IFZA - International Free Zone Authority company formation

Company setup from AED 12,900

Registration from 3 days

Bank account Guaranteed

Remote company setup Available

Multi-year license discounts: IFZA offers up to 30% discounts for 2-, 3-, and 5-year packages.

Emirabiz experts’ opinion

IFZA authorized partner

Is IFZA suitable for your business?

— Yes,

• if you are looking for a low-cost business setup solution in Dubai, as IFZA is one of the most cost-effective and affordable free zones in the emirate.
• if you intend to open a startup or an SME focused on business activities related to trading, consulting, and services. Also, IFZA allows for combining activities from various categories without paying extra fees.
• if you’re looking for a free zone with a user-friendly setup process, fast and efficient application processing, and no need for a compliance questionnaire.
• if your staff includes high-risk nationals due to the high chance of their visas being approved and the availability of a pre-approval process.
• if you’re looking for a bank-friendly and reputable free zone. IFZA is highly recognized by banks, allowing for easier bank-related operations such as opening a bank account.

You can also consider an even cheaper alternative in Dubai like the Meydan Free Zone or company formation in other emirates, such as in Sharjah Media City.

— No,

• if you’re a small business with a minimal budget looking for the cheapest company setup option.
• if you want to focus on the local market and require a retail space on the mainland.
• if you are engaged in a large-scale business that requires warehouses or production facilities. For such business activities, we recommend RAKEZ or JAFZA free zones.

IFZA company formation process

In the International Free Zone Authority, company incorporation and business license issuance take about 5-7 working days. The business setup can be completed remotely without personal presence.

Company registration procedure in IFZA

Step 1. Choose your business activities and license type.

Determine the business activities of your future company and the corresponding license type. This is a key aspect of business setup, as choosing the wrong activity and license can lead to errors during company registration, creating problems with opening a bank account or even making such opening impossible. Note that IFZA allows for up to 7 activities under a single license.

Step 2. Determine the legal entity of your business.

Specify the legal status of your business in IFZA. Available company formation types at IFZA include FZCO (Free Zone Company) or a branch of an already existing company registered within or outside the UAE. FZCO companies also operate as LLCs, however, the suffix attached to the names of companies registered in IFZA is FZCO.

Step 3. Prepare and file the required documentation.

Prepare and submit the necessary documents. IFZA requires a minimal documentation package.

• 3 company name options according to preference
• Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
• Visa & Emirates ID (If applicable)
• E-mail
• Residential address
• Phone number
• Confirmation of business activity

Registration can be completed remotely without your physical presence and typically takes 5-7 working days. Also, this step involves paying all the registration and processing fees.

Step 4. Collect the license and registration documents.

Receive the license and registration documents for the company, including:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Trade license
• Articles of Association
• Memorandum of Association
• Lease agreement

Step 5. Secure your Establishment Card.

Receive the Establishment Card containing information about your company and visa quotes. The timeframe of Establishment Card issuance is typically 3-5 working days.

Step 6. Apply for an entry permit.

Apply for an entry permit. If you’re outside of the UAE during the processing of the entry permit, you will need to come to the country when the document is issued within 60 days to complete the medical test and biometrics for your visa. If you’re in the UAE when the entry permit is issued, a status change will be done from your previous UAE tourist/residency visa to the new one.

Step 7. Take a medical test and submit visa documents.

Undergo a medical checkup and submit documents for a residence visa. Different registration packages may provide for a varying number of visas available for owners and employees of the company. Note that at IFZA, visas can be processed without requiring health insurance.

Step 8. Collect your Emirates ID.

Once your visa is issued, secure your Emirates ID card. The processing and issuance of a visa and Emirates ID usually take 5-7 working days after the visa approval.

Step 9. Open a bank account.

Apply to a UAE bank to open a corporate bank account. IFZA is known as a reputable free zone highly recognized by banks, which will make the account opening process as smooth as possible. Once you receive your account details, you are free to start running your business.

IFZA license cost

IFZA license fees start from AED 12,900 for a license with no residency visa. This package includes the registration of 3 business activities which can either be a trading or service activity. Packages with visas start from AED 14,900. Low license fees and the absence of capital requirements make this free zone really cost-effective. For example, IFZA’s General Trading license is the cheapest in Dubai.

In addition, IFZA offers multi-year license discounts of up to 30% for 2-, 3-, and 5-year packages.

