IFZA
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is a popular, value-focused Dubai free zone offering 100% ownership and fast, mostly-digital company setup. Licences start from about AED 11,900, cover a wide range of professional, service and trading activities, and can run on a flexi-desk with no physical office — a strong choice for consultants, agencies and traders who want a Dubai licence affordably.
IFZA is one of Dubai's most cost-effective free zones, known for bundled packages, a broad activity list and quick issuance. It works well for startups, consultants and SMEs that want a Dubai address without a big office commitment.
Why choose IFZA?
- Competitive bundled packages for startups and SMEs
- Wide coverage of professional, service and trading activities
- Quick, mostly-digital application and document issuance
- Flexible desks/offices that scale with your visa needs
IFZA setup costs (2026)
Final fees vary by package, office and visa count. Estimate your all-in total with our cost calculator.
Process & timeline
- Name reservation & initial approval (1–2 working days)
- Licence issuance (1–3 working days after KYC)
- Establishment card; residence visas as needed (about 1–2 weeks)
Starting from: AED 11,900+
How much does a IFZA licence cost?
A licence here typically runs AED 12,500 - 30,000 for year one. The licence is normally issued in 3 - 7 working days once documents are ready, and entry package tiers carry 0 - 6 visas. The low end is a single-activity licence with no staff visas; the high end reflects extra activities, a dedicated office or a higher visa quota.
Tiered packages add visa quota without a physical office; among the most-used Dubai zones for SMEs.
Estimate. Indicative market range for planning, not confirmed with the authority. Check current figures before you apply.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (year one) | AED 12,500 - 30,000 | Varies with activity count and facility |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off per company, required before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative ranges for planning, not a quote. Zone packages and government fees change — confirm current figures with the authority before you apply.
How many visas do you get?
Quota follows the facility you take, not the licence itself.
| What you lease | Typical visa quota | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence only (zero-visa) | 0 | Trade licence with no residency for anyone |
| Flexi desk / smart desk | 1 - 6 | Set by the package tier you buy, not by the activity |
| Dedicated office (15 - 25 sqm) | 4 - 8 | First step up when a flexi desk runs out of quota |
| Larger office or warehouse | about 1 per 9 sqm | Subject to the zone approving the allocation |
Full detail, including how to increase your allocation: free zone visa quota explained.
Popular activities
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Last updated: October 2026
General information, not advice. Fees, packages and visa quotas are set by the free zone authority and change without notice — confirm current terms before applying.