Why choose IFZA
IFZA has become one of Dubai’s most popular free zones for small businesses, and the reasons are practical rather than prestigious.
Low cost
A licence starts from around AED 12,900, among the cheapest in Dubai for a zero-visa company.
Fast setup
Initial approval takes one to two days and the licence follows in three to seven business days.
Three activities free
You can combine up to three business activities on a single licence at no extra cost.
A real Dubai address
You get a flexi-desk and a Dubai Silicon Oasis address, accepted for your licence, visa and bank account.
Ownership and tax
100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax and full repatriation of your capital and profits.
Bankable
IFZA licences are accepted by most UAE banks, so opening an account is realistic for standard activities.
What IFZA really costs in 2026
The headline you see everywhere, around AED 12,900, is a zero-visa licence. It is real, but most founders need a visa, and that changes the number. Add the establishment card at about AED 3,000 and a residence visa at AED 3,000 to
4,500, and a solo founder with one visa lands at a realistic AED 20,000 to 30,000 all in for the first year. We would rather you knew that now than be surprised later.
- Zero-visa licence from about AED 12,900
- Establishment card about AED 3,000
- Each residence visa AED 3,000 to 4,500
- Solo founder, 1 visa: AED 20,000 to 30,000
- Flexi-desk included in every package
- 3-year visa option from year one
Pricing note
IFZA prices are set by the free zone and change with package, activity and visa count, so these are indicative 2026 ranges rather than a quote. Any budget page quoting a single low number is showing you the licence only. Riz & Mona Consultancy gives you an itemised all-in quote before you commit, with government and service fees shown separately.
PRICINGTIERTABLE
What you can do in IFZA
IFZA permits more than 1,500 activities, and you can hold up to three of them on one licence, even across different families. Most businesses fit into a few groups.
Consulting and services
Management, marketing, IT and professional consulting for clients in the UAE and abroad.
Trading and e-commerce
Import, export and online selling, from a single product line to general trading.
Technology and digital
Software, digital services and tech businesses, at home in the Silicon Oasis district.
Media and creative
Content, design and media work. Some creative activities need an extra approval, which we arrange.
Is IFZA the right free zone for you?
IFZA is built for value, and for the right business it is hard to beat. For others, another zone or the mainland fits better. Here is a straight read.
IFZA fits if you
Low cost and speed matter more than a prestige name.
Are a consultant, freelancer or small SME on a budget
Sell to international clients rather than UAE mainland customers
Run an e-commerce, digital or services business
Want fast, fully remote setup with 100% ownership
Want up to three activities on one affordable licence
Look elsewhere if you
Your needs point to a different zone or the mainland.
Need a prestige address for trading or banking, where DMCC fits
Run regulated finance or fintech, where DIFC is built for you
Sell directly to UAE mainland customers, which needs a mainland licence
Are purely comparing price, as Meydan is a close rival worth checking
Need many visas, which raises the cost at any free zone
Comparing IFZA with Meydan or another zone on price? We will run the real all-in numbers for both on a free call.
Set up your IFZA company with Riz & Mona Consultancy
IFZA works through registered partners rather than selling direct, and Riz & Mona Consultancy is one, so we handle your IFZA setup end to end: the licence, the right activities, visas and banking. Most of it runs remotely, in UK hours, and we show you the real all-in cost upfront, not a teaser price. UK-based, with more than 15 years on the ground in Dubai.
- Real all-in pricing
- Licence, visa and banking
- Honest zone advice
- Set up from the UK
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The legal form you choose affects ownership rules, liability, banking, and visa eligibility. These are the structures we most often recommend to international founders.
What is IFZA?
IFZA, the International Free Zone Authority, is a Dubai-based free zone in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It launched in 2018 and has grown into one of the most popular zones for small businesses, consultants and international founders, thanks to low prices and fast setup.
How much does IFZA really cost?
The headline is around AED 12,900, but that is a zero-visa licence. Once you add the establishment card and a residence visa, a solo founder with one visa realistically pays AED 20,000 to 30,000 all in for the first year.
Is IFZA the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
It is one of the cheapest, alongside Meydan, which starts from around AED 12,500. The best value depends on your activity and visa needs, not just the headline licence price, so it is worth comparing the real all-in cost.
How long does it take to set up in IFZA?
Initial approval takes one to two business days, and the licence is issued within three to seven business days of payment. A full setup including your visa and Emirates ID usually takes two to four weeks.
How many activities can I have on one IFZA licence?
Up to three, and they can come from different families, such as consulting plus trading, at no extra cost. IFZA permits more than 1,500 activities in total.
How many visas can I get with IFZA?
Up to three, and they can come from different families, such as consulting plus trading, at no extra cost. IFZA permits more than 1,500 activities in total.
Can I open a bank account with an IFZA licence?
Yes. IFZA licences are accepted by most UAE banks, including Emirates NBD, Mashreq and RAKBANK, as well as digital banks. Approval still depends on your activity and profile, and we prepare the file to help.
Do I need to visit Dubai to set up with IFZA?
Not for the licence. The company and licence can be set up entirely remotely from the UK. You usually only travel for the visa medical and Emirates ID stage, which we arrange around you.
Can I set up an IFZA company from the UK?
Yes. We handle IFZA setups for UK founders remotely, in UK hours, from the licence through to banking. It is one of the simpler zones to set up without flying out.
Do I pay tax with an IFZA company?
There is no personal income tax in the UAE. Your company may owe 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000, though qualifying free zone income can be 0%. Our accounting team confirms where you stand.
Can I upgrade my IFZA package later?
Yes. You can add visas or activities, or move to an office for a larger visa quota, as your business grows. IFZA is built to scale up from a small start.
IFZA or Meydan: which is better?
Both are affordable Dubai free zones with digital setup. The right one comes down to your activity, visa needs and the real all-in cost rather than the headline. We will compare them for your business.
Start your IFZA company setup today
Book a free 30-minute consultation, or estimate your cost with our calculator. We will show you the real all-in figure.