IFZA cheapest 1-year license package fees:

Other additional fees that may be applicable include:

• IFZA Establishment Card
• IFZA visa fee
• Medical checkup (result in 1 day)
• Emirates ID

IFZA licenses and business activities

There is a wide range of business activities at the International Free Zone Authority. You can include up to seven activities in one license, with 3 of them free of charge and the rest will be at additional cost. The full activity list of IFZA can be found here.

In the table below, you can find the list of business licenses supported by IFZA and their descriptions.

A combination of activities from different categories is allowed. Both a General Trading license and a regular Trading license allow you to sell your products and goods online.

IFZA facilities

The International Free Zone Authority is happy to offer a broad range of office solutions for your IFZA company setup in the Silicon Oasis business park area of Dubai.

Below are the accommodation options available at IFZA:

The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is equipped with premier infrastructure designed for comprehensive customer support of corporate activities. With its versatile operational opportunities, customizable lease terms, round-the-clock accessibility, and integrated accommodation and commercial spaces, IFZA stands as the ideal platform for investors to launch and prosper in Dubai.

IFZA residence visas

By registering your free zone company, you become entitled to UAE residency. Note that company owner and employee visas are valid for 2 years and can be processed remotely without requiring health insurance.

IFZA is particularly recommended for citizens from high-risk countries, for example, Sudan, Algeria, Syria, Iraq, Bangladesh, Egypt, or Turkey. Note that these are just examples and amendments can be made by the free zone at any time. Dubai free zones have fewer immigration restrictions.

IFZA visa costs:

IFZA family visa

To bring your family to the UAE and obtain dependent visas, you must:

• Rent an apartment in the UAE.
• Attest the marriage certificate and your children’s birth certificates at the UAE Embassy in your country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
• Translate the marriage and birth certificates into Arabic.

IFZA company license renewal

The renewal of the IFZA business license is quick and easy. The price is the same as the first-year license registration cost plus additional costs (if applicable) and minus the accumulated discounts.

Note that no amendment charges are applied for making changes during company renewal. To renew your business license, submit an application form with the required documents to the free zone authorities, pay the renewal fees, and wait for your license to be renewed.

IFZA company amendments and regulations

If you need to, you can make a company amendment at any time, and as many of them as you require. If you need to make minor changes, you or your business setup consultant can send an e-mail from your official address. For major changes, the Board Resolution is required.

The list of company amendments supported by IFZA includes:

• Changing the company name
• Changing managers/shareholders
• Changing the company’s business activities
• Appointing or resigning positions
• Transferring company shares
• And others

To make changes to your company, initiate the amendment by contacting the IFZA authorities or your business setup consultant via e-mail, pay the amendment fee, and wait for the amendment confirmation.

IFZA company liquidation

Company liquidation at IFZA does not necessitate the physical presence of the proprietor and may be efficiently executed via a designated representative. To complete the procedure, you will need to pay the liquidation fee. IFZA company liquidation can be truly called one of the cheapest compared to other UAE free zones.
 

The liquidation procedure will be the following:

1. Provide the following mandatory documents:

• board resolution signed by the shareholders and stating the reason for the company liquidation
• deregistration documentation
• visa cancellation documentation
• copies of passports and visas for all visa holders
• audit report

2. Pay cancellation fees and settle other payments.

3. After this, the cancellation process of the shareholder visa and any other visa that is sponsored by the company starts.

4. The deregistration letter will be sent to your email confirming the cancellation of your company.

The liquidation inquiry must be sent to the IFZA authorities at least 1 month before license cancellation. Investors will have to file a comprehensive audit report concurrent with the license liquidation. The timeframe of the company liquidation process at IFZA is around 1 month.

About IFZA

IFZA or the International Free Zone Authority is a reputed business hub and one of the most popular and cost-effective choices for global investors looking for a Dubai free zone company setup. The authority’s office is in Dubai Silicon Oasis where it moved from Fujairah in 2018.

IFZA’s licenses are affordable and start from just 12,900 dirhams. The free zone allows the mixing of various business activities under a single license (up to 7 different activities!), simplifying compliance and reducing administrative burdens.

For your IFZA company setup, you can choose from many facilities: shared workspaces (AKA flexi-desks), dedicated offices of various sizes, conference rooms, and warehouses for lease.

Additionally, IFZA supports remote company formation, enabling entrepreneurs to set up their operations conveniently from afar. The setup process is quick and easy with license issuance taking just about 3 days.

If you plan to start a business in Dubai, you can learn more about IFZA which offers competitive packages with one or multiple visas thus providing an attractive and flexible environment for new businesses.

You may also explore other similar low-cost company formation options in Dubai to find the best fit for your business needs, such as the Meydan Free Zone.