 20,900 | 4 investor visas |
Additional Costs to Budget For
| Item | Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment Card (Year 1) | 2,000β2,500 | Required for visa processing |
| Establishment Card Renewal | 2,200 | Annual |
| Visa per person (full cost) | 3,800β4,800 | Entry permit + medical + Emirates ID + stamping |
| Entry Permit | 900β1,200 | Per applicant |
| Medical Test | 300β450 | Standard process |
| Emirates ID | 270β1,200 | Depends on duration |
| Visa Stamping | 850β1,100 | Per visa |
| Extra Activities (above 3) | 1,000/activity | Optional |
| Trading + Consulting combo | +2,000/year | Cross-category activities |
Multi-Year Discounts
- 2-Year Package: Save 10β15%
- 3-Year Package: Save 20β25% (e.g., 3-year license from ~AED 43,470)
π‘ Noble Core Tip: If you plan to stay in Dubai long-term, the 3-year package is excellent value. We negotiate the best IFZA packages for our clients β contact us for a custom quote.
IFZA License Types
IFZA offers three primary license categories:
1. Trading License
Ideal for import/export, wholesale, retail, and general trading. Allows up to 3 products from the same product group under the base package.
2. Service License
For consultancy, IT services, marketing, management, and professional services. Up to 3 service activities included.
3. Industrial License
For light manufacturing, processing, and assembly. Requires additional approvals.
4. Holding License
For holding shares in other companies. Suitable for investors with multiple business interests.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up in IFZA Free Zone
- Choose Your License Type & Activities β Decide between trading, service, industrial, or holding. Select up to 3 activities in your base package.
- Choose Your Legal Structure β IFZA offers FZE (1 shareholder) or FZCO (2+ shareholders). No UAE national sponsor required.
- Submit Application Documents β Passport copies, recent photo, proposed company name (3 options), and a brief business plan or activity description.
- Name Approval β IFZA reviews and approves your company name. Usually within 1β2 business days.
- Sign & Submit MOA β IFZA issues a Memorandum of Association. You sign digitally (remote setup available).
- Pay License Fees β Pay via bank transfer or card. IFZA issues the invoice upon approval.
- Receive License β License issued within 3β5 business days of payment.
- Establishment Card β Apply for your Establishment Card (required to process visas).
- Apply for Residence Visa(s) β Once the Establishment Card is ready, apply for investor or employee visas.
- Open a Corporate Bank Account β With your license and documents, you can now open a UAE corporate bank account. Noble Core Ventures assists with bank introductions.
β±οΈ Total Timeline: License in 3β5 days. Visa in 3β4 weeks. Full setup in approximately 4β6 weeks.
IFZA vs SHAMS vs RAKEZ β Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | IFZA | SHAMS (Sharjah) | RAKEZ (RAK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost (No Visa) | AED 12,900 | AED 5,750 | AED 5,499 |
| Starting Cost (1 Visa) | AED 14,900 | AED 11,000 | AED 12,900 |
| Location | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Sharjah | Ras Al Khaimah |
| Best For | SMEs, tech, consulting | Media, digital, creative | Manufacturing, industrial |
| Activities Allowed | 500+ activities | Media-focused | Wide range |
| Dubai Address | β Yes | β No | β No |
| Remote Setup | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
| Bank Account Ease | High | Medium | Medium |
| Setup Speed | 3β5 days | 5β7 days | 3β5 days |
Our Verdict: IFZA wins on prestige, activity variety, and Dubai address. If budget is the primary concern, RAKEZ or SHAMS offer lower entry prices. For most SMEs and consultants, IFZA’s balance of cost and credibility makes it the go-to choice.
π Explore all UAE free zone options here
Who Should Set Up in IFZA?
- Freelancers and remote workers wanting a UAE residence visa
- Startups and SMEs targeting UAE or global markets
- Digital entrepreneurs (e-commerce, SaaS, consulting)
- Holding companies and investors
- Foreign companies wanting a UAE base without a local partner
- Professionals in IT, marketing, finance, and trading
What Documents Do You Need?
- β Passport copy (all shareholders and managers)
- β Passport-size photograph
- β Proposed company name(s)
- β Business activity description
- β UAE entry stamp or residence visa copy (if applicable)
- β No paid-up capital proof required
All documents can be submitted digitally. No physical presence needed for the initial setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) β IFZA Free Zone 2026
How much does IFZA free zone setup cost in 2026?
IFZA setup starts from AED 12,900 for a standard license without a visa, or AED 14,900 with one investor visa. Additional costs include the Establishment Card (AED 2,000β2,500) and visa processing fees (AED 3,800β4,800 per person).
Can I set up in IFZA without visiting Dubai?
Yes. IFZA fully supports remote company registration. You can submit all documents digitally and receive your license without visiting Dubai. The visa process, however, requires physical presence in the UAE.
