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IFZA Free ZoneCompany Formation
Set up a company with the International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) in Dubai Silicon Oasis: a cost-efficient Dubai licence for consultants, traders and service businesses, with flexible visa packages.
- 100% Ownership
- Dubai Address
- Flexible Visa Packages
- Fast Online Setup
- Bank Account Support
Published Updated
IFZA: a cost-efficient Dubai free zone for SMEs
IFZA started in Fujairah and moved to Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2020. It is one of the most popular free zones for first companies, because it combines a Dubai address with low-cost packages, a wide activity list and a mostly online process.
IFZA suits consultants, agencies, traders and holding structures whose customers are mostly outside the UAE or other businesses. Packages are priced by the number of visas you need, and many founders start on a flexi-desk before taking a physical office.
Best known for: cost-efficient SME & consultancy licences
Why IFZA
IFZA keeps setup simple and costs predictable, which is why it is often the first company for solo founders and small teams.
Competitive packages
Licence packages priced by visa allocation, so you only pay for the visas you plan to use.
Dubai address
A Dubai Silicon Oasis address, close to Dubai’s business districts and both airports.
Wide activity list
Consultancy, trading, technology, media and many service activities, with several activities possible on one licence.
Mostly online process
Applications, signing and documents are largely handled online, so you rarely need to visit in person.
100% foreign ownership
Full ownership with no local partner, and profits and capital can be repatriated freely.
Flexi-desk to full office
Start on a flexi-desk and move to a dedicated office as the team grows, without changing zones.
Ideal for
- Solo founders & consultants
- Agencies & digital businesses
- International trading
- Holding structures
- Small teams needing a few visas
IFZA Licence Types
IFZA groups its activities into a few licence types. Your activities decide which one, and whether a combined licence is possible.
Professional Licence
For consultancy and service businesses.
- Management consultancy
- IT & software services
- Marketing & advertising
- HR consultancy
- Education & training services
Commercial Licence
For trading goods internationally and with UAE businesses.
- General trading
- Import & export
- E-commerce
- Electronics trading
- Food & beverage trading
Holding & Combined Licences
For holding structures and businesses mixing trade and services.
- Holding company
- Trading + consultancy
- Media + marketing
- Technology + trading
- Family investment vehicles
Legal Structures in IFZA
IFZA offers the usual free zone forms. Most founders choose a single- or multi-shareholder company.
01
Single-Shareholder Free Zone Company
One individual or corporate owner, with liability limited to share capital. The usual start for solo founders.
02
Multi-Shareholder Free Zone Company
Two or more shareholders, individual or corporate, with shares and voting set in the Articles.
03
Branch of a Foreign Company
An overseas company operating in the zone under its own name, with the parent liable for the branch.
04
Branch of a UAE Company
A mainland or other free zone company adds a presence in the zone without forming a new entity.
How a IFZA Company Is Formed
Free zone setup is mostly online. We prepare and file each step with IFZA for you.
- 01
Choose Activities & Package
We match your business to IFZA’s activity list and pick the licence package and visa allocation that fits.
- 02
Reserve the Company Name
We check your name options against the zone’s naming rules and reserve the best one.
- 03
Submit the Application
Application forms, shareholder documents and any business profile filed with the zone, with compliance (KYC) checks.
- 04
Sign the Constitutional Documents
Articles of Association and resolutions signed, in person or by e-signature where the zone allows it.
- 05
Office or Flexi-Desk
Flexi-desk or office included in your package, sized to the visas you need.
- 06
Licence Issued
IFZA issues the licence and certificate of incorporation, usually as digital documents.
- 07
Establishment Card, Visas & Bank
We open the immigration file, run investor and staff visas, and prepare the bank application in parallel.
Documents Required for IFZA Setup
What we need depends on whether each shareholder is a person or a company. Documents issued abroad must be notarised and attested for use in the UAE; we arrange this for you.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- Emirates ID, if resident in the UAE
- Passport-size photo
- Three trade name options
- Proof of home address
- Short business profile, if requested
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation or trade licence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the IFZA company
- Certificate of good standing
- Passport copy of the appointed manager
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
Why Choose an IFZA Company
IFZA suits businesses that want a Dubai free zone licence without paying for more than they need.
100% foreign ownership
Possible 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income
Dubai address in Dubai Silicon Oasis
Packages sized to your visa needs
Several activities on one licence
Mostly online setup and renewals
Flexi-desk options for new companies
Tax & Compliance Position: IFZA
Companies in IFZA can pay 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, but only if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. We check this before you choose the zone, not after.
