Corporate Services
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
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About IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is a UAE free zone regulator based in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), having relocated there from Fujairah in 2018. IFZA operates on a B2B model, working through a network of Professional Partners — business formation specialists, law firms, and agencies both in the UAE and internationally — who register companies on behalf of investors, rather than IFZA handling registrations directly with the public.
IFZA offers 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required, zero paid-up capital requirements, and full profit repatriation. The free zone supports over 1,000 permitted business activities, with up to seven activities allowed under a single licence (three included in the base fee, with additional activities at extra cost), across licence categories including Professional, Commercial, Trading, General Trading, Industrial, and Holding licences. Companies can be structured as an IFZA FZCO (Free Zone Company) with single or multiple shareholders, or as a branch of an existing UAE or international company.
Standard IFZA company incorporation and licence issuance typically takes 3 to 5 working days once documentation is complete, and the process can be completed fully remotely without visiting the UAE — a UAE visit is only required if the founder applies for a residence visa, for medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics. Once licensed, companies can open a corporate bank account with any UAE bank; IFZA is generally considered a bank-friendly, well-recognized free zone, which can ease this step for founders compared with some lesser-known jurisdictions. IFZA also operates the IFZA Academy, a training institute offering industry knowledge and skills development for its registered companies, alongside IFZA Life health insurance packages tailored to free zone businesses.
License packages start from approximately AED 10,000-12,900 depending on visa quota and activity selection, positioning IFZA among the more cost-competitive Dubai free zones. The zone does not offer warehouse or heavy manufacturing facilities on the scale of RAKEZ or JAFZA, making it a better fit for consulting, trading, tech, and services businesses than for industrial or large-scale logistics operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does IFZA's registration process work?
IFZA operates on a B2B model, meaning companies are registered through a network of Professional Partners — formation specialists, law firms, or agencies — rather than directly with the public.
How long does IFZA company formation take?
Standard incorporation and licence issuance typically takes 3 to 5 working days once documentation is complete, though full setup including visas can take 3-6 weeks.
How many business activities can be included on one IFZA licence?
Up to seven activities can be included under a single licence, with three included in the base fee and additional activities available at extra cost.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up an IFZA company?
No, the process can be completed fully remotely; a UAE visit is only required if applying for a residence visa, for medical testing and Emirates ID biometrics.
What is the starting cost for an IFZA licence?
IFZA licence packages start from approximately AED 10,000-12,900 depending on the visa quota and activities selected.
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