How long does IFZA company registration take?
The business license is typically issued within 3β5 business days of application approval and payment. The full process including visa takes 4β6 weeks.
What activities are allowed in IFZA?
IFZA offers 500+ approved business activities across trading, services, industrial, and holding categories. Up to 3 activities are included in the base package; additional activities can be added for AED 1,000 each.
Is IFZA good for opening a UAE bank account?
Yes. IFZA is based in Dubai, which gives it higher credibility with UAE banks compared to free zones in other emirates. Noble Core Ventures has strong banking relationships and assists clients with corporate bank account opening.
What is the difference between IFZA FZE and FZCO?
FZE (Free Zone Establishment) has a single shareholder; FZCO (Free Zone Company) has 2 or more shareholders. Both offer 100% foreign ownership. The license fee is the same for both structures in IFZA.
Does IFZA offer multi-year packages?
Yes. IFZA offers 2-year and 3-year packages with discounts of 10β25%. A 3-year license package starts from approximately AED 43,470, offering significant savings over annual renewal.
Can an IFZA company do business on the UAE mainland?
IFZA companies can provide services to UAE mainland clients, but to conduct retail trade directly on the mainland you may need to work through a local distributor or obtain an additional mainland license. Read our full guide to free zone vs mainland.
How many visas can an IFZA company sponsor?
IFZA does not impose a strict cap on visa quotas for flexi-desk users, but practically you can sponsor 1β6 visas on a standard package. Companies needing more visas typically upgrade to office packages.
What is the annual renewal cost for IFZA?
Annual renewal costs are similar to the initial license fee (starting from AED 12,900 for a standard license). The Establishment Card renewal is approximately AED 2,200/year.
Why Choose Noble Core Ventures for Your IFZA Setup?
Noble Core Ventures is a Dubai-based business setup consultancy with deep expertise in IFZA company formation. We handle everything end-to-end:
- π Document preparation and submission
- π Company name approval
- π’ License registration and issuance
- π Visa processing for investors and employees
- π¦ Corporate bank account introductions
- π VAT registration and compliance
We’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and businesses set up in IFZA and other UAE free zones. Our expertise saves you time, prevents costly mistakes, and ensures your company is properly structured from day one.
π Explore all free zone setup options | Mainland business setup | UAE visa services
π Ready to Set Up Your IFZA Company?
Contact Noble Core Ventures today for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the entire process and get you the best IFZA package for your needs.
π§ info@noblecoreventures.com | π +971 50 902 2955
Related: Meydan vs IFZA free zone comparison.
Related: RAKEZ vs IFZA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does IFZA free zone setup cost in 2026?
IFZA packages start at AED 11,900 for a digital-only license, AED 12,900 for a Standard License with up to three activities, and AED 14,900 for a license bundled with one investor visa. Visa packages scale to AED 20,900 with four visas. Budget additionally for the Establishment Card at AED 2,000 to 2,500 and full visa processing at AED 3,800 to 4,800 per person including entry permit, medical, and Emirates ID.
How long does IFZA company registration take?
The business license is typically issued within three to five business days of approval and payment, making IFZA one of the fastest free zones in the UAE. Name approval usually takes one to two business days, and the memorandum of association is signed digitally. The full process including visa processing takes approximately four to six weeks, with visa processing itself accounting for three to four weeks of that timeline.
Can I set up an IFZA company without visiting Dubai?
Yes. IFZA fully supports remote company registration β you submit passport copies, a photo, proposed company names, and a brief activity description digitally, sign the memorandum of association online, and receive your license without travelling. The visa stage is the exception: residence visa processing requires physical presence in the UAE for medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics, so plan a trip once your establishment card is ready.
What business activities are allowed in IFZA?
IFZA offers more than 500 approved activities across four license categories: trading for import, export, wholesale, and retail; services for consultancy, IT, marketing, and professional work; industrial for light manufacturing with additional approvals; and holding licenses for owning shares in other companies. The base package includes up to three activities, extra activities cost AED 1,000 each, and combining trading with consulting adds about AED 2,000 per year.
What is the difference between an IFZA FZE and FZCO?
An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) has a single shareholder, while an FZCO (Free Zone Company) has two or more. Both structures offer 100% foreign ownership with no UAE national sponsor required, and IFZA charges the same license fee for either. Your choice simply depends on how many shareholders the company will have β solo founders take the FZE route, partners and multi-founder startups register an FZCO.
Does IFZA offer multi-year license discounts?
Yes. Two-year packages save roughly 10 to 15% and three-year packages 20 to 25%, with a three-year license starting from approximately AED 43,470 β meaningful savings versus annual renewal, which starts from AED 12,900 plus an establishment card renewal of about AED 2,200 per year. If you plan to stay in the UAE long-term, the three-year package is generally the better value, locking in pricing across the period.