UAE Corporate Tax
0% on qualifying income · 9% on the rest
To be a Qualifying Free Zone Person, the company needs real substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited financial statements and arm’s-length dealings with related parties. Taxable income that doesn’t qualify is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Selling to mainland customers?Most mainland revenue isn’t qualifying income. If non-qualifying revenue passes 5% of total revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower, QFZP status is lost for that year and the next four. We model this with you upfront.
UAE VAT
5% standard rate · same rules for services
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months and optional from AED 187,500. Free zone services are taxed exactly as they are on the mainland.
Designated zone statusSome free zones are VAT designated zones, where certain supplies of goods inside or between them fall outside UAE VAT. It never covers services. We confirm how IFZA’s status applies to your trade.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Corporate Tax return within 9 months of year end
- Audited financial statements (needed for QFZP status)
- VAT returns once registered
- Annual licence renewal with IFZA
- Office or flexi-desk lease renewed with the licence
- UBO register kept up to date
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 & Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023 (Qualifying Free Zone Persons) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Where IFZA Companies Operate
IFZA is broad, but these are the businesses we set up there most often.
Consultancy
Technology & Software
Marketing & Media
International Trading
E-commerce
Education & Training
Holding Companies
Professional Services
The TMFS Advantage
We handle IFZA setups end to end, from activity selection and IFZA licensing to a banked, visa-ready company registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Activity & Licence Advice
Matching your business to the right IFZA activities and licence category.
Package & Office Choice
Flexi-desk, office or warehouse sized to the visas you need, so you don’t pay for space you won’t use.
Application & Constitutional Documents
Application forms, resolutions and Articles prepared and filed with the zone for you.
Corporate Bank Account
Your application prepared alongside the licence and matched across our 18 partner banks.
Investor & Staff Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas with medicals and Emirates ID.
QFZP & VAT Compliance
Corporate Tax and VAT registrations, audited accounts and the yearly checks that keep 0% status intact.
Why Founders Choose TMFS in IFZA
Three things clients mention most.
Free zones compared, not sold
We work across several free zones and recommend the one that fits your activity, visas and tax, not the one with the biggest commission.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, premises, bank account, visas and tax with one consultant, from first call to renewal.
Written costs upfront
A written breakdown of government fees and our fee before you commit, with no surprises at renewal.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
IFZA suits cost-conscious SMEs. Other zones fit specific industries, budgets or emirates better.
UAE Free Zones Overview
How the UAE’s free zones compare on cost, activities, visas and tax. Start here to choose.
Read more
Meydan Free Zone
E-commerce and digital licences with a Dubai address and quick issuance.
Read moreRAKEZ
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Low-cost industrial, trading and service licences.
Read moreSHAMS
Sharjah Media City. Media, creative and consultancy licences, plus freelance permits.
Read moreSPC Free Zone
Sharjah Publishing City. Low-cost setup for publishing, media and services.
Read more
Ajman Free Zone
Cost-efficient trading, industrial and services licences with warehouse options.
Read more
SRTIP
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. Tech, R&D and industrial licences.
Read moreDMCC
Commodities and trading hub with strong bank acceptance. We advise on DMCC structures.
Read moreDIFC
Common-law jurisdiction for finance, funds and holding structures. We advise on DIFC setups.
Read moreWhat Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
IFZA: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up an IFZA free zone company.
Where is IFZA located?
IFZA is based at Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It moved there from Fujairah in 2020, so IFZA companies have a Dubai address.
Can an IFZA company trade with mainland UAE customers?
It can sell services and goods to UAE businesses in many cases, but retail sales and work on the mainland usually need a mainland licence or branch. Mainland income can also affect 0% Corporate Tax status. We check this for your model.
How many visas can I get with IFZA?
IFZA packages come with a set visa allocation, and you choose the package to match. More visas need a larger package or a physical office.
Do I need to visit Dubai to set up?
Most of the process is online. You will need to be in the UAE for visa medicals and Emirates ID biometrics, and banks usually want to meet you.
Will my IFZA company pay 0% Corporate Tax?
Only on qualifying income, and only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions every year. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Can you open the company bank account?
Yes. We prepare the bank application alongside the licence and match it to the partner bank most likely to approve your profile.
Verification & independence
Checked against publicly available IFZA and UAE federal sources in October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of IFZA and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Dubai or any UAE authority.
Activity lists, package prices, approvals and tax rules change. Confirm the current position for your activity with IFZA and the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
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- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Ready to Set Up in IFZA?
Talk to a TMFS consultant about the right IFZA package for your activities and visas, with banking and tax set up alongside.
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