IFZA Company Setup in Dubai:
Licence, Workspace and Visas
IFZA, the International Free Zone Authority, is a Dubai free zone operating from Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It offers 100% foreign ownership, flexible workspace from flexi-desk to office, and licences that can combine several related activities. Maven& checks your activities, workspace and tax position first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Flexi-desk to office workspace options
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- IFZA company setup partner
Foreign ownership
No UAE national partner is needed for a standard IFZA setup.
Legal structures
Single-shareholder company, multi-shareholder company and branch.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Who IFZA suits
Businesses that suit a IFZA company
Consultants and service firms
Professional and service businesses that mostly serve overseas or online clients and want a Dubai address.
Trading and e-commerce businesses
Traders and online sellers that want several related activities on one licence.
Startups and digital founders
Small teams and technology founders who want a low-overhead Dubai base with room to grow.
International companies and holding structures
Groups that want a Dubai entity or branch, including holding arrangements.
What are the main IFZA rules and tax points?
A IFZA licence suits many businesses, but it comes with rules on premises, approvals and tax that are worth checking before you commit.
- Workspace and visas: your workspace choice, from flexi-desk to private office, affects how many residence visas your licence can support.
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is available, with no UAE national partner needed for a standard setup.
- Activities: a licence can usually combine several related activities, and some activities need an external approval first.
- Mainland trading: an IFZA licence does not automatically allow unrestricted trading in mainland Dubai.
- Corporate tax: 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
- IFZA vs mainland
IFZA vs Dubai mainland company
Choose IFZA if its location, licences and premises fit your business. Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers.
| Feature | IFZA | Dubai mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | International Free Zone Authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Selling in the UAE market | Not automatic: depends on the licence and approvals | Directly, anywhere in the UAE |
| Premises | Flexi-desk, desk or office inside IFZA premises | Physical office with Ejari |
| Corporate tax | 0% only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person, 9% above AED 375,000 otherwise | 9% above AED 375,000 |
| Best for | Consultants, traders and startups with overseas or online clients | Businesses serving UAE customers directly |
See mainland company formation or read the free zone vs mainland guide.
- Company structures
Three ways to set up in IFZA
Company (FZE)
For solo owners
- One shareholder
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Premises sized to your visa plan
- Several related activities can share one licence
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
Company (FZCO)
For partners and co-founders
- Two or more shareholders
- Separate legal entity in the zone
- Shareholding set out in the MoA
- Same premises and visa rules apply
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
a Company
For existing businesses
- Extends a company incorporated elsewhere
- Parent company documents need attestation
- Licensed under the parent company name
- The parent company carries the liability
Final cost depends on your licence, premises and visas, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does IFZA company setup cost?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every IFZA and service fee before you commit.
- IFZA licence package and activity fees
- Workspace, from flexi-desk to office, which affects your visa quota
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Annual licence renewal
- Accounting and reporting support
- PRO, bank account and tax registration support
- How it works
How to set up a IFZA company in Dubai in 5 steps
Choose activities and licence
We match your activities to the right IFZA licence category and confirm your tax position.
Reserve your name
We reserve a compliant name and prepare the application for IFZA.
Apply and secure premises
We submit the application and arrange a flexi-desk, desk or office inside IFZA premises.
Receive your IFZA licence
After approvals and fees, IFZA issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up accounting and tax registration support.
Documents required for IFZA company setup
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your structure.
- Passport copy of every shareholder, director and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copy, if you are a resident
- Three proposed names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Source of funds details, where the authority or bank asks for them
- Business plan or activity description, where required
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for IFZA company setup in Dubai
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right licence and tax position
Licence categories, premises rules and tax outcomes differ by activity. We check your licence type and your Qualifying Free Zone Person position before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- IFZA FAQs
IFZA company setup in Dubai: frequently asked questions
The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is a Dubai free zone that began in Fujairah in 2018 and moved to Dubai in 2020, and it now operates from Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It offers 100% foreign ownership and flexible workspace. IFZA is separate from the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority. See all free zones.
No UAE national partner is needed for a standard IFZA setup. Some regulated activities need extra approvals.
The cost depends on your licence type, activity, premises and number of visas, so there is no single price. It combines the licence package, your premises, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
IFZA companies need a registered workspace in the zone. Options range from a flexi-desk to a private office, and the choice affects how many residence visas you can sponsor.
Not automatically. A IFZA licence does not give unrestricted mainland trading rights, so trading with UAE customers depends on your licence and any approvals. If most customers are in the UAE, a mainland company may fit better.
Yes, it must register. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income if it is a Qualifying Free Zone Person, and 9% on other income above AED 375,000. A free zone licence does not by itself mean zero tax. See corporate tax registration and filing.
IFZA licences are grouped by activity, such as trading, service and industrial, and one licence can usually combine several related activities. Some activities need an external approval first. We match your activities to the right licence before applying.
The timeline depends on your activity, structure and documents, and on any approvals your activity needs. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Yes. A IFZA company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number linked to your licence and premises. See the investor and partner visa.
Yes. Banks run Know Your Customer checks and the decision is theirs. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your IFZA company?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
Related services
More from Free Zone Company Formation.
Business setup guides
